Spread The Word As A Mentor About The Best-Kept Secret In Medicine

Everybody's life journey is unique but for those of us whose journeys cross paths at podiatric medical school, there was most likely exposure to the field we probably knew little about. The introduction to podiatric medicine may have come by way of being a patient, a recommendation by a school counselor or personally knowing a practicing podiatric physician. Many different routes exist for those that select podiatry as their calling but often along that pathway, there was a willing practitioner serving as a mentor.

For me, it was a school counselor at Indiana University in 1985. I had gone there with dentistry in mind for my profession. After two years at the university, I started to visit some dentists in Indianapolis. It did not take long for me to realize dentistry was not my calling. After taking all the pre-dentistry/pre-medical undergraduate classes, my future seemed less clear but I knew I wanted to stay in some medical field.

I met with my undergraduate counselor at the university — I wish I could remember his name to thank him — and one of the options he suggested was podiatric medical school. In discussing my options with my parents, my father said he knew a podiatrist from the golf course they both played. I called Ralph Gibney, DPM, and asked him if I could visit his office and observe him.

I subsequently visited Dr. Gibney several times but after that first visit, I knew podiatry was my future career. It felt right, kind of like coming home. I saw a physician who enjoyed his job, a physician who helped people, a physician loved by his patients, a physician with a relatively normal lifestyle and a physician who was happy with his life. Dr. Gibney was open and honest with me about the profession. His role as a mentor sealed the deal for me. I was off to the Dr. William M. Scholl College of Podiatric Medicine.

The American Staffing Association recently ranked podiatrist as the most difficult occupation to fill in the United States.¹ I was fairly astonished when I read this piece of news. Why is this? Frankly, I am not sure.

Last weekend at our American Podiatric Medical Association (APMA) Board of Trustees meeting, a fellow board member made a statement that also caught my attention. She said, "if I hear that podiatry is the best-kept secret in medicine one more time, I am going to scream." I have heard this too and agree to scream if I hear it one more time.

I love what I do. Sure, there are ups and downs and nothing is perfect, but I enjoy coming to work each day. I enjoy my patients. I take my responsibility seriously when patients put their lower extremity healthcare in my hands. I think of them as family and try to treat them accordingly. I enjoy the ongoing learning in our field. I enjoy writing, lecturing and doing research. I enjoy working with professional athletes, like the players on the Indiana Pacers. I enjoy doing surgery from the complex to the mundane. I enjoy doing routine foot care. It provides time to converse with patients and they often feel instantly better. I enjoy biomechanics. I enjoy my wound care days. I enjoy working with children.

Most of all, I love being able to go to a developing country, sharing the knowledge and experience I have accumulated over 25 years with local healthcare providers, and being able to have a direct impact on an entire country's lower extremity healthcare.

I am honored to be a part of APMA leadership and represent my colleagues around the country. I am honored to have served in every leadership role for my home state. I am honored to work with organizations like the American Society of Podiatric Surgeons, and the American College of Foot and Ankle Pediatrics.

Our profession has provided my family a good life and I am grateful. There are times of frustration, exhaustion and stress, but the reality is these are common to any profession. It is expensive to go to any graduate school. Podiatry school is no exception. It is a long haul from undergrad to podiatry school and then residency/fellowship. But you know what? I would not change a thing. I love what I do and I am thankful for every day I have left to do it.

My point for this blog is that my colleagues and I need to get the word out about our profession. We need to encourage while giving honest and open advice to young inquiring minds. Let's not keep podiatry as the best-kept secret in medicine. Let's not have podiatry be the most difficult occupation to fill. We need to ask those young people we know personally or those who come into our office for treatment if they have ever thought about podiatry as a career and would like to learn more about it. There are multiple resources on the APMA website (https://www.apma.org/ ) for those considering this profession. Most of all, we need to be like Dr. Gibney was to me — a mentor.

Reference

1. American Staffing Association. Available at https://americanstaffing.net/staffing-research-data/asa-staffing-industry-data/asa-skills-gap-index/ .