Medical College of Wisconsin Announces Anesthesiologist Assistant Program

The Medical College of Wisconsin (MCW) recently announced its Board of Trustees approved the development of the state’s first anesthesiologist assistant educational program. Certified Anesthesiologist Assistants (CAAs) are highly skilled health professionals who work within the direction of physician anesthesiologists to implement anesthesia care plans. The new Master of Science in Anesthesia program will be at MCW’s Milwaukee campus.

The 28-month program will be among 11 anesthesiologist assistant educational programs nationwide. According to the announcement, “By training anesthesiologist assistants, MCW will address the need for anesthesiology services by increasing the availability of high-quality licensed anesthesia providers in the state.” MCW expects its inaugural class to begin in August, 2016.

To date, CAAs may practice in 17 jurisdictions, the Department of Veterans Affairs, and Guam. ASA strongly believes in the Anesthesia Care Team and supports CAA practice authorization in all states. To learn more about CAAs, please contact Ashli Eastwood, ASA’s state affairs associate at [email protected].