AANA Withdraws Trademark Bids After ASA Opposition

The American Association of Nurse Anesthesiology has withdrawn applications to register trademarks for two variations on its name, including "The American Association of Nurse Anesthesiologists" and "The American Association of Nurse Anesthetists and Nurse Anesthesiologists." The move follows a 2024 opposition filed by the American Society of Anesthesiologists at the Trademark Trial and Appeal Board.

The ASA argued that the proposed marks were deceptive because the term "anesthesiologist" has historically referred to physicians. The AANA had filed the applications for potential future business entities but maintained its existing registered trademark for its current name, which dates to a 2021 rebranding.

The withdrawal, effective June 29, does not affect the AANA's current name or the ability of certified registered nurse anesthetists to describe their roles under state law. An ASA leader described the outcome as a win for patient transparency in medical titles. Legal observers noted that broader disputes over professional nomenclature may continue outside trademark proceedings.