An anesthesiologist is a medical doctor (MD) who has completed medical school, a residency in anesthesiology, and is fully licensed to independently evaluate, diagnose, and manage anesthesia care for patients. In contrast, a Certified Anesthesiologist Assistant (CAA) is a highly trained healthcare professional who works under the supervision of an anesthesiologist to assist in administering anesthesia and monitoring patients during surgical procedures. While anesthesiologists have extensive training in all aspects of anesthesia and perioperative medicine, CAAs focus specifically on implementing anesthesia care plans as part of a collaborative team, as outlined by the American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA). The key difference lies in their level of education, scope of practice, and independence in patient care.