Could the 800 anesthesiologist assistants (AA) practicing in the United States help ease the anesthesia shortage? Without question, say an increasing number of anesthesia care team practices that have been recruiting this third category of anesthesia provider to augment the dwindling supply of anesthesiologists and nurse anesthetists. As you well know, today's surgical demand far outpaces the more than 35,000 MD anesthesiologists and 30,000 CRNAs.