Virginia

�鶹��ƷAƬ��ѹۿ�-Virginia to Launch First Anesthesiologist Assistant Program in the Commonwealth

ebailey — Wed, 11 Jun 2025 16:49:11 +0000

�鶹��ƷAƬ��ѹۿ�-Virginia to Launch First Anesthesiologist Assistant Program in the Commonwealth ebailey Wed, 06/11/2025 - 12:49

�鶹��ƷAƬ��ѹۿ�-Virginia to Launch First Anesthesiologist Assistant Program in the Commonwealth

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The Virginia campus of the Edward Via College of Osteopathic Medicine (�鶹��ƷAƬ��ѹۿ�) has announced that the College has plans to launch a new Master of Health Science in Anesthesia (MHSA) program in 2027—which would make it the first such program in the state of Virginia. This milestone follows Governor Glenn Youngkin’s signing of legislation in March 2025 that allows certified anesthesiologist assistants (CAAs) to practice in Virginia, the 23rd state in the nation to do so.

Developed in partnership with Bluefield University, the graduate level program is 28 months following graduation from College, and it prepares graduates to become highly skilled in anesthesia care, while working under the medical direction of a physician anesthesiologist. �鶹��ƷAƬ��ѹۿ� and Bluefield launched a program on the �鶹��ƷAƬ��ѹۿ�-Auburn campus in 2023, and its first class will graduate this fall, significantly increasing the number of Certified Anesthesia Assistants (CAAs) in the state. The �鶹��ƷAƬ��ѹۿ�-Auburn program has been a great success and resulted in the accreditation approval to launch a program on the �鶹��ƷAƬ��ѹۿ�-Carolinas Campus in fall 2025. The MHSA program in Auburn has laid a firm foundation for the future CAA programs on the other �鶹��ƷAƬ��ѹۿ� campuses.

Students in the MHSA programs engage in comprehensive training that includes patient assessment, anesthesia planning and delivery, and real-time evaluation of anesthesia care, all working closely with the anesthesiologist. The clinical rotations in the program expose students to a wide range of anesthetic techniques and scenarios, ensuring a broad and practical foundation. Upon completion, graduates are eligible to sit for the certification exam administered by the National Commission on Certification of Anesthesiologist Assistants (NCCAA). Historically, 100% of program graduates across the country secure employment within six months—a reflection of what has become an urgent demand for well-trained anesthesia assistant professionals.

There has been a national shortage in the anesthesia workforce for decades, which is only projected to get worse in future years. Training anesthesiologist assistants is a vital step forward. Unlike nurse anesthetist programs, which pull experienced nurses from other strained workforces, MHSA programs bring new professionals into the healthcare system—expanding capacity instead of reallocating it.

Mike Nichols , Dean of �鶹��ƷAƬ��ѹۿ�’s Anesthesiology Assistant Program

The need for these programs is clear. Not only is there a severe workforce shortage, but there are currently only 23 educational programs in the country, offering just 585 seats annually to a pool of nearly 6,000 applicants.

These new programs reflect �鶹��ƷAƬ��ѹۿ�’s ongoing commitment to addressing critical healthcare workforce shortages in medically underserved regions throughout the southeastern United States. The Southeast has been particularly hard-hit by the shortage of anesthesia providers—an issue exacerbated by rapid population growth and limited graduate medical education slots due to federal residency caps. These shortages not only reduce access to care but also increase healthcare costs, as hospitals compete to attract qualified professionals.

CAAs have been an integral part of healthcare teams for over a half-century, providing high-quality care under the supervision of physician anesthesiologists. They have a demonstrated record of safety and effectiveness, and their rigorous education and training prepare them to deliver exceptional care across diverse clinical settings.

“Adding this program at �鶹��ƷAƬ��ѹۿ�-Virginia, in continuing collaborative partnership between the institutions within the Harvey Peters Research Foundation including �鶹��ƷAƬ��ѹۿ� and Bluefield University, and with the hospitals in our region to educate and train highly skilled CAAs, directly benefits the Commonwealth,” noted Dixie Tooke-Rawlins, DO, president of �鶹��ƷAƬ��ѹۿ�. “Moreover, it would provide potential A.A. students in Virginia with access to an exceptional educational opportunity in their home state and enable them to contribute meaningfully to their communities. �鶹��ƷAƬ��ѹۿ� is proud to be part of bringing high quality healthcare to Virginia communities where the need is great.”

More information is available at the MHSA program website, and those interested in applying to one of �鶹��ƷAƬ��ѹۿ�’s current A.A. programs can contact the program directly at MHSAAdmissions@vcom.edu.

Virginia

By Amy Ostroth -

�鶹��ƷAƬ��ѹۿ� Anatomy Professor Honored with Innovation Award

ebailey — Fri, 06 Jun 2025 17:56:00 +0000

�鶹��ƷAƬ��ѹۿ� Anatomy Professor Honored with Innovation Award ebailey Fri, 06/06/2025 - 13:56

�鶹��ƷAƬ��ѹۿ� Anatomy Professor Honored with Innovation Award

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We’ve always known �鶹��ƷAƬ��ѹۿ� has some of the very best faculty around, and we’re always glad when our faculty members get official recognition of how awesome they are.

Such was the case for Aaron Beger, PhD, assistant professor of anatomical sciences at �鶹��ƷAƬ��ѹۿ�, who was recently honored by the Society of Osteopathic Medical Educators (SOME) and AACOM with their Innovation Award in Basic Science Medical Education for his project, “Deciphering Medical Gross Anatomy: How Digital Escape Rooms Can Unlock Understanding.”

Each year, SOME selects two winners of this prestigious award, recognizing their unique and creative teaching strategies in osteopathic medical education. Applications are peer reviewed, and winners receive national recognition.

Beger’s winning project integrated �鶹��ƷAƬ��ѹۿ�’s 3D Virtual Human Dissector (VHD) software—recently added to the anatomy curriculum—into a virtual escape room (ER). He designed an engaging activity where students used the VHD software to solve puzzles and riddles, adding a fun, gamified element to the learning process.

To test the ER’s effectiveness, Beger recruited second-year �鶹��ƷAƬ��ѹۿ�-Virginia student Riya Patel to help build the activity and collect participant feedback. “We collaborated with Eva Sweeney, a former colleague and a mastermind of gamified learning,” Beger says. Anonymous surveys and a focus group showed that participants found the ERs enjoyable and engaging, encouraging them to think about material in new ways and identify knowledge gaps. The research also examined different designs, delivery methods, and participant groupings, revealing opportunities to optimize the experience. You can read the published study online.

Medical education attracts intelligent, creative, and passionate individuals. It’s an honor to be recognized, but right now someone else is working on something even cooler, and I can’t wait to see it.

Aaron Beger, PhD , �鶹��ƷAƬ��ѹۿ�-VIrginia Assistant professor for anatomical sciences

A Michigan native, Beger joined �鶹��ƷAƬ��ѹۿ� on the recommendation of his longtime friend and colleague Jonathan Millard, �鶹��ƷAƬ��ѹۿ�’s discipline chair and associate professor of anatomical sciences. “I appreciated �鶹��ƷAƬ��ѹۿ�’s mission and was drawn to the opportunity to teach in an integrated curriculum,” Beger says. “I also loved the outdoor activities in Blacksburg and the region’s great climate.”

�鶹��ƷAƬ��ѹۿ�’s integrated curriculum blends basic sciences like anatomy and physiology with clinical sciences like patient care and diagnostics, mirroring how medical knowledge is used in practice. As a result, Beger works with �鶹��ƷAƬ��ѹۿ� students throughout their preclinical studies. “Students often ask thought-provoking questions that keep me on my toes,” he says. “They also teach me current lingo and pop culture references so I can stay hip to the jive,” he adds with a laugh.

award

Virginia

By Amy Ostroth -