Flight Nurse Santana Olvera, BSN, RN, NREMT, CEN, CTRN, has been named to the Emergency Nurses Association’s (ENA) national 20 Under 40 Class of 2026. The award highlights 20 young emergency nurses across the country making a real difference through clinical excellence, leadership, and patient advocacy. Olvera and her fellow honorees are featured in the October issue of ENA Connection magazine.
Olvera was recognized during the ENA General Assembly in Phoenix, Arizona. She brings together years of prehospital EMS experience with advanced air medical transport skills, delivering specialized care in high-stakes scenes.
A resident of Texas, Olvera serves as a critical care flight nurse with Life Air Rescue out of Shreveport, LA. Her work goes far beyond local scene calls and hospital transfers. She has flown international medical missions to Mexico, Colombia, and Washington, and provided medical coverage at high-profile events like the FIFA World Cup in Houston.
Olvera works hard to ensure all patients receive compassionate, high-quality care, and is a dedicated voice for healthcare worker safety. Through her work on the Texas ENA Council Government Affairs Committee, she advocates for legislative change, including the federal Save the Healthcare Workers Act, to help protect frontline staff from workplace violence.
“Santana sets the bar high for critical care transport. Her passion for the job and commitment to her patients make her a standout leader at Acadian, and we couldn’t be prouder of this national recognition,” said Acadian Air Med Program Director Sherri Wells.
