The Struggles and Gains of Earning a DMSc
I wish I could tell you graduate school went by without any hardship. Instead, I must confess, it was not easy. Working full-time, caring for my family, and pursuing a doctoral degree was challenging, frustrating, and at times exhausting. It was also intellectually stimulating and satisfying. I was fortunate to have Dr. Bartley Rust as a professor and advisor, who provided invaluable mentorship during my doctoral program. Overall, it was worth the challenges, the frustration, and the exhaustion. For that reason, I am pleased to pay it forward teaching alongside Dr. Rust, who now serves as the director of the inaugural RMUoHP DMSc program.
My DMSc degree didn’t cause me to reap immediate monetary gains–not that I expected it to. But my clinical practice changed significantly; it has evolved from experiential-only to a mix of experiential and evidence-based medicine. I’ve become a better leader. I’m been honored with teaching opportunities. Do I have any regrets? No!
Compared to other medical providers, the physician assistant profession is still considered young. PA ranks are growing, but our numbers are outnumbered by other medical professions. We have miles to go to catch up with our physician and nurse practitioner colleagues. So what we as PAs lack in numbers and lobbying power must be made up elsewhere. Don’t wait for change: Be the pioneer and embrace the rebel within.
Shilpa Gajarawala, DMSc, MPAS, PAC
shilpa.gajarawala@rm.edu
RMUoHp DMSC Adjunct Faculty
