MHSA – Accepted Student Information

Official transcripts sent to CASAA are provided to Bluefield University/VCOM when an applicant applies. These transcripts may be accepted if all coursework the student has taken at that institution is completed as of application submission and confirmed on the transcript. Bluefield University/VCOM will verify that a transcript has been received for every institution listed on the application, that at least one baccalaureate degree has been awarded, and that all other degrees reported on the CASAA application are documented. If there is a question as to the authenticity of a transcript, an official transcript from the institution in question will be required to be sent directly to the MHSA Program.

Any school the applicant is attending or will attend after application submission will require an official transcript to be sent directly from that institution to the Master of Health Science in Anesthesia Program office. In this case, the transcripts sent to CASAA will NOT be accepted.

If Bluefield University/VCOM does require a transcript directly from an institution, transcripts must be sent directly from the Registrar’s Office of the school(s) attended directly to the Master of Health Science in Anesthesia Program Office. Be sure to have the transcript addressed correctly. Unofficial transcripts or transcripts hand-carried by the student (even if in a sealed envelope) are not acceptable. Failure to submit official transcripts by the deadlines provided (or to obtain authorized approval of an extension) may result in the offer of admission to Bluefield University/VCOM being rescinded and forfeiture of your tuition deposit.

If required, transcripts should be sent no later than April 1st. Mail them directly to:

Bluefield University/VCOM
Master of Health Science in Anesthesia Program
910 South Donahue Drive
Auburn, AL 36832

Congratulations! You’ve been accepted to the Master of Health Science in Anesthesia Program. We are honored to partner with you in your education and look forward to helping you develop into a top-notch anesthesia provider. You’ve done the legwork to get into the Anesthesiologist Assistant program, but now is not the time to take your foot off of the gas…preparing (mentally, emotionally, and academically) to dive into learning will be critical to gaining the momentum you need to propel you toward success in this program.

As the matriculation date approaches, we have compiled some ‘assignments’ that we ask you to complete before starting the program. These activities and readings build off of the thematic dimensions of quality patient care, servant leadership, and leadership through professionalism that is interwoven throughout the learning curriculum of the Master of Health Science in Anesthesia Program.

Readings:
(Items 4 and 5 are required readings, and please choose one of the first three books to read before you begin the program studies)

1. “Dare to Lead” (Brene Brown) – Anesthesiologist Assistants need to take leadership of themselves, their patient’s course, and oftentimes the perioperative setting. Leadership is not a position or a title, but a mindset of helping others achieve more, think outside themselves, and exhibit vulnerable empathy
2. “Thinking, Fast and Slow” (Daniel Kahneman) – Understanding the nature of how we interpret outside information and how that information is translated into decisions and actions provides the foundation for understanding how to make better decisions…even in the most challenging of situations
3. “My Quest for Health Equity” (David Satcher) – Realizing the disparities in the United States healthcare system is key to figuring out how to improve care for everyone – this book speaks right to the heart of our mission to provide high-quality healthcare in an equitable and compassionate manner
4. “Anesthesia Made Easy” (Jeffrey Steiner) – Consider this the introduction to clinical anesthesia – a primer on the career you’ve chosen to dedicate your working life towards.
5. “#GRADBOSS: A Grad School Survival Guide” (Toyin Alli) – Get ready to enter a fast-paced graduate school curriculum with some insightful perspectives and a toolbox for maintaining a positive work-life balance.

Activities:

1. Volunteer service – we ask that you take 16 hours between now and the start of the program and give that time to others in service. This does not have to be in healthcare and can be in any discipline, format, context, or area that you wish… It just has to involve you giving your time and talents to another. Have fun with it; bring your friends and family; take pictures to share with your classmates!
2. Reflective writing – Write a brief (no more than two pages) synopsis of your volunteer service and how that ties into your drive to live out the mission of the MHSA Program. This should describe your experience, but should not merely explain what you did, but instead focus on what you noticed, how it changed you, and what might you have done differently. Think introspectively and examine your thoughts and beliefs – there are no wrong or right answers…just what it meant to you!

• Medical Terminology Specialization from Rice University – This comprehensive 3-part series is designed to provide a deep dive into medical terminology and is estimated to require approximately 40 hours of work. For more information and to enroll, you can visit Coursera’s website.
• Drug Card Quiz – Familiarize yourself with the drug card. You will be quizzed on the contents.
  • PDF/Download
• Practicing Professionalism – Familiarize yourself with the professionalism document.
  • PDF/Download

The following document will offer a detailed look at the booklist for each course included in the MHSA program. Please take the time to get acquainted with the booklist for this program.

MHSA Booklist

All new or incoming students are required to have a laptop that is not greater than 3 years old and must meet or exceed the computer requirements listed below.

Due to the program curriculum and testing software we require, these minimum hardware requirements should be met to be successful.

Operating System	Windows 10	OS X Yosemite 10.10 or higher
RAM	8Gb or higher	8Gb or higher
Hard Disk	128GB (Solid State, SSD) or higher	128GB (Solid State, SSD) or higher
Processor	Intel i5 or higher	Intel i5 or higher
Network	802.11 AC or 802.11 N	802.11 AC or 802.11 N

Additional Highly Recommended Accessories:

• 128GB+ External Hard Drive for file back up
• Personal Printer
• 4GB+ USB Memory stick