Awakened Anesthetist

Reflecting on recent experiences, I share how taking an intentional break has rejuvenated my commitment to living life by my design. From unexpected snow days to exciting new projects like CAA Matters, this episode emphasizes the importance of balance and self-care in both personal and professional realms.   In this episode I talk about: • Personal update on podcast winter break and family time  •...

Get to know Chabely Rodriguez, a trailblazing Certified Anesthesiologist Assistant and social media influencer. As a first-generation Mexican-American woman, Chabely's story is one of resilience and triumph over adversity. Her story highlights not just the allure of financial stability, but also the profound impact of connecting with underrepresented groups who aspire to follow in her footste...

Curious about what it truly means to be a Certified Anesthesiologist Assistant (CAA)? You're in the right place! From nearly two decades of experience, I share a clear and comprehensive breakdown of the CAA profession. Think of me as your older sister or best friend, guiding you step-by-step through the essentials—from what CAAs actually do to how much money we make, no topic is off limits. W...

Originally aired December 2022. I hope this fun 5ish episode leaves you feeling nourished, encouraged and connected to yourself and our community this holiday/4th quarter season. You (still) deserve to feel good behind the drape. Additional Resources: Try out Lindywell at home Pilates for Free Meal subscription services I have used before include Hello Fresh, Blue Apron, Green Chef, Sunfresh, Home...

Join me for a 10-minute meditation, designed to fit into your busy day whether you're on a work break or commuting, learn how to embrace your natural source of resilience. Meditation begins around 4:33 This isn't just about managing stress; it's about nurturing an inner resilience that's often overlooked. By allowing positive qualities to infiltrate our thoughts and emotions, w...

Discover how Certified Anesthesiologist Assistants (CAAs) can revolutionize their careers with the growing number of locums opportunities. I sit down with Sabrina Strange from LocumTenens.com to break down exactly what "working locums" means for CAAs, and what you need to have in place before considering a locums position. LocumTenens.com has recently updated their platform to make it mo...

This is an update to Stephanie Zunini's original PROCESS episode 35 released September 1st, 2023. We catch up with Stephanie more than a year later to discuss the arduous process required to actually practice in a new state after passing a CAA licensure bill. Stephanie's experience in Nevada highlights the emotional and physical toll of this long, slow legislative process. She shares the...

Curious about what it truly means to be a Certified Anesthesiologist Assistant (CAA)? You're in the right place! From nearly two decades of experience, I share a clear and comprehensive breakdown of the CAA profession. Think of me as your older sister or best friend, guiding you step-by-step through the essentials—from what CAAs actually do to how much money we make, no topic is off limits. W...

In this joint PROCESS episode, 2024 DEI AAAA scholarship winners, Ellen Fleurival and Tekiah McClary, share their unique paths to become Anesthesiologist Assistant students. Together, we uncover the challenges and triumphs they’ve faced, navigating through the demands of AA school while breaking barriers in a predominantly homogenous field. Ellen and Tekiah reflect on their motivations, their resi...

In this episode, the 2024 AAAA DEI Committee chair, Arielle, and I, dive into the goals and selection process for the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion AAAA scholarship. This scholarship is designed to create a more inclusive CAA community by valuing each applicant's unique story. With criteria that emphasize student involvement and contributions to diversity, the scholarship seeks to ensure r...

Gain the confidence to make decisions aligned with your true desires and embrace a compassionate approach to life. We'll explore how mindfulness can help break the cycle of equating worth with productivity, fostering inherent worthiness and resilience. I'll also share my personal experiences with obsessive-compulsive disorder, illustrating how mindfulness has been pivotal in managing anx...

Curious about what it truly means to be a Certified Anesthesiologist Assistant (CAA)? You're in the right place! From nearly two decades of experience, I share a clear and comprehensive breakdown of the CAA profession. Think of me as your older sister or best friend, guiding you step-by-step through the essentials—from what CAAs actually do to how much money we make, no topic is off limits. W...

Discover how Washington Academy of Anesthesiologist Assistants President, Sarah Brown, paved the way for CAAs in Washington State. Hear her PROCESS from Georgia to Seattle, balancing career & family, and breaking legislative barriers in this 2024 CAA victory. Do you want CAAs licensed in all 50 states? Then you should 1. Join the AAAA (American Academy of Anesthesiologist Assistants) 2. Donate...

If you missed the viral video mentioned in this episode you can watch (or rewatch) it HERE ~credit @CAALifestyle In this Season 4 premiere I share how going viral in May 2024 changed my life. I give you all the juicy details and my final take away is something you won't expect. I FINALLY learned a big lesson, once and for all. Drop me a quick voice note! Interview Prep School for $97, you get...

Join me for my first LIVE podcast interview featuring our 2024 AAAA President, Danny Mesaros. This episode was recorded in April 2024 in front of an intimate audience at the American Academy of Anesthesiologist Assistants (AAAA) conference in Orlando, FL. During this candid conversation Danny discusses the demands of his presidency and what he envisions for the future of our profession.  He also a...

Season 4 is launching on Friday, September 13th, and I’m thrilled to share the episodes I’ve been working on this summer. This season, we’ll dive into what it means to be a healthy and thriving Certified Anesthesiologist Assistant, and for those of you curious about the profession, I’ll be giving you an insider’s look each month. Of course, I’ll continue the fan-favorite PROCESS episodes, expandin...

Hello from my summer break! I am in the midst of a mindfulness teacher training through Dharma Moon and Tibet House and was challenged by my 1:1 teacher to lead a group practice on the pod. Unfortunately, I realized (after edits) that I forgot to tell you what to do with your eyes! For this practice you want to keep your eyes open, and softly gazing down. If you have never tried a mindfulness prac...

In the Season 3 finale of Awakened Anesthetist Podcast wander with me through the buzzing AAAA 2024 conference halls and catch my takeaways after I return home. You'll get to eavesdrop on spontaneous chats with CAAs from all points along the journey. From the student who shares the resilience needed to thrive in the OR, to a practicing CAA's insight into work-life balance and financials....

As a CAA I know you have faced many make or break moments. But, how did you make it through? When I reflect on my near 2 decades as a CAA and all the challenges I have overcome, I can see a framework develop as my "pre-game" ritual if you will. Of course your hard thing  is not always about professional challenges- weddings, babies, coming out journeys, first days, last days, and everyth...

Kelsey Koehler, CAA bravely shares the darker moments of her life, including a personal struggle with alcohol that led to 2 DUIs a week apart.  Her story is a beacon for CAAs, illuminating the stark reality of substance misuse in our community. Her proactive approach to recovery and commitment to transparency with the Missouri state medical board and her own support circle exemplify the profound s...

Happy CAA Week 2024 to all my fellow CAAs, AA students and those who hope to be one soon! As a special gift to this community I am answering your most frequently asked questions- spoiler* they are always about the AA admissions process! This is not my area of expertise, so I asked my latest PROCESS guest, Sarah Whitfield, to stick around after her episode and record this BONUS episode. We dive dee...

Sarah Whitfield is a Certified Anesthesiologist Assistant, full time faculty instructor, blogger, wife, mother and entrepreneur. Sarah's story from her initial veterinary ambitions to her leadership in the anesthesiologist assistant field, illustrates that the road to career satisfaction isn't always a straight line. In this episode we explore the nuances of Sarah's life between cli...

In this first PROCESS interview of 2024, I sit down with the extraordinary Mark Leonard, whose career leap from the UK's Anesthesia Associate to an American Certified Anesthesiologist Assistant is nothing short of inspirational. Mark candidly shares his insider knowledge on his significant roles within the CAA profession, from his hands-on clinical work to spearheading simulation program deve...

One of the main themes of my adult life has been learning to release my strangle hold on what I am "meant to do" when it is clear the thing is not meant for me right now. In summary- learning to have some trust and patience! My still small voice (aka my intuition) has been repeating the same message over and over again for years-"nothing meant for you will pass you by." In 2024...

Imagine standing at what you thought would be the pinnacle of your career and being hit with the feeling that "this isn't it".  Kathryn Farrell,  a Certified Anesthesiologist Assistant (CAA) moves beyond the confines of her first professional aspiration, her second, and now her third in a journey to find her true passion. Kathryn candidly shares her fascinating evolution from aspiri...