Butler University - Doctor of Medical Science Programs

08/26/2026

"It's so much better to get the DMS locked in and done now."

That's what DMS Bridge alum Zach West, DMS, PA-C, NRP, told us after finishing his doctorate, and why he’d recommend it to recent PA graduates.

Get your doctorate through the DMS Bridge Program while your clinical training is still fresh, and your momentum is high.
- Apply 36 credit hours from your PA clinical rotations
- Accelerated, two-semester format, completed in less than a year
- Built exclusively for recent PA graduates

The application deadline for our Fall 2026 cohort is September 28. Classes start October 19.

Ready to get it done? Learn more here: https://bit.ly/DMSBridgeInfoSess

08/18/2026

Big news from the DMS Bridge Program!

Dr. Cody Sasek, PhD, PA-C, was recently named Associate Dean of the School of PA Studies and Clinical Sciences and now oversees an expanding portfolio that includes the Master of Physician Assistant Studies program and both Doctor of Medical Science programs. He will continue as DMS Bridge faculty.

We're pleased to announce Dr. Adrian Banning, DHSc, PA-C, as Interim Program Director for the DMS Bridge Program. Her academic background, scholarly work, and commitment to PA education position her to guide the DMS Bridge team through this transition while maintaining the program’s culture of excellence and genuine support.

Please join us in congratulating Dr. Sasek and welcoming Dr. Banning into her new role!

08/13/2026

After years of dedicated leadership, Dr. Jennifer Zorn is stepping down from her role as DMS Program Director to focus on teaching and contributing to Butler University's Master of Physician Assistant Studies (MPAS) program.

Since 2021, Dr. Zorn has led our program with an unwavering commitment to student success. We are deeply grateful for the impact she has made on our students, faculty, and community, and we're thrilled that future Butler PA students will continue to learn from her expertise in the classroom.

As we celebrate Dr. Zorn's leadership, we are also excited to welcome Dr. Allison Ermol as Interim Program Director. A seasoned PA educator and leader, Dr. Ermol brings extensive experience in clinical practice, education, and student success, along with a passion for advancing PA education.

Please join us in thanking Dr. Zorn and welcoming Dr. Ermol to her new role!

08/12/2026

In our new episode of the DMS Bridge Program Building Bridges podcast, Cody Sasek, PhD, PA-C, sits down with Dr. Ryan White, PhD, PA-C (Rutgers Associate Dean of Clinical Affairs) and Dr. Matthew Wright, PhD, PA-C (Rutgers PA program faculty) to talk about what's actually driving PAs toward doctoral training right now.

They discuss:
- Why more PAs are pursuing a PhD or doctorate, and what institutions are asking for
- How rank and promotion work in PA academia
- Why impactful scholarship doesn't require a PhD to get started
- Emerging research areas like AI ambient scribes, wearable data overload, and the equity questions technology raises in patient care

Whether you're weighing your own next step or just curious where the profession is headed, this one's worth a listen.

Listen here: https://bit.ly/buildingbridgespod

08/04/2026

Ready to build your edge early in your PA career?

Join us for a virtual info session to learn more about the DMS Bridge Program, designed exclusively for recent PA graduates who want to develop advanced clinical reasoning and leadership skills from the start.

Join us to learn more:
- How the accelerated, two-semester format works
- How recent graduates are already applying this to their early careers
- What to expect from the application process

Register today: https://bit.ly/DMSBridgeInfoSess

07/29/2026

"The DMS-BR program has been instrumental in advancing both my leadership capabilities and research proficiency. Through a rigorous and clinically relevant curriculum, I developed the skills necessary to critically evaluate evidence, contribute to scholarly work, and translate research into meaningful improvements in patient care."

That is how DMS Bridge alum Monkesha Hubbard, DMS, PA-C, described her experience, and below she continues to describe how the program gave her the confidence to use her voice while building her career.

If you are considering pursuing a doctorate, the DMS Bridge Program will set you up for success. Register for an information session to learn more about the program: https://bit.ly/DMSBridgeInfoSess

07/24/2026

Proud to spotlight Butler DMS graduate Zhi Peng Li, DMS, PA-C, whose capstone project has been published in the current issue of the Journal of the American Academy of Physician Associates (JAAPA).

The article highlights evidence-based approaches to COPD diagnosis and management, reinforcing the importance of early recognition and intervention to improve patient outcomes. Congratulations on this outstanding achievement!

Link to article in post below.

COPD is a progressive disease that affects millions of people and is projected to become one of the leading causes of death worldwide. This JAAPA article provides a comprehensive review of diagnosis, management, and prevention strategies, emphasizing evidence-based approaches to slow disease progression and reduce exacerbations. https://bit.ly/4pGHoWt

07/22/2026

Take advantage of the momentum you have built from your PA clinical rotations! Earn your DMS degree through the DMS Bridge Program’s accelerated online format designed specifically for recent PA graduates. Your future self will thank you later.

Apply for our Fall 2026 cohort by September 29!

Register for a virtual information session to learn more about the program: https://bit.ly/DMSBridgeInfoSess

07/17/2026

If you're seeing this, it just might be a sign. 👀🤭

We're looking forward to the start of the Fall 2026 term in Butler University's Doctor of Medical Science (DMS) Program—and with more than a month until the application deadline, there's still plenty of time to apply.

Our redesigned 27-credit-hour curriculum offers a flexible doctoral pathway for practicing PAs who are looking to grow as leaders, advance their careers, and expand their impact on the patients and communities they serve.

Choose from three concentrations: Healthcare Practice & Administration, PA Educator, or Lifestyle Medicine. Word on the street? Our Lifestyle Medicine concentration now provides a full pathway to sit for the ACLM Board Certification Exam. 🤫

Application Deadline: August 19, 2026
Classes Begin: August 26, 2026

If a DMS degree has been on your mind, we would love to welcome you to Butler this fall.

🔗 Apply today: https://go.butler.edu/portal/programs?programid=eff0df12-dd97-4b42-be33-3e2014605b97

07/16/2026

In our new episode of the DMS Bridge Program Building Bridges podcast, Adrian Banning, DHSc, PA-C, talks with Dr. Alison Streeter, a Butler DMS Bridge Program alum now working night shifts as a hospitalist PA, about a career path that took a few unexpected turns to get there.

Before PA school, Alison worked in school counseling and ran a nonprofit arts organization. Then COVID hit, and everything changed.

She's honest about the self-doubt that came with her first hospitalist role, how she's learned to sit with uncertainty, and why she's now passionate about arts-in-medicine and mentoring new PAs.

Give it a listen: https://bit.ly/buildingbridgespod