DMSc and DEL Programs with ACHE
Designed for professionals operating in complex, global, and high-pressure environments
Through our collaboration with Arkansas Colleges of Health Education (ACHE), World Extreme Medicine members can access advanced academic programmes that develop leadership, decision-making, and real-world capability.
Find the route that fits your next step
Two doctoral pathways designed for professionals ready to lead across clinical practice, healthcare systems, global health, and complex operational environments.
Clinical Leadership
Doctor of Medical Science (DMSc)
For clinicians ready to expand their influence
Designed for practicing Physician Associates, the DMSc builds on clinical expertise to develop leaders in healthcare, education, and global systems.
You’ll focus on:
- Advancing clinical reasoning in complex environments
- Developing leadership within healthcare systems
- Driving innovation through applied scholarship
Fully online and asynchronous, the programme fits around practice and can be completed in as little as 7–12 months.
Explore DMSc
Executive Leadership
Doctor of Executive Leadership (DEL)
For leaders shaping systems, strategy, and impact
The DEL is designed for experienced professionals leading organisations and driving change across healthcare, emergency services, disaster response, public service, and global health.
It focuses on:
- Strategic leadership and organisational change
- Data-driven decision-making and policy influence
- Ethical leadership and system-wide impact
Delivered as a 42-credit, fully online doctoral program, the DEL prepares leaders to shape the future of healthcare, disaster response, and global health through strategic leadership and innovation.
Explore DELLeadership changes when the environment does
In extreme, remote, and humanitarian environments, leadership cannot be theoretical, it has to be immediate, practical, and often high-stakes.
You’re often working:
- Without full resources
- Without clear answers
- Without time to escalate decisions
Whether clinical or strategic, the ability to lead in these environments is what defines impact.
This is where ACHE and World Extreme Medicine align, combining academic development with the realities of operating in complex, unpredictable settings, including disaster response, global health, and austere medicine.
Build the capability to lead in complex environments
Across both programmes, you’ll develop the leadership, judgement, and global perspective needed to step into roles where responsibility, complexity, and influence increase.
Pressure-Tested Leadership
Leadership that holds under pressure when environments are unpredictable and decisions matter.
Decision-Making in Uncertainty
The confidence to assess complex situations, weigh risk, and act without perfect information.
Systems-Level Influence
The ability to influence systems, not just operate within them, across healthcare and operational settings.
Global Healthcare Perspective
A broader view of healthcare delivery, global health, humanitarian response, and real-world impact.
Built for professionals ready to expand their scope
This pathway is suited to people already working in healthcare, operational, humanitarian, or leadership environments who are ready to take their next step.
- Already working in healthcare or operational environments
- Looking to move into leadership, strategy, or education
- Interested in global health, humanitarian, or expedition work
- Ready to expand their impact beyond day-to-day practice
Meet the people behind the programmes
Learn from experienced educators, clinicians, operational leaders, and global health professionals shaping the next generation of advanced practice and executive leadership.
Travis Kaufman, DMSc, PA-C, FIBODM
Program Director of Doctor of Executive Leadership Program
Travis Kaufman brings extensive experience across global health, disaster response, operational medicine, and executive decision-making. A retired U.S. Army Officer, he has led medical and leadership programmes in more than 91 countries and served as Chief Medical Operations Officer for the White House Medical Unit under three U.S. Presidents.
Learn more about the faculty
Jenna Rolfs, DMSc, MBA, PA-C, DFAAPA
Dean, College of Advanced Practice & Executive Leadership
Jenna Rolfs is a recognised leader in Physician Associate education and higher education, with more than 15 years’ experience as a nationally certified Physician Associate. Her work spans medical science, education, administration, and advocacy for advanced clinical providers.
Learn more about the faculty
Robert Gray, DMSc, MBA, PA-C, FIBODM
Associate Program Director of Doctor of Medical Science
Robert Gray brings together clinical practice, business leadership, emergency medicine, urgent care, global health, and medical education. His background includes operations management, project management, software design, marketing, and international medical mission work.
Learn more about the faculty
James C. Somers, DHSc, PA-C, DFAAPA
Associate Professor of Doctor of Medical Science
James C. Somers has practised clinically in psychiatry for more than 25 years and teaches doctoral-level clinicians in evidence-based psychiatric and behavioural medicine. His work focuses on lifestyle psychiatry, clinician wellbeing, health inequities, burnout, moral injury, and responsible innovation in healthcare delivery.
Learn more about the faculty
Expand your role. Broaden your impact.
Graduates move into roles across:
- Healthcare leadership and system design
- Global health and humanitarian response
- Operational and expedition medicine
- Policy, strategy, and organisational leadership
- Education, training, and research
Take the next step with 15% off tuition
World Extreme Medicine members receive 15% off full-time ACHE DMSc and DEL tuition.
Eligibility is verified at application and requires active WEM membership throughout enrolment.
Take the next step in your career
Whether you lead from the front line or at a systems level, these programmes are designed to support your next move.