August 13, 2007

Contact:
Ken Ma
NSU Office of Public Affairs
954-262-5354 Office
954-830-4177 Cell
kennma@nova.edu

NSU Expands Nation's 4th Anesthesiologist Assistant Program

Nova Southeastern University announced Monday plans to expand its anesthesiologist assistant (AA) program. NSU is the fourth university in the United States to offer such a program.

The 27-month program began at the University in 2006 with 29 students. Recognizing the severe shortage of anesthesia providers in Florida and throughout the country, NSU added another class of 36 students this summer. The University plans to add a new class of approximately 35 students each year.

“The more students NSU can matriculate, the greater the chances are for Floridians and people across the country to get access to health care,” said NSU professor Mike Nichols, MSA, AA-C., President of the American Academy of Anesthesiologist Assistants.

NSU is the only university in Florida to offer students an anesthesiologist assistant program. NSU professor Robert Wagner, M.M.Sc., AA-C, was integral in successfully lobbied lawmakers in Tallahassee two years ago to allow the University to start the prestigious program, which has attracted top students from across the country. Wagner was also successful in lobbying lawmakers to license the practice of anesthesiologist assistants in Florida.

Florida is one of 17 states that allow anesthesiologist assistants to practice their trade.

“Increasing the number of anesthesiologist assistants will open up more access for patients to have surgery,” Wagner said.

The program will graduate its first class in 2008. Because the field is in high demand, these students are all but guaranteed jobs that offer a starting salary between $120,000 and $150,000, according to Wagner. Experienced anesthesiologist assistants can earn $180,000.

Because of the hot job market, some NSU AA students’ tuitions are being subsidized by anesthesiologist assistant groups.

The other AA programs are located at Case Western Reserve University in Cleveland, Emory University in Atlanta and South University in Savannah.

Anesthesiologist assistants are highly trained allied health professionals who provide top-quality patient care under the medical direction of an anesthesiologist.  AAs work in a care team format with an anesthesiologist to render complete anesthesia care.