When most people think about how and where they interact with CRNAs, they picture an operating room. Bright lights, sometimes messy, and the efficiency of a well-practiced team. As patients, we can depend on the team in these operating rooms to keep us safe and make decisions in our best interest during some of the most critical moments of our lives.
Similarly, school board roles are not particularly high-profile. They meet on weeknights, often in administrative buildings or schools. Board members debate budget line items, review hiring decisions, and vote on policies that many residents never read. They are also some of the most consequential elected bodies in American public life. They are responsible for the education of every child in their district, the stewardship of hundreds of millions of dollars in public funds, and the long-term trajectory of the communities they serve.
For four Tennessee nurse anesthetists, being a CRNA isn’t where patient impact ends. Jeremy Donegan, Jerrod Weems, Rachel Brown and Brandon Fletcher are running for school board elections in their area, hoping to influence the families they help every day at work. These four CRNAs advocate for patients who are at their most vulnerable, across teams, while managing competing priorities and staying calm under pressure. These are not just clinical skills, they are governing skills.
For Jeremy Donegan, interest in running for the Wilson County, Zone 6 school board came from a desire to support his children. His oldest daughter enters high school this fall, a milestone that highlighted something Donegan had been considering for a while. Donegan’s doctoral work gave him a clear view of the challenges modern schools face, particularly around technology and cultural change. But serving as a coach and mentor most directly shaped his governing philosophy. He believes schools succeed when students feel genuinely connected to each other, their activities, and to their communities, and when we all put in the hard work to succeed together.
“As a CRNA, my entire career has been built on preparation, accountability, and serving people in their most vulnerable moments. Those same skills translate directly into public service. In the operating room, you learn to stay calm under pressure, communicate clearly, and make decisions that put people first — and that’s exactly the mindset I want to bring to the school board,” said Donegan.
“I’m running because I’m a dad with kids in this system, a coach who’s spent years investing in local students, and someone who believes strong schools are the foundation of a strong community. CRNAs understand what it means to show up, to lead with integrity, and to advocate for others. Having that perspective represented in elected roles matters. My decision to run was shaped by my family, my work, and the belief that when parents and professionals stay engaged, our schools — and our kids-thrive.”
Jerrod Weems, MSN, CRNA, of Morristown, has already proven that CRNAs supporting families as elected officials is better for communities. Weems ran for the Hamblen County Board of Education and won. A product of Hamblen County schools, Weems went on to Walters State, the University of Tennessee, and Lincoln Memorial University before becoming a CRNA at Morristown-Hamblen Healthcare System.
His time on the board has been marked by incredible accomplishments for Tennessee families, and in line with someone trained to prioritize accountability. He pushed for video recording of board meetings, arguing that every vote by an elected official should be transparent and on the record. He has pledged to return his board compensation directly to the schools he represents. Weems has also been an outspoken advocate for other CRNAs considering public service, noting that the profession’s training produces exactly the kind of leaders communities need.
“As a CRNA and school board member, I’ve seen firsthand how the same principles that guide us in healthcare, critical thinking, accountability, and advocacy, are just as essential in public service. The most impactful part of serving has been being able to make decisions that directly improve student safety, access, and outcomes in our schools. It’s important for CRNAs to be represented in elected roles because we bring a unique, real-world perspective on leadership, problem-solving, and putting people first. That perspective matters, not just in healthcare, but in shaping stronger communities,” said Weems.
Rachel Brown has spent 41 years as a registered nurse, 29 of them as a CRNA. She has been a clinical educator, a classroom educator, and a practitioner trusted with patients at their most vulnerable. Now she’s asking Sumner County to trust her with a seat on the school board in District 9.
Brown is running as an independent. She believes school boards should be accountable to families, not party platforms, and she has said that her goal is to make decisions based on data and sound judgment rather than politics or emotion. Born and raised in Gallatin and now watching her grandchildren go through the same schools, Brown’s commitment to Sumner County is generational.
“I’ve spent 41 years making sure patients are safe and cared for when they can’t advocate for themselves. Children in our schools need the same thing: someone in the room who will look out for them, ask the right questions, and not back down when it counts. Being a CRNA has taught me how to be that person,” said Brown.
Brandon Fletcher, CRNA, came to nursing after eleven years at UPS. He’s practiced as a CRNA at Holston Valley Medical Center and Indian Path Community Hospital since 2012. He was elected to the Kingsport City Schools board in 2021 and elevated to Board President in August 2025.
His journey from first-term board member to president in four years reflects what happens when someone brings genuine expertise, disciplined thinking, and a service orientation into a role that requires all three.
TANA is proud to recognize these four members as a model. Their stories are individually compelling, but together, they make an argument that all CRNAs should take seriously: CRNAs are uniquely equipped for public office, and not enough are running.
School boards, city councils, county commissions and state legislatures are full of decisions that demand high-pressure thinking with real consequences for real people. There are policy debates with no clear answer, and trade-offs that require both empathy and pragmatism. Any CRNA who has spent years navigating these dynamics in the OR is arriving to a role in public service prepared.
Healthcare policy, including scope of practice battles that often directly affect CRNAs, are shaped by elected officials at every level of government. When CRNAs are absent from these bodies, they are relying on others to understand and advocate for their profession. When they are present, they can speak from experience, correct misconceptions, and build the kind of legislative relationships that move policy forward. Running for office is professional advocacy.
For TANA members who have considered public service but haven’t taken the first step, the path forward is accessible. Start local and connect with TANA to help identify opportunities and provide guidance.
Our profession has spent decades fighting for the recognition it deserves. One of the most direct ways to accelerate that fight is to put CRNAs in the rooms where decisions get made. This May, remember to vote for CRNAs at the ballot box, and consider if your future includes a run for public office!