Message From The President

Message from the President 
Dr. Ashlynn Penna, DNP, RN, CPAN, CAPA, NPD-BC
President, Georgia Association of Perianesthesia Nurses (GAPAN)
January 1, 2026
Dear GAPAN Members,
Happy New Year, and welcome to 2026! I’m honored to serve as your GAPAN President and 
excited to begin this new chapter alongside you.
As your new President, I wanted to share a little about myself as we kick off the year together. 
I’ve been a perianesthesia nurse for 25 years and currently serve as a Clinical Practice Specialist 
at Northside Hospital Gwinnett and Duluth. I previously served as GAPAN’s Clinical Excellence 
Chair before stepping into the President-Elect role, and I remain actively involved with ASPAN 
through the Standards Committee, Clinical Practice Committee, Clinical Inquiry Committee, and 
Strategic Work Team exploring potential structural changes for ASPAN’s future. Outside of 
work, I enjoy traveling and spending time with my family. Like many of you, I know this season 
can be especially busy in healthcare, and I hope you’re finding moments to recharge and care for 
yourself.
I’m grateful to serve alongside a full Board of Directors made up of dedicated volunteers who 
are focused on strengthening GAPAN’s leadership foundation, re-engaging our members, and 
preparing for what’s next. You can view the full Board roster on our website. I also encourage 
you to consider getting involved by joining one of our committees this year. Volunteering is a 
meaningful way to stay connected to our community, grow professionally, and contribute to the 
future of perianesthesia nursing in Georgia.
We also have a full year of events and opportunities planned. Please save the date for our
GAPAN State Conference on February 21 at Great Wolf Lodge in LaGrange. We have an 
excellent lineup of speakers and discounted room rates for those who want to turn the weekend 
into a family-friendly getaway. Use discount code 2602GAPA when booking.
In addition, I encourage you to consider attending the upcoming ASPAN National Conference, 
which will be held in San Francisco from April 26 to April 30, 2026. This is a valuable 
opportunity to learn, connect, and represent Georgia at the national level alongside perianesthesia 
colleagues from across the country.
Finally, we’ll be launching a new GAPAN newsletter soon. Please check back on our website to 
read the latest updates and stay engaged.
Thank you for the opportunity to serve. I look forward to a productive and meaningful year 
together!
Respectfully,
Ashlynn Penna, DNP, RN, CPAN, CAPA, NPD-BC
President, GAPAN