The Virginia campus of the Edward Via College of Osteopathic Medicine (VCOM) 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. VCOM and Bluefield launched a program on the VCOM-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 VCOM-Auburn program has been a great success and resulted in the accreditation approval to launch a program on the VCOM-Carolinas Campus in fall 2025. The MHSA program in Auburn has laid a firm foundation for the future CAA programs on the other VCOM 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.
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 VCOM’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 VCOM-Virginia, in continuing collaborative partnership between the institutions within the Harvey Peters Research Foundation including VCOM 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 VCOM. “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. VCOM 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 VCOM’s current A.A. programs can contact the program directly at MHSAAdmissions@vcom.edu.