In the evolving landscape of healthcare, where precision, compassion, and teamwork converge, TeamHealth remains committed to delivering exceptional patient care. A critical component of this commitment within our Anesthesia services is the role of Certified Anesthesiologist Assistants (CAAs). TeamHealth recognizes the essential contributions CAAs make in supporting safe and seamless patient experiences throughout the surgical continuum.

Meet Matthew Ciotti, Chief Anesthesiologist Assistant

A career in anesthesia requires not only clinical expertise, but also a deep commitment to patient well-being. In this article, Matthew shares insights into the vital role CAAs play in patient care—before, during, and after surgery and why this work continues to be so meaningful.

Hi! I’m Matthew Ciotti, and I’ve spent my career as a Certified Anesthesiologist Assistant. I graduated from Case Western Reserve University and currently practice at The Christ Hospital in Cincinnati, Ohio, where I serve as Chief CAA and as a member of the Cardiac Anesthesia Team. I chose the CAA path because of my interest in medicine and my desire to work in a collaborative care team environment. Most importantly, it allows me the privilege of caring for people in my community.

Finding Joy in Caring for Others

Matthew’s perspective highlights the integral role CAAs play across the anesthesia care journey—and the fulfillment that comes with it.

CAAs are a vital part of the Anesthesia Care Team. We support patients before, during, and after surgical procedures, helping ensure safe and effective care every step of the way. It truly is a privilege to care for others. The best part of my job is the people—both my colleagues and my patients. Every day, I have the opportunity to meet new people and support them during some of the most challenging moments of their lives.

Advice for Future CAAs

For those considering a future in anesthesia, Matthew offers thoughtful guidance.

If you have a passion for helping people and want to help guide them through what can be an unknown or anxiety-provoking experience, becoming a CAA is worth considering. I recommend connecting with the American Academy of Anesthesiologist Assistants (AAAA), your state academy, or accredited CAA educational programs to learn more. Many universities also offer pre-CAA organizations that provide valuable exposure to the profession.

Celebrating Our CAAs, Every Day

As Certified Anesthesiologist Assistant Week is recognized, TeamHealth proudly celebrates the impact CAAs have on anesthesia care nationwide. Through a continued commitment to excellence, collaboration, and patient-centered care, TeamHealth supports CAAs in delivering exceptional, compassionate experiences for every patient they serve. We are honored to recognize their expertise, dedication, and the meaningful difference they make—every day, in every setting.

Jody Crane, MD, Chief Medical Officer

The holiday season can offer meaningful moments of connection and reflection. For clinicians, it often comes with added demands like long shifts, higher patient volumes, time away from family, and the emotional weight of caring for others during a season that can be difficult for many. Layer on an unexpected illness of you or your family, like the H3N2 version of flu that hit hard this holiday season, and things can really spiral.

As January begins and routines settle, the impact of that intensity can linger. Taking time to reset is not indulgent; it’s essential to sustaining both personal well-being and professional excellence.

Why Stress Can Linger for Clinicians

Even when the holidays are rewarding, they can leave clinicians depleted. Financial pressures, disrupted sleep, and time spent away from regular routines add to physical fatigue. Emotionally, caring for patients experiencing crisis, grief, or loneliness while managing personal responsibilities can compound stress in ways that aren’t always immediately visible.

The quieter pace of January can bring those effects into sharper focus. Without the momentum of the season, exhaustion, burnout, or emotional strain may feel more pronounced, particularly if self-care routines were sidelined.

Practical Ways to Recenter and Restore

As the new year begins, small, intentional actions can help clinicians rebuild balance and resilience:

• Give yourself permission to pause: Recovery is part of providing high-quality care, not a departure from it.
• Reestablish foundational routines: Prioritize sleep, nutrition, and movement to support physical and emotional stamina.
• Check in with yourself honestly: Acknowledge stress, fatigue, or frustration before they escalate.
• Lean into connection: Peer support—whether through conversation, mentorship, or shared experience—can be a powerful buffer against burnout.
• Set realistic intentions: Focus on steady progress rather than an immediate reset.
• Seek support when needed: Professional resources can help clinicians process stress and maintain long-term well-being.

Why This Matters Now

Healthcare demands do not ease with the turn of the calendar. Economic uncertainty, staffing pressures, and evolving patient needs continue into the new year. Supporting clinician well-being, especially after the holiday season, helps preserve the capacity to deliver exceptional care during life’s pivotal moments.

A January Reminder

Caring for others begins with caring for yourself. As the year unfolds, choose steadiness over perfection, connection over isolation, and compassion as both a personal and professional strength.

Originally published by Skilled Nursing News

Post-acute care providers are increasingly encountering residents with substance use disorders, yet many facilities lack the training, staffing, and protocols needed to deliver effective care. In this SNN Voices interview, TeamHealth’s Jessica Stone shares practical, evidence-based insights on improving screening, reducing stigma, and strengthening continuity of care for substance use disorders in skilled nursing settings.

Stanley C. Thompson, MD, FACEP

Nearly 20% of Americans live in rural communities—places defined not by population count, but by connection. These towns are made up of families who know one another, first responders who serve as neighbors, and hospital clinicians who often care for entire generations of the same family. Yet, despite their strength and resilience, rural communities continue to face profound healthcare disparities.

The Rural Reality: More Complexity, Fewer Resources

Rural healthcare is not simply “smaller scale healthcare.” It is healthcare delivered with fewer resources, tighter margins, and significantly higher stakes. Workforce shortages mean clinicians frequently operate with lean teams, covering multiple units and caring for patients across the age and acuity spectrum—sometimes all in a single shift. Specialty services may be limited or unavailable, requiring clinicians to stabilize critically ill patients for long periods while working to secure a transfer to a higher-acuity facility.

Transportation can delay care. Less than optimal EMRs can create decreased efficiencies and increased frustration for the clinicians. Insurance complexities and financial barriers sometimes force patients to delay seeking treatment until a condition becomes a crisis.

These realities require clinicians to practice at the highest level of adaptability, collaboration, and clinical judgment.

Rural clinicians are not just providers—they are problem solvers, advocates, and lifelines for their communities.

My Path to Rural Emergency Medicine

Like many emergency physicians, my career began far from rural practice. I completed medical school and residency in a large metropolitan area within a major academic program, training at the city’s inner-city Level I trauma hospital which was an environment defined by high volume, constant intensity, and a relentless pace.

My first job was at a large community hospital, and my first facility medical director role was at a sister hospital of similar size and acuity. Rural healthcare was not initially part of my career plan. That changed when I became a Regional Medical Director and began covering open shifts in our rural sites, often stepping in as interim medical director for periods of time.

It was there—in those quieter but deeply meaningful settings—that I discovered an unexpected affinity for rural emergency medicine. The environment was calmer and less chaotic. The pressure to immediately “see the next patient” was markedly reduced, allowing more time for meaningful conversations, thorough education, and addressing underlying health needs that extended far beyond the chief complaint.

For many of these patients, the emergency department was their only reliable access point for healthcare. That reality gave the work more purpose – the relationships were deeper and the impact felt greater. My connection to the community became profoundly personal, which is why, even in my current role, I still dedicate my clinical time in a rural setting.

Coordinated Care That Makes Every Step Matter

In rural hospitals, every decision counts. When a patient requires specialty follow-up or transfer, proactive coordination—completing diagnostics, securing labs and imaging, preparing documentation—can dramatically reduce time to treatment and improve outcomes.

Through thoughtful care planning and seamless communication between clinicians and specialists, rural hospitals help ensure patients receive the right care at the right time, even from miles away.

Leadership, Adaptability, and Innovation

Rural clinicians routinely step into expanded clinical and leadership roles—covering the emergency department, inpatient unit, or swing bed program—sometimes during the same shift.

Despite these pressures, rural hospitals continue to demonstrate innovation:

• Telemedicine to bridge gaps in behavioral health, cardiology, and obstetrics.
• Team-based staffing that maximizes flexibility during volume surges.
• AI-enabled clinical documentation support to preserve clinician time for bedside care.
• Community health partnerships to reduce avoidable ED utilization.

I have hope that further adaption and evolution of these innovations will help narrow the gap of health disparities for rural communities.

To Every Rural Clinician: Thank You

To the physicians, APCs, nurses, respiratory therapists, schedulers, lab teams, radiology techs, EMS personnel, and hospital leaders who choose rural practice:

Thank you for showing up—day after day, night after night—in places where you are needed most.

Thank you for being the steady presence when resources are stretched thin.

Thank you for choosing this work, even when it asks more of you than most will ever see.

Honoring National Rural Health Day

On this National Rural Health Day, we celebrate you.

TeamHealth is proud to stand alongside our clinicians and hospital partners in rural communities—supporting care delivery, advocating for funding, and elevating the voices of those doing the work on the ground.

Rural clinicians deliver exceptional care not because resources are abundant—but because commitment is.  You are the heartbeat of rural America, and we appreciate you deeply.

Each year, National PA Week provides an opportunity to honor the dedication, expertise, and compassion of PAs who play a vital role in delivering exceptional patient care. At TeamHealth, PAs are not only trusted clinicians, but also valued teammates, leaders, and advocates who help advance our mission of caring for patients during life’s pivotal moments.

Across TeamHealth, PAs bring diverse clinical experience and a shared commitment to patient-centered care. As Nadine McGraw, Regional APC Director for the LifePoint Group, explains, “What’s unique about being a PA is that our role is ever-changing and can be everywhere. You have an opportunity to create your career and your role in whichever area of medicine you prefer.” Whether in the emergency department, hospital medicine, post-acute care, or specialty services, PAs provide critical support and innovative solutions that strengthen care teams and improve outcomes for patients.

That dedication is echoed by leaders across the organization. Greg Stevens, APC Assistant Director for the Southeast Group, shares, “I love my job because it impacts people’s lives. I am blessed that the career I chose helps others and it makes a difference.” Deborah Reed, APC Director in the West Group, adds, “I love being a PA, and I am truly grateful for this meaningful work.” Together, their words capture the compassion, resilience, and commitment that defines PAs and highlights the lasting impact they have on patients, colleagues, and communities.

This week, we extend our gratitude to every PA in the TeamHealth family. As Jeffrey Coffman, APC Lead in Emergency Medicine, reminds us: “We are needed. It’s important for you to know how you fit into the role of medical care and how valuable you are within the healthcare system.”

To all PAs—thank you for the expertise you bring, the leadership you provide, and the difference you make in the lives of patients and communities nationwide.

At TeamHealth, our mission is to deliver exceptional care during life’s pivotal moments. In emergency medicine, those moments often arrive without warning—demanding equal measures of skill, courage, and compassion.

One such moment came when Dr. Charles Budzyn, an emergency medicine resident, was faced with a parent rushing through the doors of a freestanding emergency department, carrying an unresponsive child.

“If you’ve ever heard the guttural yell of a parent when their child is in danger, you don’t forget it,” Dr. Budzyn said. “It’s the kind of sound that makes you drop everything and run.”

Without hesitation, he took the child in his arms and sprinted to the trauma room. A quick check revealed no pulse. He began chest compressions as the team mobilized around him. Within moments, the child’s pulse returned—but the danger was far from over.

Dr. Daniel Cobau, the attending physician on duty, arrived as the team worked to stabilize the child. “When I got there, we had a heartbeat back, but the child was in severe distress,” he recalled. “We didn’t know why yet. That’s one of the hardest parts—you’re trying to put together the pieces in real time, and there’s no room for error.”

Together, the team worked methodically, supporting breathing, monitoring responses, and running through possible causes. The setting made the stakes even higher: a freestanding emergency department, where rapid stabilization and quick coordination for transfer are essential.

What both clinicians remember most is the seamless teamwork. “It was all hands on deck,” said Dr. Budzyn. “Every nurse, every physician, every staff member knew their role. In moments like that, hesitation isn’t an option.”

For Dr. Cobau, the case reinforced a lesson every emergency clinician learns early: preparation saves lives. “In an emergency, seconds matter,” he said. “You have to know exactly where critical equipment is—especially pediatric airways and resuscitation tools. It’s not enough to have a general idea. You need to be able to reach for it instinctively.”

Both clinicians noted how pediatric cases add another layer of intensity. “The stakes feel even higher,” said Dr. Cobau. “Every life matters, but when it’s a child, the weight is heavier. Tools like the Broselow tape are lifesavers because they take away the guesswork on equipment and medications in a high-pressure moment.”

When the child was stabilized and transferred safely, the tension lifted. For both doctors, the night left an imprint.

“This is why we do it,” said Dr. Budzyn. “To be there for families in their worst moments, and to make a difference.”

Dr. Cobau agreed. “It’s terrifying in the moment, but when you see the outcome, it’s the most rewarding part of our work. It’s exactly why we chose this field.”

This story is part of Moments That Matter, a series that highlights the courage, skill, and compassion of TeamHealth clinicians as they live out our mission. Find more stories about moments like these.

A Moments That Matter Story

At TeamHealth, our mission is to deliver exceptional care during life’s pivotal moments. In emergency medicine, those moments often arrive without warning—demanding equal measures of skill, courage, and compassion.

One such moment came when Dr. Charles Budzyn, an emergency medicine resident, was faced with a parent rushing through the doors carrying an unresponsive child.

“If you’ve ever heard the guttural yell of a parent when their child is in danger, you don’t forget it,” Dr. Budzyn said. “It’s the kind of sound that makes you drop everything and run.”

Without hesitation, he took the child in his arms and sprinted to the trauma room. Dr. Daniel Cobau, the TeamHealth attending physician on duty, arrived as the team worked to stabilize the child. “When I got there, we didn’t know what had caused the issue. That’s one of the hardest parts—you’re trying to put together the pieces in real time, and there’s no room for error.”

Together, the team worked methodically, running through possible causes. What both clinicians remember most is the seamless teamwork. “It was all hands on deck,” said Dr. Budzyn. “Every nurse, every physician, every staff member knew their role. In moments like that, hesitation isn’t an option.”

For Dr. Cobau, the case reinforced a lesson every emergency clinician learns early: preparation saves lives. “In an emergency, seconds matter,” he said. “You have to know exactly where critical equipment is—especially pediatric airways and resuscitation tools. It’s not enough to have a general idea. You need to be able to reach for it instinctively.”

Both clinicians noted how pediatric cases add another layer of intensity. “The stakes feel even higher,” said Dr. Cobau. “Every life matters, but when it’s a child, the weight is heavier. Tools like the Broselow tape are lifesavers because they take away the guesswork on equipment and medications in a high-pressure moment.”

For both doctors, the night left an imprint. “This is why we do it,” said Dr. Budzyn. “To be there for families in their worst moments, and to make a difference.”

Dr. Cobau agreed. “It’s terrifying in the moment, but when you see a positive outcome, it’s the most rewarding part of our work. It’s exactly why we chose this field.”

Moments That Matter Series

This story is part of Moments That Matter, a series that highlights the courage, skill, and compassion of TeamHealth clinicians as they live out our mission. Find more stories about moments like these.

Katie Coffey, Director of Recruitment, Corporate Recruiting, Residency & National Recruiting Events

Suicide prevention is an incredibly important topic in healthcare, and it’s one that hits close to home for many of us at TeamHealth. The stress of medical training is unique – demanding schedules, intense training, and the constant challenge of adapting to new teams creates a complex environment. On top of that, residents often struggle to balance their roles as physicians-in-training with their roles as peers, partners, and friends.

At TeamHealth, we recognize the weight of these challenges and the importance of supporting residents not only in their professional growth but also in their personal wellbeing. Our Residency Relations team is dedicated to promoting resident wellness by putting words into action. We create opportunities for residents to step outside of the clinical environment and connect with colleagues in meaningful ways – whether through outdoor activities, sporting events, or volunteer work. These moments of connection are more than just a break from training; they’re a reminder that residents are not alone, and that community is an essential part of resilience.

This work is deeply personal to us. Every member of our team has been touched in some way by the loss of a resident to suicide – either through someone they’ve known personally or through programs that have endured that heartbreak. It’s why we are so passionate about continuing the conversation around wellness, suicide prevention, and awareness. We know that everyone struggles at times, and we encourage residents to take small steps each day that bring joy, fulfillment, and balance. We strive to keep these conversations going so that they become a core part of our team culture.

We also know that stigma continues to keep many clinicians from seeking the help they need. Fear of judgment or negative consequences remains a powerful barrier. Together, we are breaking that stigma. TeamHealth is committed to dropping the walls around this topic by providing resources and support for mental health, suicide prevention, and more. We hear you, we see you, and we support you.

If you or someone you know is struggling, please reach out for help. You are not alone. call or text the 24/7 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline: 988 (Languages: English, Spanish).

As emergency physicians, we don’t just treat the effects of extreme heat-related illnesses— we see their impact on our communities every day. With record-breaking temperatures sweeping much of the country, heat-related illness has become a growing public health concern. That’s why we’re taking it seriously —our goal is simple: protect lives by helping people understand just how dangerous heat can be.

According to the CDC, more than 2,000 people in the U.S. die from extreme heat each year, and tens of thousands more suffer heat-related illness severe enough to require emergency care.

This summer’s extreme heat has sent more than just temperatures soaring — it’s brought a steady rise in heat-related illnesses into emergency departments across the country. As an emergency physician, I know how quickly heat stroke can turn life-threatening, even in people who were just outside for a short time.

Most patients don’t realize they’re in danger until it’s too late. They may come in confused, dizzy, or light-headed. Others arrive unconscious. One of the defining signs of heat stroke is a high body temperature — often over 104°F — paired with altered mental status. Unlike heat exhaustion, these patients often stop sweating, which is a major red flag. In many cases, they were simply trying to get yard work done, walk to the store, or enjoy a summer outing.

When spending time outdoors, watch for the following. Signs of heat-related illness include:

• Elevated body temperature
• Lightheadedness
• Muscular cramping
• Nausea or vomiting
• Confusion

Heat stroke is normally treated aggressively and urgently – rapid cooling using ice packs, cold IV fluids, fans, and in some cases, specialized cooling blankets. Every minute counts — the longer a person’s core temperature remains elevated, the higher the risk of serious complications like kidney failure, brain damage, or even death.

The groups we worry most about are young children, older adults, and those with chronic illnesses. People who work outside, especially without adequate hydration or breaks, are also at elevated risk.

The good news? Heat stroke is preventable:

• Stay hydrated — don’t wait until you’re thirsty
• Avoid outdoor activity during peak heat hours (usually 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.)
• Wear light clothing and seeking shade frequently
• Check on vulnerable neighbors or relatives, especially during heat advisories

This summer has reminded us all that heat isn’t just uncomfortable — it can be dangerous. Knowing the signs of heat illness and acting early can truly save lives. From our perspective in the ER, we hope you stay cool, stay informed, and help spread the word.

At TeamHealth, our emergency medicine teams are always ready to respond — 24/7 — with the expertise, speed, and compassion needed to treat heat stroke and other time-sensitive emergencies. We’re proud to care for our communities when they need us most. Please get in touch with our team to learn more about partnering with us.

Dan Wilbanks, Senior Vice President, Business Development

As healthcare continues to evolve—shaped by rapid technological innovation, workforce challenges, and shifting patient expectations—hospitals and health systems must strike a careful balance between financial sustainability and delivering exceptional patient outcomes. In my ongoing conversations with healthcare executives, one topic continues to surface with urgency: whether to directly employ clinicians for key hospital-based services or to partner with a strategic organization that can deliver clinical expertise, operational efficiency, and scalable support.

Outsourcing Partnerships

Outsourcing partnerships involve collaboration between a healthcare facility or health system and a clinical services provider, such as TeamHealth, to deliver key services. For example, hospitals may partner to provide coverage in the emergency department, inpatient floors, anesthesiology, emergent obstetrical cases, acute surgical care, and more. Post-acute care facilities may partner with a clinical services provider for physician and advanced practice clinician coverage of their primary care or behavioral health needs, or in some cases, specialty coverage such as cardiology, wound care, or pulmonology. When partnering with a national clinical services provider, facilities and systems may also benefit from innovative solutions and integrated care that support seamless transitions across a range of settings and specialties.

Making the Decision

To insource or outsource is an important decision. The structure of clinical departments requires attention on all levels, as the smallest to the broadest aspects can have far-ranging impacts. Financial considerations are some of the most recognizable and usually get the most deliberation. Yet, there are many more factors to consider. Outsourcing partnerships can provide a level of service across the full spectrum of clinical, operational, and administrative support a healthcare facility needs.

Considerations for Outsourcing Clinical Services

Decision-makers in this space may feel that insourcing means more control over clinical departments and staff, which could translate to cost savings, among other perceived benefits. However, many may not consider all the layered work streams and associated direct/indirect costs associated with employing clinicians.

These considerations are much more than just financial necessities—from recruiting and human resources to operational programs and everything in between. Some of the vital areas to consider are:

• Administration of billing and coding: Do hospital teams have the dedicated education and infrastructure to effectively manage billing and coding responsibilities for professional services?
• Clinician well-being: Do teams have the well-being support and resources they need? Do they have the education they need to maintain wellness and work/life balance in an often stressful environment?
• Leadership development and recruitment: Do department leaders have clinical and operational support and guidance from peers in their specialty? Do facilities have the resources to recruit, retain, and provide leadership development opportunities for their clinical teams?
• Improvement and efficiency initiatives: Do teams need to make changes but lack the time or resources to effectively implement performance improvement projects? Is the facility facing a unique challenge that requires innovative solutions?
• Responding to change: Do facilities have the support they need in the evolving payer landscape? Do they have the resources and expertise to adapt to the value-based care environment effectively?
• Confronting an evolving landscape: Do teams have the methods to respond to the technological and reimbursement changes that help define an uncertain future?

Successful Clinical Services Partnerships

While the in-house approach may seem appealing, it can lead to many unnecessary burdens on facility leaders, added strains on resources, and hidden costs that may not always be factored into the decision. In our decades of experience, we’ve seen partners decide to insource, stepping away from our support, but we’ve also restarted successful collaboration with them once insourcing proves to be less fruitful than anticipated.

TeamHealth’s decades-long experience in successful strategic partnerships with leading hospitals and health systems means we have the tools, expertise, and commitment needed to successfully help operate high-quality, high-efficiency departments. These decisions are complex, but we’re here to help. Reach out to our team to learn more about partnering with TeamHealth.