Dean's Chat - All Things Podiatric Medicine

Dean's Chat hosts, Drs. Jensen and Richey, welcome the American Podiatric Medical Association student representatives from Western University College of Podiatric Medicine. This episode is sponsored by the American Podiatric Medical Association! Jeslyn Dela Vega, Carissa Smith, and Sarah Marzouk, join us to discuss how they discovered podiatric medicine, their shadowing experiences, and things that have surprised them in school. They also discuss things that have inspired them, and a series of "Rapid Fire" questions! They also share "professor shout-outs" and their roles with APMSA! Enjoy this conversation with student leaders! #Podiatry #FootAndAnkle #Residency #MedicalEducation #Surgery #PodiatricMedicine #PreMed #HealthCareCareers #DeansChat

In this episode of Dean's Chat, hosts Dr. Jeffrey Jensen and Dr. Johanna Richey sit down with Dr. Samantha Williams! This episode is sponsored by Bako Diagnostics! We explore the journey from student to surgeon—and how compassionate, evidence-based care transforms outcomes in the clinic and OR. Dr. Williams shares practical tips on residency readiness, communicating surgical risk/benefit, optimizing clinic flow, and leading multidisciplinary care for complex foot and ankle pathology. Whether you're a pre-health student, current podiatry student, resident, or practicing DPM, you'll leave with actionable insights on training, mentorship, and professional growth—plus candid advice on board prep, research, and balancing life in medicine. What you'll learn: • Residency and early-career lessons that actually matter • Patient communication frameworks that build trust and adherence • Surgical vs. conservative decision pathways (and how to explain them) • Clinic efficiency: scheduling blocks, documentation, and team roles • Career design: academic vs. private practice, leadership & outreach! Enjoy! #Podiatry #FootAndAnkle #Residency #MedicalEducation #Surgery #PodiatricMedicine #PreMed #HealthCareCareers #DeansChat

Drs. Jensen and Richey welcome Dr. Rachel Gerber to Dean's Chat! Rachel Gerber, DPM, is a fellowship-trained and board-qualified foot and ankle surgeon based in Anthem and Phoenix, Arizona. This episode is sponsorted by the American Podiatric Medical Association! Originally from Mishicot, Wisconsin, Dr. Gerber grew up as a four-sport athlete — an experience that shaped her lifelong passion for movement, wellness, and helping others stay active. She earned her Bachelor of Science in Biochemistry and Microbiology at the University of Wisconsin–Eau Claire, where she also played collegiate basketball, before earning her Doctor of Podiatric Medicine degree from Des Moines University. She went on to complete an intensive surgical residency at Ascension Saint Joseph Hospital in Chicago, followed by an advanced reconstructive and limb-salvage fellowship through the North Jersey Reconstructive Foot & Ankle Fellowship. Today, Dr. Gerber provides comprehensive care for patients across the spectrum of foot and ankle conditions, from minimally invasive bunion correction and sports-injury management to complex trauma reconstruction and total ankle replacement. Her approach blends precision surgical technique with empathy, patient education, and a genuine commitment to restoring mobility and quality of life. Outside of her clinical practice, Dr. Gerber is an avid traveler, hiker, and scuba diver who loves spending time with family and friends. Through her educational content on YouTube, she shares insights into foot and ankle health, advanced surgical innovations, and practical advice for living pain-free and staying active. Her goal is to demystify podiatric surgery, empower patients through understanding, and help them take confident steps toward better mobility and lifelong wellness.  Enjoy!

Dean's Chat hosts, Drs. Jensen and Richey, welcome the American Podiatric Medical Association student representatives from Barry University School of Podiatric Medicine. This episode is sponsored by Bako Diagnostics and the American Podiatric Medical Associaition! Cassandra St. Louis (Class of 2027), Scott Fischer (Class of 2028), and Mansi Patel (Class of 2028) join us to discuss how they discovered podiatric medicine, their shadowing experiences, and things that have surprised them in school. They also discuss things that have inspired them, and a series of "Rapid Fire" questions! They also share "professor shout-outs" and their roles with APMSA! Enjoy this conversation with student leaders! #Podiatry #FootAndAnkle #Residency #MedicalEducation #Surgery #PodiatricMedicine #PreMed #HealthCareCareers #DeansChat

Dean's Chat hosts Dr. Jeffrey Jensen and Dr. Johanna Richey, welcome Dr. Priya Parthasarathy to the podcast! Dr. Parthasarathy is a board-certified podiatrist and foot & ankle surgeon based in Silver Spring, Maryland. Dr. Parthasarathy is a partner at Foot & Ankle Specialists of the Mid-Atlantic and serves as a national spokesperson for the American Podiatric Medical Association (APMA). This episode is sponsorted by the American Podiatric Medical Associaiton! A graduate of Temple University School of Podiatric Medicine, Dr. Parthasarathy completed her surgical residency at Botsford General Hospital in Michigan. She has been recognized for her leadership, clinical excellence, and dedication to patient education—both in clinical practice and in national media appearances. Dr. Parthasarathy is passionate about advancing awareness of podiatric medicine, mentoring future generations of DPMs, and empowering patients through preventive care and health education. Her inspiring journey, media presence, and advocacy make her one of the most influential voices in modern podiatry. Join us as Drs. Jensen & Richey sit down with Dr. Parthasarathy to discuss her professional journey, her advocacy for women in medicine, and the evolving landscape of podiatric care in today's healthcare environment.

Dean's Chat hosts, Drs. Jensen and Richey, welcome the American Podiatric Medical Association student representatives from the Arizona College of Podiatric Medicine. This episode is sponsored by Bako Diagnostics! Megan Beard (Class of 2027), Dalaiah Shelton (Class of 2028), and Taylor Bollinger (Class of 2028) join us to discuss how they discovered podiatric medicine, their shadowing experiences, and things that have surprised them in school. They also discuss things that have inspired them, and a series of "Rapid Fire" questions! Enjoy this conversation with student leaders! #Podiatry #FootAndAnkle #Residency #MedicalEducation #Surgery #PodiatricMedicine #PreMed #HealthCareCareers #DeansChat

Drs. Jensen and Richey welcome Dr. Rikesh (Ricky) Patel to Dean's Chat! Rikesh A. Patel, DPM, AACFAS has joined the Indian Health Service in Winslow, Arizona, where he provides advanced foot and ankle care to the community. This episoded is sponsored by the American Podiatric Medical Association! A graduate of Barry University School of Podiatric Medicine, Dr. Patel recently completed an advanced foot & ankle fellowship with the Northwest Illinois Foot & Ankle Foundation and previously practiced with the Ankle & Foot Center of Central Florida. He is a fellowship-trained foot & ankle surgeon committed to helping patients regain mobility through innovative surgical and nonsurgical treatments. Follow him on social media as "Pretty Ricky"!

Dean's chat hosts, Drs. Jeffrey Jensen and Johanna Richey, welcome Dr. Kelli Iceman to the podcast! Originally from Detroit, Michigan, she earned her Bachelor of Science degrees in Microbiology and Human Biology at Michigan State University, followed by her Doctor of Podiatric Medicine degree from the Scholl College of Podiatric Medicine in Chicago. This episode is sponsored by Bako Diagnostics!! She completed an intensive residency in reconstructive foot and ankle surgery at Gundersen Medical Center in La Crosse, Wisconsin — a training that set the stage for her distinguished career in sports medicine, trauma, and complex reconstructive surgery. Today, Dr. Iceman practices with the Advanced Foot & Ankle Clinic across Minnesota and Wisconsin, where she combines cutting-edge surgical expertise with a compassionate, patient-centered approach. She is a Fellow of the American College of Foot and Ankle Surgeons and a respected educator dedicated to mentoring future podiatric surgeons. Kelli also has a passion for AI, and its incorporation into the electronic medical record. She as been involved with a start-up and her insights are incredible! Join us as Dr. Iceman shares her inspiring journey from Michigan State to surgical leadership — and how she's redefining reconstructive foot and ankle care across the Upper Midwest. Enjoy!

Dean's Chat hosts Drs. Jeffrey Jensen and Johanna Richey welcome Dr. John Del Monte, DPM, to the podcast. This episode is sponsored by the American Podiatric Medical Association! Dr. Del Monte is a board-certified podiatric foot & ankle surgeon serving Jersey City, New Jersey, with over 20 years of clinical practice. A native of the city, he is deeply committed to helping his community with cutting-edge care and compassionate service. He earned his degree from the New York College of Podiatric Medicine, completed residency at the Foot Center of New York, and has held faculty roles including Associate Professor at the New York College of Podiatric Medicine. Dr. Del Monte also serves as Residency Director for the Podiatric Medicine and Surgery program at CarePoint Health System in Hoboken, NJ. Fluent in English and Spanish, he provides both conservative and surgical treatments—from athlete's foot to complex ankle surgery—with a goal of restoring comfort, mobility, and activity for every patient.

Dean's Chat hosts, Drs. Jensen and Richey, welcome Dr. JD Shih to the podcast! Dr. JD Shih, DPM, MPH Assistant Professor, Clinical Surgery — Keck Medicine of USC Podiatric Surgeon • Limb Salvage Specialist • Public Health Advocate This episode is sponsored by Bako Diagnostics! Dr. JD Shih is a board-certified podiatric surgeon specializing in chronic foot and ankle wounds, reconstructive surgery, limb preservation, and biomechanics.  He holds dual board certification from the American Board of Podiatric Medicine and the American Board of Foot and Ankle Surgery.  He earned his Doctorate of Podiatric Medicine (with honors) from the California School of Podiatric Medicine at Samuel Merritt University, followed by a residency in podiatric medicine and surgery (PMSR/RRA) through the VA and affiliated hospitals in Los Angeles.  In 2019, he completed a fellowship in limb preservation (Lawrence B. Harkless Fellowship) at Keck Medicine of USC.  Fueled by a passion to reduce preventable amputations, Dr. Shih also obtained a Master's in Public Health from Dartmouth's Geisel School of Medicine.  His research spans diabetic foot epidemiology, prevention strategies, imaging diagnostics in foot and ankle disease, disparities in care, and wound management biomechanics.  He has been honored with the Arthur E. Helfand Award for research excellence and the John & Janet Carson Public Health Advocacy Award.  He is active in the American Podiatric Medical Association, California Podiatric Medical Association, and the American Association of Colleges of Podiatric Medicine (where he serves as mentor).  Originally from Taipei, Taiwan, Dr. Shih has lived in the U.S. for much of his life, training and practicing on both coasts.  His care philosophy centers on partnership: he seeks to work closely with patients and families, combining evidence-based medicine, interdisciplinary care, and personalized planning to optimize outcomes.

Drs. Jeffrey Jensen and Johanna Richey, welcome Dr. Renee Woo to the Dean's Chat podcast! Dr. Renee Woo, DPM is a board-certified podiatrist proudly serving the Bay Area through Bay Area Foot Care in San Leandro, CA. A San Leandro native, she returned home after earning her Doctor of Podiatric Medicine from the California School of Podiatric Medicine in 2016 and completing her residency at the VA Central Alabama Healthcare System in 2019. Dr. Woo's practice focuses on sports medicine, bunion surgery, regenerative injections, wound management, diabetic foot care, and trauma treatment, caring for patients of all ages—from athletes to those simply seeking healthier, pain-free mobility. Her commitment and compassion have earned her recognition as the CPMA Humanitarian of the Year (2023) and Rising Star of the Year (2024). Beyond her clinical work, Dr. Woo enjoys a vibrant and active lifestyle. She's an athlete at heart—once a collegiate water skier at the University of Alabama—and today she still loves skiing, yoga, and live sports. A true foodie, she also enjoys cooking and exploring new dining experiences around the Bay Area. Through her dedication to patient care, her community roots, and her passion for healthy living, Dr. Woo continues to make a meaningful impact in podiatric medicine and beyond.

Dean's Chat hosts, Drs. Jensen and Richey, welcome Dr. Walter Strash and his daughter, Bella Strash, a 4th year student at the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley - School of Podiatric Medicine, to the podcast. We discuss, the new podiatric school in Texas, now with 4th year students out on rotation. Bella's experience in podiatry since childhood, and her passion for running and surgery! This episode is sponsored by Bako Diagnostics! Dr. Walter W. Strash, DPM, FACFAS, is a highly respected podiatric foot and ankle surgeon with more than three decades of clinical experience in San Antonio, Texas. He earned his Doctor of Podiatric Medicine degree from Temple University School of Podiatric Medicine in 1988, following his undergraduate studies in biology and psychology at Carleton University in Ottawa, Canada. He then completed his surgical residency at Metropolitan Hospital in Pennsylvania. In 1991, Dr. Strash founded Alamo Family Foot & Ankle Care, where he continues to provide comprehensive treatment for a wide spectrum of conditions including bunions, hammertoes, Achilles tendon disorders, plantar fasciitis, arthritis, and complex reconstructive procedures. He is double board certified by the American Board of Foot & Ankle Surgery in both Foot Surgery and Reconstructive Rearfoot & Ankle Surgery, and he is a Fellow of the American College of Foot and Ankle Surgeons. Alongside his private practice, Dr. Strash serves as an Associate Professor in the Department of Orthopedic Surgery at the University of Texas Health Science Center in San Antonio, where he contributes to teaching, mentorship, and research. His clinical philosophy is rooted in evidence-based medicine, ensuring that patient care is guided by proven scientific approaches. Known for his patient-centered care and surgical expertise, Dr. Strash is recognized as both a leader and innovator in podiatric medicine. His dedication to advancing the profession through education, research, and compassionate clinical practice has made him a trusted physician and mentor to the next generation of podiatric surgeons. Enjoy this episode with a daughter following in her father's footsteps and helping pave the way for a new generation of podiatrists!

Dean's Chat hosts, Drs. Jeffrey Jensen and Johanna Richey, are again joined by four students for Part 4 of their educational journey at the Arizona College of Podiatric Medicine. Joining us are Zachary Anderson, Audrey Diaz, Rineeta Lahiri, Austin Benally This episode is sponsored by APMA! We are going to follow this group, from the Class of 2027, through their time at AZCPM! These students have been immersed in the medical school curriculum for one year now. Great insights on their 1st year and 2nd year experience, culmonating in taking Boards Part 1! We discuss boareds Part 1 and the study habits that allowed students from AZCPM to have 100% pass rate on the first take!

Dean's Chat hosts, Drs. Jensen and Richey welcome Dr. Sarah Haller to the podcast! This podcast is sponsored by Bako Diagnostics! Dr. Sarah E. Haller, DPM, FACFAS is a fellowship-trained, double-board certified foot & ankle surgeon at Essex Union Podiatry in New Jersey. She specializes in sports medicine, post-traumatic reconstruction, revision surgery, and musculoskeletal deformities. She is widely recognized as one of the stars of the hit TLC reality series "My Feet Are Killing Me." On the show, Dr. Haller showcases her expertise by diagnosing and treating some of the most complex and dramatic foot and ankle conditions—bringing advanced podiatric medicine to a national audience and educating viewers about the importance of foot health. Dr. Haller earned her Doctorate of Podiatric Medicine from Barry University, completed her foot & ankle surgical residency at Hoboken University Medical Center (serving as Chief Resident), and completed an advanced fellowship at the Weil Foot & Ankle Institute in Chicago. She is the founder of the New Jersey Foot and Ankle Foundation and serves as a peer reviewer for journals such as Foot & Ankle Specialist and The Journal of Foot & Ankle Surgery. When she isn't caring for patients or advancing research, you might find her doing yoga, riding outdoors, or spending time with her Labrador Retriever.

Dean's Chat hosts, Drs. Jensen and Richey, welcome Dr. Sam Dupre to the podcast! Dr. Dupre is the Director of Strategic Analytics at APMA. As you all know, Dr. Dupre has been overseeing the "Salary Survey" project on behalf of APMA. Great information, great discussion! We have enjoyed his contributions on Student Doctor Network! Listen in and find out why a professional salary survey will benefit the podiatric profession from student recruitment, negotiating slaries, identifying area of the country in need of poditatric services, identifying optimal practice situations, etc. Enjoy! www.apma.org/compensation Here is the latest update from Dr. Dupree: "Hi All, Sam here with my regularly scheduled request for participation in the APMA compensation survey with Marit Health. As a whole, participation has been amazing, we're at over 900 responses nationally, with ~50% of responses coming from those with 0 to 10 years of post-training experience. This is going to paint a hell of a comprehensive picture, especially when we have other previous practice surveys from other sources to compare it to. To put that 50%+ in perspective, 2025 responses from one survey I was looking at recently had ~32% of responses coming from that same cohort. If you practice in the following states, we would especially love your participation: AK, DC, DE, HI, ID, KS, MS, MT, ND, NE, NH, NV, RI, SD, VT, WV, WY These are states where either we have relatively few responses in general or where we have responses, but those responses are lagging compared to the relative proportion of DPMs located in that state. For privacy reasons, if there are below certain levels of response for areas, I won't see information at that fine scale. I would see it aggregated to above-state levels, which limits the level of information we can pull from the data to give back to the community of podiatrists. Plus, 50 responses is great for a state like Alaska with few DPMs if I want to be sure we're capturing trends that don't just reflect a few people, but 50 responses would be... suboptimal for California for example. If you haven't participated yet, especially if you're in one of those states, the link is here: Marit Health. Plus... $100 or $500 is always nice! Thank you again everyone! Sam"

Drs. Jeffrey Jensen and Johanna Richey welcome back Dr. Drew Lundquist. Dr. Lundquist was a guest on Episode 132 but in this episode we dive into leadership, mentorship, social media, AI in medicine and how to be effective communicators in modern surgical education. We hope you enjoy! Dr. Lundquist is the Chief Medical Officer of Mankato Clinic where he has practiced since 2007. He received his doctorate of podiatric medical degree from Des Moines University and went on to complete his 3-year surgical residency training with Detroit Medical Center. He went on to do a fellowship at Harborview Medical Center and talks about his training with Dr. Ted (Sig) Hansen. He also holds an MBA which helps enhance his leadership skills in healthcare innovation and strategic management. He is board-certified in foot and ankle reconstructive and rear foot surgery through the American Board of foot and ankle surgeons and he specializes in reconstructive foot and ankle surgery. Dr. Lundquist is also the clinical director at Nabla helping shape AI-powered tools designed to streamline clinical workflows and reduce administrative burden. He has played an integral role in implementing ambient AI systems like Nabla Copilot across his multispecialty network enhancing efficiency for nearly 200 clinicians. Dr. Lundquist is active as a faculty member and panelist for various professional organizations including the Minnesota Podiatric Medical Association and active in social media primarily in the LinkedIn community. He is the Chief Clinical Innovation Officer at Stratham med, spearheading the development and implementation of solutions that elevate the quality efficiency and value of healthcare delivery. He is also the cofounder of Sky Surgical LLC, a medical device start-up company dedicated to bring novel surgical tools to the market. https://www.apma.org/ https://www.abfas.org/residents https://bmef.org/ https://www.nabla.com/ https://www.sky-surgical.com/ https://www.mankatoclinic.com/about-us/ https://www.acfas.org/

Dean's Chat host, Drs. Jeffrey Jensen and Johanna Richey, welcome APMA leadership, President Dr. Brooke Bisbee, and CEO Meghan McClelland, to the podcast! This weekend they are at the ASPE (American Society of Podiatric Executives Professionals) meeting in Boston! This discussion covers a lot of topics, addressing issues in our profession that are definately on the "front burner". Salary Survey! ACGME! Student Recruitment! Processes to achieve optimal results! Unification of the profession! Branding the profession - who are we? Tune in for this insightful, timely discussion of current important issues in our great profession! Notes on the ASPE meeting this weekend in Boston. The American Society of Podiatric Executives (ASPE) is a professional association made up of the executive directors and senior staff of state and regional podiatric medical associations across the United States. It serves as the "association of associations" for podiatry—essentially the network of the people who run the state and regional DPM organizations. Key Roles and Purposeupport & Collaboration: ASPE provides a forum for state society executives to share best practices, exchange ideas, and coordinate on issues affecting podiatric medicine nationwide. •Education & Training: It organizes meetings, workshops, and resources to help these executives strengthen their own associations—everything from member services to legislative advocacy. •Policy & Advocacy Alignment: ASPE often works in concert with the American Podiatric Medical Association (APMA) to ensure consistency in policy, legislative priorities, and messaging across states.

Dean's Chat hosts, Drs. Jensen and Richey welcomes American Society of Podiatric Medical Assistants (ASPMA) leadership to the podcast! Join us as Tara Brown (President), Cheryl Bailey (President Elect), Michele Brandice (Immedicate Past President) discuss ASPMA as a professional organization dedicated to advancing the vital role of medical assistants in podiatric practice. This episode is proudly sponsored by Bako Diagnostics! For decades, ASPMA has served as the leading voice for podiatric medical assistants across the country, providing education, resources, and certification opportunities that strengthen both the profession and the quality of patient care. Through its mission, ASPMA is committed to elevating standards of practice, enhancing professional development, and fostering collaboration within the podiatric medical community. The society actively promotes the value of podiatric medical assistants in healthcare, ensuring they are equipped with the knowledge and skills necessary to support both practitioners and patients at the highest level. One of ASPMA's cornerstone programs is the Podiatric Medical Assistant, Certified (PMAC) credential. This certification offers assistants the opportunity to specialize in administrative, clinical, or radiology tracks, demonstrating their expertise and dedication to the profession. By supporting certification and continuing education, ASPMA not only validates the critical contributions of podiatric medical assistants but also encourages lifelong learning. In addition to certification, ASPMA provides networking opportunities, annual conferences, and ongoing educational programming. These initiatives create a strong community of podiatric medical assistants who share a commitment to excellence and professional growth. With leadership rooted in experience and passion, ASPMA continues to inspire its members to elevate their practice and strengthen the field of podiatric medicine.

Dean's Chat host, Dr. Johanna Richey, and guest co-host, Dr. Lindsey Hjelm, interview a legend in Podiatric surgery, Dr. Byron Hutchinson! This episode is sponsored by the American Podiatric Medical Association! Dr. Hutchinson is a pioneering reconstructive foot and ankle surgeon based in the Seattle–Burien region. A 1982 graduate of the California College of Podiatric Medicine, he advanced his specialty training in reconstructive foot and ankle surgery before earning board certification. As the Medical Director of the Franciscan Advanced Foot & Ankle Fellowship, Dr. Hutchinson mentors emerging surgeons while directing clinical care at St. Francis Hospital and Highline Medical Center. A leader within his professional community, he serves on the boards of the American College of Foot & Ankle Surgeons and the International Foot & Ankle Foundation, and advises on the editorial board of Ankle Surgery, Foot & Ankle Quarterly. Dr. Hutchinson specializes in complex surgical treatments, particularly for flatfoot deformities, Achilles tendon disorders, and Kienböck's disease. Patients frequently commend his empathetic approach and technical expertise—with many highlighting his success in treating plantar fasciitis and heel pain. Enjoy this fascinating interview with a true leader in our profession!

Dean's Chat hosts, Drs. Jensen and Richey, welcome Dr. Michael Radcliffe to the podcast! Michael Radcliffe, DPM is a fellowship-trained podiatric surgeon at the Foot & Ankle Centers of North Houston, serving the community where he was raised in Kingwood, Texas. This episode is sponsored by Bako Diagnostics!   He earned his undergraduate degree from the University of Texas at Austin, volunteered as an EMT, then completed his Doctorate of Podiatric Medicine at Des Moines University. Dr. Radcliffe's surgical residency took place at the University of Florida College of Medicine in Jacksonville, where he served as Chief Resident and was honored as the Most Outstanding Resident and for Excellence in Teaching. To further refine his surgical expertise, he completed a prestigious fellowship at the Phoenix Foot and Ankle Institute, specializing in total ankle replacement, complex reconstruction, sports medicine, arthroscopy, minimally invasive surgery, trauma, and diabetic limb salvage  . Dr. Radcliffe has also contributed to the field through peer-reviewed publications, academic presentations, and by mentoring upcoming podiatric surgeons. Enjoy this discussion with an energetic young leader in our profession!