Rita L. LeBlanc Philanthropist of the Year Award
2023 Recipient Rita L. LeBlanc Philanthropist of the Year Award
Virginia A. Gaffey, CRNA
The Rita L. LeBlanc Philanthropist of the Year Award is presented to an individual who has gone beyond the call of duty as a supporter of the AANA Foundation and other philanthropic organizations. The recipient of the 2023 Rita L. LeBlanc Philanthropist of the Year Award is Virginia A. Gaffey, CRNA.
Born in Boston, MA, Virginia Gaffey graduated from Fitchburg State College in 1955 with a bachelor of science in Education and Burbank Hospital Nursing Program, also in 1955. She received her nurse anesthetist training at Carney Hospital School of Anesthesia and Johns Hopkins Hospital in Maryland and served as Director of the Carney Hospital Program from 1957 until 1986. Ms. Gaffey served as President of the American Association of Nurse Anesthetists from 1969 – 1970. She was a former Chairman of the Professional Advisory Board of the Milton Visiting Nurses Association.
Ms. Gaffey was recognized for many achievements for her work in healthcare by the AANA, Carney Hospital, the City of Boston, the Town of Milton and the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, including the Louise de Marillac Award at Carney Hospital, 1999 Fitchburg State Distinguished Alumna Award and the 1982 Helen Lamb Outstanding Educator Award. She became an AANA Foundation “Friend for Life” in 2004 through a bequest in her will and, thanks to her foresight, left an incredible legacy of a $1.3 million dollar scholarship endowment that will support students pursuing nurse anesthesiology. The AANA Foundation Board of Trustees is posthumously awarding the Rita L. LeBlanc Philanthropist of the Year award in honor of service to the nurse anesthesiology profession and her prolific generosity. The AANA Foundation is proud to honor the memory of Virginia A. Gaffey with this prestigious award.
