Breanne Blake; Doctoral Student
UPDATE: The University of Pittsburgh’s affordable, one-year online Doctor of PA Studies (DPAS) program for practicing physician assistants/associates now awards a Doctor of Medical Science (DMSc)!
Original Story:
Hi! My name is Breanne Blake and I am in my second semester of the University of Pittsburgh’s Doctor of Physician Assistant Studies (DPAS) online program. I am a physician assistant (PA) that works full time in academia at Slippery Rock University’s Physician Assistant program. I chose Pitt's DPAS online program because being a mom of two young boys, wife and full-time professional, I needed a program that was flexible. Pitt's program, being 100% online and completed in one year, affords me the flexibility I need to still achieve my long-term career goals. I also wanted a degree that would have meaning in both the clinical world and academia--this program checks those boxes! I am going to take you through a day in the life of a DPAS student.
My day starts off early getting two little guys ready and off to school and daycare. This was my oldest son’s fourth day of second grade and my youngest is in daycare
After the boys are dropped off, I head up to the office for the day. I am typically at work from 9 a.m. to –3 p.m. I primarily teach within the didactic curriculum. This means that when I am not in front of the class, I am preparing assignments, quizzes, exams or lectures. I chose the academic track of the DPAS program. I am looking forward to learning more about the ARC-PA accreditation process and incorporating the standards within my courses. It is my hope that gaining more knowledge on program management that I will be able to take more of a leadership role within my PA program.
My youngest son is diagnosed with mild cerebral palsy. This means that we frequently have appointments with physical therapy, occupational therapy and speech therapy specialists. Often, I will stay in the waiting room and sneak in some time completing my DPAS assignments. Mommy is typically a distraction and he does better for the therapists when I am not in the room.
The work really begins for me after dinner, kid’s homework, family time and once the boys are off to bed. I love that I get to move through my coursework from the comfort of my own couch, snuggled up with my favorite blanket. Often this is when I will phone my collaborative partner to discuss our project and the next steps moving forward. Our project is focusing on incorporating and improving future PA education on the subject of postpartum depression. Our hope is that by making our future providers more comfortable in screening and discussing postpartum depression, that we will improve the postpartum experience for the birthing parent. As a mother that suffered from postpartum depression, I want to help others in the same situation.
I have valued the leadership skills that I have developed throughout the first semester of the DPAS program. I know these skills can help my current role in academia, clinical practice and community organizations. I am looking forward to deploying my postpartum depression project this semester with our current didactic students! And I, of course, am very excited to become Dr. Breanne Blake in spring 2024! I am thankful for my wonderful advisor, Associate Professor Mary Allias! She has inspired me throughout my career as a physician assistant and in academia! She has truly opened amazing paths for PAs and I hope to achieve similar goals throughout my career.
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Written by:
Breanne Blake (DPAS’24)
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Published October 10, 2023