South University honors fourth Anesthesiologist Assistant graduating class
Tuesday, September 29, 2009
Twenty-three graduate students received their academic hoods as part of a ceremony held in Savannah on September 12 to honor the fourth graduating class in the history of South University's Master of Medical Science in Anesthesia Sciences. The graduates deliver anesthesia for surgical procedures as a member of the Anesthesia Care Team, led by a physician who is a qualified Anesthesiologist.
A. William (Bill) Paulsen, Ph.D., dean of the college of health professions and program director of academic affairs, welcomed the more than 200 attendees.
"Graduating our fourth class means that the program has been in Savannah for more than six years and can no longer be thought of as a new program,” said Paulsen. "Our alumni include over 75 AAs who are working across the country, and, as the program’s founder, I am deeply proud to see this class earn their hoods and transition into such a demanding, responsible and gratifying profession.”
The 2009 ceremony marked the fourth graduating class and a national achievement for its 23 graduates. Since its inception every student in the program has passed the national certification exam on his or her first attempt. This year’s graduating class is no different. All graduates passed the exam, and all graduates have accepted employment offers prior to graduation.
“The excellent clinical practice of Anesthesiology, at Memorial University Medical Center and St. Joseph’s/Chandler Hospital, here in Savannah is responsible for the program’s success,” said Paulsen. “The clinical preceptors and Anesthesiologists teach the students in the operating room with great skill and enthusiasm for excellence in patient care and for the profession.” The program was the third program of its kind to be established in the country and is one of only six programs today.
The program has an integrated curriculum that is taught in advanced facilities using the industry utilized equipment. Students are prepared through a combination of classroom, laboratory, mock operating room, simulation and clinical experiences. South University was the first institution in the country to offers its students a fully-equipped mock operating room providing not only real-world simulation but access to equipment that they will use in their clinical training in surrounding hospitals.
Students in the program have come from across the country and have received their undergraduate education from institutions such as Emory University, Kansas State University, University of Denver, University of Toledo, Ohio State University, Gettysburg College, University of Missouri, University of Indianapolis, Francis Marion University, Loyola University, College of Charleston, Georgia Institute of Technology, University of Georgia, Augustana College, University of North Carolina, John Carroll University, among many others.
For more information on South University’s 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.
About South University
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, bachelor’s, master’s and doctorate levels with campuses located in Columbia, S.C.; Montgomery, Ala.; Richmond, Va., Savannah, Ga.; Tampa and West Palm Beach, Fla.
Further information on South University is available at: www.southuniversity.edu.