The South Carolina Association of Nurse Anesthetists purpose is to advance and enhance the art and science of nurse anesthesia and is committed to the advancement of educational standards and practices.

We as an organization are dedicated to represent and to advocate the interest of the Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists. We are committed to promote high-quality care for the citizens of South Carolina, by facilitating the provision of accessible, affordable, and high-quality care. This commitment, which can only be accomplished by a total commitment to excellence and patient safety.

Click here to view the S.C.A.N.A. By-laws

History of the South Carolina Association of Nurse Anesthetists

The South Carolina Association of Nurse Anesthetists was founded to promote continuing education among CRNAs in South Carolina. The first meeting of the South Carolina Association of Nurse Anesthetists was held on April 14, 1951. It was attended by eleven Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists. The first officers were as follow:

Mrs. Helen Arndt, President
Mrs. Mary Powell, Vice President
Mrs. Francis Hames, Secretary- Treasurer
Ms. Ida Holden, By-laws Chairperson
Ms. Helen Caskey, By-laws Vice Chairperson

The second meeting was held on May 27, 1951 with twelve Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists in attendance.

There are two Nurse Anesthesia Programs in South Carolina. Mr. Everard Hicks began the first program in Charleston, S.C. at the Medical University in 1965. The first graduating class was March 2, 1967 and included Victor Warner, Nell Ward, Mary Ann Cone, Barbara Brown, Audrey Hall, Ruby Johnson, and Alta Sullivan.

The second Program is in Columbia, S.C. Dr. Donald Harwood began it in March 1969 as an 18-month program. The school functioned as part of the Richland Memorial Hospital, which remains the largest clinical site for the program today. The program is associated with the USC School of Medicine under the department of Pharmacology.