DMSc Connect
February 2019 Newsletter
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A Note from Dr. Welsh...
Value of the DMSc
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What is the point of the DMSc? What is its value?
I know I am not the only one who is frequently asked these questions. I even ask them myself. Before launching the Doctor of Medical Science program, it was important to measure the value that the DMSc would bring to students. As the DMSc grows, it is still an important measure. I am sure all of you weighed what the point of the DMSc would be before you began the program.
There are so many ways to measure the value of the degree -- in new opportunities explored, in relationships gained, in knowledge learned. All of these are worthy in and of themselves, but let’s be practical for a moment. Students are putting money and time in the DMSc. What are they getting back? What is the return in this investment?
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We are hearing many stories from alumni and students who have leadership positions opening for them because they are earning or have earned their DMSc. Independent studies show the
financial benefits of holding a PA leadership position
. But what about the DMSc specifically? If you are a DMSc alumni, you received a survey to let us know how we are doing as a program and how you are doing as a graduate. Can you help us by taking time to fill out this survey and let us know how the DMSc is doing?
Doctorates for PAs are new, and part of our commitment as the Lynchburg DMSc is to make our program as valuable as possible. Your time and money are important. When you let us know how we are doing, we can do better. We are listening.
Whether you are alumni or current student, will you let us know why you chose the DMSc? Reply to this email.
How did you answer
What is the point of the DMSc?
We are listening.
-Jeremy M. Welsh
*Top picture: the first graduation for the DMSc.
*Bottom picture: Dr. Jonathan Sobel (DMSc, 2018) and Dr. Jeremy Welsh at the Lynchburg DMSc AAPA booth.
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Faculty, Alumni, and Students News
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The following DMSc Education Concentration students will be presenting during February's Western Consortium at Midwestern University:
- Kirsten Bonnin, "Are We Just Whining?! Understand PA Faculty Teaching Load Determination"
- Eve Hoover, "Mindfulness Curricula in Health Education: The What, Why and How"
- Brian Lauf, "Does Optimal Team Practice Change Your PA Education Model?"
- Robin Sears, "Don’t Be Late, Be Polite, Watch That Dress, It’s Too Tight!"
Congratulations to all! If you are attending the Consortium, see the
times and locations
so that you can catch their presentations.
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Congratulations to all who finished their DMSc degree in December 2018! They were the first cohort to use the
Lynchburg Journal of Medical Science, and
their Scholarly Projects have now been published. For those who are currently in the Scholarly Project Series, take a look to see what you are working toward. (Important note: Because the journal is for pedagogical use and fellows are encouraged to published at a public journal, you will have to log into your Lynchburg account to see the articles.)
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Congratulations
Brian Astin! His Scholarly Project, "Addressing Obesity in Orthopedics" has been accepted for publication in the
Journal of Orthopaedics for Physician Assistants. He won a prize for submitting one of the best articles of 2018.
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Douglas DiRuggiero
was appointed to the
Executive Board of the Dermatology Hall of Fame
. The SDPA said, "As a nationally-recognized medical lecturer and passionate dermatology teacher, he [DiRuggiero] has been awarded a National Clinical Science Award for published research, Clinical Teacher of the Year by multiple universities, Georgia Humanitarian PA of the year, and was the 2018 recipient of the prestigious Presidential Volunteer Service Lifetime Achievement award."
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Alumni Highlight:
Brian Lauf
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As the Founding Program Director at the University of Nevada, Reno School of Medicine, Brian Lauf clearly values education. On July 1, 2018, when the doors at UNR Med opened for the first time to welcome new Physician Assistant students, these were not the only students starting school. The same day, Lauf started the Doctor of Medical Science PA Education Concentration (PAEC).
Lauf has long been an active member in local and national PA organizations, including a stint serving as the President of the Nevada Academy of PAs (NAPA). He currently holds NAPA’s Government Affairs Committee Chair, and he is its Chief Delegate to the AAPA HOD. Advocating for the PA profession has been central to his life’s work. When Lauf heard Dr. Welsh’s educational philosophy of
By PAs, For PAs,
he was intrigued. Then, when Dr. Archambault offered the PAEC, he knew that earning his doctoral was the right choice.
The DMSc Education Concentration (PAEC) has aligned perfectly with his work as a program director. All of the PAEC’s courses have been helpful, but Lauf said the course, PA Program Development, Implementation, and Maintenance has been particularly useful as he sets up his program for a successfully continued accreditation. Lauf is already implementing practices in his program that he has learned from the course. As helpful as the courses have been, Lauf explained that learning together with other PA educators has been “worth the price of tuition.”
This month, Lauf will gather with many of those PAEC classmates at the Western Consortium. This year, the conference is being held at Midwestern University in Phoenix, Arizona. He will be presenting on Optimal Team Practice and whether it will or will not affect how PAs are educated. If you will be attending the consortium, claim your seat. The session promises to be a good one.
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The Lynchburg Masters of PA Medicine program would love to connect our students with DMSc students and graduates who are willing to precept. Preceptors can be anywhere in the country, but it would be helpful if they were in the central-Virginia area.
If you are interested, please contact Lynchburg's Director of Clinical Education, Melissa Shaffron
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Spencer Pollok (DMSc student) is pictured with
Kristen Purdy PA-C and Dr Cassie Elverum DMSc, PA-C
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DMSc faculty members Dr. Elyse Watkins, Dr. Jeremy Welsh, and Dr. Greg Davenport and DMSc Education Concentration student, Jenna Rolfs are traveling to Nicaragua in March
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for a medical mission.
They are trying to fundraise enough money to purchase 150 food bags ($10.00 a piece)
. If you are able,
please consider giving
. Thank you!
*Jenna Rolfs, Dr. Davenport, and Dr. Welsh are pictured on last year's trip.
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Follow us on social media and stay up-to-date on DMSc news!
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February 23-26
: NCAPA - Drs. Colletti and Watkins will be presenting.
February 22-24
: Western Consortium in Phoenix, AZ
May 16
: DMSc Graduation Reception
May 17
: Campus Tour, Hooding Ceremony, and Graduation
May 18-22
: AAPA in Denver - See you there!
June 6-9
: SDPA in Washington DC - stop by our booth!
July 15-19
-GAPA in Hilton Head, SC - Stop by our booth!
July 21-26
- VAPA in Virginia Beach - Stop by our booth!
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What is your preferred email address? Updated contact information at [email protected].
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