Exploring the impact of PA-specific doctoral degrees on professional identity: A phenomenological study

Cody A Sasek1, Jacqueline Sivahop, Natalie Smith

  • 1Cody A. Sasek is associate dean of the School of PA Studies and Clinical Sciences and program director of the Doctor of Medical Science Bridge program at Butler University in Indianapolis, IN. Jacqueline Sivahop is a professor at the University of Colorado's PA program in Aurora, CO. At Wake Forest University School of Medicine in Winston-Salem, NC, Natalie Smith is an assistant professor and program director of the Doctor of Medical Science program in the Department of PA Studies, and Chris Gillette is a professor. C. Sasek discloses receipt of the Butler Awards Committee Faculty Research Grant for the support of this study. C. Sasek is also a member of the Physician Assistant Education Association (PAEA) Board of Directors as of January 2026 and is a JAAPA clinical editor. The authors have disclosed no other potential conflicts of interest, financial or otherwise.

Abstract

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