From physicians and advanced practice nurses to physician assistants and specialists, the providers who make up the AAKC community each play an integral role in patient care.
Anesthesiologist
Anesthesiologists are highly skilled medical doctors (M.D. or D.O.) who specialize in the field of anesthesiology. They have significantly longer and more extensive training than other classifications of anesthesia practitioners, so they are the most qualified to make anesthesia- related perioperative medical decisions.
Anesthesiologists are primarily responsible for the safety and well-being of patients before, during and after surgery.
Nurse Anesthetist
Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists (CRNAs) are master’s or doctoral prepared advanced practice registered nurses (APRNs) that have completed nursing school, a minimum of two years of practice in a critical care setting, as well as a three year accredited nurse anesthesia program. CRNAs are highly skilled healthcare professionals that provide anesthesia to patients in the surgical and procedural settings. The CRNAs at AAKC practice in collaboration with a physician anesthesiologist to deliver high-quality and evidence-based anesthesia care.
Pain Management Physicians
A pain management doctor focuses on your ability to function despite living with chronic pain. Their goal is to help you manage pain so that the quality of your life improves. You should be able to perform your usual daily living activities, work activities, and leisure activities with pain under control—at least, that’s the goal.
A pain management doctor utilizes various treatment modalities to control chronic pain. When a primary doctor finds it difficult to bring a patient’s pain under control, that’s usually when a referral is made to the specialist. AAKC Physicians are Board Certified in Anesthesiology and Sub-Specialty Board certified in Pain Medicine.
Anesthesiologist Assistant
Certified Anesthesiologist Assistants (CAAs) are health professionals who work exclusively within the anesthesia care team environment under the direction of an anesthesiologist. All CAAs complete required pre-medical coursework, a baccalaureate degree, and also complete a comprehensive didactic and clinical program at the graduate school level.