Anatomy of success
/prod01/channel_41/media/evms_public/departments/surgical_assistant_program/AliChambers-800X533.png)
Inspired by the nursing careers of her mother and her great-grandmother, Ali Chambers, MSA, CSA (MSA ’15), grew up knowing she would pursue medicine in some way.
Her interest in the medical field intensified in high school when she attended the Health Sciences Academy at Virginia Beach’s Bayside High School. Through the program, she went to the Eastern Virginia Medical School campus for the first time and took a trip to an anatomy lab — a visit that made her determined to attend EVMS.
After earning a bachelor’s degree in biology in 2011 from Longwood University, she did wind up at EVMS. Fascinated with anatomy and encouraged by her boss at the time, Chambers chose to specialize as a surgical assistant, graduating with a Master of Surgical Assisting in 2015.
“As much as I respect nurses, I did not pursue nursing,” Chambers says. “The idea of going into surgery — that just seemed so different and cool and not anything I was exposed to growing up. Anatomy and surgery were the perfect combination.”
Chambers has been working at Sentara Leigh Hospital in Norfolk as a licensed, certified surgical assistant since 2015. In this role, she works with the surgical team to prepare the operating room, assists with patient positioning and provides direct support to surgeons during procedures.
In 2023, she became the Operating Room Business Manager — the first graduate of the EVMS Surgical Assisting program to do so — while maintaining her practice as a surgical assistant. As the business manager, she handles the non-clinical aspects of the OR from developing policy to ensuring efficiency and meeting operational metrics.
Chambers credits EVMS for its academic rigor and immersive rotations at local hospitals in helping her build her skills, learn how to interact with others in the OR and think critically on her feet. She says her education at EVMS was enriched by small class sizes, allowing for personalized learning experiences.
She also cites the school’s emphasis on professional development, including a business course for surgical assistants. These opportunities broadened her perspective beyond the clinical aspects of her profession.
“We are incredibly proud of this accomplishment,” says Clinton Crews, PsyD, MPH, Program Director for the Master of Surgical Assisting. “It was an intention of our program from the start to arm students with the skills to manage and lead an operating room.”
The program as a whole has high expectations for its students, Chambers says. “They really work hard on how you can present yourself professionally.”
Post-graduation, Chambers’ career has been intertwined with EVMS. As a preceptor, she has been fostering a cycle of mentorship and continuous learning for current students. She’s also attended lectures at EVMS during Alumni Weekend to learn about what’s happening and what new practices are coming out of the school. She notes that many of her coworkers also are alumni.
Chambers says remaining involved with the school as an alum is important to her.
“I really love the school. I grew up wanting to go there. They’re based in the community. I’m a part of the community. I plan on staying here. My whole family is here,” says Chambers, who lives in Chesapeake with her husband — her high school sweetheart — and their two young daughters.