MESA, Ariz. – In an era when healthcare reform is an ongoing concern for the public, students at A.T. Still University (ATSU) are addressing fundamental issues facing today’s healthcare system. ATSU’s Arizona School of Health Sciences (ASHS) is launching its first winter institute for its Doctor of Health Sciences (D.H.Sc.) program February 7-12. Approximately 70 students from across the United States and several international students will participate.

The D.H.Sc. is an online program that includes a one-week residential component, known on campus as the winter institute. A post-professional degree designed for master’s prepared healthcare professionals, the D.H.Sc. is one of only three such programs in North America.

“The Doctor of Health Sciences program has far exceeded expectations in its popularity for all health disciplines,” said Program Director Helen Ewing, D.H.Sc., R.N. “We have representation from the majority of disciplines including students from clinical practice, administration, research, and academia.”

During the winter institute, students will share their research projects with colleagues and faculty. Example topics include strategies for weight reduction, reduction of medication errors in healthcare, improved diets, workplace wellness programs, and incorporating exercise into daily activities.

The institute provides an opportunity for online students to meet face-to-face and discuss pertinent issues in healthcare with faculty. In addition, the institute affords a forum for sharing ideas from a multidisciplinary health professions perspective.

“The inaugural winter institute has long been anticipated as a highlight of the D.H.Sc. program,” said Dr. Ewing. “This is an exciting event that allows professionals from numerous health disciplines to come together and dialogue around theories studied during classes and discuss the application of coursework to their work environment. Students are very excited about the opportunity to come on campus and meet faculty and staff from departments instrumental to the program’s and their success.”

MESA, Ariz. (May 15, 2008 ) – A.T. Still University’s Arizona School of Health Sciences announces the launch of an online doctoral degree in Health Sciences. The Doctor of Health Sciences (D.H.Sc.) is a post-professional degree designed for master’s degree prepared healthcare professionals and is offered through blending online and residential education. The program is designed to develop and enhance professional skills needed to provide competent leadership in the health sciences and will be an asset to all healthcare professionals.

ATSU is implementing the doctorate program to meet the challenges of a complex healthcare system. This advanced degree will prepare graduates to better understand and effectively manage healthcare issues including access, cost, and quality of care; and skillfully analyze, plan, implement, and evaluate solutions to the challenges in healthcare. The D.H.Sc. program will provide healthcare professionals with the knowledge and skills to excel in project management, decision-making, managing organizational behavior, establishing evidence-based practice standards, and gaining competence in applying research. 

The program is now accepting applications and is scheduled to launch in late August 2008, at the start of the fall quarter. D.H.Sc. program director Helen Ewing, R.N., D.H.Sc., is excited to initiate the program and believes it will fill a void through meeting the advanced educational needs of healthcare professionals. “The program is designed to develop progressive knowledge and analytical skills required of healthcare professionals in areas of practice, education, and research,” according to Dr. Ewing. “Educators, administrators, researchers, and clinicians will gain the necessary tools to better navigate through our complex healthcare environment. This advanced degree is tailored to offer unique skill development in critical analysis and decision making based on appropriate evidence.”

“This post-professional doctorate is best described as the degree of the scholarly professional, in contrast to the Ph.D., which is the degree of the professional scholar,” said Eric Sauers, Ph.D., ATC, CSCS, associate professor and chair of the Department of Interdisciplinary Health Sciences. “Individuals completing the degree will become better clinicians, administrators, educators, or researchers due to their enhanced clinical and research knowledge, and will gain skills and understanding in evidence-based medicine and applied research techniques.”