Barry University’s Nurse Anesthesiology Program brought Buccaneer pride to the 2026 Florida Association of Nurse Anesthesiology (FANA) Annual Meeting, held October 2–4 in Tampa, FL. The conference provided opportunities for students, faculty and alumni to connect with the nurse anesthesia community and highlight Barry’s commitment to nurse anesthesia education.

Approximately 66 Barry students registered for the conference, while the program’s exhibitor booth welcomed around 117 prospective applicants and guests. Interim Program Director Dr. Linda Wunder, Assistant Program Director Dr. Lisa Ferrand, faculty members Dr. Theresa Reed, Dr. Lori Tolson and Dr. Carla White, and administrative team members Jennifer Sanchez and Lisa Buonadonna represented Barry throughout the event.

Faculty also contributed to the conference’s educational programming. Dr. Lori Tolson, DNP, CRNA, APRN, co-presented the general session, “Advancing a Just Culture in Nurse Anesthesia Education: A Student-Centered Response to a Sentinel or Near Miss Event,” alongside Barbara Gesenhues-Cabral, MSN, CRNA.

Students showed their school spirit on Saturday in their Barry red polos. That evening, third-year students Ryan Harris, Hector Serviat, Miguel Rodriguez Caicedo and Dennis Suero, along with second-year student Myra Lakdawala, represented Barry in the College Bowl competition.

The meeting also marked a special milestone for Ryan Harris, who was named Barry University’s Florida Association of Registered Resident Nurse Anesthetists (FARRNA) representative.

The 2026 FANA Annual Meeting celebrated the accomplishments of Barry students and faculty while creating opportunities for professional connection and continued engagement within the nurse anesthesia community.