Lipscomb faculty make history as first certified anesthesiologist assistants to manage surgical cases in Tennessee
Milestone at Nashville’s HCA Centennial Medical Center marks a significant step forward for the profession and Lipscomb's CAA program
Kim Chaudoin |
Todd Christian, director of Lipscomb's new Master of Science in anesthesiology program, works with a student in the simulation lab on campus.
Two Lipscomb University faculty members made history Tuesday, Oct. 20, becoming the first certified anesthesiologist assistants (CAAs) to manage anesthesia cases in operating rooms in Tennessee.
Todd Christian and Joseph Parrish participated in this historic milestone, which took place at HCA Centennial Medical Center in Nashville. It marked a significant advancement for anesthesia care in the state and another historic first for Lipscomb's new Master of Science in anesthesiology program, housed in its College of Pharmacy.
Todd Christian
Christian, director of Lipscomb's CAA program, and Parrish, associate director of didactic education, are among the first licensed CAAs in Tennessee. Christian holds the distinction of being the first CAA licensed to practice in the state, receiving Tennessee license No. 1 in March 2026.
Their work in the operating room represents the first time licensed CAAs have provided anesthesia care to surgical patients in Tennessee since a new state law authorizing their practice took effect Jan. 1, 2026.
"This is truly a historic day as the first certified anesthesiologist assistants manage anesthesia cases in Tennessee," said Tom Campbell, dean of Lipscomb's College of Pharmacy. "Lipscomb is not only helping establish this profession in our state, but we're also preparing the next generation of highly skilled professionals who will help address critical staffing shortages in anesthesia care. I'm grateful for our hospital partnerships and proud that our faculty are leading the way in strengthening Tennessee's health care workforce and expanding access to quality care for patients across the state."
From left to right, Joseph Parrish, Jeff Bennie and Todd Christian standing in front of HCA Centennial Medical Center where they were the first CAAs to manage patient cases in Tennessee.
During Tuesday's surgical procedures, Christian and Parrish worked as members of physician-led anesthesia care teams, providing anesthesia services to patients before, during and immediately following surgery. Their responsibilities included reviewing patients' medical histories, conducting preoperative assessments and developing individualized anesthesia plans in collaboration with supervising anesthesiologists. In the operating room, they administered medications to induce anesthesia, managed patients' airways and continuously monitored vital signs, physiological conditions and the depth of anesthesia throughout each procedure. They also managed patients' emergence from anesthesia, including removing breathing tubes when appropriate, and assisted with their safe transition to postoperative care.
“CAAs provide high-quality care for patients undergoing anesthesia. In Tennessee, and across America, the need for anesthesia professionals is rapidly growing,” said Dr. Jeff Bennie, medical director for Lipscomb's Master of Science in Anesthesiology and Master of Science in Cardiovascular Perfusion programs. “Lipscomb is happy to partner with HCA healthcare and other health care organizations to create a program that can help train individuals to fill these healthcare careers. Today is a major step forward in our development of this program at Lipscomb University.”
Jeff Bennie
Certified anesthesiologist assistants are highly trained health care professionals who work under the supervision of physician anesthesiologists to develop and implement anesthesia care plans. Unlike some other healthcare providers, CAAs spend most of their clinical time in operating rooms, where they are directly involved in administering and managing anesthesia throughout surgical procedures.
“To me, this is about much more than being the first. Yes, it feels great to be part of this historic milestone, but this is just the beginning. What this will allow us to do is establish a profession in Tennessee that will benefit patients, hospitals, and future anesthesia providers for generations to come,” said Parrish. “As we prepare to educate the next generation of CAAs at Lipscomb University, it is especially meaningful to play a role in shaping the future of anesthesia care in our state.”
“We are not just expanding the anesthesia workforce; we are building a foundation for the future of anesthesia care in Tennessee,” he continued. “I am incredibly grateful for the support we have received from both U.S. Anesthesia Partners and HCA as we navigate this new chapter. Their willingness to welcome us into their hospitals, support our profession, and help us establish ourselves in Tennessee has been instrumental in helping us achieve these goals.”
Christian also reflected on the milestone.
“We have amazing opportunities and potential here. Lipscomb’s mission is to prepare learners for purposeful lives, and the CAA profession provides an opportunity to have a meaningful impact during some of the most vulnerable moments in our patient’s lives,” said Christian. “In partnership with the incredible Physicians and CRNAs at USAP in Nashville and the talented surgical teams at Centennial Medical Center and surrounding HCA facilities, Lipscomb has the potential to train world-class anesthesia clinicians. Expanding our profession here in Nashville is also giving Tennesseans a professional pathway to a rewarding career that they would otherwise have to relocate out-of-state for. I’m thrilled to be back in Nashville serving this community.”
The milestone comes less than a year after Tennessee enacted legislation establishing a framework for CAAs to practice in the state. Passed by the Tennessee General Assembly in 2025, the law took effect Jan. 1, 2026, authorizing qualified CAAs to provide anesthesia care under the supervision of licensed anesthesiologists. The legislation established licensure and regulatory oversight through the Tennessee Board of Medical Examiners, opening a new pathway for expanding the state's anesthesia workforce.
Joseph Parrish
The new law opens the door for CAAs to help address a significant workforce challenge in Tennessee. According to projections from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services' Health Resources and Services Administration, Tennessee is expected to have approximately 850 anesthesiologists available to meet a demand for 1,400 by 2036, a projected shortfall of 550 physicians. By working alongside anesthesiologists as part of physician-led anesthesia care teams, CAAs can help expand the state's capacity to provide surgical care.
Lipscomb was at the forefront of preparing for the profession's arrival in Tennessee. In April 2025, the university announced plans to establish the state's first CAA educational program, becoming one of a select number of institutions nationwide to offer this specialized graduate training.
Housed in Lipscomb's College of Pharmacy, the program is also the first of its kind in the nation to be based within a college of pharmacy, providing students with a distinctive educational foundation in pharmacology and the complex medications used in anesthesia care.
The program welcomed its inaugural class of 24 students in August 2026, selected from more than 300 applicants from across the country. Its rigorous 28-month curriculum integrates classroom instruction, simulation laboratory experiences and extensive clinical training to prepare graduates to provide safe, effective anesthesia care as members of physician-led teams.
Christian joined the Lipscomb faculty in October 2025 to lead the development of the program, bringing extensive clinical experience in cardiac, pediatric and obstetric anesthesia. Parrish brings experience in both clinical anesthesia practice and higher education, including previous faculty service at Nova Southeastern University, and is trained in cardiothoracic and pediatric anesthesia.
This milestone also establishes an important foundation for the clinical training of Lipscomb students. Beginning in January 2027, students in the program will join Christian, Parrish and other anesthesia professionals in operating rooms at HCA Centennial Medical Center and other local hospital partners as they begin their clinical education.
Initially, students will observe surgical procedures, learn operating room workflows, become familiar with anesthesia equipment and develop an understanding of patient assessment and anesthesia management. As they advance through the program, they will take on increasing responsibilities in patient care under direct supervision.
Throughout their education, students will gain experience in a range of surgical specialties and patient populations, preparing them to meet the complex demands of modern anesthesia care. The program is designed to provide graduates with approximately 2,200 to 2,500 hours of clinical experience across at least 650 cases.
Learn more about Lipscomb's Certified Anesthesiology Assistant program.