About ARC-AA

About ARC-AA

Supporting Accreditation for

Anesthesiologist Assistant Programs

The Accreditation Review Committee for the Anesthesiologist Assistant (ARC-AA) serves under the auspices of CAAHEP to promote and advance the quality of educational programs for anesthesiologist assistants.

Our review process and recommendations are derived from the CAAHEP Standards and Guidelines for the Accreditation of Educational Programs for the Anesthesiologist Assistant as structured by CAAHEP.

CAAHEP Standards & Guidelines

Our Sponsors

ARC-AA derives its identity from the policies of CAAHEP and its collaborating sponsors, the American Academy of Anesthesiologist Assistants (AAAA), the American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA), and the Association of Anesthesiologist Assistant Education Programs (AAAEP).

CAAHEP Logo
AAAA Logo
ASA Logo
ARC-AA Sponsors

Our Mission & Purpose

The purpose of the ARC-AA is to act under the auspices of the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP), which is the national voluntary accreditation agency for the anesthesiologist assistant, through development and review of the CAAHEP Standards and Guidelines for the Accreditation of Educational Programs for the Anesthesiologist Assistant, assessment of education outcomes, and recommendation to CAAHEP for accreditation of those education programs which meet the CAAHEP Standards and Guidelines for national accreditation.

View ARC-AA Bylaws

Meet Our Board of Directors & Staff

Sponsors submit nominations to ARC-AA to elect a representative to the ARC-AA Board of Directors. Sponsors nominate individuals with expertise, interest, and commitment to serve on the ARC-AA Board of Directors. The ARC-AA Board then elects the person.

Click on the name below to learn more about the person.

Ty Townsend has over 24 years of experience as a CAA in various anesthesia specialties. He earned his Master of Science in Anesthesia (MSA) degree from Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, Ohio, after serving in the United States Navy during the first Gulf War, completing four years of active duty service. Ty serves as the Program Director for the Case Western Reserve University Master of Science in Anesthesia Program in Austin, Texas, where he played a key role in establishing the new program. Ty strongly advocates for the Anesthesiologist Assistant profession, contributing to legislative discussions at five different state capitols. Ty was the first AA in Missouri.

A native of Miami, Florida, and a Miami Hurricanes Alumni, Jermaine has been practicing as a Certified Anesthesiologist Assistant since 2008. In 2012, Jermaine accepted a faculty position with Nova Southeastern University and has served as an Associate Professor and Program Director for the Fort Lauderdale AA program since 2016.  

John S. Scott, DO, MHA, FAFSA, earned a degree in biochemistry at Lamar University in Beaumont, TX, and completed medical school at the University of North Texas College of Osteopathic Medicine in Ft. Worth, TX.  He completed his Anesthesia Residency and a Pain Fellowship at Texas Tech University of Lubbock and a Cardiovascular Anesthesia Fellowship at Ochsner Medical Foundation in New Orleans, LA.  He served 9 years in the US Army Reserve with the final rank of Lieutenant Colonel.  Dr. Scott works independently throughout the DFW area after 24 years of private practice at Baylor Grapevine.  Dr. Scott has served on the AA-ARC Board of Directors and the ASA AA Committee and has worked tirelessly on AA licensure in Texas for over a decade.  Dr. Scott enjoys weightlifting, martial arts, travel, and skiing outside of work.  Special passions include serving on various Humane Society animal rescue boards for over 20 years.

Sally Fortner, MD, MS, FACH, grew up in New Mexico and attended medical school at the University of New Mexico. She completed a transitional year of Pediatrics at the University of Missouri and an anesthesia residency at the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics. She completed her training with a fellowship in adult and pediatric cardiothoracic anesthesia at Vanderbilt University. Since completing the fellowship, she has worked at the University of New Mexico, developing advanced curricula for simulation, coaching, and communication training. Outside of work, she enjoys time with her husband and family of rescue dogs, cats, and horses.

Dr. Gaurav Patel has been a member of the board since 2023.  He completed his undergraduate degree at the University of Pennsylvania, after which he came to Emory University, where he completed his MD and anesthesiology residency.  Since residency, he has been a practicing anesthesiologist at Emory University Hospital, serving as the Chief of General & Transplant Anesthesia.  Dr. Patel is the current Medical Program Director for Emory’s Anesthesiologist Assistant Program.  Outside of work, Dr. Patel enjoys spending time with his wife and young daughter, trying out different restaurants, and (recently) wearing different types of watches.

Matt Pinegar is an anesthesiologist with over 15 years of experience. He serves as medical director of the Anesthesiologist Assistant Program at the University of Missouri-Kansas City; previously he was the medical director at Case Western Reserve University in Washington, D.C. He earned his medical degree from George Washington University School of Medicine & Health Sciences and completed his MedStar Health/Georgetown University Hospital residency. In addition to his clinical and academic roles, Dr. Pinegar has advocated for the licensure of anesthesiologist assistants in Kansas, highlighting their role in enhancing anesthesia care. Dr. Pinegar made a call-back for David Letterman’s stupid human tricks before starting medical school; he plays the pencil as a musical instrument on his teeth.

Kris Tindol graduated from Emory University’s Anesthesiologist Assistant Program in 1999 and has been practicing in Savannah, Georgia, since then. She joined the South University AA Program faculty in 2016 and has been the Program Director since 2020. She enjoys reading, traveling, and spending time with her husband and two teenage boys in her spare time. She is an avid University of Georgia football fan and follows Formula 1 racing closely.

Cathy is the CAAHEP Liaison for ARC-AA. She has served on the CAAHEP Board of Directors as a board member since 2019 and has been in the capacity of treasurer since 2020. Apart from CAAHEP, Cathy is the Executive Director of the American Board for Certification in Orthotics, Prosthetics & Pedorthics, Inc. (ABC). Her responsibilities include strategic planning, leadership development, staff and volunteer management, and fiscal oversight. When not working, she enjoys traveling, gardening, and reading. 

Jennifer Anderson Warwick is the inaugural executive director of the ARC-AA and has supported its work since 2008. She has worked in accreditation since college. She earned her bachelor’s degree from Gustavus Adolphus College (St. Peter, MN) and her master’s degree from the University of Denver (Denver, CO), both in Communications. Outside of work, Jennifer enjoys savoring good food and fine wine, exploring diverse cultures, traveling, and spending time with her family.

Nominating Individuals for the ARC-AA Board of Directors

ARC-AA is a working board; each director plays an active role in the governance of the organization and the review of Anesthesiologist Assistant education programs. Board members must be willing and are expected to serve in their assigned roles and participate in various activities, including:

  • Program Review
    Assess the merits of education programs for accreditation by CAAHEP in accordance with the CAAHEP Standards and Guidelines.
  • Educational Outcomes Assessments
    Collaborating sponsors cooperate to establish, maintain, and promote appropriate standards of quality for educational programs for Anesthesiologist Assistants and to provide recognition of educational programs that meet or exceed the minimum standards outlined in these accreditation CAAHEP Standards and Guidelines.
  • Review the CAAHEP Standards & Guidelines of Accreditation
    Conduct periodic reviews of CAAHEP Standards and Guidelines and revise them as necessary.
  • Accreditation Process Evaluation
    Develop policies and processes that comply with the standards established for national accrediting organizations and perform other functions pertinent to education program accreditation.

Review Position Description

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ARC-AA Board of Directors Meeting Highlights

The ARC-AA Board provides predictable, consistent, and deliberate communications with its sponsors about the work of the Board. The Board provides official updates via the Board Highlights to each of its sponsors within 30 days of each Board meeting.

These Highlights are shared directly with each of the sponsors’ CEOs following the 30-day moratorium after a board meeting as well as posted here for review by anyone, including students, graduates, faculty, Anesthesiologist Assistant educational program sponsors, administration, hospital representatives, employers, and the public.

Ready to Start the Accreditation Process?

Before getting started, review our content for programs! There, you will find essential information on the accreditation process, helpful tools to guide your accreditation initiative, and additional resources to set the foundation for your success!

Policies & Procedures Manual Accreditation Pathway & Tools Accreditation Resources

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