Who was the first Executive Director of the AANA, serving from 1948 to 1970?

• A. Helen Lamb
• B. Florence Mcquillen
• C. John F. Garde
• D. Mary Adams

Answer: (B)

Florence McQuillen was the first Executive Director of the American Association of Nurse Anesthetists, serving from 1948 to 1970. In this role, she built the administrative backbone of the organization, coordinating staff, finances, and programs, and guiding the association through a period of significant growth after World War II. Her leadership helped push forward education standards, support licensure efforts, and expand membership, providing stability and a clear direction that allowed the profession to professionalize and advocate effectively. The other figures listed were important in nursing anesthesia in their own right, but they did not serve as the first Executive Director of the AANA during that era.