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N.D. (NewsDakota.com) – Andrew Schott, certified registered nurse anesthetist at the Jamestown Regional Medical Center (JRMC), was recently elected President Elect of the North Dakota Association of Nurse Anesthetists (NDANA).

The NDANA is a 325-member organization of North Dakota CRNAs. It is also a part of the 50,000-member American Association of Nurse Anesthetists (AANA), whose mission is to “advance patient safety, practice excellence, and its members’ profession.”

A certified nurse anesthetist (CRNA) is an advanced practice nurse who specializes in the administration of anesthesia.

Schott’s main role as president will be to run the spring and fall meetings, with topics including practice, legislation and budget. The AANA also meets once a year in Washington D.C. for legislative purposes.

“Here in North Dakota, it’s not as much of an issue, but in some states the nurse anesthetists are still having independence issues,” Schott explained. “We have gained a lot of ground in North Dakota, so our main goal is to further and protect that.”

Schott was encouraged run for office from the director of the University of North Dakota’s nurse anesthesia program, Kevin Buettner.

“I’ve been politically involved in other things in the past, so I guess Kevin thought I would be a good fit,” Schott said. “It is a big responsibility, but I decided to go for it.”

Schott is no stranger to big responsibilities. He is also a member of the North Dakota Farm Bureau Board, sits on the board for UND anesthesia candidate interviews, partner on his family farm, and a husband and father of three.

“I am proud to represent JRMC,” Schott explained. He and five other CRNA’s at JRMC assist with more than 3,000 surgeries a year. “We have a very well-respected anesthesia practice in our community and in the anesthesia community. People from other facilities really watch what we’re doing closely because we’re independent, we are supported by our administration and we’re doing a lot.”

Schott’s term as president will officially begin in November of 2018, where he will serve a two-year term.