Meet the Hosts

Two non-traditional pre-AA applicants navigating the 2026 CASAA application cycle in real time — and bringing you along for every step.

T

Co-Host & Co-Founder

Tiffany

Anesthesia Technician & Pre-AA Applicant

Tiffany works as an anesthesia tech with a background that spans interventional cardiac medical assisting and pediatric pharmacy — giving her a rare, cross-specialty perspective on what happens before, during, and after cases in the OR. She discovered the CAA profession and immediately recognized the gap: amazing resources existed, but nothing walked pre-AAs through the full path in one cohesive place.

Tiffany leads Pre-AA Pathways' clinical content and OR-specific insights, social media strategy, and the operational side of the LLC. She's applying to AA school in the 2026 CASAA cycle.

Her Content Lane

Direct OR and clinical experience, anesthesia tech perspective, CASAA strategy, social media content, and the practical realities of building a clinical background as a non-traditional applicant.

Anesthesia Tech Cardiac MA Pediatric Pharmacy OR Experience
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Co-Host & Co-Founder

Adrienne

Speech-Language Pathologist & Pre-AA Applicant

Adrienne is a licensed speech-language pathologist specializing in dysphagia, mild traumatic brain injury, and complex comorbid conditions. She practices within a biopsychosocial model of care, bringing deep expertise in neuropsychology and the cognitive-emotional dimensions of how people process information, handle stress, and communicate under pressure.

That foundation shapes everything she brings to Pre-AA Pathways — from the brain science of standardized test prep to the psychological realities of application anxiety and imposter syndrome. She is applying to AA school in the 2026 CASAA cycle.

Her Content Lane

Communication science, cognitive strategies for studying and interviews, neuropsychology of high-stakes situations, emotional regulation, biopsychosocial framing of the application journey, and the human side of becoming a healthcare provider.

Speech-Language Pathology Dysphagia Mild TBI Biopsychosocial Model

Our Mission

To empower, educate, and elevate the next generation of Certified Anesthesiologist Assistants. Pre-AA Pathways bridges the gap for traditional and non-traditional students by providing cognitive-behavioral support, clinical insights, and community — dedicated to increasing professional awareness and fostering a resilient, diverse community of future anesthesia providers.

What We Stand For

Core values

Everything we create comes back to these principles.

01

No Stone Unturned

We don't do surface-level. Every topic we cover is researched thoroughly, presented completely, and updated to reflect the current application cycle — not last year's information.

02

Non-Trad First

We have a soft spot for the career changers, the late bloomers, the people figuring it out while working full-time. This space was built for you — though everyone is welcome here.

03

Authentic Over Polished

We're applying right alongside you. That means we share our actual wins and setbacks, not a curated highlight reel. Real experience over performative expertise.

04

Community Over Competition

The comparison spiral is real and it kills ambition. We actively work to build a culture where people share, support, and root for each other — because this profession needs more great CAAs.

05

Distinct Expertise

Tiffany brings the OR. Adrienne brings the brain science. We intentionally keep our lanes distinct because that's where the real value lives — two genuine perspectives, not one blended voice.

06

The Whole Student

GPA and test scores are only part of the story. We cover imposter syndrome, anxiety, burnout, and the emotional realities of a competitive application process — because those things matter too.

Clinical Advisory

Our Clinical Consultant

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Victoria Shadwick-McCormick

Lead Clinical Consultant, CAA — Certified Anesthesiologist Assistant

Victoria serves as Pre-AA Pathways' lead clinical consultant, bringing the perspective of an actively practicing CAA to our content. She provides guidance on clinical accuracy, profession-specific insights, and what admissions committees actually look for in strong applicants. Her involvement ensures everything we produce reflects the reality of the profession — not just what's written in program brochures.