Question 1

How do I become a member of both GAAA and GSA and thus enjoy the benefits of both organizations?

Accepted Answer

To become either a Fellow or Student member of the GAAA and an Education Affiliate member of the GSA, click the heading "Membership" on the top of the Home page.

Question 2

What is the purpose of the GAAA?

Accepted Answer

The GAAA strives to realize several objectives. The organization acts as a liaison between the AA profession and the GSA, the Georgia Medical Board, and the Georgia Hospital Association. GAAA also works to promote and increase the visibility of the profession throughout the state while updating members on current political and legislative activities that affect AA practice in Georgia. Additionally, the GAAA works to increase job opportunities for practicing AAs both inside and outside the state of Georgia.

Question 3

Why is the GAAA important?

Accepted Answer

The GAAA is the only organization dedicated to protecting and promoting AA practice in the Anesthesia Care Team model in Georgia. With the current changing climate of healthcare delivery, it is fundamentally imperative that there be a strong organization in place to promote the interests of AAs.

Question 4

What is the history behind the Certified Anesthesiologist Assistants (CAAs) profession?

Accepted Answer

In the 1960s, three practicing anesthesiologists (Drs. Joachim Gravenstein, John Steinhaus, and Perry Volpitto) were concerned about the shortage of anesthesiologists. They researched and evaluated the possibility of creating a new type of mid-level anesthesia provider that would work in a care team model under the medical direction of a physician anesthesiologist. The result was the creation of the original AA Programs at Emory University in Atlanta and Case Western Reserve University in Cleveland, which matriculated their first classes in 1969 and 1970, respectively.

Question 5

In which states can Certified Anesthesiologist Assistants (CAAs) currently practice?

Accepted Answer

Certified Anesthesiologist Assistants (CAAs) practice either under licensure or under delegatory authority of the supervising anesthesiologist. States where AAs currently practice under licensure law are: Georgia; Florida; Alabama; South Carolina; North Carolina; Missouri; Kentucky; Ohio; Vermont; Wisconsin; Oklahoma; Colorado; New Mexico; Indiana; Nevada; Utah; Washington; Tennessee; Virgina; and Washington, D.C. CAAs practice currently under delegatory authority in Kansas,Texas and Michigan.

CAAs also practice in Guam.

Question 6

What are the qualifications of Certified Anesthesiologist Assistants (CAAs)?

Accepted Answer

Certified Anesthesiologist Assistants (CAAs) are graduates of one of the accredited CAA Programs who have passed the initial and then subsequent certifying exams. They have a pre-medical background and have completed coursework and training in anesthesia over the 24-28 months of their programs to earn a Master's Degree. During the course of their training, they have also completed over 2,000 clinical hours in hospital and surgery centers operating rooms.

Question 7

Interested in having a Certified Anesthesiologist Assistants (CAAs) work in your practice?

Accepted Answer

The best information can be found at the American Academy of Anesthesiologist Assistants (AAAA) website using this link: https://www.anesthetist.org/hire-a-caa.

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