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PROGRAM OVERVIEW
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We like to ask our students how they found out about our program, what sparked their interest in it, and how they knew it would be the perfect choice for them. Read the student profiles of the Class of 2012 and Class of 2013, and learn how our Cleveland and Houston students came to choose their paths.
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Class of 2013 - Cleveland Campus (class photo)
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| Kevin Blick |
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| I graduated with Honors from the University of Colorado in 2006. I am currently employed as a CNA with Halcyon Hospice. I have volunteered at hospitals in the Denver area including Denver Health, St. Joseph's Hospital, and Rose Medical. My hobbies include swing dancing, rock climbing, short fiction writing, hiking and camping. I just finished a semester of prereqs with hopefully all As, and I am looking forward to starting school at CWRU in a few short weeks! |
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| Jennifer Botson |
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| I graduated from the University of Akron in 2011 with a B.S. in Biochemistry and Biology along with a minor in Chemistry. Throughout my undergraduate career, I focused on getting accepted into pharmacy school but began to have doubts after obtaining work experience as a pharmacy technician. I felt like I needed to play a more exciting role in healthcare and didn’t look forward to sitting behind a counter for most of my life. During the application process a friend informed me about the MSA program at CWRU. After researching the career, I immediately scheduled a shadowing appointment. Visiting UH and observing the day of an AA led me to make the easy decision of switching career paths. As an AA I will have a rewarding, exciting, and challenging profession and also be able to enjoy life outside of work as well. I am extremely thankful for this opportunity and excited to start the MSA program this summer. |
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| Juliette Burnham |
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| In high school, an anatomy and physiology class highlighted the beautiful intricacies of the human body. Gaining knowledge about the body systems and their response to disease peaked my interest to pursue a career in medicine. However, I had no idea how to narrow the scope of my interest to a specific field. As a result of this dilemma, when I started college, I began to shadow clinicians in various specialties ranging from Urology to Neurosurgery. Over the course of 250 hours, I discovered how particular fields of medicine play distinctive roles in the medical community. Each experience expanded my understanding of the demands of medicine. The first time I shadowed an anesthesiologist I knew I had found my passion. It was amazing to view firsthand how anesthesiology is an art form, where every patient is a new canvas with the potential to react uniquely during a procedure. The skill required to maintain a patient under sedation and adjust to the complex operative demands was fascinating. As I researched anesthesiology, the dynamic role filled by anesthesiologist assistants intrigued me. The direct educational route, intimate level of patient interaction, and broad range of opportunities met my desires of a medical profession. But it wasn’t until I spent time in the OR with an AA, that I fully comprehended the scope of their medical practice. An anesthesiologist assistant has responsibilities and autonomy that necessitate strong academic and clinical training. The educational path to become an AA is challenging, but with dedication and perseverance I look forward to the privilege of delivering compassionate, competent care in the discipline of anesthesia. |
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| Brittany Cato |
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| I was first introduced to Case Western Reserve’s anesthesiologist assistant program through my college advisor. Initially I had no idea what an AA was but I decided to look into it. I felt that the job description was a perfect match for my personality and started to work towards my new goal. As I begin this new chapter in my life, I am looking forward to the challenges and opportunities that I will encounter. |
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| Sabina Chasey |
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I was born and raised in Russia, where I went to high school. I moved to US in 2003 and received my Bachelor's from Temple University, Philadelphia, PA. Since then I volunteered and worked in the genetic research lab at the Fox Chase Cancer Center.
I wanted to be a physician since junior high school. I loved everything about this career: the challenge, the opportunity for limitless growth in pursuit of knowledge and excellence in patient care. I realized, however, that balanced lifestyle is the only thing that would be missing. That is why I was so happy to learn about the MSA program. I discovered the profession that is exciting, demanding, and interesting. Yet, I still have time for many things that I enjoy in life, like traveling, playing sports, and spending time with my friends and family. So, I am very excited to start the anesthesiologist assistant program and become a part of this young and growing profession. |
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| William Deitmen |
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| I graduated from Case Western Reserve University in 2011 with a Bachelor of Arts in Biology and minors in Chemistry and Spanish. I played football for four years at Case. I found out I wanted to be an AA my sophomore year in college when I was shadowing a ENT in the OR and an AA was on the surgical team. I have one sister that is a year younger than me and is studying to be an OT at Gannon University. My hobbies include hunting, fishing, working out, reading, and playing basketball. I sincerely look forward to being able to study in this program and to meeting everyone involved with the program. |
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| Matthew Duer |
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| As a Biology major at The Ohio State University I had harbored longstanding aspirations of becoming a physician. However, when it came time to apply I found myself undertaking a serious evaluation of my priorities. After careful consideration I concluded that while I was committed to a career in the healthcare field, a career as a physician would not allow me to pursue the things I value most in life. I therefore began looking at some of the physician assistant specialties. A gastroenterology PA that I shadowed happened to casually bring up the anesthesiologist assistant specialty in conversation. Fascinated, I did some research and headed up to CWRU to shadow. It didn't take long to realize I had found my calling. Furthermore, the extensive hands on training, outstanding reputation of the program and friendliness of the faculty and staff made CWRU my clear number one choice. I am incredibly thankful to be a member of the MSA Class of 2013 and am excited to begin working with all the wonderful people associated with the program. |
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| Stephen Evankovich |
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I am from Wexford, Pennsylvania and graduated from Case Western Reserve University in 2011 with a B.A. in Chemistry. I did not know what I wanted to do when I came to college, and when I was younger, medicine was all but ruled out! However, during my sophomore year life pointed me in the direction of the medical field and I have never looked back.
I first heard about the MSA program through a great, close friend. He was so interested in the program; I could not help but to give the program a look for myself. In my research, I discovered how well the program fit with what I wanted to do with my life.
I had two great shadowing experiences, which showed me how AAs interact with not only doctors, but also more importantly, how they interact with patients. The experiences opened my eyes to possibilities other than being a doctor and still being able to utilize my knowledge to help others. It is my pleasure to be part of the MSA program here at CWRU and I am excited for what the future holds. |
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| Amanda Hardy |
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| I am currently a senior at John Carroll University in Cleveland, OH and will be graduating in May 2011 with a B.S. in Biology. With that said, I will be jumping right into the MSA program upon graduation, but I am very excited! Towards the end of high school, I started volunteering at a children’s hospital. Right away I loved the atmosphere and felt that the medical field may be where I wanted to end up one day. Throughout my undergraduate years, I considered many facets of healthcare to help me better solidify my career path. During my winter break of my sophomore year at JCU, I happened to come across the MSA webpage when looking for places to shadow in Cleveland. I set up an appointment with the MSA program, not knowing much about anesthesia at all. My shadowing experience was a success, as I loved what I observed and gained much information about the job description that seemed too good to be true! Everything I was learning about anesthesiologist assistants seemed to fit exactly what I was looking for in a career: a job where I am able to make a different in other’s lives while still managing to live a balanced and stable lifestyle. I continued to explore the area of anesthesia through an internship I had in an operating room the next summer and through many more shadowing opportunities with the MSA program. I cannot wait to make the transition from being a student shadowing to actually being the AA myself! I am truly excited to start this new chapter of my life and begin making a difference in the world as an anesthetist!
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| Scott Harvey |
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I thought for sure that my degree in business administration was going to go to waste. I graduated from Youngstown State University and spent a few years working a retail sales job, wondering what to do next. I wanted to be a doctor when I was younger but thought that it was too late to start all over. I learned about the MSA program at CWRU from a doctor who also first got a business degree, and had gone back to school later in life as I was planning to do. I researched the profession that night and set up a shadowing appointment a few weeks later.
The shadowing experience was the clincher for me. I was surprised at how comfortable I felt in the operating room. That was the day I found out what to do with the rest of my life. I love that the AA profession allows you to help people, earn a comfortable living, and still have time for family.
In addition to attending school and working, I enjoy listening to and playing music, theatre, and spending time with my wife and two dogs. |
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| Roman Kagan |
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| I graduated from The Ohio State University in 2010 with a degree in Microbiology. I decided on that major because it seemed like the fastest route to medical school, which for most of my life is what I thought I wanted to do. I did lots of research with ophthalmology, and shadowed other fields to try to find what I was passionate about, but there wasn’t much that got me genuinely excited about what was to come. Fortunately, a chance meeting with a former CWRU AA student introduced me to this great field. After four years of trying to figure out what was the right path for me, I finally found a choice that I felt could be both a great career and lifestyle fit. Everyone that I have met in the field has only made me more excited about the prospect of becoming an AA. I can’t wait for June, when I will finally be able to take the next step and start the program that I have been talking about for so long! |
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| Shannon Kelly |
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| I will be graduating from Baldwin Wallace College in Berea, Ohio this May (2011) with a BS in Chemistry and a minor in Biology. I am a licensed Nursing Assistant and currently work as an EMT for a private ambulance company in the Cleveland area. Like a large amount of people that apply to this program, I also originally planned on attending medical school. I was unaware of anesthesiologist assistants until Dave Zagorski gave a presentation at my school. Every one of the points he made about why he loves his job are the reasons I decided to apply to this program. One of my main concerns about attending medical school was always the idea of having to put off starting a family and having a career that would allow me to become more independent with my finances. Becoming an anesthesiologist assistant would allow me to be a part of the "real world" in as little as two years. By the age of 24 I will not just have a job, but a rewarding career. That may be what amazes me most about this program. I am so thankful and excited to be a part of the Class of 2013! |
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| Deana Metri |
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I am from Lakewood, Ohio and graduated from Case Western Reserve University in December 2010 with a B.A. in Sociology. Growing up I always wanted to be a Pediatrician and started college with the intention of attending medical school. During my sophomore year I started to doubt my original plan of going to medical school, but I knew I wanted to do something in the health field because I absolutely loved taking care of people. During my junior year at CWRU I stumbled across a brochure for the CWRU AA program; it seemed too good to be true. After shadowing I knew that the AA profession was for me, and I started learning everything there was for me to know to reach my goal.
Although there are only a few AA training programs, I knew right away that CWRU was where I wanted to be. I spent the last four years here, and I wanted to spend the rest of my schooling here. From my first encounter and conversation with Laura, she made me feel very comfortable, and the friendly nature of the entire Anesthesiology department drew me towards CWRU even more. Jennifer and Laura were there to answer any questions or concerns at anytime, and really made me feel that CWRU was the best place to be. Since April 2009 when I had my first shadowing experience I was waiting to apply to this program, and anxiously awaited to hear if I would be lucky enough to be part of the Class of 2013, and today I sit here proud to say I was accepted into Case Western Reserve’s AA program. |
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| Monika Nahori |
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| I always knew I wanted a career that would challenge me. When it came time to choose my major, I decided on Computer Science since it appealed to my analytical and problem-solving skills. It was not until the end of my 4th year of college that I discovered my deep interest in medicine. Upon earning my Bachelor's Degree in Computer Science, I decided to take a 180 degree turn and enroll in a pre-med curriculum with the intentions of becoming a physician. While I was preparing for my future in medicine, I shadowed several different professions and I was immediately drawn to the field in Anesthesiology. However, the closer I got to applying to medical schools, the stronger my reservations grew towards the long path to become an Anesthesiologist. This is when my friend, who was an AA student at that time, introduced me to the AA profession. After an extensive research about the profession, I knew I found the perfect career for me. Ever since I discovered this wonderful profession, not once did I hesitate about becoming an anesthesiologist assistant. I believe this profession is what I was meant to be in. It offers me the opportunity to live a fulfilling, rewarding life dedicated to helping others while still being able to have family time. It encompasses everything I am interested in and everything I ever wanted from a career and I am honored to begin this wonderful journey at CWRU. |
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| Matthew Niehaus |
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| I was born and raised in Cincinnati, Ohio and have always been attracted to a career in science. I graduated from Xavier University in 2009 with a B.S. in Natural Sciences. Since graduation, I have been working in a breast cancer research lab at the University of Cincinnati. I discovered the AA profession when I received the MSA program’s pamphlet in the mail, which caused me to research the possibility of a career in anesthesia. The more I learned about the AA profession and specifically Case Western’s MSA program, the more I became intrigued. After gathering all the information I could, I shadowed an anesthesiologist assistant (Case Western MSA graduate), and after witnessing the profession first hand, I knew it was the future career for me. |
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| Megan Reardon |
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| I graduated from Olivet College in Michigan in May 2009 with my B.S. in Biology and Biochemistry minor. I have always wanted to go into the medical field but could never decide on a specific field. I had shadowed a few doctors while I was in college and really enjoyed what I saw. The most exciting was the orthopedic surgeon that I followed and I just loved being in the operating room. I was set on going to medical school after I graduated and then I heard about the AA program at CWRU. I did a little more research on the AA programs and decided that this was the route I wanted to pursue. This career allows you to see and learn so much, and I cannot wait to start and be a part of this amazing program and career. |
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| Heidi Ruth |
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As an Ohio native, I have spent the last decade in sunny Florida, where I attended Florida Southern College in Lakeland as a Biology major. I have since used my degree as a medical technologist in the blood banking industry. However, I realized that it is not a field that I am passionate about. Knowing that I wanted to get out of the lab and find a career with more direct patient contact, I began researching my options. After shadowing several anesthetists, I was quickly sold on a career that provided the perfect balance of patient interaction and a challenging work environment, while still affording for time to spend with my family.
After speaking to many anesthesiologists and AAs, I learned that CWRU graduates are well respected for both their knowledge and the experience that they bring to their professional practice. What really drew me to CWRU and cemented my decision to attend their MSA program over the other programs that I was accepted into, was their strong clinical focus. I was impressed by their hands-on approach to learning and the early exposure to the clinical setting and OR environment that they provide to their students. By attending CWRU, I know that I will be most prepared for life after graduation. I am proud to be a member of the Class of 2013 and look forward to beginning my career in the AA profession. |
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| Claire Stansbury |
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| From a young age I have been interested in the sciences, spending most of my time outside and searching for animals under rocks. So it was only natural for me to pursue a degree in Biology, which I earned from Cleveland State University. I had originally thought to pursue a career in research but after doing lab research my junior and senior years I realized that I wanted a career that was more hands on and fast paced. After completing undergrad I decided to take a year off to investigate a variety of professions I thought might suit my interests and personality. After considerable research and really no success I remembered my advisor at Cleveland State had suggested the anesthesiologist assistant program at CWRU to me a few years prior. Shadowing an AA at CWRU convinced me that I had finally found a career path that would be both interesting and challenging. I am excited to be part of this program at such a prestigious school and am looking forward to beginning in June. |
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| Brian Sunderville |
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| I graduated John Carroll University in 2009 with a B.S. in Biology. Throughout my entire college career I knew I wanted to work in the healthcare field but was unsure of exactly which profession. Initially, I thought medical school was my desired path but this sentiment changed after learning about this program and the profession from a fellow colleague whose sister graduated the CWRU program. After learning about the program and shadowing during the years following my graduation I knew that becoming an anesthesiologist assistant (AA) was the desired career path that I wanted to take. The AA profession for me satisfies every aspect in a career that I desire. I am so pleased that I discovered and pursued this profession, but even more excited that I was accepted into the Case Western Reserve program. I am intensely looking forward to starting and becoming an AA and being part of the MSA Class of 2013. After pursuing this goal for the past two years it feels like a dream come true! |
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| Laura Veale |
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I grew up in Wadsworth, Ohio and attended Mount Vernon Nazarene University (MVNU) for my undergraduate education. From day one of my college experience, I knew that I wanted a career in the field of anesthesia. My first year and a half of school was spent as a nursing student, with the goal of one day being a Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist. However, once I became aware of the profession of an Anesthesiologist Assistant (AA), I was excited to be able to pursue a more direct path to my ultimate career objective. I was also enthusiastic about the cooperative approach to anesthesia that an AA is a part of through the anesthesia care team.
So in the fall of 2010, I graduated from MVNU with a B.S. in Biology and a minor in Chemistry. Since the completion of my undergraduate schooling, I have worked as a substitute teacher, teaching most everything ranging from first grade to high school English. The experience definitely has helped better prepare me to think on my feet! While in the midst of my college career, I married my best friend. I am blessed that he, too, shares a passion for a career in healthcare and is a student of the Physician Assistant Program at Tri-C. We both believe that there is great opportunity to compassionately serve others through a medical profession and encourage one another to preserve this as the motive of our careers.
From the moment I decided to change my major from nursing to biology, I was committed to doing all that I could to qualify myself for the Master of Science in Anesthesia program at Case Western Reserve. It is an honor to be a part of this program, and I am certain that it will best prepare me to deliver the highest quality of care to patients as an AA. |
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| Brian White |
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| I graduated from the University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign in May 2010 with a B.S. in Kinesiology and Chemistry minor. Ever since I broke my wrist playing basketball in 8th grade, I knew I wanted a career in medicine or physical therapy. When I received CWRU’s information about the MSA program, it was immediately something I knew I needed to investigate further. Even though I would have to take a year off while waiting for the next application cycle, I was excited about the possibilities. After spending time shadowing an anesthetist at University Hospitals, I knew it was exactly the career I was looking for – medical, challenging, and rewarding while still allowing for a balanced life. Every anesthetist I’ve spoken to has had nothing short of wonderful things to say about CWRU and the people within the MSA program. I am both grateful and excited for the opportunity and future I have as a CWRU MSA student! |
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| Ekaterina Yerukhim |
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| Ever since high school, I knew I had a true passion to be involved in the medical field. It has a sense of purpose, belonging and knowledge that your efforts have made a concrete and immediate difference in someone’s life. It is an honor and a reward that few people can claim on daily basis. This combination of responsibility, challenges and satisfaction is truly appealing to me. I have been exposed to the various aspects of Case Western Reserve University since I first attended this institution for my undergraduate degree in Biochemistry with a minor in Economics and was actively involved in research for few years after. I have learned about the MSA program while I was an undergrad, but only decided to peruse this profession recently, after careful researching and shadowing experiences. The fascination of the field, bonding experiences with patients, and instant gratification made a career path change easy. Now, I am grateful to be a part of MSA Class of 2013 and very excited to start a new chapter in my life! |
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Class of 2013 - Houston Campus (class photo) |
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| Deborah Agustin |
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| coming soon |
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| Kathy Duong |
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| As I grew up in Atlanta, Georgia, my passion for medicine gradually unraveled as I took on the responsibility of managing my parents’ health. My curiosity about their various medications initially drew me to the pharmacy field, but after working as a pharmacy technician for nearly three years, I realized that I desired a career involving more patient interaction. I first learned about the AA field after speaking with a family friend, an AA himself. After my shadowing experience, I knew that the career was well suited for me; it satisfied my interest in pharmaceuticals and also incorporated direct patient care. I had no doubt that I wanted to attend Case Western Reserve because of the immediate clinical exposure, small class size, and simply because of the friendly and attentive faculty and staff. Once I complete my Bachelor of Science in Biology with a Minor in Chemistry at Georgia State University, I can only anticipate the next chapter of my life at Case Western Reserve. I am very grateful and proud to say that I will be part of the MSA Class of 2013! |
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| Chaveli Ezpeleta |
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| I graduated from the University of Illinois in Urbana–Champaign with a Bachelor of Science Degree in General Engineering. After graduating, I began working as a safety engineer for a consulting company. Although I enjoyed the work I was doing, I realized that ultimately I wanted to work in health care. At the time I wasn’t aware of the AA profession, so I started taking the prerequisite courses needed to apply to medical school. Since I wasn’t a pre-med student during undergrad, I had quite a few biological and chemical science courses to fulfill. I also started working at a physician’s office so that I could increase my exposure to the field of medicine. After I took the MCAT, I received a pamphlet from Case Western Reserve about the MSA program. Intrigued by the information it supplied, I immediately researched the AA profession, as well as the MSA program at CWRU. The more I learned about the work an AA does, the more I felt that this was the profession for me. Also, among all the AA programs I researched, I felt CWRU’s MSA program would provide me with the best education and training, so I applied to the program’s Houston location. I was extremely excited when I found out I was accepted and am just as excited to start the program and begin my journey to become an anesthesiologist assistant! |
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| Babatunde Famuyiwa |
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| I graduated from the University of Georgia in 2009 with a B.S. in Biology. At a very young age, my mind was set on striving to make a difference in the lives of others. I immediately felt like the medical field would be best for me because I would be able to make a positive impact on others on a daily basis. No other career offers such joy and satisfaction that comes with a career in the medical field. Becoming a doctor seemed like the right career in my earlier years but with plenty of research and shadowing of anesthesiologist assistants, I came upon the Masters in Anesthesia. A career in anesthesia not only provides me with the opportunity to directly impact an individual’s life, but will also build my character with the challenges that I’ll face daily. This is something that I’m looking forward to, and I’ll work hard to polish my craft. I’m very excited to be a part of CWRU’s MSA program, and I’m sure the program will mold me into a very competent anesthetist. |
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| Thomas "TJ" Glancy |
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| I grew up in Santa Clarita, CA and have always had a strong interest in the sciences, especially biology and chemistry. I spent two years as a volunteer in Buenos Aires, Argentina serving the people there. I first started taking Pre-med courses at Brigham Young University with the intention to become a Nurse Anesthetist. The competition was fierce to get in to BYU's Nursing program, however, and my counselor suggested I look into the similar position of anesthesiologist assistant. I had never heard of AAs before, and was relieved to find that I could perform the same roles as a CRNA without having to earn a Nursing degree. I graduated from BYU with a BS in Neuroscience in 2010. I shadowed Anesthesiologists and my excitement about the AA profession was solidified. I look forward to being on the front lines helping patients as an anesthesiologist assistant. |
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| Robert Howard |
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| I have been a Houstonian for most of my life except for a couple years when I went to college at Texas State University. I later finished up my degree in Liberal Arts with Excelsior College. Before learning of the anesthesiologist assistant career I was working as a Professional Real Estate Inspector. Many of my family members hold medical professions and I have always had a strong interest in the medical field. My sister had just finished CRNA school and had begun working as a Nurse Anesthetist at a hospital north of Houston. It was during this time that I learned of the anesthesiologist assistant route to becoming an anesthetist. I immediately began researching the profession and soon found out that Case Western Reserve would be opening a location here in Houston. I was very excited about the possibility of studying to become an anesthesiologist assistant in my hometown. After a good amount of research and shadowing I was convinced that this was what I wanted to do. I knew that it would be a valuable career where I would have the reward of improving the patient’s outcome. I feel very honored to have the opportunity of learning from such a respectable program as CWRU, and I am greatly looking forward to our first day of class here in Houston! |
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| Brighu Kumar |
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| I graduated from Case Western Reserve University in 2010 with a B.S.E. in Biomedical Engineering. My initial plan was to pursue a future in graduate level biomedical engineering, but after applying myself in two years of research during my undergraduate career, I realized I had little interest in that field. Luckily, one of my professors informed me about the MSA program at Case Western Reserve and I had the opportunity to shadow an AA. The experience was very interesting and informative, and I continued shadowing throughout the summer. The experience taught me that the profession required plethora of responsibility but every AA really enjoyed what they were doing and their lifestyle. They also appreciated how well the MSA program prepared them for their career as AA. I was also able to talk to current students enrolled in the CWRU MSA program and the entire experience gave me full confidence for pursuing this career. I am extremely looking forward to meeting my colleagues and teachers and actually start learning about my career in Houston. |
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| Peter Le |
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| coming soon |
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| Paul Menzel |
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| In May of 2008, I graduated from Texas Tech University with a B.S. in mathematics and a minor in chemistry. During my last year of school, I took a couple biology courses, and suddenly numbers were not as interesting as they had been before. Afterwards, I started to knock out prerequisites for a profession in healthcare. The usual shadowing and volunteering followed shortly after, but I was still unsure of which route to take, doctor, PA, or something else. One night at the hospital, I saw a brochure for the MSA program at Case Western Reserve University. Casually, I flipped through it, and thought wow, on paper this looks like the perfect catch. I shadowed an AA last summer, and it was a wonderful shadowing experience. I was hooked and desperate to apply. The curriculum at Case Western Reserve University provides me with confidence that I can be an important part of an anesthesia care team. Honestly, I cannot wait to get started! |
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| Meagan Meyer |
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| I graduated from Texas State University in 2006 with a B.F.A. in Directing and in 2008 with a Master of Arts in Mass Communications. As a graduate student in Mass Communications I focused my studies on health and wellness and applied my knowledge to marketing strategies and web design on topics pertaining to health and wellness. As I began to search for a career, I looked for one that could combine my interest in health with my background in communications. After interviewing at different oncology clinics and hospitals in their public relations departments, I decided that instead of a communications career in a healthcare industry, I truly wanted a career in healthcare with some communications aspects. After shadowing an AA and volunteering at a surgery center, the experiences clearly solidified that being an AA was the career that I wanted. I was honored and very excited to be accepted to the Case Western Reserve MSA program. I now have a future career that will offer me the opportunity to work in a healthcare field as well as help patients. I am excited to move to Houston and to begin the program! |
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| Michael Pippin |
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| coming soon |
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| Richard Quach |
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| I was born and raised in Houston. I attended high school at Debakey High School for Health Professions and graduated from the University of Houston with a Bachelors of Science in Biochemistry. As the name of the high school I attended suggests, I've been very interested in the medical field for as long as I can remember, but I wasn't sure whether I wanted to pursue a MD or a PhD. I went through many hospital rotations and it was during those rotations that I realize how much I loved helping people and having an impact on their lives. Around my senior year of high school was when I decided to explore the research side of medicine. I worked as animal lab technician at Baylor College of Medicine researching breast cancer prevention. I also did research on developing a vaccine for prostate cancer at Baylor during my undergraduate studies. As much as I really liked the research side of medicine, it lacked the human interaction aspect of clinical medicine that I so thoroughly enjoyed. So at that point it was a clear choice for me. I applied to medical school and was accepted, however a situation developed at home that prevented me from going. I was pretty devastated, but I didn't give up hope and I remembered receiving at pamphlet about CWRU's MSA program at work. After reading it over, doing plenty of research, and shadowing several AAs, I knew that CWRU's MSA program would allow me to do what I love doing and take care of the situation at home. I am proud to be part of the Class of 2013 of CWRU's MSA program and absolutely excited about what the future holds as I embark on the path towards becoming an AA! |
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| Karina Radonich |
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| I received my B.S. in Biology from Cleveland State University because of my love for science and my intention of pursuing a career in a medical field. I first learned of the anesthesiologist assistant program during my junior year in college and became very interested immediately. I did a great deal of research about this career, and I have invested some time shadowing a few anesthesiologist assistants along the way. From the first moment, it became clear to me that this is what I want to do. Direct patient interaction, everyday challenges, and the application of science are among the many terrific aspects of this career. I am thrilled to be a part of CWRU’s MSA program and am excited to see what the future holds. |
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| Laura Sanchez |
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| coming soon |
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| Andrew Schulz |
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| coming soon |
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| Emily Shand |
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| coming soon |
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| Steven Shannon |
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| I am originally from the small, rural community of Penrose, Colorado. I attended high school in the neighboring community of Florence where I graduated as Salutatorian of my class. After high school, I attended college at the University of Denver and received a Bachelor of Science in Biochemistry. As an undergraduate, I was involved with various student organizations and even spent a semester studying abroad in Rome, Italy. I returned home from my study abroad experience with the full intention of attending medical school in the States. In the midst of the process I received a small pamphlet with information on the MSA program at CWRU. At the time, I opted simply to save the pamphlet and follow through with my medical school applications. When I realized I would not be going to medical school, I immediately went to my drawer and pulled out the pamphlet. Knowing little about the AA profession I eagerly began researching. The more I researched the program, the more appealing it became to me. Here I am, two years later, certain that I made the right decision in applying to the MSA program at CWRU. I am confident and excited that pursuing a career as an anesthesiologist assistant will allow me to find balance between my skills and interests at work and at home. And perhaps most of all, I am excited to join my fellow colleagues and mentors in taking the next step in achieving my goals. Together, I am confident that we can continue in CWRU’s proud tradition of learning, caring, and excellence in healthcare! |
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| Austin Shelton |
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| Howdy! My name is Austin Shelton and I’m a San Antonio native. I attended Texas State University and majored in business management with the intent of pursuing medicine. During my senior year I decided that I needed a break before entering medical school, and I took advantage of a great opportunity to combine my management acumen with my interest in healthcare by working as a consultant for a large medical IT corporation. In my role I was responsible for designing and implementing electronic medical records and other software suites in hospital emergency departments and operating rooms. It was during a “go-live” at a hospital in Ohio that I learned of the AA profession and became immediately interested. After doing some research and shadowing a practicing AA, I was hooked. Acute physiology, drug interactions, and management of direct patient care was everything I was looking for. Without hesitation, I moved back to Texas and completed a master’s degree at the University of North Texas Health Science Center in preparation to enter this field. Needless to say, that time has finally arrived, and I’m very excited to begin my studies in the Texas Medical Center with Case Western Reserve. |
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| Sylvia Skucha |
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| I am from Chicago, Illinois, and I graduated from DePaul University in 2008 with a BSc in Biology with a Concentration in Biotechnology. By the time I graduated I was still unsure whether to apply to medical school or PhD programs. For the past two and a half years, I have been working as a research assistant studying the molecular signaling involved in non-small cell lung cancer both in vitro and in vivo. As much as I have enjoyed research, it was always missing the human element and I longed to find a career path in which I could see how the work I do benefits a person directly. While I was exploring the option of physician assistant, I stumbled upon (or rather Google found it for me), the field of the anesthesiologist assistant. After researching this profession extensively, I became ever more excited about it. After looking into all the schools, I decided that Case Western Reserve by far had the best Master’s program with its early clinical experience and small class size. I had the opportunity to shadow for two days in July 2010 at University Hospitals in Cleveland, and after my experience I knew I wanted to be part of this program and to be anesthesiologist assistant. I am absolutely thrilled to be part of Case Western Reserve’s Class of 2013 at Houston! |
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| Sanjana Sundar |
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| I graduated in 2009 from Miami University in Ohio with a B.A. in Microbiology. After taking my MCAT examination and completing my undergraduate degree, I decided to explore other options in the healthcare field and was accepted into the Masters in Public Health in Epidemiology at The Ohio State University. I enjoyed the MPH program and believe Public Health is an important and emerging field, but I also found I was interested in being in a clinically-based environment. I did some research and came across Case Western Reserve’s MSA program through the Internet and remembered receiving a similar brochure from the school after I had taken my MCATs. I was immediately drawn in by the amount of patient interaction and OR exposure offered by the AA career. After shadowing several MSA students and AA professionals, I was also drawn in by the diversity and quick pace of the profession. I felt that being an AA would afford me a lifetime of helping others with a great balance of family life – both of which were very important to me. Specifically, I was set on attending Case Western Reserve’s MSA program due to its unbeatable reputation for producing quality AAs as well as for the amount of OR experience and personalized attention provided by the program. Additionally, I felt that being in Houston, TX and at the TMC would only enhance what is sure to be a great and rewarding experience. I am so happy and excited to be part of the Class of 2013 and I am really looking forward to being a CWRU-educated AA! |
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| Renatas Tukys |
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| coming soon |
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| Brian Yeager |
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| coming soon |
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Class of 2012 - Cleveland Campus (class photo) |
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| Matthew Barnard |
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The majority of my adult life has been spent deep beneath the ocean’s waves in places I never fathomed. Prior to applying to Case Western Reserve University, I was a nuclear operator in the United States Naval Submarine Service. I am extremely grateful for the opportunity the Navy afforded me, but I realize sea-life and reactor plants are not the future I envision for myself.
After graduating from the University of Missouri-Kansas City with a B.S. in Chemistry and a minor in Biology, it was my intention to apply to several medical schools. During my application process, I received a letter from CWRU that supplied information concerning the career path of an anesthesiologist assistant. The more I researched the program and took advantage of shadowing experiences, the more I came to understand how well the program fit my goals. The small class sizes, history of excellence, challenging casework, and the strong role of clinical experience at Case Western are what attracted me the most. I am overjoyed to have been selected to this program and look forward to becoming a valuable member of the surgical team and improving patients’ lives. |
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| Lauren Barone - AAAA Student Representative |
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| I graduated from Denison University in 2009 with a B.S. in Biology. For most of my undergraduate career, I was intent on going to medical school but decided to take time off after graduation to explore other career opportunities in science and medicine. After graduation, I began working as a research assistant in both cancer and environmental research labs. I knew that I had a passion for medicine and science, but realized that I needed a career that would allow me to help people in a more direct manner. Prior experience at St. Vincent Mercy Medical Center, coupled with working at an outpatient surgery center, introduced me to the field of anesthesia. After shadowing AAs and researching the profession, I know that I will enjoy the challenges, meaningful work, and balanced lifestyle that this career has to offer. I am excited about becoming a part of Case’s program and am looking forward to starting in June! |
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| Zachary Barsman |
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| I’ve always had a strong interest in the sciences and chose to major in molecular genetics at Ohio State University. In addition to my coursework, I worked in research labs to learn and apply genetic and biochemical techniques to academic research. This experience was valuable; however, four years and three lab settings later I had decided that a career in research was not going to satisfy my desire to work directly with patients. I shadowed many health professionals in various fields with no particular position appealing to me. Then, after having the opportunity to shadow several anesthetists at Case Western, I knew that I had found the career for me. It seems perfectly tailored to my desire to help people and maintain mobility between different medical specialties. Originally from Cincinnati, I now live in Cleveland, working as a research technologist at the Cleveland Clinic's molecular genetics department, eagerly awaiting the start of school in June. |
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| Angela Capp |
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I am from Independence, Ohio, and I graduated from Baldwin-Wallace College in May 2010 with a B.S. in Biology. At the age of 15, I was hospitalized for a gymnastics-related injury which took several months to recover from, and it was during this time that I became focused on the medical field as a career goal. Upon entering Baldwin-Wallace, I joined the Pre-Med Society, and became a lab assistant for the Microbiology and Immunology courses in an eager attempt to figure out my life’s path. It was through a Pre-Med presentation that I was introduced to the Anesthesiologist Assistant profession and, more particularly, Case’s MSA Program.
After researching more about AAs, I quickly became excited and passionate about this seemingly “too good to be true” profession. Through shadowing, it was made evident that the AA career is indeed too good to be true, and is also the perfect fit for me. Once I realized that medical school was not the path I wanted to pursue, I was lost until I was made aware of this profession. For those prospective students who are debating if medical school is right for them, I highly suggest shadowing an AA, you will not be disappointed! |
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| Robert David Denyer - AAAA Student Representative |
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| I graduated from The University of Michigan in May 2010 with a B.S. in Brain Behavior and Cognitive Science. I very much enjoyed the study of the brain and its mechanisms which ultimately led to me to an interest in anesthesia. My sophomore year I started shadowing at Case Western and fell in love with the AA profession after the first surgery! After my first experience in the OR I knew the next step was deciding which schools I would apply to. Every Anesthesiologist that I spoke to about this profession over the next two years said that Case Western provided the best training in the field. With this advice, as well the personable nature of the faculty including Jennifer and Laura, I knew that not only would Case Western be my first choice, but it would be the only school where I would apply. Thankfully, I was accepted and to this day, after several shadowing experiences, I have not found a single AA that is not extremely passionate about their profession and satisfied with their lifestyle. The universal satisfaction with the career experienced by all whom I have come into contact with says a lot about the profession and its mission as a whole. What an honor it is to now be a part of the program here at Case Western! |
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| Kelly Foster |
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| Growing up I always had the dream of becoming a doctor. This was based on my love of science, and later, my love of caring for patients as a nurse’s aide. After growing up in Cleveland I decided to go to Elon University in North Carolina, where I received my B.S. in Biology. I was unable to get into medical school right after graduation, so I decided to move back to Cleveland to accept a job as a manager at an assisted living home. I then decided to get my Masters degree at Case in Applied Anatomy to help me with my medical school application. After starting the anatomy program, I realized that becoming a physician was not for me. After I graduated, the director of the anatomy program, Dr. Joe Miller, introduced the MSA program to me. After researching the profession, shadowing, and reading an anesthesia text, I knew that this career was the perfect match. I am excited to officially become a part of the AA community and look forward to becoming a talented anesthetist as well as helping advance the profession. |
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| Anna Gartner |
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| I graduated from Cleveland State University with a B.S. in Psychology and Pre-Med. When I was a senior, I volunteered as a part of an anesthesia technician team at the Cleveland Clinic. During my volunteer experience, I found out about the midlevel medical profession of anesthetist. After a thorough exploration of this career and interviews with practicing anesthetists, I have decided to pursue this rewarding and stimulating medical specialty. Among five schools that offer a program in anesthesia, I chose MSA at CWRU for several reasons. First of all, CWRU has a reputation for giving an excellent education with a prospect for better jobs. In particular, the MSA program offers a challenging curriculum that best prepares its students for future practice. I believe that only the MSA program at CWRU gives its best effort to transform enthusiastic novices into hard-core anesthesia experts. This is exactly the support I look for on my path to actualization. |
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| Kathleen Hixson |
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| I earned my B.S. in Chemistry from Case Western Reserve University in May of 2010. Upon entering my undergraduate career, I knew I wanted to go into a health field but was not sure medical school would be right for me. A friend of mine told me about the MSA program and I immediately shadowed an AA. Loving the hands on learning and the variety of cases I would get to see daily as an AA, I knew this was the career for me. Also, growing up around the area and being at Case for 4 years prior, I knew what great opportunities and prestige the surrounding hospitals offered and could only imagine what knowledge I would gain. I cannot wait to start the journey toward becoming an AA. |
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| Randall Inzano |
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| I am 41 years old and have been working as a Respiratory Therapist since the spring of 1995. The Anesthesiologist Assistant Program was first suggested to me five years ago by an Anesthesiologist who was impressed with the quality of the graduates from this school. I recently graduated from Cleveland State University with my B.S. in Health Sciences and I am looking forward to starting graduate school. Every physician and health professional whose opinion I have asked has agreed that the program at CWRU is a wonderful opportunity. I know that this is the right career choice for me. |
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| Erin King |
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| I graduated from Cedarville University in 2007 with a B.S. in Biology and a Bioethics minor. From there I went on to study at Wayne State University in Detroit, MI, where I earned a Master of Science degree in Basic Medical Sciences. I have always been interested in medicine, and I had planned to go to med school upon finishing my Master's degree. However, after getting engaged last year, I realized that I needed a career that would allow me to have a more balanced lifestyle. I heard about the MSA program at Case, and after looking into it I knew that this was the perfect program for me. I am excited that I have found a career that will provide me with an exciting and challenging work environment where I can not only make a difference in the lives of patients, but still have time to devote to my family! |
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| Oksana Kozlovskaya |
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| I graduated from John Carroll University in 2010 with a B.S. in Cell and Molecular Biology with a concentration in Biochemistry. I have known about the AA program at Case ever since high school and have strived all through college to ensure that I become a part of it. I originally became interested in anesthesia after a serious struggle with a family illness and eventually become more intrigued in the field through my growing background in biochemistry. Moreover, I knew that Case's program would offer the best education and experience available because of their high standards and immediate clinical focus. I am very excited to have finally reached my goal and cannot wait to start! I know that upon graduation of the Master of Science in Anesthesia Program at CWRU, I will be confident in my skills and be prepared to the upmost level to become an Anesthesiologist Assistant. |
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| Heather Ragazino |
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| I graduated from Ohio State University with a major in Accounting, and worked as a Certified Public Accountant in both public accounting and banking for the next 8 years. At that time, I decided to stay at home with my 2 young children while re-evaluating my career options. While I had enjoyed success in the business world, the work was not emotionally fulfilling to me, and the long evening and weekend hours were not suited to raising a family. A friend told me about the AA profession and, upon further research and shadowing, I was sure that this was the career for me. I spent several years taking the prerequisite course work and am looking forward to a long and rewarding career as an AA! |
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| Abby Rhoades - Student Chief |
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| The summer before my junior year at Walsh University, as I was in the process of applying to dental school, I discovered the Anesthesiologist Assistant profession and the program at Case Western. I was having reservations about my true desire to become a dentist, so the AA field - which I was not previously familiar with - was an exciting discovery (as opposed to other obvious alternatives like medical school, pharmacy school, etc.). I immediately scheduled a visit to UH, and after my first shadowing experience I knew it was the perfect career path for me. It will allow me to have a rewarding yet challenging health care job with considerable patient interaction, without the time commitment of dental or medical school. While there are multiple AA programs, the friendly and intelligent staff and students, impressive program history, and focus on clinical experience made choosing Case an easy decision for me. Every time I have stepped foot in the MSA offices I have anticipated one day entering as a student, and I'm so thankful to be given that opportunity as part of the Class of 2012! |
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| John Paul Roman |
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| I graduated from Pennsylvania State University in 2009 with a B.S. in Biology. After graduation, I took a position as a Research Assistant at a Biotech company. The work was interesting, but I felt that I wanted to do more with the degree that I had earned. The more I learned about the Anesthesiologist Assistant program at CWRU, the more it seemed like an ideal fit for me. The program offered the opportunity to further my education in Biomedical Science, and work toward a degree in the healthcare industry that would move me from the lab to working directly with patients. I’m looking forward to a career where my skills and knowledge are valued, and I feel fortunate to have found out about the AA profession. |
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| Erika Tully |
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| I graduated from Baldwin-Wallace College in 2004 with a degree in music performance. Originally I had wanted to become a music teacher, but after my sophomore year, I decided that teaching music was just not for me. I also realized that any occupation in the music field would involve teaching it in some way, and so I began my search to find a better path. During my junior year, I started researching medical school and was relieved to find that I would not have to change my major. I immediately began taking the required science courses. A few years passed and after having two wonderful kids, I came to the conclusion that I did not want to become a doctor anymore. I knew I would not want to spend so much time away from my family and was excited when I found out about the MSA program at Case and came in for a shadow experience. I had finally found what I wanted from my career; being able to make a positive difference in people’s lives and also having time to enjoy my family. I started to finish the rest of the prerequisites, and cannot wait to start classes in June! |
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| Michael Vaughn - Student Chief |
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| I graduated from Case Western Reserve University in 2010 with a BS degree in Chemistry and minors in Economics and Biology. I learned about the MSA program at a health science fair during my sophomore year. I realized that this program would be a good fit for me because it meshes my desire to be involved in health care with my interests outside of my profession, including family life and my running. I know that the MSA program at Case has an excellent reputation, and I am honored and excited to be a part of it. |
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Class of 2012 - Houston Campus (class photo) |
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| William Bell - Student Chief |
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| I graduated with honors from Ohio University with a Bachelor’s of Science in Biology and a minor in Chemistry. I’ve always known that I wanted to work in the medical profession. Nonetheless, as an undergraduate, I decided to explore my opportunities in genetic/cellular research with an application to medicine. I extensively enjoyed my research experience, but I wanted to feel as though I was on the front line of medicine. After I received my degree from Ohio University, I entered an accelerated nursing program. There, I gained valuable clinically-based experience and learned a tremendous amount about communication, interpersonal interactions, and most importantly compassion, within the medical setting. I had previously shadowed AAs at University Hospitals through the CWRU MSA program and decided that being an Anesthetist was the perfect career for me. Now, I am truly blessed to be a part of the MSA program at Case Western. I’m really looking forward to this amazing rewarding career which Case has made possible for me! |
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| Eliza Benson - AAAA Student Representative |
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| I graduated from University of Wisconsin Madison in 2009 with a B.S. in Biology and Zoology. After graduating I was still not sure what I wanted to do but knew that I wanted a profession in the medical field. I heard about the MSA Program at Case through a friend and once I began looking more into it, I decided to do a clinical shadow with an AA. Once I had done my clinical shadow, I knew that I wanted to become an AA and attend the program at Case because of its high reputation. |
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| Kerry Chemnitz |
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| Not available at this time |
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| Kelly Day |
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| I grew up in Brecksville, Ohio. Throughout high school I was a sitter for an anesthesiologist who introduced me to the anesthesiologist assistant profession. I had an interest in this occupation right away and knew it was something I would look further into when planning my career path. I earned a B.S. in Human Nutrition at Ohio State University in 2009. While working towards my bachelor’s degree I explored the AA profession further. After volunteering at the OSU medical center and shadowing multiple anesthesiologists and AAs, I realized that this was the right career for me. I have always wanted to work in the health care field and have a career that would challenge me, allow me to help others, and also permit me to enjoy life and family outside of work. After graduating from OSU, I applied to the MSA program. Case’s MSA program was highly recommended by every anesthesiologist and AA I had talked to. Their clinical experience and small classroom size are known to be very beneficial. I am looking forward to starting the MSA program at CWRU in Houston! |
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| Ross DeVoe |
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| I am from Columbus, KS, and graduated from the University of Kansas with a B.S. in Cell Biology. Growing up I was always fascinated with the medical field and planned on becoming a doctor for the longest time. Upon graduation I was no longer sure if medical school was right for me but knew I wanted to pursue a career in healthcare. After graduation I started working as a phlebotomist and not long after learned of the AA profession. After researching the career and shadowing several anesthetists I knew this was exactly what I wanted to do. I was drawn to the career because it is a thinking profession, but also very hands on and very diverse from case to case. Becoming an AA will give me the opportunity at a challenging and rewarding career while still being able to maintain a balanced lifestyle. I am excited to be part of the inaugural class in Case’s Houston program and look forward to starting in June. |
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| Nathaniel Flath - AAAA Student Representative |
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| I graduated from Bluffton University in May of 2009 with a B.A. in biology and a minor in mathematics. My parents were both involved in E.M.S. when I was younger, and I have always felt called to the medical profession. This explains my pre-med track throughout high school and college, yet I was never truly excited about this field. It wasn’t until stumbling upon a pamphlet CWRU had sent me and hours of research into the AA profession that I became enthusiastic about my future career. Upon shadowing an AA at UH, I knew the MSA program is what I had been looking for to reach my dream and I knew there was nowhere more prestigious than CWRU to achieve this. Also, after visiting Houston, TX, and the TMC, I am extremely eager to begin the program through CWRU and experience everything the TMC has to offer. |
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| Philip Hunek |
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| I am from Cleveland, Ohio, and I graduated from the University of Toledo in 2005 with a BS in Biology and a BA in Chemistry. My original intent was to enter into medical school after graduation, but after spending time in a Master's program at Case to improve my chances of being accepted, I decided that med school wasn't for me. I have spent the past few years coaching high school hockey at St. Ignatius and working in the chemistry labs at the Cleveland Clinic. I have continued to have an interest in medicine and had spent a lot of time researching different career choices when I was introduced to this field through shadowing at the hospital where my mother works. I was instantly drawn to anesthesia and believe that this program will be the best way for me to start my career. |
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| Jonathan Lau |
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| I was born in San Francisco, California and grew up in Hong Kong, China. I came back to the States to receive my undergraduate education at State University of New York at Buffalo. I finished my BS majoring in Biomedical Science and obtained my EMT-paramedic certification in 4 years. Right now, I am currently wrapping up my thesis for my Master’s degree in neuroscience before I move to Texas and reach my "final destination for study," the MSA program! I am interested in the MSA program as I believe the profession is the best fit for my personal interests and academic background. After I shadowed an AA and spoke with the staff and students at Cleveland’s University Hospitals, I am 100% certain about my future career as an AA. I am looking forward to school starting this summer! |
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| Daniel Lipian |
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| Before joining the MSA Program, my primary focus was in the political realm, where I most recently worked on policy issues with Congressmen and Senators at The Heritage Foundation in Washington, D.C. Prior to my time in Washington, I attended Bowling Green State University, where I received my B.S. in Physics. However, despite my science background, I actually spent more time engaging people politically than I spent in the physics laboratory: running statewide political organizations, speaking at conventions around the country, and engaging with my fellow students. Despite my scientific interests, at the time I never really saw the merit in a science career, because I felt it lacked the opportunity to interact with people. However, that all changed when I attended my first shadowing experience with AA Program Instructor George Yung at University Hospitals. Seeing the manner in which George related to the patients - calming them down both before and after surgery - and the incredible science behind the AA profession, I realized that being an AA-C represented the perfect combination of people interaction and hard science. Upon completion of my shadowing day, I immediately began taking prerequisite classes to prepare for this career, and I am both honored and grateful to God and to the amazing people at Case Western for accepting me into this incredible program. |
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| Aaron McBurney |
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| Before I applied to the MSA program at Case I served 5 years in the US Army as a stepping stone to achieve my educational goals of earning a BS in Biology and becoming an MD. As I applied to several Texas medical schools, I heard about the AA profession from some friends and fliers and decided to look into it further. When I truly understood what the AA profession was about and after I shadowed an AA, I completely changed my mind about going to medical school. Soon after, I applied to 4 of the AA programs across the country. Looking back now, I would have been crazy not to jump at this opportunity. The focus on developing clinical skills from the very beginning was one of the reasons why I chose Case. I am currently finishing my BS in Biology at the University of Houston Downtown and live in a suburb just north of Houston with my wife Rosalynn and two year old son Jacob. |
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| Vivek Nair - Student Chief |
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| I am from Circleville, OH, and I graduated from the honors program at The Ohio State University in 2008 with a bachelor's degree in Molecular Genetics. While at Ohio State, I was a student researcher in the field of Human Cancer Genetics. While I had always thought that I wanted to be a surgeon, I remained wary of the long hours and sacrifices that would have to be made in one's personal and family life in order to achieve that goal. As someone who had been on the pre-med path, I did not know how I could be a high-level, direct care provider in the operating room without going to medical school. That was until I learned of the Anesthesiologist Assistant profession and the MSA Program at Case Western. When I met with and shadowed AAs at Case, I could see how pleased they were with their place in the OR and with their ability to live a harmonious life outside of work. The Case program emphasizes early clinical experience and smaller class sizes, perfectly suiting the type of learning environment which I like. I am thrilled to have found this perfect fit for what I want in my career and I am very pleased to be a member of the first Houston, TX, class of the Case Western MSA Program. |
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| James Nast |
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| I graduated from Kalamazoo College in Michigan with a BA in Biology. My initial intentions were to go to medical school, but after I discovered the MSA program at Case, I was intrigued. I decided to shadow an AA at University Hospitals and found that it was a perfect fit for me. In order to apply I had to take an extra year to complete a few extra classes, but in the end, I know I have made the right decision to become an AA. |
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| Mariya Poretskiy |
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| I graduated Miami University in Oxford, Ohio, with a BS in Psychology. After graduating, I traveled around the U.S. meeting new people and working in new environments. I have always wanted to be a doctor and I believe patient care should be valued. The MSA program is a perfect fit for me because each case is unique, patient care is a priority and team work is required. In addition, I wanted to have a life outside of work and the MSA program provides this opportunity. |
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| Aislynn Samano-Walker |
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| In 2004, I graduated from the University of the Incarnate Word in San Antonio, Texas, with a BA in Theatre Arts and a minor in biology. After graduation, I was hired as an office assistant for a group of anesthesiologists where I quickly grew to love the discipline. I continued on to graduate school at the University of Texas Health Science Center where I received an MS in Human Anatomy. During graduate school, I was employed as a research associate working on mouse models with pediatric cancers, and I was recently published in the journal, Transgenic Research. I then moved to Chicago where I worked as a clinical research associate at the University of Chicago’s Comer Children’s Hospital. Though research has been a rewarding career, I longed for a job with more human interaction and clinical practices. Having already fallen in love with the field of anesthesia (I even got to do animal anesthesia in my research!), I wanted to find a career path that extended to clinical medicine but also allowed for the growth of a family. I recently married a man who is studying to be an anesthesiologist and he comes from a family of anesthesiologists! My father-in-law first mentioned the idea of AA school to me, and I quickly began researching the exciting career of an anesthesiologist assistant. A great career taking care of patients with good salary and still time for an outside life, it seemed too good to be true! Within a matter of time, I had found the perfect program and I am thrilled and honored to be accepted into the inaugural class of Case Western MSA program in Houston, Texas! |
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| Justin Sona - AAAA Student Representative |
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| I was born and raised in Albuquerque, New Mexico. After graduating high school I attended the University of New Mexico were I got a B.S. in Biology with a minor in Chemistry. I heard about the Master of Science in Anesthesiology program from a family friend, who is a certified AA, when I was still in high school. The program interested me but I had already decided on attending medical school by that time. It wasn’t until halfway through college that I switched to the MSA program, and I realized that with working in this field I would be able to achieve more of my life’s goals. One of the biggest goals I wanted to achieve was that I wanted to have a good standard of living while being able to have plenty of time for my family. This program seems like a great choice for me and I am excited to be a part of the first Case class in Houston, Texas. |
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| Frank Trazaska |
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| Not available at this time |
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Class of 2011 - Cleveland Campus (class photo) |
| Graduated May 15, 2011 |
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Uyen Bui |
Jonathan Cox |
Loredana Dandu |
Joseph Harp |
Aida Harris |
Brian Haskins |
Robert Jones |
Greg Lillvis |
David Martin |
Natalie Morello |
Angela Nichols |
Erika Swanson |
Colleen Traud |
Anthony Tripi |
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