Dean's Chat is providing bonus episodes interviewing students from the Schools and Colleges of Podiatric Medicine. This week we are joined by three students from the Arizona College of Podiatric Medicine (AZCPM); Stephen Facer, Elijah Goeglein, and Remi Drake. Stephen and Elijah are representing the Class of 2025, Remi is representing the Class of 2026. All represent the American Podiatric Medical Students Association (APMSA) within AZCPM. Join our discussion on the podiatric journey our students are embarking on at the various schools.
Students share their path on discovering podiatric medicine, to applying to what is now eleven schools and colleges of podiatric medicine, to the first and second year of didactics, Boards Part 1 and 2, and clinical experiences and opportunities. We discuss the research opportunities at the Arizona College of Podiatric Medicine, including the Student Initiated Research Scholarships in 1) Podiatric Surgery, 2) Biomechanics and Sports Medicine, 3) Innovations in Podiatric Medicine, 4) Diabetic Foot Care, and 5) Wound Care. Enjoy the discussion with future leaders in our great profession!
The students discuss how the first two years of the podiatry program at the Arizona College of Podiatric Medicine are challenging. However, they also mention that by getting involved and connecting with others, students will discover more enjoyable times and opportunities beyond these initial two years. The students emphasize the significance of building connections and meeting different people, as it can open doors and lead to opportunities in the field of podiatry.
Stephen shares his perspective on getting connected with classmates, finding study partners, and making friends to socialize with after class. He emphasizes the importance of involvement in the class and at the school, mentioning the amazing faculty and opportunities such as APMSA (American Podiatric Medical Students' Association) and various clubs. He believes that solely burying oneself in books and focusing solely on the curriculum for the first two years is not the best approach. Instead, he suggests that by engaging with others and getting involved, students will have a more enjoyable time, meet different people, and have doors open for them in terms of opportunities after the initial two years.
Eli, another student, echoes this sentiment, stating that students should be prepared to work hard as the curriculum is intense but also a lot of fun. He highlights the small class size in podiatry, which fosters a close-knit and supportive community.
Dr. Jensen and the students discuss the transformative opportunities that medicine can provide to make life-changing differences in people's lives. Dr. Jensen emphasizes that prospective students should carefully consider if this is the right field for them. He highlights the profound impact they can have on someone's life by diagnosing and helping them with their condition. Dr. Jensen stresses the importance of understanding the potential impact students can make and suggests that prospective students should thoroughly explore what medicine can offer in terms of positively impacting others.
Overall, the episode emphasizes the transformative potential of medicine and encourages prospective students to consider if they have a genuine interest in making life-changing differences in people's lives.
https://www.midwestern.edu/glendale-az-campus-catalog/arizona-college-of-podiatric-medicine