Oregon Resident Yuri Chavez Receives National Award from American Association of Nurse Anesthetists

WASHINGTON, D.C. -- Yuri Chavez, a certified registered nurse anesthetist (CRNA) and resident of Silverton, Ore., received the 2004 Federal Political Director of the Year Award from the American Association of Nurse Anesthetists (AANA) during the AANA’s Mid-Year Assembly held in Washington, D.C. earlier this year. Chavez is the third recipient of the award.

The Federal Political Director of the Year Award was established in 2001 by the AANA Board of Directors to acknowledge the CRNA who makes the greatest strides in advancing the AANA’s federal healthcare agenda through grassroots political activities.

Chavez is currently a managing member of the Silverton Anesthesia Group, LLC, in Silverton, and also provides anesthesia care at the Center for Outpatient Medicine in Salem, Ore.

"Being recognized for advocating the work that I do every day is indeed a distinction," said Chavez. "Educating the Oregon legislators about the importance of nurse anesthesia care to the citizens of this state who reside in both rural and urban areas is very rewarding."

A nurse anesthetist for more than a decade, Chavez is well known to Oregon local, state, and federal legislators for his advocacy on behalf of nurse anesthesia. Chavez spearheaded undertakings that resulted in the passage of Oregon Senate Bill 412, which serves as the final authority on CRNA practice in the state. In addition, his tireless efforts were instrumental in assuring opt-out of the federal physician supervision requirement for nurse anesthetists in Oregon.

Chavez received his master’s degree in nurse anesthesia from the University of California, Los Angeles, in Los Angeles, Calif., and a bachelor’s degree in science and nursing from Loma Linda University in Loma Linda, Calif.

 Source: American Association of Nurse Anesthetists