Dean's Chat host, Dr. Jeffrey Jensen, is joined by Dr. Eric Stamps, the Dean at the California School of Podiatric Medicine (CSPM) at Samuel Merritt University in Oakland, California. Dr. Stamps highlights his role as Dean at CSPM and his role (advancing the profession) serving in multiple capacities including Chair, American Association of Colleges of Podiatric Medicine (AACPM) and Chair, Accreditation Committee of the Council on Podiatric Medical Education (CPME). He also discusses his history as a technical writer prior to entering podiatric medicine.
They discuss Dr. Stamps' journey in the field of podiatry, starting from his education at the California College of Podiatric Medicine in 1993 to becoming the Dean at the California School of Podiatric Medicine (CSPM) at Samuel Merritt University in Oakland, California. Dr. Stamps shares his professional interests in musculoskeletal imaging and diabetic foot problem prevention. Tune in to learn more about Dr. Stamps' impressive career in podiatric medicine.
Dr. Stamps reveals a hidden desire to be a stand-up comedian, which he never pursued as a career. However, he found a way to incorporate humor into his lectures as a lecturer, making difficult subjects more entertaining for his students. While he acknowledges that his attempts at humor didn't always succeed, he made a consistent effort to create an engaging learning environment and pursue his commitment to making education enjoyable and accessible to his students.
Dr. Jensen and Dr. Stamps talk about how Dr. Stamps' leadership style revolves around prioritizing students. He believes in making challenging subjects more entertaining and fosters a student-first environment by involving his leadership team. Collaboration is highly valued, and the opinions and input of colleagues are sought after. He actively encourages diverse perspectives and welcomes criticism, avoiding a team of "yes" people. His leadership style is not dictatorial, and he strives to make decisions based on the input he receives. Overall, the dean's collaborative leadership style focuses on creating a student-first climate by involving his team and valuing their opinions.
Dr. Stamps credits his mentors for playing a significant role in his transition from being an associate dean to becoming the dean. One of his mentors, Dr. John Benson, who served as the dean from 2008 to 2017, had a profound impact on his career. When Dr. Benson retired, the guest speaker was asked to be the interim dean in 2017, and although he initially hesitated, he eventually accepted the position. With the guidance and mentorship of Dr. Benson, he was able to grow and develop the necessary skills to take on the role of dean.
Dr. Stamps highlights how mentors played a crucial role in his professional development, helping him navigate the transition from being an associate dean to becoming the dean. Their guidance and support enabled him to acquire the necessary skills and confidence to assume a leadership role.
https://www.samuelmerritt.edu/doctor-podiatric-medicine
