When choosing a degree program and career path, Carrie Montgomery drew from her personal history. “I had had surgeries in the past, and I really remembered the anesthesiologist,” she says. “They had made such a positive impact on my overall surgical experience, and I wanted to be able to do that for other people.”
Carrie is a 2021 South University, Savannah Master of Medical Science in Anesthesia Science graduate. She now works as a certified anesthesiologist assistant in the St. Joseph’s / Candler Hospital system in Savannah. Anesthesiologist assistants are skilled healthcare professionals who deliver anesthesia care to patients of all ages and severity of illness. Under the supervision of an anesthesiologist, they can work with patients across the full spectrum of surgical procedures.
“The best part of my job is when you can take a patient who's very apprehensive, and you can help them relax. You can get them joking. You can get them laughing,” she explains. “You can give them a little bit of comfort in the relatively very short time you have to build that relationship and rapport.”
Her time in the South University Anesthesia Science program prepared her well for this role.1 “It was a great blend of didactic classroom work and practical clinical experience,” she says. “The clinical experience at South started within the first few weeks.”
Participating in actual cases and patient care under the supervision of experienced anesthesia professionals was an invaluable part of developing her skills and confidence. “That was very helpful to get hands-on, real-world experience with what we were learning in the classroom,” she shares. “We were getting to start IVs, place breathing tubes, administer different appropriate medications, and learn to develop clinical decision-making in real-time.”
If you’re interested in becoming an anesthesiologist assistant, learn more about our program today!
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1 South University does not promise or guarantee licensure, employment, or salary amounts.
Graduates are required to sit for and pass the national certification exam and obtain a state license in order to work in the field. (Exam names vary by program) Please refer to the State Professional Licensure Determination and National Certification/Licensure section of the University catalog for program and state specific information. Graduates are required to sit for and pass the national certification exam and obtain a state license in order to work in the field. (Exam names vary by program) Please refer to the State Professional Licensure Determination and National Certification/Licensure section of the University catalog for program and state specific information. South University cannot guarantee each graduate will pass the required licensure examinations. Outside agencies control the requirements for taking and passing certification/licensing exams and are subject to change without notice to South University. Students must pass the required licensure to work in their respective field.
Testimonials have been provided by students/alumni in their own words and without coercion. This spotlight is based on video interviews with Carrie Montgomery published in 2024.
