The Master of Science in Anesthesiology program saw more than 300 applicants; 24 were accepted and will begin classes in August 2026.
Lipscomb University is set to welcome the first cohort of the state’s first-ever Master of Science in Anesthesiology program this summer. In August 2026, 24 students will become the first class of the university’s new program, which is the first of its kind in the state. The students will prepare to become Certified Anesthesiology Assistants. In January 2026, a new law was enacted that will allow CAAs to practice in the state of Tennessee, and Lipscomb University became the first university to establish a program to prepare individuals to become CAAs.
According to an article on Lipscomb University’s website, Todd Christian, who is the inaugural director of the new program, is quoted as saying of the need for this program and for CAAs, “The reality is in Tennessee that there are ORs (operating rooms) that are not open right now all across the state because they don't have anesthesia care to provide for surgeons. There's more surgeons and demand for surgeries than there are anesthesia providers to support those surgeries. There is a lot of saturation in the other states where CAAs are currently practicing as it pertains to clinical sites for students. However, there is a large capacity of OR space here in Nashville to build this program while also bringing experienced CAAs into the state to solve our shortage.”
Christian became the first CAA to be certified to practice in Tennessee in March 2026; his license number is 1. He is also a licensed Anesthesiologist Assistant in Indiana and Florida. Christian first came to Lipscomb University in October 2025 to begin building the new program. His background includes clinical anesthesia, pharmacy, military healthcare, and law enforcement. He is a member of the American Academy of Anesthesiologist Assistants, Tennessee Academy of Anesthesiologist Assistants, Florida Society of Anesthesiologists, and the American Society of Anesthesiologists.
The new program, which is 28 months long, will prepare students through hands-on experience providing anesthesia to surgeons of all specialties, including dedicated open-heart, pediatric and obstetric rotations. Those who graduate from the program will have extensive clinical experience and must serve on at least 650 cases and complete between 2,200 to 2,500 clinical hours. First year rotations will occur throughout Nashville, and beyond the first year, students will perform rotations throughout the state or in any state they choose to accept a rotation.
The program is unique in that it is housed within Lipscomb University’s College of Pharmacy, setting it apart from the other 25 accredited CAA programs in the country.
Christian said, “At its core, one of the defining skills anesthesia providers possess is a mastery of pharmaceutical knowledge which allows them to carefully and safely chemically alter human physiology with the goal of keeping patients stable, asleep and then recovering with minimal discomfort. Pharmacists are the experts in these complex systems, and collaboration within the College of Pharmacy will provide our CAA students with the skills they will need to become exceptional anesthetists.”
He added, “We've been expanding those relationships that Lipscomb already has with its pharmacy, perfusion and PA program, building on those relationships to open opportunities for CAAs to work in those spaces. We're also working with local anesthesia groups to help facilitate a plan to hire CAAs who could then serve as our preceptors.”
For more information about Lipscomb University, visit the school’s website.