Julie Dubis (third in from the right) with SHRS Physician Assistant Studies (PAS) students in a simulation room.
If you would have asked me when I graduated from physician assistant (PA) school in 2006 if I'd ever go back to school, I would have resoundingly said, “No way!” If you would have asked me the same question just a year and a half ago when I continued to be a clinically practicing PA, I again would have said, “No way!”
However, you never quite know where life is going to take you.
In July 2022, I joined Pitt’s Master of Science in Physician Assistant Studies (PAS) residential program as a full-time faculty member. Having been a clinically practicing physician assistant since I graduated from PA school, you can imagine that the jump into a new teaching role in academia was challenging and had quite the learning curve – this was not entirely unexpected to me. What made this transition more bearable was the unwavering support of my new colleagues, the sharing of ideas and resources, and the openness to admit to weaknesses and brainstorm ways to be better.
Dubis (second from right) overseeing PAS students in a simulation
While I do consider myself to be a skilled, knowledgeable and competent clinician, it was important for me to be able to say the same about being an assistant professor. I wanted to learn more and improve in my new role so I asked colleagues and mentors for their thoughts and input on furthering my education. As a result, I decided to enroll in Pitt’s online Doctor of PA Studies (DPAS) program as it seemed to be the best fit for me. DPAS Program Director Mary Allias took time to meet with me prior to my commitment to enroll and answered all of my questions.
Dubis doing assignments from home
She, like me, is a working mom and continues to work clinically in addition to her role as founding director of the DPAS program. Understanding how this affects work-life balance, she assured me that there would be a plan of study that would meet my needs. After reviewing the options, I am the first student to enroll in a seven-semester plan of study. I am someone who tries to continuously be aware of my limitations and was intentional to not overload my coursework in the DPAS program in order to maintain reasonable work-life balance.
I have found the coursework and live sessions to be interesting and relevant not only to my role in academia, but also in my continued clinical work as a physician assistant. Networking and sharing ideas with others in the cohort is rewarding, not only during live Zoom sessions but also through our Canvas courses in discussion boards.
I have never found the expectations to be overbearing and the faculty are very intentional about creating an environment and plan of study for learners who may also be working full-time. I typically get my coursework done in the evenings when my kids go to bed and/or a couple hours on the weekend. My kids find it funny when I say, “Mom has to do homework.” It’s really neat to show them what it means to be a lifelong learner. I hope this modeling will keep them from saying, “No way!” in the future and instead say, “Why not?”
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Written by:
Julie Dubis, DPAS ‘25 and Assistant Professor
Department of Physician Assistant Studies
Published October 9, 2023