For Dr. Velocci, her candidacy to serve as the AANA Region II Director is not about the position. It is not about climbing the ranks of an organization. Rather, Dina Velocci, CRNA, DNP, APN says “it is a calling, borne out of love for my profession as an anesthetist.” Dina began working with CRNA professionals who were prominent past AANA board members when she was just a student. The influences of these past board members became a driving influence for her future involvement with the AANA.

She has served in many roles for the Tennessee Association of Nurse Anesthetists (TANA), the seventh largest organization in the AANA. As a two-term President, President-Elect, District Director, Secretary-Treasurer, Chair of the Government Relations Committee, Finance Committee Member, and TANA-PAC Treasurer, Dina has used her excellent communication and problem-solving skills to become an effective leader at all levels.

In today’s environment, the healthcare industry is forever shifting. Dina says of the role of AANA Region II Director, “that it will be challenging, but most rewarding for many reasons”. The most important is in knowing that at the end of the day, I am having an impact on protecting the profession and our patients.”

Dina believes that the AANA has an obligation to find solutions to such challenges as reimbursement bundles, scope of practice, and other career issues. She further states, “We have to be a proactive organization and tear down the remaining barriers in order to become the prominent voice of anesthesia in both the healthcare community and in the eyes of the public.”

To accomplish these goals, Dina believes that the AANA nationwide is the strongest when the members’ voices are heard, valued and represented in defining our profession – a profession she does not take lightly. Rather than taking a seat at the round table of healthcare she states, “it is time to invite the leaders of the healthcare industry to our table of discussion.” Dr. Velocci makes it clear that her ten plus years in leadership roles in TANA has never been about her, but about accurately representing her members. She has proven to be a strong advocate for the association, never backing down in the face of adversity. This tenacity is an important quality in a leader taking part in the conversations across the many silos of the healthcare field.

When Dina is not caring for her patients or advocating for her profession, she can be found with her teenage daughters, Olivia and Julia. Together, they enjoy traveling, skiing and other family activities.