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 Chef

You can now text me! Questions/Suggestions

Looking for a pause and reset? Join us Sunday, November 24th at 6pm CST/ 7pm EST for November Mindful Connections Get on the List

Can't make November? Receive all future Mindful Connections invites HERE

I want to learn more about CAA Matters.
CAA Matters is the 1st comprehensive wellness curriculum for 1st year AA students. I designed CAA Matters to be flexible, relevant, and seamlessly integrated into an already packed first year schedule so you don't have to compromise.

CAA Matters is now enrolling for the '25/'26 Academic year.

Want more? Stay in the know by subscribing to the Awakened Anesthetist Newsletter- more resources, exclusive content and ways to connect.


Interested in practicing mindfulness with this CAA community?

• Receive your Free 30 min Webinar Introduction to Mindfulness for CAAs
• Join Mindful Connections 1 session/mo during Season 4 of Awakened Anesthetist Podcast (October 2024-March 2025) FREE to join + NO ongoing commitment.
  
  
  Let's Chat! Contact me:
  awakenedanesthetist@gmail.com
  IG @awakenedanesthetist

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, we reinforce the strength within us, reminding ourselves that resilience is cultivated, not inherited. Take this time to pause and reset, and let this practice be your much-needed break.

You can now text me! Questions/Suggestions

Want more? Stay in the know by subscribing to the Awakened Anesthetist Newsletter- more resources, exclusive content and ways to connect.


Interested in practicing mindfulness with this CAA community?

• Receive your Free 30 min Webinar Introduction to Mindfulness for CAAs
• Join Mindful Connections 1 session/mo during Season 4 of Awakened Anesthetist Podcast (October 2024-March 2025) FREE to join + NO ongoing commitment.
  
  
  Let's Chat! Contact me:
  awakenedanesthetist@gmail.com
  IG @awakenedanesthetist

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 more accessible than ever for CAAs eager to explore the locums market. For anyone considering a dynamic career path with unmatched flexibility, this episode is packed with valuable insights and encouragement to explore the burgeoning CAA locums market.

Interested in working locums? Receive 3 free resources to help you get started.

Check out CAA locums opportunities at LocumTenens.com

You can now text me! Questions/Suggestions

Looking for a pause and reset? Join us Sunday, November 24th at 6pm CST/ 7pm EST for November Mindful Connections Get on the List

Can't make November? Receive all future Mindful Connections invites HERE

I want to learn more about CAA Matters.
CAA Matters is the 1st comprehensive wellness curriculum for 1st year AA students. I designed CAA Matters to be flexible, relevant, and seamlessly integrated into an already packed first year schedule so you don't have to compromise.

CAA Matters is now enrolling for the '25/'26 Academic year.

Want more? Stay in the know by subscribing to the Awakened Anesthetist Newsletter- more resources, exclusive content and ways to connect.


Interested in practicing mindfulness with this CAA community?

• Receive your Free 30 min Webinar Introduction to Mindfulness for CAAs
• Join Mindful Connections 1 session/mo during Season 4 of Awakened Anesthetist Podcast (October 2024-March 2025) FREE to join + NO ongoing commitment.
  
  
  Let's Chat! Contact me:
  awakenedanesthetist@gmail.com
  IG @awakenedanesthetist

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 behind the scenes of why she made the incredibly hard decision to leave her thriving career in Denver to move to a less than perfect set-up in Nevada. With her eyes set on working in Reno, Stephanie's journey is a powerful reminder of the influence one person can have on an entire profession. My hope is that Stephanie's story inspires others to be change makers in their own states.

Listen to the original [PROCESS] episode HERE

Nevada bill AB 270 was signed into law on June 9th, 2023 thereby giving CAAs legal status to practice anesthesia in the state of Nevada. Learn more about the CAA legislative process by watching other CAA legislative testimonials and listen to episodes 35, 36, 56.

Find more information on the Nevada Academy of Anesthesiologist Assistants HERE.
Follow NVAAA on IG and give them your congrats!
Stephanie Zunini @ info@nv-aaa.org

Inspired to make change? Donate to the AAAA legislative fund HERE and contact the AAAA Director of Government Affairs Brian Flynn via bflynn@anesthetist.org

You can now text me! Questions/Suggestions

Looking for a pause and reset? Join us Sunday, November 24th at 6pm CST/ 7pm EST for November Mindful Connections Get on the List

Can't make November? Receive all future Mindful Connections invites HERE

I want to learn more about CAA Matters.
CAA Matters is the 1st comprehensive wellness curriculum for 1st year AA students. I designed CAA Matters to be flexible, relevant, and seamlessly integrated into an already packed first year schedule so you don't have to compromise.

CAA Matters is now enrolling for the '25/'26 Academic year.

Want more? Stay in the know by subscribing to the Awakened Anesthetist Newsletter- more resources, exclusive content and ways to connect.


Interested in practicing mindfulness with this CAA community?

• Receive your Free 30 min Webinar Introduction to Mindfulness for CAAs
• Join Mindful Connections 1 session/mo during Season 4 of Awakened Anesthetist Podcast (October 2024-March 2025) FREE to join + NO ongoing commitment.
  
  
  Let's Chat! Contact me:
  awakenedanesthetist@gmail.com
  IG @awakenedanesthetist

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. Whether you're an aspiring AA student or simply exploring a career in medicine, this guide equips you with the insights you need to understand the CAA profession.

In Part 2 we unravel the lesser-known complexities of this unique profession, painting a candid picture that challenges its conventional allure. Not to worry, we also explore the many good reasons why you should become a CAA. This is an honest deep dive you won't find anywhere else.

Helpful Resources:

• American Academy of Anesthesiologist Assistants (AAAA) -the CAA profession's national governing board
• AAAA statement on "What is a CAA"
• American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) on CAAs
• Looking for Day in the Life CAA content? find it HERE and HERE
• "What is a CAA?" YouTube video (produced by AAAA 2015)

You can now text me! Questions/Suggestions

Looking for a pause and reset? Join us Sunday, November 24th at 6pm CST/ 7pm EST for November Mindful Connections Get on the List

Can't make November? Receive all future Mindful Connections invites HERE

I want to learn more about CAA Matters.
CAA Matters is the 1st comprehensive wellness curriculum for 1st year AA students. I designed CAA Matters to be flexible, relevant, and seamlessly integrated into an already packed first year schedule so you don't have to compromise.

CAA Matters is now enrolling for the '25/'26 Academic year.

Want more? Stay in the know by subscribing to the Awakened Anesthetist Newsletter- more resources, exclusive content and ways to connect.


Interested in practicing mindfulness with this CAA community?

• Receive your Free 30 min Webinar Introduction to Mindfulness for CAAs
• Join Mindful Connections 1 session/mo during Season 4 of Awakened Anesthetist Podcast (October 2024-March 2025) FREE to join + NO ongoing commitment.
  
  
  Let's Chat! Contact me:
  awakenedanesthetist@gmail.com
  IG @awakenedanesthetist

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 resilience, and the broader themes of under representation. From overcoming application barriers to the significance of outreach efforts, their experiences underscore the power of individual actions in fostering meaningful change.

Follow Ellen IG
Follow Tekiah IG

Key Acronyms

• DEI- Diversity, Equity, Inclusion
• HBCU- Historically Black Colleges and Universities
• AAAA- American Academy of Anesthesiologist Assistants
• CAA- Certified Anesthesiologist Assistants
• SAA- Student Anesthesiologist Assistant

Key Links

• Health Professions Readiness Education Program (HealthPREP) @ Emory Univ.
• Email the 2024 DEI Committee Chair to get involved aknafel@mcw.edu
• Join the AAAA (must be AAAA member to apply for DEI scholarship)
• DONATE NOW DEI Scholarship - AAAA
• LEARN MORE DEI Scholarship Requirements
• APPLY for the DEI Scholarship 2025 (application open thru mid December 2024)

You can now text me! Questions/Suggestions

Looking for a pause and reset? Join us Sunday, November 24th at 6pm CST/ 7pm EST for November Mindful Connections Get on the List

Can't make November? Receive all future Mindful Connections invites HERE

I want to learn more about CAA Matters.
CAA Matters is the 1st comprehensive wellness curriculum for 1st year AA students. I designed CAA Matters to be flexible, relevant, and seamlessly integrated into an already packed first year schedule so you don't have to compromise.

CAA Matters is now enrolling for the '25/'26 Academic year.

Want more? Stay in the know by subscribing to the Awakened Anesthetist Newsletter- more resources, exclusive content and ways to connect.


Interested in practicing mindfulness with this CAA community?

• Receive your Free 30 min Webinar Introduction to Mindfulness for CAAs
• Join Mindful Connections 1 session/mo during Season 4 of Awakened Anesthetist Podcast (October 2024-March 2025) FREE to join + NO ongoing commitment.
  
  
  Let's Chat! Contact me:
  awakenedanesthetist@gmail.com
  IG @awakenedanesthetist

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 representation and prevent bias.
Consider this your sneak peek into the upcoming PROCESS episode featuring the 2024 DEI scholarship winners, Ellen and Tekiah. Don't miss this opportunity to be inspired by Arielle's impactful work and continue supporting diversity within the anesthesia field.


Key Acronyms

• DEI- Diversity, Equity, Inclusion
• AAAA- American Academy of Anesthesiologist Assistants
• CAA- Certified Anesthesiologist Assistants
• SAA- Student Anesthesiologist Assistant

Key Links

• Email the 2024 DEI Committee Chair to get involved aknafel@mcw.edu
• Join the AAAA (must be AAAA member to apply for DEI scholarship)
• DONATE NOW DEI Scholarship - AAAA
• LEARN MORE DEI Scholarship Requirements
• APPLY for the DEI Scholarship 2025 (application open thru mid December 2024)

You can now text me! Questions/Suggestions

Looking for a pause and reset? Join us Sunday, November 24th at 6pm CST/ 7pm EST for November Mindful Connections Get on the List

Can't make November? Receive all future Mindful Connections invites HERE

Want more? Stay in the know by subscribing to the Awakened Anesthetist Newsletter- more resources, exclusive content and ways to connect.


Interested in practicing mindfulness with this CAA community?

• Receive your Free 30 min Webinar Introduction to Mindfulness for CAAs
• Join Mindful Connections 1 session/mo during Season 4 of Awakened Anesthetist Podcast (October 2024-March 2025) FREE to join + NO ongoing commitment.
  
  
  Let's Chat! Contact me:
  awakenedanesthetist@gmail.com
  IG @awakenedanesthetist

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 anxiety and building resilience. Whether you're a seasoned CAA* or an aspiring student, learn about the unique potential within our community to harness mindfulness for overall well-being.

*several times I misspoke and left off Certified Anesthesiologist ASSISTANT. This was not intentional.

You can now text me! Questions/Suggestions

Want more? Stay in the know by subscribing to the Awakened Anesthetist Newsletter- more resources, exclusive content and ways to connect.


Interested in practicing mindfulness with this CAA community?

• Receive your Free 30 min Webinar Introduction to Mindfulness for CAAs
• Join Mindful Connections 1 session/mo during Season 4 of Awakened Anesthetist Podcast (October 2024-March 2025) FREE to join + NO ongoing commitment.
  
  
  Let's Chat! Contact me:
  awakenedanesthetist@gmail.com
  IG @awakenedanesthetist