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DMSc Events & Publications

When it comes to going back to school for a Doctor of Medical Science (DMSc) degree, you are bound to have questions . . . lots of questions. Allow us to answer some of them and articulate why The College of Idaho is a better DMSc program for you, without question.

Join us at one of our upcoming Virtual Information Sessions by clicking on a date below that works for you.  Or, swing by to see us at an upcoming conference.  Or, check out our FAQs or reach to our team at any time at [email protected].  We’d love to talk with you further.

Virtual Information Sessions

We look forward to answering your questions at our next Virtual Information Session.  Please click on the date below to sign up.

Upcoming Conferences & Speaking Engagements

Join us at the upcoming conferences or events.  We look forward to meeting you.

AAPA & The Society of Hospital Medicine’s Adult Hospital Medicine Bootcamp (September 18-22, 2024)

  • Location: Hilton Phoenix Resort at The Peak, 7677 N. 16th Street, Phoenix, AZ 85020
  • Presentation: "Cracking the Code: Expert Strategies for Hospital Medicine NP/PA Billing 2024" – September 21st from 1-1:55pm (Convention Centre First Level, Anasazi Ballroom (Kiva/Pueblo/Sonora)) – by Dr. Jennifer Barnett, DMSc, PA-C, DFAAPA, SFHM, CAQ-HM, CPHQ, College of Idaho DMSc Faculty

CAPACon 2024 - California Academy of PAs Conference (October 3-6, 2024)

  • Location: Los Angeles Marriott Burbank Airport, 2500 North Hollywood Way Burbank, California 91505 USA
  • Presentation: “Boost Patient Safety and Provider Well-being by Enhancing Psychological Safety” – October 3rd from 11am-noon – by Dr. Kari Bernard, PhD, PA-C, Director of The College of Idaho’s DMSc Program
  • Exhibit Booth: Exhibit Hall

Physician Assistant Education Association 2024 Education Forum (October 5-10, 2024)

  • Location: Marriott Marquis, 901 Massachusetts Ave NW, Washington DC 20001
  • Presentations:
    • Cultivating Inner Resources: Coaching for PA Students” – October 9th from 10:40am-noon (Capitol/Congress Room) – by Dr. Kari Bernard, PhD, PA-C, Director of The College of Idaho’s DMSc Program; Dr. Jerica Derr, DMSc, PA-C, College of Idaho DMSc Faculty; and Eve Hoover, DMSc, MS, PA-C, DFAAPA
    • Responsible AI Integration into PA Education: A Faculty Application” (pre-recorded) – by Dr. Kari Bernard, PhD, PA-C, Director of The College of Idaho’s DMSc Program; and Bau Tran, PhD, PharmD, MMS, PA-C (with contributing author Dr. Sara Swenson, PhD, The College of Idaho’s Instructional Designer
  • Exhibit Booth: Exhibit Hall – Number 403

 New York State Society of PAs 2024 CME Conference (November 8-10, 2024)

  • Location: Saratoga Hilton & City Center, 534 Broadway, Saratoga Springs, NY 12866
  • Presentation: “Embrace the Messenger: Leveraging Psychological Safety to Improve Patient Safety and Provider Well-Being” – October 8th from 9:35-10:35am – by Dr. Kari Bernard, PhD, PA-C, Director of The College of Idaho’s DMSc Program
  • Exhibit Booth: Exhibit Hall

Recent & Forthcoming Publications

Check our DMSc faculty’s recent and upcoming publications.  We look forward to your feedback.

Study on PA Leadership and Well-Being

Dr. Kari Bernard’s Study on PA Leadership and Well-Being (June 2024)

Elevating the conversation on PA leadership and well-being, The College of Idaho’s DMSc Program Director Dr. Kari Bernard, PhD, PA-C, along with co-author Dr. Nancy Bostain, PhD, LPC, BCC, contributed an innovative study to the Journal of the American Academy of PAs. Research findings highlight a significant association between increased leadership responsibility and enhanced professional fulfillment among PAs, coupled with a reduction in burnout.

Importantly, the study reveals that the longevity of a PA's career further amplifies this effect, with seasoned PAs experiencing greater fulfillment and lower burnout, thanks in part to their leadership responsibilities.

In light of these findings, Drs. Bernard and Bostain urge employers to recognize and harness the leadership potential of experienced PAs within health systems.  For an in-depth exploration of this important research, access the full study here.

Prepare yourself to lead by exploring the College of Idaho's DMSc Health System Leadership track. Visit our DMSc Curriculum webpage to learn about all our program tracks.

Health Informatics Article in PA Clinics (June 2024)

The College of Idaho’s DMSc faculty member Dr. Jerica Derr, DMSc, PA-C, and co-author Katrina M. Schrode, PhD, explore the vital role of PAs in boosting patient health literacy amid the digital age in their article "Empowering Patients Through Health Information," now available online via Science Direct.

Discover more of Dr. Derr's innovative work by exploring the College of Idaho's DMSc Health Professions Education track and the accelerated pathway for Experienced Educators. Visit our DMSc Curriculum webpage to learn about all our program tracks.

Scoping Review on Postprofessional Doctorates

The College of Idaho’s DMSc Program Director, Dr. Kari Bernard, PhD, PA-C, and DMSc faculty members Dr. Jerica Derr, DMSc, PA-C and Dr. Michelle McMoon, PhD, PA-C, published an article entitled “The Contribution of Postprofessional Doctorates to the Career Development of Healthcare Workers:  A Scoping Review” along with co-authors Melinda Moore Gottschalk, DMSc, PA-C, S. Jason Moore, PhD, PA, Laura Lipke, MS, MLIS, AHIP, and Eve B. Hoover, DMSc, MS, PA-C, DFAAPA, which will appear in the Journal of Allied Health’s Fall 2024 issue.

AAPA Competencies for PAs

As a seasoned expert in hospital medicine, The College of Idaho’s DMSc faculty member Dr. Jennifer Barnett participated in the AAPA task force that developed the Competencies for PAs in Healthcare Administration report published in 2023. Collaborating with task force chairs Dr. Sarah Vanderlinden and PA Risa Zimmerman, she and a distinguished group of talented PAs identified six key leadership and management domains for PAs in healthcare administration. These competencies are part of the College of Idaho's DMSc Health System Leadership track.

Find the full set of PA administrative competencies online here.

Also, are you a hospital medicine provider looking to enhance your practice?  Don't miss Dr. Barnett's upcoming talk "Cracking the Code: Expert Strategies for Hospital Medicine NP/PA Billing 2024" at the Adult Hospital Medicine Bootcamp, September 18-22, 2024, in Phoenix, AZ (event link here).