As someone who has always been drawn to science and learning, I find myself in the role of a university instructor, where I combine the fields of biology, health sciences, and education into a comprehensive package. I teach anatomy and physiology to students pursuing nursing and other health care degrees. My time as an undergraduate nursing student taught me about the realities of health care and how to apply nursing and science concepts to patient care. Similarly, my master's degree is in anatomy education, so I am well equipped to teach anatomy and physiology to my students in a clinically relevant manner. However, what I was missing was more extensive training in and knowledge of curricular design and assessment practices, along with experience designing and conducting original scholarly research. The Doctor of Education in Health Professions Education (EdD) program at A.T. Still University’s College of Graduate Health Studies (ATSU-CGHS) has prepared me to critically evaluate my pedagogical approaches while simultaneously teaching and encouraging me to advance my field through research.  

ATSU’s EdD in Health Professions Education program has been a welcome experience for my personal and professional life. Throughout the program, I have come to know my peers and have been encouraged by their varied interests and motivations for pursuing a terminal academic degree. The EdD program has also allowed me to engage with outstanding faculty who have facilitated my learning through insightful discussions and valuable feedback. My experiences through my core and research-focused courses have given me the ability to immediately apply evidence-based practices in my courses, which directly benefit my students.  

My time as a student in the EdD in Health Professions Education program at ATSU has been memorable and life-changing. I have learned the importance of finding solutions to relevant problems while also considering how I can make a larger impact on my field through research. For these experiences and many more, I am extremely grateful.