Pre-AA Pathways

Tiffany & Adrienne
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Pre-AA Pathways is a podcast guiding students through the journey to Anesthesiologist Assistant school. Hosted by two non-traditional applicants, each episode breaks down the pre-AA process—from prerequisites and clinical experience to CASAA applications and interviews—so you can navigate the path to AA school with confidence.

Episodes

  1. 5 DAYS AGO

    Episode 4: All Things Pre-AAs Need to Know About the AAAA Conference

    This episode is about why showing up before you're accepted isn't just allowed. It's the point. What we cover: What the AAAA (American Academy of Anesthesiologist Assistants) National Conference isWhy in-person professional exposure builds a different kind of context than content consumption (and the cognitive science behind why)How to actually show up: introducing yourself, which sessions to prioritize, what to ask practicing CAAs7 myths about attending as a pre-AA, busted... and MORE Links & Resources AAAA website + affiliate membershipPre-AA Pathways websiteFollow us on our socials HERETiffany's Coffee Break episode about the AAAA (Ep 3.5) Advocacy for CAAs To learn more about advocacy, start HERE.For Adri's framework on HOW to educate and advocate, visit HERE. Disclaimer: Tiffany and Adrienne are pre-AA applicants in the 2026 CASAA cycle — not program-accepted CAAs. Nothing here is admissions guidance or a guarantee of outcomes. Verify all dates, fees, and membership details directly with the AAAA. Pre-AA Pathways is not affiliated with CASAA, the AAAA, any AA program, or CAAHEP.

    20 min

  2. 21 APR ·  BONUS

    Coffee Break: Tiff's Takes on the AAAA Conference '26

    Tiff goes solo and gets out some highlights while they’re still warm for this one while Adri’s recovering from gum surgery.  In This EpisodeThe clinical sessions — what Tiff learned from Dr. Rishi Kumar's session on the physiologically challenging airway (and why the breathing tube going in is not the finish line), and Sarah Whitfield's breakdown of pacemakers vs. ICDs and why that distinction matters more than most people realizeLegislation — Washington state became the first state on the West Coast to license CAAs. What that fight actually looked like, what Representative Taylor said that every pre-AA needs to hearThe keynote — Shenandoah Chefalo on ACEs, belonging as the number one predictor of life outcomes, and why Tiff got personalMary Jeanne — watching your mentor show up as her truest self and achieve a lifelong dream in front of youEmily Mycyk — the AAAA president who used to tend bar and started AA school at 29, and why her story matters for every non-traditional pre-AA listening_____Shenandoah Chefalo Keynote speaker | Trauma-informed wellness expert https://www.chefaloconsulting.com/ | https://www.linkedin.com/in/shenandoahchefalo  Dr. Rishi Kumar Speaker | Physiologically challenging airway session https://www.instagram.com/rishimd/  Sarah Whitfield, CAA Speaker | Cardiovascular implantable electronic device & Founder of AspiringCAA.com → aspiringcaa.com | https://www.linkedin.com/in/sarahwhitfield Representative Jamila Taylor Washington State Legislature | 30th Legislative District Championed Washington's CAA licensure bill Chabely’s CAA Map: https://caa-state-practice-map.streamlit.app/ Mary Jeanne Roberts CAA | https://www.instagram.com/awakenedanesthetist/  Emily Mycyk AAAA President 2026  Take Action NowThe Anesthesia for All Act — HR6545 Federal legislation pushing for expanded CAA recognition. You can contact your congressional representative about this today. Find your representative: house.gov/representatives/find-your-representative Follow UsInstagram → https://www.instagram.com/preAApathways Tiktok → http://tiktok.com/@preaapathways Website → preAApathways.com

    11 min

  3. 14 APR

    Episode 3: All Things Pre-AA Statistics - GPA, GRE, MCAT, & Competitiveness

    As a Pre-Anesthesiologist Assistant (Pre-AA) student, are you obsessing over GPA, standardized tests, and stats? There’s so much more beneath the surface, and understanding your numbers can transform your application approach. This Pre-AA perspectives episode is a look into what programs see, and how YOU could position yourself for success! In this episode:Your GPA & how CASAA calculates it differentlyThoughts on what “competitive” really meansHolistic reviews & how your full profile mattersThe role of standardized testsThe common pitfalls of comparisonStrategies to improvePractical tips: log into CASAA, know your numbers, tell your story, and move forwardTimestamps:00:00 - The real story behind GPA and application thresholds 00:15 - Why GPA calculations differ 01:24 - The importance of holistic review 03:33 - The truth about minimum GPA vs. competitive GPA 04:37 - Interpretation of test scores 06:10 - Why comparison is toxic and how bias skews perceptions 10:02 - Reframing your numbers 15:28 - Key Takeaways Resources & Links:CRI Score - Assess Your ReadinessCASAA Official WebsiteFollow on Instagram & TikTok @PreAAPathways

    17 min

  4. 7 APR

    Episode 2: Understanding the CAA Profession

    This episode breaks down the role of certified anesthesiologist assistants (CAAs), their training, scope of practice, and how they compare to other anesthesia providers. Perfect for aspiring CAAs and those interested in anesthesia careers. Takeaways Understanding the role of a Certified Anesthesiologist Assistant (CAA)Comparison of CAA with other anesthesia providers Chapters 00:00 Introduction to the CAA Profession 01:44 What does a CAA do?  03:18 The Daily Workflow of a CAA 05:04 Anesthesia and Similarities to Flying a Plane 07:08 CAA vs. CRNA vs. MD/DO 10:33 The Academic Path to Becoming a CAA 13:43 Salary and Return on Investment in CAA Career 14:45 Takeaways Resources & Links: CAAHEP (Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs)Jeff Steiner, DO - Anesthesia Made Easy (book)GasWork Connect with PreAA Pathways InstagramTikTokYouTube Remember: Know the role deeply. Passion, clarity, and understanding will set you apart in this competitive field. Share this with someone who needs to know—support their journey into anesthesia!

    16 min

  5. 1 APR

    Episode 1: Why We Started This Pre-AA Podcast

    Welcome to the very first episode of the Pre-AA Pathways podcast! In this inaugural episode, we’re pulling back the curtain on the inspiration behind this platform. We discuss the unique challenges of the Pre-AA journey, the need for a dedicated community for aspiring Anesthesiologist Assistants, and our mission to provide the clarity and resources you need to navigate this journey. Whether you are just discovering the AA profession or are already deep in your science prerequisites, this episode sets the stage for everything to come. In this episode, we cover: The "Why" behind the Pre-AA Pathways missionWhat you can expect from future episodesHow to stay connected with a community that understands the grind Connect with us: Follow the journey and get more resources on Instagram and TikTok: @preaapathways Chapters 00:00 Introduction to Pre-AA Pathways06:27 Creating a Supportive Community12:36 Soft Skills and Clinical Care20:09 The Nuances of the Pre-AA Journey30:05 The Limitations of Googling Information35:09 Conclusion and Next Steps

    14 min
  • 5 Episodes

About

Pre-AA Pathways is a podcast guiding students through the journey to Anesthesiologist Assistant school. Hosted by two non-traditional applicants, each episode breaks down the pre-AA process—from prerequisites and clinical experience to CASAA applications and interviews—so you can navigate the path to AA school with confidence.

Information

  • Creator
    Tiffany & Adrienne
  • Years Active
    2k
  • Episodes
    5
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Tiffany & Adrienne