From January 18th – 25th, 2026, UNC Department of Anesthesiology is thrilled to celebrate our 70+ CRNAs for National CRNA Recognition Week! Nurse anesthetists across our healthcare system are critical members of UNC Health’s peri-operative frontline. Nurse anesthesiology traces its origins to the 1860s, when nurses played a significant role in stabilizing pain in wounded soldiers during the Civil War. Today, almost 60,000* CRNAs safely administer more than 50 million anesthetics to patients each year across the U.S. Nurse anesthetists represent more than 80% of the anesthesia providers in rural counties, where critical access hospitals often rely on independently practicing CRNAs for anesthesia care.
UNC Anesthesiology Chief CRNA Aaron Lemmon stated: “While it is important to celebrate this highly respected profession during this week, we would be remiss if we did not recognize the hard work and dedication that this group provides day in and day out throughout the year. UNC, like many other healthcare facilities across the country, is currently battling significant staffing shortages. Despite this, [UNC Health]’s CRNAs have remained flexible provide countless hours of overtime in an effort to keep the operating rooms running across our many locations. This dedication to patient care ensures that the citizens of North Carolina continue to have access to the care that they so desperately need. It has always been an honor of mine to work at UNC as a CRNA, as well as a member of this leadership team. I am humbled by how much the [CRNA] team I work with gives of themselves to care for their patients.”