South University Honors third Anesthesiologist Assistant graduating class
Friday, October 17, 2008
Savannah, GA
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Twenty-two graduate students received their hoods as part of a ceremony held in Savannah to honor the third graduating class in the history of South University's Master of Medical Science in Anesthesia Sciences, which graduates anesthetists who are called Anesthesiologist Assistants.
A. William (Bill) Paulsen, MMSc, Ph.D., dean of the college of health professions and program director of academic affairs, welcomed the more than 175 attendees.
"These graduates are remarkably committed," said Dr. Paulsen. "They spent long hours in class, studying at home, working in the lab, practicing skills in the mock operating room and delivering anesthesia care to patients under the direction of their preceptors."
"The university is proud of these students and honored to be a part of this life changing accomplishment," said Candace Goodwin, president of South University - Savannah. "The need for quality health care services is increasing on an almost daily basis, and I am awe struck when I think about how many people's lives will be better because of the graduates in this room."
The 2008 ceremony marked the third graduating class and a national achievement for its 22 graduates. Since its inception 100 percent of the students in the program have passed the national certification exam on their first attempt. This year's graduating class is no different. All of the graduates passed the exam, and all graduates have accepted employment offers.
South University's Master of Medical Science in Anesthesia Sciences is awarded to those students who complete an intensive 28-month program that prepares them to become Anesthesiologist Assistants. The program was the third program of its kind to be established in the country and is one of only five programs today.
The program has been recognized for leading the way in developing an integrated curriculum taught in advanced facilities. Students are prepared through a combination of classroom, laboratory, mock operating room and clinical experiences. South University was the first Anesthesiologist Assistant program in the country to offer its students a fully-equipped mock operating room, providing not only real-world simulation but also access to equipment that students will use in their clinical training in hospitals.
Students in the program have come from across the country and have received their undergraduate education from institutions such as Boston University, Emory University, Georgia Institute of Technology, Michigan State University, Ohio State, Southern Methodist University, University of California, University of Georgia, University of Massachusetts, University of Missouri, University of North Carolina, University of Tennessee, University of Utah, Valdosta State and others. All graduates have accepted positions with various hospitals and medical centers in Georgia, Missouri and Texas.
For more information on South University Master of Medical Science in Anesthesiologist Assistant, visit: www.southuniversity.edu/aa or contact the program at 912-201-8083 or via e-mail at: aaprograminfo@southuniversity.edu.
Established in 1899, South University is a private academic institution dedicated to providing educational opportunities for the intellectual, social and professional development of a diverse student population. South University offers educational programs at the associate's, bachelor's, master's and doctoral level with campuses located in Columbia, S.C., Montgomery, Ala., Savannah, Ga., Tampa and West Palm Beach, Fla.
Further information on South University is available at: www.southuniversity.edu.
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