COSAM News Articles 2022 October COSAM, VCOM and Bluefield University partner in new early admission program for Master of Health Science in Anesthesia Program on VCOM’s Auburn campus

COSAM, VCOM and Bluefield University partner in new early admission program for Master of Health Science in Anesthesia Program on VCOM’s Auburn campus

Published: 10/05/2022

By: Maria Gebhardt

The Edward Via College of Osteopathic Medicine (VCOM), Bluefield University and the College of Sciences and Mathematics (COSAM) signed a cooperative agreement allowing students to earn a Bachelor of Science in Biomedical Sciences, Pre-Anesthesiologist Assistant degree from Auburn University and a Master of Health Sciences in Anesthesia (MHSA) from VCOM through the Rocovich Early Admission Program (REAP).

REAP provides Biomedical Sciences students the opportunity to receive credit for their senior year coursework while attending the MHSA Program at the VCOM-Auburn Campus. REAP is a unique opportunity for COSAM students interested in a career as a Certified Anesthesiologist Assistant. Students in the REAP program complete their senior year bachelor’s degree requirements through MSHA coursework.

VCOM’s MHSA Program’s Dean, Mike Nichols, and Medical Director, Dr. Gary Bridges, spoke to Auburn students about the MHSA Program at the September 27 Alpha Epsilon Delta meeting.

“Students now have an accelerated pathway to become a licensed anesthesiologist assistant,” said Dean Mike Nichols of VCOM. “Anesthesiology is a complex specialty and our program gives hands-on clinical experience to prepare students for a rewarding career in less time. The job changes every day and offers students a chance to have an engaging career where they will make a positive, impactful change to the people in the states of Alabama and Georgia, and around the Southeastern United States.”

Bridges spoke about how anesthesiologist assistants are in high demand and offer competitive salaries. “I have been an anesthesiologist for more than 20 years at EAMC,” he said. “You will finish this program and have a job paying six figures upon graduation.”

For more information about COSAM’s Biomedical Sciences, Pre-Anesthesiologist Assistant major or the REAP program, contact COSAM’s Pre-Health Programs at pre-health@auburn.edu.

Left: VCOM’s MHSA Program’s Dean Mike Nichols; Second from left: Medical Director, Dr. Gary Bridges; Center - COSAM's Assistant Director of Pre-Health Programs Anna Traylor; and students leading the Alpha Epsilon Delta, or AED organization.