Jennifer Andersen Receives Prestigious Federal Political Director Award from AANA

AANA Honors Jennifer Andersen with Daniel D. Vigness Award

On April 9, 2026, the American Association of Nurse Anesthesiology (AANA) announced that it will honor Jennifer Andersen, MSNA, CRNA, with the Daniel D. Vigness Federal Political Director Award during the upcoming 2026 Mid-Year Assembly, set to take place from April 24-29 in Washington, DC. This award recognizes her dedicated efforts in advocating for the role of Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists (CRNAs) in Texas's healthcare ecosystem.

In her pivotal position as Federal Political Director of the Texas Association of Nurse Anesthetists (TxANA), Andersen has been instrumental in fostering relationships with federal legislators. She works tirelessly to educate them on the essential contributions CRNAs make to healthcare in Texas. Her ability to connect with Texas's political leaders has included recruiting and mentoring fellow CRNAs in various advocacy opportunities. Through these initiatives, she promotes political engagement that highlights the priorities of the profession.

One of the noteworthy programs developed by Andersen is the Key Contacts initiative, designed to empower CRNAs to forge stronger relationships with their elected officials. This initiative equips CRNAs with the skills to effectively testify at legislative hearings, thereby ensuring that decision-makers have access to firsthand accounts from knowledgeable and engaged clinicians. The program has successfully broadened the reach and credibility of CRNA advocacy, enabling policymakers to hear directly from constituents in their districts.

As Andersen stated, "It's critical that all CRNAs play an active role in advocating for our profession and patients. My main agenda has been to develop Congressional Advocacy Specialists, or CRNA advocates in each Congressional district in Texas. This program helps CRNAs to increase their engagement with federal policymakers here at home and is critical to our continued advocacy success in Washington, DC." Her acknowledgment of the support from TxANA in these advocacy efforts demonstrates the collaborative spirit that characterizes her work.

A member of TxANA and the AANA since 2008, Andersen has been actively involved on the TxANA Board of Directors since 2023 and has been serving as Federal Political Director since 2022. Her contributions extend beyond political advocacy; she also serves as the Vice President of TxANA, Chair of the Education Committee, and Co-Chair of the Public Relations Committee. Notably, she played a crucial role in maintaining Texas's presence in federal advocacy by serving as interim Federal Political Director from 2015 to 2020.

Professionally, Andersen practices as a partner with Permian Basin Anesthetists in Midland, Texas. Currently, she is enrolled in the Doctorate of Nurse Anesthesia Practice (DNAP) program at Missouri State University. Her academic credentials include a Master of Science in Nurse Anesthesia from Wolford College, a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Chamberlain College, and a nursing diploma from Richmond Memorial School of Nursing.

The Daniel D. Vigness Federal Political Director Award was established in 2001 to recognize individuals who have made significant strides in advancing the national healthcare agenda for CRNAs. It celebrates those who mobilize grassroots support in their states and engage effectively with the federal political landscape.

To learn more about AANA's member recognition awards, you can visit AANA Awards.