The Master of Science in Anesthesia Program is pleased to announce that Carie Twichell, CAA (’99) has accepted the position of Assistant Program Director of our main campus location in Cleveland, Ohio. In this role, she will work alongside Executive Program Director Joseph Rifici, CAA, MEd, to direct, administer, and oversee student services and faculty support in Cleveland.
Carie served as Interim Assistant Program Director since July 2018 and as co-clinical coordinator and instructor for CWRU MSA students at MetroHealth, where she has practiced as an anesthetist since 2006. There, she also serves on multiple councils and committees including as co-chair on the MetroHealth Perioperative Team STEPPS Action Council, a multidisciplinary group of individuals aimed at optimizing patient outcomes by improving communication and teamwork skills among healthcare providers. Notably, Carie was also responsible for petitioning the MetroHealth Advanced Practice Provider (APP) Council to recognize certified anesthesiologist assistants as APPs alongside physician assistants and APRNs. This recognition effectively won the profession a seat at the table, and has allowed CAAs at MetroHealth opportunities to self-advocate and contribute more effectively to the organization as active members of the medical staff.
Prior to her work at MetroHealth, Carie spent seven years practicing at The Christ Hospital in Cincinnati, Ohio. There, she collaborated with CWRU MSA Program leadership to formalize the hospital as a student clinical rotation site.
Beyond education, Carie has noteworthy accomplishments as an advocate for the certified anesthesiologist assistant profession. She is an active member of the American Academy of Anesthesiologist Assistants, the American Society of Anesthesiologists, the Ohio Academy of Anesthesiologist Assistants, of which she is a founding member, and the Ohio Society of Anesthesiologists. She has served on the Board of Directors of the AAAA for nearly fifteen years, including a term as president. Her advocacy has been focused on topics such as governance, legislation, finance, practice management, and community initiatives.
Please join us in formally welcoming Carie Twichell to the CWRU MSA leadership team.