As one of the founding educational programs of the certified anesthesiologist assistant profession, Case Western Reserve University's Master of Science in Anesthesia Program has had a long and storied tradition of excellence. Our students continually rise to the highest level of educational acumen, and our graduates have blazed new frontiers and played integral roles in all aspects of professional expansion.
Shattering boundaries while remaining grounded in the vision of our founders has been our course. By focusing on student empowerment, we encourage innovation and clinical excellence while fostering a culture of thinking beyond the possible.
Nowhere is the success of this course more evident than in the long list of accomplishments of our graduates.
Alumni Spotlights
Our alumni play integral roles in all aspects of professional expansion, from practice and instructor to advocacy and leadership.
Pete Kaluszyk | Class of 1975
Pete was the first certified anesthesiologist assistant to be appointed to a committee of the American Society of Anesthesiologists.
Pete held additional positions with the ASA, particularly with an eye towards education initiatives, and multiple positions with the American Academy of Anesthesiologist Assistants. He currently serves as the MSA Program’s Director of Special Projects at Case Western Reserve University in Cleveland.
Deb Lawson | Class of 1977
Deb was the first American Academy of Anesthesiologist Assistants’ representatives to the Anesthesia Patient Safety Foundation.
She supported the AAAA in a variety of other roles, including president and chair of both the executive committee and board of directors.
Deb also served as a founding member and president of the Ohio Association of Anesthesiologist Assistants. She supported the CWRU MSA Program as a clinical instructor in both Cleveland and Houston, and is now retired.
Mike Nichols | Class of 2000
Mike was the first certified anesthesiologist assistant ever nominated to the American Society of Anesthesiologist Political Action Committee, or ASAPAC.
Additionally, Mike was the youngest president of the American Academy of Anesthesiologist Assistants to date. He is one of six CWRU MSA Program graduates who have held the position of president of the AAAA. These graduates include Pete Kaluszyk (‘75), Deb Lawson (‘77), Bob Stupi (‘96), Carie Twichell (‘99), and Claire Chandler (‘04).
Read more about our alumni's accomplishments on our honor roll.