Lipscomb University announces plans to launch Certified Anesthesiologist Assistant program to address critical healthcare workforce needs
Program would be the first in Tennessee, one of the few in the nation to offer this highly specialized training for much sought after profession
Kim Chaudoin |
Lipscomb University’s College of Pharmacy plans to launch a new Certified Anesthesiologist Assistant (CAA) master’s program, pending state and accreditation approvals, to meet a growing demand in the healthcare workforce, making it the first university in Tennessee to offer this highly specialized training. This program positions Lipscomb at the forefront of health care education in the Southeast.
Anesthesiologist assistants are essential members of the Anesthesia Care Team, trained to support physician anesthesiologists in designing and implementing anesthesia care plans. Their role in patient care is pivotal, particularly given the rising demand for skilled anesthesia professionals across the country. The anesthesiologist assistant job market is projected to grow nationwide by 26.6% by 2032 with an estimated median salary of $215,000. CAAs provide specialized care before, during, and after anesthesia, working in close partnership with anesthesiologists to ensure patient safety and optimal health outcomes.
“Lipscomb is dedicated to serving critical needs in our healthcare system particularly in Nashville and across the state of Tennessee by equipping our students, through innovative programming, with rigorous, relevant training,” said Lipscomb President Candice McQueen. “This new CAA program reflects our mission to educate the next generation of leaders in health care and to address significant workforce gaps here in Nashville and beyond.”
Nashville’s booming health care sector, with an estimated impact of over $97 billion and supporting nearly 500,000 jobs worldwide, presents an ideal environment for health care students and professionals. More than 500 healthcare companies operate from Nashville, making the city an international hub for healthcare innovation and training. Lipscomb’s new program is set to add to this thriving ecosystem, producing graduates who are highly trained in anesthesiology support and patient care.
Lipscomb’s program will offer a unique educational experience, with a curriculum designed to prepare students for the high standards of the profession. Students may complete their degree in 24-months. The program includes coursework in areas such as pharmacology, airway management, perioperative assessments, anesthesia monitoring and technology with an appropriate sequence of classroom, laboratory and clinical activities.
“A unique feature of our program will be its inclusion within a College of Pharmacy. Because the anesthesiology practice is heavily focused on the utilization of pharmacologic agents, this relationship will provide a robust educational opportunity for our students unlike any other in the nation as students will have a high degree of pharmacological training,” said Tom Campbell, dean of Lipscomb’s College of Pharmacy. “As the only program of its kind in Tennessee and one of a select few nationwide, we are excited to provide a pathway for students to contribute meaningfully to the health care field.”
A rigorous academic program, admission to Lipscomb’s program will be competitive. Lipscomb will require incoming students to complete the MCAT exam with preference given to applicants who have a pre-professional undergraduate degree or work experience in health care.
With fewer than 20 educational programs of its kind in the United States, Lipscomb’s CAA program will be a critical addition to its growing portfolio of healthcare-focused educational offerings. Lipscomb has a long-standing commitment to health care education, and the new CAA program joins a robust offering of academic programs developed to address the needs of Nashville’s health care industry.
According to the American Society of Anesthesiologists, anesthesiologist assistants play a crucial role in the health care system, operating as physician extenders in the Anesthesia Care Team and performing essential patient safety measures, including life support interventions. CAAs are highly valued for their extensive science and medical training, which enhances patient care outcomes and safety. Nationwide, CAAs are authorized to practice in 22 states/Washington, D.C. and in Veterans and Defense facilities nationally, with legislation pending in the Tennessee legislature that would allow these professionals to serve patients across the state.
With an anticipated application opening in Summer 2025, classes will begin in June 2026 pending approval by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC) and the Accreditation Review Committee for Anesthesiology Assistants (ARC-AA).
For more information about the Certified Anesthesiologist Assistant program at Lipscomb University’s College of Pharmacy, contact the college at CAAProgram [at] lipscomb.edu (CAAProgram[at]lipscomb[dot]edu).
About Lipscomb University’s College of Pharmacy
Lipscomb’s College of Pharmacy is located in Nashville, Tennessee, known as the nation’s health care capital. Graduate programs include a Doctor of Pharmacy, a Master of Science or graduate certificate in health care informatics and a Master of Science in pharmaceutical sciences. Dual degree options are also available through which Pharm.D. students may also earn one of the two master’s degree programs in tandem with the doctorate degree. In addition, Lipscomb has a partnership program with Vanderbilt University to provide a Pharm.D.-to-Ph.D. Pathway program is a direct pipeline to a pharmacological sciences Ph.D. at Vanderbilt. Lipscomb pharmacy graduates have a 100% job placement rate and Lipscomb’s 2024 graduating class (PGY1) has a residency match rate of 90.91%, beating the national average of 81.17% by nearly 10% and is in the top 25 in the country. For more information, visit www.lipscomb.edu/pharmacy.