Middle Tennessee School of Anesthesia is commemorating its 75th anniversary in 2025! The School was founded in 1950 and provides graduate-level education and training of nurse anesthetists in a Christian environment born of its Seventh-day Adventist heritage.
As we celebrate our 75th anniversary, we honor our past, embrace innovation, and remain committed to preparing the next generation of highly skilled, compassionate anesthesia providers. Here’s to 75 years—and the exciting future ahead!
Join us in celebrating 75 years of MTSA on August 10, 2025! We’re hosting a special evening, during the AANA Annual Congress, with live music by Kelley’s Heroes from Nashville’s own Robert’s Western World, great food, and meaningful moments of recognition and awards. It’s a chance to reconnect with fellow alumni, faculty, and friends — and honor the legacy and future of MTSA together. We hope you and a guest will be able to come and celebrate with us. Learn more»
A Message from MTSA President Chris Hulin
Our School would not have achieved the success we see today without the contributions of several leaders along the way, especially on our Board of Trustees:
Nevin Downs, MD, was Board Chairman from 1994 to 2007, leading the School through many changes and saving it from insolvency by rallying the anesthesia community for support. He also oversaw the transition to a Masters degree program and helped establish a steady bedrock for future leaders to build upon.
Steve Dickerson, MD, served as Board Chairman from 2008 to 2013, guiding the School through the move to a completion doctoral degree program, and continued to advocate for MTSA during his tenure as a State Senator.
From 2014 to 2017, Art Runyon-Hass, MD, led the Board as Chairman, bringing me onboard as President. He also expanded the board to incorporate a more diverse representation of leadership in the Middle Tennessee healthcare market, as well as preparing for MTSA’s entry to practice doctoral degree.
Our current Chairman Victor Martin, CRNA, (’86) assumed leadership in 2017 and has been a key figure in campus expansion and renovations, including the Magan Building, the new Learning Resource Center and other projects in the works. During his tenure we’ve also developed three post-graduate divisions and online programming, securing the position of MTSA for the future in a market that is ever-changing. He has also shepherded MTSA’s collaborations with TANA and AANA to advance CRNA education and practice.
In addition, Martin recruited Vickie Davies as Vice Chair. Davies, whose father is Alex Brown (’56), brings a wealth of experience with fiduciary oversight and corporate compliance. Martin and Davies developed a sound investment policy that has secured the School’s financial health and developed a foundation that has allowed us to self-fund all recent expansions and renovations without the need for bank loans.
Of course, the story of MTSA and its path to current day goes further back to its founder, Bernard V. Bowen, and many others who helped shape the School and the important part we have played in the growth of nurse anesthesia. I look forward to sharing more opportunities to commemorate our heritage as we celebrate 75 years!
MTSA History
Middle Tennessee School of Anesthesia’s quiet beginning has roots from more than a century ago. In 1904, a group of Seventh-day Adventist pioneers committed to health, wellness, and temperance traveled south from Battle Creek, Michigan, to initiate a health care education institution among the poor, and founded Nashville Agricultural and Normal Institute. This School developed and transformed through name changes and maturity including an elementary school, high school, junior college, and eventually a full college. Concurrently on the campus, a health work began with Madison Sanitarium which developed into Madison Sanitarium and Hospital, Madison Hospital, and finally nearly a century later, Tennessee Christian Medical Center.
1950 – The Madison Hospital School of Anesthesia for nurses was founded by Bernard Bowen, CRNA, under the sponsorship of Madison Hospital. The program began when Mr. Bowen was invited to Madison by Dr. James D. Schuler, a surgeon, and Dr. Julian C. Gant, who was the Medical Director of the hospital. Starting with just two students in a 12-month program, it has been in continuous operation since that time.
1980 – The School of Anesthesia changed from Madison Hospital School of Anesthesia to Middle Tennessee School of Anesthesia. Nashville Anesthesia Services, a partnership of physician anesthesiologists, agreed to temporarily shepherd the school until a corporation could be formed.
1982 – MTSA was incorporated as an independent, 501(c)(3), non-profit organization, (Middle Tennessee School of Anesthesia, Inc.), under the guidance of a Board of Trustees composed of community leaders involved in the business, educational, financial, healthcare, legal, and religious professions. Tennessee Christian Medical Center, formerly Madison Hospital, became part of the Adventist Health System and continued to provide strong support for the School in the form of a leased building and operative facilities until 2005.
1994 – MTSA first received regional accreditation through the Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS). The latter enabled the School to grant a Master of Science with a Focus in Anesthesia degree.
2005 – MTSA initiated the Building the Future which resulted in more than $2.2 million in funding from contributing friends including foundations, corporations, board of trustees, faculty, staff, and other individuals. The expansion project included constructing an entirely new state-of-the-art lecture hall, simulation skills center, student lounge facility, and more.
2006 – MTSA purchased three acres and the two existing buildings from the parent company of Tennessee Christian Medical Center, the Adventist Health System.
2012 – MTSA received accreditation approval to offer the Doctor of Nurse Anesthesia Practice degree (DNAP).
2014 – MTSA purchased the P.T. Magan Building with contributed funds. This added 1.67 acres, 60 parking spaces, and 12,500 square feet to the campus footprint.
Today, MTSA continues to provide a Christian, Seventh-day Adventist learning environment that fosters the pursuit of truth, excellence in and access to graduate nurse anesthesia education, and a life of service.
Throughout the years, everyone connected with MTSA, both students and teachers, have contributed to the success of the School and to the growth of nurse anesthesia as a profession. MTSA is proud to carry on the tradition of excellence so firmly established by Bernard Bowen, his staff, and students.
