Image by Thomas G. from PixabayThe U.S. health care sector is facing a significant anesthesiologist shortage, with a projected deficit of nearly 8,450 by 2037, according to the American Society of Anesthesiologists.
To help address this while further supporting the ambulatory surgery center (ASC) space, U.S. Anesthesia Partners Inc. (USAP) and Nova Southeastern University (NSU) are expanding their current partnership to introduce a new anesthesia training program.
“We’re taking a multifaceted approach to scaling training capacity responsibly,” Dr. Chad A. Perlyn, NSU’s executive vice president and chief medical officer, told ASC News. “NSU’s existing infrastructure – including multiple campuses, high-fidelity simulation centers and clinical partnerships – already supports a large, distributed student base. By expanding faculty, clinical rotation sites and resources in collaboration with USAP, we’ll create a steady pipeline of highly qualified anesthesia professionals.”
The goal is sustainable growth: developing over 1,500 clinicians in 10 years while maintaining the highest educational and clinical standards.
USAP offers anesthesiology services to some of the nation’s top hospitals and ASCs. With locations nationwide, NSU is the largest provider of certified anesthesiologist assistants (CAAs) in the United States.
By collaborating within this framework, these organizations can address the growing shortage of anesthesia clinicians while enhancing students’ overall learning experience.
“Through formal programs and clinical rotations, USAP trains over 700 aspiring clinicians each year and leads the profession,” to Dr. Mo Azam, head of innovation at USAP, told ASC News. “Now, USAP and NSU will work together to meet the country’s need for more anesthesia clinicians by combining an anesthesiologist assistant program, a new CRNA program, medical school partnerships, a division of clinical research, an innovation center, and a business school track for anesthesia practice management and leadership.”
The anesthesia workforce shortage needs collaborative solutions, Perlyn said. By combining the CAA and CRNA programs into a unified workforce plan, USAP and NSU can help ensure “the right clinician is in the right place at the right time.”
He further explained that this model promotes team-based anesthesia care, improves patient safety and expands access to high-quality anesthesia in both urban and rural health care systems.
And that involves preparing students for different clinical settings, including hospital outpatient departments and ASCs.
“Currently, our students rotate through several hospital outpatient units as the shift toward ambulatory care is well underway,” Perlyn said. “We recognize that more and more surgical procedures will continue to move into ASCs, and we’re committed to preparing our clinicians to thrive in these settings. As this transition accelerates, we’ll continue to expand training opportunities through our partnership.”
Preparing future leaders
The USAP Center for Anesthesia Education and Leadership features a USAP Scholars program that provides direct financial support for the education of future anesthesia clinicians.
It also includes a national network of USAP clinicians to serve as proctors during students’ clinical rotations, plus direct mentorship opportunities for students.
There’s also opportunities for participation in various lecture series, leadership roundtables and grand rounds with USAP leaders, along with career-pathway workshops and more.
“The USAP Scholars program is designed to provide mentorship, leadership development and early professional exposure,” Perlyn explained. “Students will be paired with experienced USAP clinicians who can guide them through the realities of modern anesthesia practice – from clinical excellence to teamwork, professionalism and leadership. This mentorship accelerates learning, strengthens professional identity and fosters a lifelong commitment to patient safety and collaboration.”
The USAP Center also plans to collaborate with NSU’s H. Wayne Huizenga College of Business and Entrepreneurship to develop a new “business of anesthesiology” curriculum for MBA programs – an innovative addition to clinical training, according to Perlyn.
“Through the partnership with NSU’s College of Business, we will be introducing coursework that helps future anesthesia professionals understand the business and operational aspects of health care – from practice management to health care economics and leadership,” Perlyn said. “Clinicians who understand both patient care and organizational strategy are better prepared to lead teams, innovate and adapt to the evolving health care environment.”
A joint advisory council will oversee the USAP Center, composed of NSU faculty leaders, USAP clinical faculty and business leaders.
USAP will coordinate student placement within its national network of anesthesia practices to ensure a top-quality training environment. The process will be designed to accommodate a student’s preferred long-term work location and to provide access to specialty rotations, such as pediatric, obstetric and cardiac anesthesia care.
“By expanding the pipeline of well-trained anesthesia professionals, we’re addressing a critical workforce gap that directly impacts access to care and patient outcomes,” Perlyn noted. “Every graduate from this program contributes to safer, more efficient surgical care – whether in large hospitals or community ASCs. Over time, we expect to see greater consistency in anesthesia delivery, better procedural outcomes and higher patient satisfaction in perioperative care across the country.”
To evaluate the success of the training and leadership initiative, NSU will track educational and clinical impact by measuring enrollment growth, graduation rates, credential exam pass rates and job placement outcomes, according to Perlyn.
On the labor side, they will track workforce deployment — specifically, how many graduates are filling critical gaps, especially in high-need areas or outpatient settings.
Long-term success will be measured by quality and safety outcomes, patient satisfaction and the development of future leaders within the anesthesia profession.
