Dear ADPA Membership, The Academy of Doctoral PAs (ADPA) is pleased to announce the official call for nominations for the upcoming Board of Directors election. We invite engaged and committed voting ADPA members to participate in shaping the future of doctoral education for PAs by submitting nominations for leadership positions. Open Position: ●      President-Elect: Term 2027-2029 Nomination Period: April 1st – May 1st, 2026 Nominations may be submitted in two ways: ●     

Rob Gray, DMSc, MBA, PA-C, FIBODM Associate Program DirectorDoctor of Medical Science Arkansas Colleges of Health Education When PAs seek to expand their knowledge base with a doctorate, the choices can be overwhelming. New programs are opening regularly, and there is significant market diversity in terms of content delivery, timing, and cost, among other variables. While she may have had issues respecting boundaries with her furry neighbors, Goldilocks serves as a good examp

James C. Somers, PA-C, DHSc Where We Were: Access, Generalism, and the Physician-Extender Model In 1965, two forces reshaped American healthcare: the creation of Medicare and Medicaid and the first physician assistant program. Both responded to the same constraint, expanding coverage with an insufficient physician workforce. Physician assistants/ associates were designed to extend capacity within a physician-led model. The profession that followed was intentionally generalist

Jenna Rolfs, DMSc, MBA, PA-C, DFAAPA Dean & Founding Program Director, Physician Associate Program (Developing Program), Arkansas Colleges of Health Education The Arkansas Colleges of Health Education (ACHE) developed the Doctor of Medical Science (DMSc) Foundational Pathway in response to a clear and growing need within the Physician Associate (PA) profession and Post Professional Doctoral Programs (PPDPs). As healthcare systems evolve in complexity, PAs are increasingly ste

Randy Danielsen Ph.D., MPAS; Christopher Cannell, DMSc, MPAS, MPLC, PA-C, DFAAPA, CAQ    Abstract Medical malpractice lawsuits constitute a significant source of stress and professional uncertainty for physician associates (PAs). This comprehensive review details the medical malpractice litigation process, offering practical guidance for PAs facing such challenges. The article examines the four foundational elements required to establish medical negligence: duty of care, brea

Peter Yen, DMSc, MSHA, PA-C, LSSGB Abstract Healthcare delivery systems are experiencing unprecedented complexity driven by workforce shortages, operational pressures, regulatory demands, and rapid technological advancement. Physician associates (PAs) have long served as adaptable clinicians capable of improving access and supporting team based care. However evolving health system needs increasingly require leadership competencies in policy, quality improvement, organizationa

Jenna Rolfs, DMSc, MBA, PA-C, DFAAPA ADPA, President-Elect The Physician Associate (PA) profession stands at a pivotal moment across higher education, healthcare, and industry. As healthcare systems rapidly evolve, the demand for leaders who can navigate complexity and drive organizational change continues to grow. Simultaneously, higher education faces structural pressures, from the approaching enrollment cliff to the need for sustainable revenue models that require strategi

Peter Yen, DMSc, MSHA, PA-C, LSSGB Executive Summary Healthcare delivery in the United States has undergone profound structural transformation over the past two decades. Care models have shifted from physician centric hierarchies toward integrated, team-based systems that rely heavily on advanced practice clinicians.¹,² Yet executive governance structures have not evolved at the same pace. Physicians commonly ascend to Chief Medical Officer roles. Nursing leadership pathways

James C. Somers, DHSc, PA-C, DFAAPA Author’s Note:  This article reflects my personal professional perspective, shaped by more than two decades as a practicing clinician, practice owner, educator, and professional leader within the Physician Associate profession. My decision to pursue doctoral education was not driven by a specific job title, promotion, or external requirement. At the time, I was already well established clinically and professionally. What I was looking for w

Peter Yen, DMSc, MSHA, PA-C, LSSGB Introduction The United States healthcare workforce faces a persistent and widening gap between clinical demand and physician supply. This gap is driven by an aging population, increasing chronic disease prevalence, geographic maldistribution of physicians, and accelerating workforce burnout and retirement. Labor projections demonstrate that physician supply growth alone will not meet future needs. In this context, physician associates repre

Jessica Amburgey, DMS, MSPAS, PA-C, EM-CAQ

“Healthcare burnout impacts increasing numbers of providers”  We hear that headline frequently. PAs face significant pressures to balance heavy patient loads, navigate complex medical decisions and interdisciplinary collaboration, and deliver quality care within fast-paced clinical environments. In a recently published article, approximately one-third of PAs experience burnout. Contextual factors appear to drive burnout risk rather than demographics such as gender, underscori

Peter Yen, DMSc, MSHA, PA-C, LSSGB Abstract The expansion of doctoral education for Physician Associates has introduced multiple degree pathways that differ in purpose, structure, and career alignment. Prospective doctoral PAs often face difficulty distinguishing among programs and determining which option best fits their professional goals. This paper examines the major doctoral pathways pursued by PAs, with emphasis on program length, research versus clinical focus, typical

Dr. James R. Kilgore It is of interest that many Physician Associates/Assistants often question the value of obtaining a doctoral degree. As noted in a recent article, it is essential to know that PAs are late to the market for terminal doctorates among clinicians, both in education and in clinical settings. In fact, PAs are the only prescribing practitioners who have not transitioned to an entry-level doctorate. A fundamental question is, “Does obtaining a doctoral degree as

Jenna Rolfs, DMSc, MBA, PA-C, DFAAPA, Debra Munsell, DHSc, PA-C, DFAAPA, James R. Kilgore, DMSc, PhD, PA-C, DFAAPA, Jeremy M. Welsh, PhD, DHSc, JD, PA-C, DFAAPA, Michael S. Roscoe, PhD, PA-C, DFAAPA, Blake Rogers, DMSc, PA-C, Thomas Colletti, DHSc, MPAS, PA-C Emeritus, DFAAPA, Raquelle Akavan, DMSc, PA-C, Travis Kaufman, DMSc, PA-C, FIBODM

Author: Peter Yen, DMSc, MSHA, PA-C, LSSGB Author’s Note This article was written in response to a growing and sometimes emotional conversation within our profession regarding the role of doctoral education for physician associates. The concept of an entry level doctorate is still developing, and no definitive agreement exists among educators, clinicians, or regulatory leaders about whether such a requirement should ultimately be tied to clinical practice. The discussion is o

Peter Yen, DMSc, MSHA, PA-C, LSSGB Abstract Doctoral trained Physician Associates represent a significant advancement in the evolution of the PA profession and reflect a maturing commitment to leadership, education, and system level transformation. The Academy of Doctoral PAs advocates for national recognition, integration, and advancement of doctoral prepared PAs across healthcare, academics, and policy. This paper outlines how healthcare organizations can support ongoing le

Peter Yen, DMSc, MSHA, PA-C, LSSGB Executive Summary Health systems face a triple squeeze: shrinking margins, leadership shortages, and rising clinical demand. Doctorally trained Physician Associates (PAs)—holders of DMSc, DMS, DHSc, or DPA degrees—represent a cost-efficient internal leadership pipeline uniquely qualified to bridge clinical and administrative priorities. This paper quantifies the return on investment (ROI) and operational fit of appointing doctoral PAs to man

In the evolving landscape of healthcare, the role of Physician Associates (PAs) is becoming increasingly pivotal. As doctorate-trained PAs or those aspiring to doctoral degrees, we understand that advancing our profession requires more than clinical expertise; it demands strategic networking. How do we effectively build and sustain professional relationships that propel our careers and influence healthcare leadership? The answer lies in deliberate, well-crafted strategies to

The Physician Associate (PA) profession has undergone a remarkable transformation since its inception, evolving from a novel concept into a vital component of modern healthcare delivery. As we explore this journey, it becomes clear that the development of the PA role is not merely a historical curiosity but a dynamic narrative that continues to shape the future of medicine. We must ask ourselves: how did this profession rise to such prominence, and what does its trajectory te