Delegation Leaders are selected by the professional association to represent the members and the goals of the association.  Delegation leaders provide the initial vision and guidance in the development of the professional program. Delegation Leaders assist in facilitating the professional dialog, greeting hosts and representing the delegation members while in the field.

 Dr Debbie Malina

Debbie Malina has been a Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist for over 25 years. She is a former Region Director, Treasurer, and President (2011-12) of the American Association of Nurse Anesthetists (AANA). She is a past Lead Coordinator of the Nursing Organizations Alliance, and has held numerous other state and national elected and appointed positions. She has been actively involved in leadership development, crisis management, team-building, and organizational health for both the AANA and state associations. Debbie has lead international CRNA delegations to other countries where CRNAs from the US were able to come together with their overseas nurse anesthesia colleagues and other healthcare providers.

In addition to legal and business consulting, Debbie has practiced in a number of states and variety of healthcare settings, being an independent contractor since 2004. She recently was the interim director of surgical services for the busy 4-surgeon cosmetic surgery center. She has been a faculty member at 2 nurse anesthesia programs. She received her Master’s Degree in Anesthesiology from Barry University, an MBA from Madison University, and her Doctorate in Nursing Science (DNSc) from the University of TN Memphis. She has been a member of Sigma Theta Tau, and in 2015, Debbie was inducted as a Distinguished Fellow for Nursing in the National Academies of Practice.

In her personal life, Debbie and her husband, both Ohio natives, are enjoying their new home of Hawaii, traveling, hiking, music, and being the parents of one adult child, a new daughter-in-law, and 4 kids each with 4 legs.