ASA Applauds Opening of New Nashville-Based CAA Training Program

This August, Lipscomb University in Nashville, Tennessee will welcome the historic first cohort of students into Tennessee’s inaugural Master of Science in Anesthesiology program. This important milestone was made possible through legislation led by the Tennessee Society of Anesthesiologists (TSA) and supported by the American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) authorizing Certified Anesthesiologist Assistants (CAAs) to practice in the state. ASA congratulates Tennessee leaders on advancing this forward-looking policy and helping bring this critical program to fruition.

Lipscomb received more than 300 applications and selected 24 students for its first class, demonstrating strong interest in expanding Tennessee’s anesthesia workforce. The 28-month program is designed to prepare CAAs to help meet growing demand for anesthesia services and improve patient access to high-quality care.

The Lipscomb program will provide students with rigorous didactic instruction and extensive clinical experience across a wide range of surgical specialties, including cardiac, pediatric, and obstetric anesthesia. Students are expected to complete more than 2,200 clinical hours and participate in at least 650 cases prior to graduation.

CAAs are highly trained health professionals who work under the direction of anesthesiologists as part of the Anesthesia Care Team. They complete a comprehensive graduate-level education and are trained in advanced patient monitoring and the delivery of anesthesia care.

The establishment of Tennessee’s first anesthesiologist assistant training program reflects the successful collaboration of TSA and ASA with state leaders and stakeholders. This achievement expands access to safe, physician-led anesthesia care and strengthens the state’s healthcare workforce by preparing new professionals to practice where they are most needed.