Dean's Chat - All Things Podiatric Medicine

In this episode of the Dean’s Chat Learning Series, Dr. Jeffrey Jensen and Dr. Johanna Richey welcome back Dr. William Scherer, Senior Podiatric Medical Advisor for Bako Diagnostics and a clinical consultant, for an engaging discussion on the importance of podiatric dermatology. Drawing from his experience in comprehensive podiatric practice, Dr. Scherer discusses why skin and nail disorders deserve the same diagnostic attention as musculoskeletal conditions. He emphasizes that podiatrists frequently encounter dermatologic pathology and have an opportunity to provide meaningful, sometimes same-day, treatment for patients.

A major focus of the discussion is the evaluation of abnormal and dystrophic toenails. Dr. Scherer challenges clinicians to avoid automatically diagnosing onychomycosis based solely on appearance, noting that a significant percentage of dystrophic nails are not fungal infections. The conversation explores the role of laboratory testing in improving diagnostic accuracy and guiding individualized treatment. Dr. Scherer reviews the evolution of diagnostic methods, including KOH preparations, fungal cultures, PAS and GMS stains, Fontana-Masson staining, and PCR testing, explaining how each can contribute to the diagnostic process and when different tests may be most useful.

The discussion also highlights the importance of maintaining a high index of suspicion for potentially serious pathology. The hosts and Dr. Scherer discuss concerning nail pigmentation and the evaluation of possible subungual melanoma, including clinical warning signs and the importance of appropriately sampling the nail matrix when malignancy is part of the differential diagnosis. The conversation reinforces a critical principle: removing the nail alone may not adequately sample the pathology responsible for a concerning lesion.

Dr. Scherer also explores the relationship between biomechanics, repetitive microtrauma, onychodystrophy, and secondary infection, emphasizing that podiatrists' understanding of gait and mechanical forces provides a unique perspective when evaluating nail disease. The episode concludes with a broader message about comprehensive podiatric care: regardless of whether a patient presents with a complex surgical problem, sports injury, skin condition, or dystrophic toenail, the podiatrist's responsibility is to put the patient first, practice evidence-based medicine, maintain empathy, and strive for accurate diagnosis and appropriate treatment.

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Dean’s Chat comes to you from the 2026 APMA Annual Scientific Meeting in Nashville, Tennessee! Drs. Jeffrey Jensen and Johanna Richey sat down with leaders, educators, clinicians, industry leaders residents, and other influential voices from across the profession for a special series of conversations recorded at the Bako Diagnostics booth.

This interview includes: Dr. William Scherer, Antoni Gambetta, Jasmine Bakert, Codi Diffie, Dr. Jennifer Bernstein, Dr. Anne Sharkey, and Dr. Brandn Blanken. 

These rapid-fire conversations highlight the people, ideas, organizations, and initiatives shaping the future of podiatric medicine. From education and residency training to professional leadership, industry leaders Bako Diagnostics, clinical practice, advocacy, and the evolving opportunities within the profession, this special APMA series provides an inside look at podiatry from the individuals helping move it forward.

A special thank-you to Bako Diagnostics for hosting Dean’s Chat and providing the space for these conversations at APMA National.

Whether you are a prospective podiatric medical student, current student, resident, educator, or practicing podiatrist, this series offers a unique opportunity to hear directly from leaders throughout the profession.

Topics include:
APMA Annual Scientific Meeting • Podiatric Medicine • Podiatric Medical Education • Residency Training • Professional Leadership • Podiatric Surgery • Practice Management • Advocacy • Career Development • The Future of Podiatry
#DeansChat #Podiatry #PodiatricMedicine #APMA2026

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Dean’s Chat comes to you from the 2026 APMA Annual Scientific Meeting in Nashville, Tennessee! Drs. Jeffrey Jensen and Johanna Richey sat down with leaders, educators, clinicians, residents, and other influential voices from across the profession for a special series of conversations recorded at the Bako Diagnostics booth.

Video #1 features: Dr. Patrick DeHeer, Dr. Jeff Nerestant, Dr. Adrianna Strimbu, Dr. Michael Cornelison, Dr. Peter Sorensen, Dr. Bethany Robinson, Student Doctors Gianna Tuitele and Lily Cohen, Dr. Priya Parthasarathy.

These rapid-fire conversations highlight the people, ideas, organizations, and initiatives shaping the future of podiatric medicine. From education and residency training to professional leadership, clinical practice, advocacy, and the evolving opportunities within the profession, this special APMA series provides an inside look at podiatry from the individuals helping move it forward.

A special thank-you to Bako Diagnostics for hosting Dean’s Chat and providing the space for these conversations at APMA National.

Whether you are a prospective podiatric medical student, current student, resident, educator, or practicing podiatrist, this series offers a unique opportunity to hear directly from leaders throughout the profession.

Topics include:
APMA Annual Scientific Meeting • Podiatric Medicine • Podiatric Medical Education • Residency Training • Professional Leadership • Podiatric Surgery • Practice Management • Advocacy • Career Development • The Future of Podiatry
#DeansChat #Podiatry #PodiatricMedicine #APMA2026

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In this episode of Dean’s Chat, Dr. Jeffrey Jensen and Dr. Johanna Richey sit down with Joseph Park, DPM, FACFAS, Assistant Professor at the Western University of Health Sciences College of Podiatric Medicine and Program Director of the Riverside University Health System PMSR/RRA Residency.

Dr. Park discusses his path through podiatric medicine, from the New York College of Podiatric Medicine to residency at MedStar Georgetown University Hospital/Washington Hospital Center, followed by fellowship training in foot and ankle trauma and reconstructive surgery.

The conversation explores Dr. Park’s transition into academic medicine, his role as an educator and residency program director, and his perspectives on mentorship, surgical training, residency preparation, and the future of podiatric medical education.

Board certified by the American Board of Foot and Ankle Surgery in Foot Surgery and Reconstructive Rearfoot/Ankle Surgery, Dr. Park brings a valuable perspective on combining advanced surgical training with teaching and academic leadership.

Join Drs. Jensen and Richey for a conversation about podiatric education, residency training, reconstructive surgery, mentorship, and developing the next generation of podiatric physicians.

Keywords

Joseph Park DPM, WesternU College of Podiatric Medicine, Riverside University Health System, podiatry residency, PMSR/RRA, podiatric medical education, foot and ankle surgery, reconstructive rearfoot ankle surgery, ABFAS, ACFAS, Dean’s Chat

Hashtags

#DeansChat #Podiatry #PodiatricMedicine #PodiatricEducation #PodiatricResidency #FootAndAnkleSurgery #WesternU #ABFAS #ACFAS

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In this episode of Dean’s Chat, Dr. Jeffrey Jensen and Dr. Johanna Richey preview the 2026 Scientific Conference of the American Association for Women Podiatrists (AAWP) in Fort Myers, Florida, and sit down with Elizabeth Piselli, DPM, President of AAWP.
Dr. Piselli shares the vision for this year’s meeting and discusses AAWP’s commitment to education, leadership, mentorship, professional connection, and wellness within podiatric medicine.

The 2026 conference brings together podiatric physicians, fellows, residents, students, educators, and industry partners for a weekend focused on clinical excellence and professional growth. The program includes topics ranging from surgical innovation to nutrition, movement, leadership, and physician well-being.

Drs. Jensen and Richey also discuss the importance of AAWP as more than a professional organization—it is a community that supports collaboration, mentorship, and the continued advancement of women throughout the podiatric profession.
Join Drs. Jensen, Richey, and Piselli for a preview of the meeting and a look at the people, ideas, and conversations shaping the 2026 AAWP Scientific Conference.

Keywords
AAWP, American Association for Women Podiatrists, Elizabeth Piselli DPM, women in podiatry, podiatric medicine, podiatry conference, podiatry leadership, podiatry mentorship, physician wellness, Dean’s Chat
Hashtags
#DeansChat #AAWP #WomenInPodiatry #Podiatry #PodiatricMedicine #WomenInMedicine #Leadership #Mentorship #PhysicianWellness

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In this episode of Dean’s Chat, Dr. Jeffrey Jensen sits down with Rajat Lahiri, DPM, a graduate of the Arizona College of Podiatric Medicine at Midwestern University, to discuss his journey into podiatric medicine, his surgical training, and his growing expertise in minimally invasive bunion surgery.
Dr. Lahiri brings a distinctive background to foot and ankle medicine. He graduated with honors from the University of Pittsburgh with a degree in bioengineering, where he developed an interest in solving complex problems and improving patient care through medical innovation. Wanting to apply that problem-solving mindset directly to patients, he pursued his Doctor of Podiatric Medicine degree at AZCPM, graduating with Pi Delta honors.
Following podiatric medical school, Dr. Lahiri completed his residency training at Swedish Medical Center in Seattle, one of the country’s highly regarded podiatric surgical training programs. His residency provided extensive experience in reconstructive foot and ankle surgery and helped shape his approach to complex surgical care.
A major area of Dr. Lahiri’s professional interest is minimally invasive bunion surgery, an evolving approach designed to correct bunion deformities through smaller incisions. His interest and experience in minimally invasive techniques have led to invitations to lecture at multiple state and national conferences.
Originally from Seattle, Dr. Lahiri now serves patients throughout the San Francisco Bay Area. Beyond medicine, he enjoys spending time with his fiancée and family, traveling, trying foods from around the world, and following football and soccer. A devoted supporter of the U.S. Men’s National Team, he had the opportunity to see the team compete live during the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

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On this episode of Dean’s Chat, Drs. Jensen and Richey welcome Mahsa Agha Jafari, DPM, Assistant Professor at the Arizona College of Podiatric Medicine (AZCPM).
Dr. Agha Jafari is a graduate of AZCPM and completed her three-year residency training at Creighton University Medical Center in Phoenix, Arizona. Following residency, she entered private practice in the Phoenix area, gaining valuable experience in the day-to-day clinical management of patients before returning to her alma mater to join the faculty.
In this episode, Dr. Agha Jafari shares her journey from podiatric medical student to resident, private practitioner, and now academic faculty member. The discussion explores how her experiences in private practice have shaped her approach to teaching and mentoring the next generation of podiatric physicians.
Drs. Jensen and Richey also discuss the transition from clinical practice into academic medicine, the rewards and challenges of working with students and residents, and the importance of strong clinician-educators in preparing future podiatric physicians.
Topics include:
• Dr. Agha Jafari’s path to podiatric medicine
• Her experience as a student at AZCPM
• Three-year residency training in Phoenix
• Lessons learned from private practice
• The decision to return to AZCPM as a faculty member
• Transitioning from practitioner to educator
• Teaching and mentoring podiatric medical students
• Preparing students for residency and clinical practice
• The evolving role of podiatric medical education
• Advice for students and young physicians considering a career in academics
Join us for a conversation highlighting the full-circle journey of an AZCPM graduate returning to help educate and inspire the next generation of podiatric physicians.

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In this episode of Dean’s Chat, Drs. Jeffrey Jensen and Johanna Richey sit down with Dr. Jordan Frey, a board-certified plastic and reconstructive surgeon, microsurgeon, researcher, and creator of The Prudent Plastic Surgeon, to explore an often-overlooked component of physician wellness: financial literacy. Dr. Frey shares his unconventional path into plastic surgery, explaining how a last-minute elective during medical school introduced him to the creativity, complexity, and versatility of plastic and reconstructive surgery. His interest ultimately evolved into a passion for microsurgery, where he found the combination of technical precision, innovation, and problem-solving particularly rewarding.

The conversation then shifts from the operating room to the financial realities facing physicians. Dr. Frey candidly describes reaching the end of his training with significant student and credit card debt, little savings, and a growing sense of burnout. He realized that much of his stress was connected to financial uncertainty and that developing a simple financial plan could provide a sense of control and improve his overall well-being. That realization became the foundation for The Prudent Plastic Surgeon, which began as a simple blog documenting his own financial journey and has grown into a platform dedicated to helping physicians understand personal finance and build financial independence.

Dr. Frey discusses practical strategies for physicians at every stage of training, emphasizing that the goal for students and residents is not necessarily immediate financial freedom, but developing healthy financial habits early. He explains the power of compound interest, the importance of creating a budget, paying yourself first, managing debt, and gradually increasing savings—even starting with a small percentage of income. He also demystifies investing, discussing the benefits of simple, long-term strategies such as diversified index funds rather than attempting to predict the stock market or chase individual investments.

Perhaps most importantly, the conversation examines the relationship between financial freedom, physician burnout, and autonomy. Dr. Frey explains how greater financial flexibility has allowed him to design his career around his priorities, including spending time with his wife and children and coaching his kids’ baseball teams. The ability to say “no” and create boundaries around work, he argues, becomes much easier when physicians are not completely dependent on their next paycheck.

This episode offers an important message for students, residents, fellows, and practicing physicians alike: financial wellness is an essential component of professional and personal wellness. By taking action early, creating a plan, and aligning financial decisions with personal priorities, physicians can build not only financial security, but also greater freedom, autonomy, and fulfillment in their careers and lives.

https://prudentplasticsurgeon.com/

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In this episode of Dean’s Chat, Drs. Jeffrey Jensen and Johanna Richey welcome Dr. Michael Cornelison, former president of the American College of Foot and Ankle Surgeons (ACFAS) and current executive director of the California Podiatric Medical Association (CPMA), for a wide-ranging conversation about leadership, mentorship, collaboration, and the future of podiatric medicine. Dr. Cornelison also offers a unique perspective as a father of three daughters, two of whom have followed him into podiatric medicine. He reflects on the importance of leading by example and allowing the next generation to discover their own reasons for choosing the profession. His daughters’ journeys have reinforced his belief that podiatry needs to introduce students to the profession much earlier and demonstrate not only the clinical opportunities, but also the fulfillment, flexibility, and diverse career paths available to DPMs.

Dr. Cornelison shares his own circuitous path into podiatry, beginning with an interest in biomechanics and musculoskeletal physiology at UCLA. A chance recommendation from a pre-health counselor, followed by an unexpected connection with podiatrist and mentor Dr. Jeff Stone, ultimately led him to Scholl College and then to residency training at Inova. He describes how mentors, senior residents, and the culture of his training program helped foster his interest in leadership and reinforced the idea that podiatrists have an important role to play beyond the clinic and operating room.

The discussion explores Dr. Cornelison’s leadership journey through ACFAS, including his experience navigating the organization through the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic and ultimately serving as president. A central theme of his leadership philosophy is collaboration. He discusses his efforts to bring organizations including ACFAS, APMA, AAOS, and AOFAS together around shared priorities such as reimbursement, advocacy, and the advancement of podiatric medicine. He emphasizes that progress does not require having every answer in advance; sometimes leaders must be willing to remain open-minded, listen to different perspectives, and build consensus.

Dr. Cornelison also discusses leadership development and the importance of creating pathways for individuals from all backgrounds and training programs to become involved. He highlights emerging leadership initiatives within ACFAS and APMA as opportunities to cultivate the next generation of leaders. His advice is particularly relevant to anyone seeking greater professional fulfillment: find a niche beyond the traditional nine-to-five clinical role, whether through leadership, advocacy, research, education, or another area of interest. By staying engaged, embracing collaboration, and focusing on what can be controlled, podiatrists can help move the profession forward while finding greater purpose and satisfaction in their own careers.

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In this episode of Dean's Chat, Dr. Johanna Richey sits down with residents from the Kaiser San Francisco Bay Area Podiatric Surgery Residency Program for an inside look at one of the nation's premier residency programs. Third-year residents Airam Caldera and Elena Ion, second-year resident Noah Brennan, and first-year resident Manav Beniwal share their unique journeys to podiatric medicine while offering candid insight into what makes the Kaiser training experience distinctive. Throughout the conversation, the residents emphasize that choosing a residency extends far beyond case numbers or reputation—finding a culture that aligns with your learning style, values, and career goals is equally important.

The discussion highlights the program's collaborative culture, where mentorship, teamwork, and psychological safety allow residents to progressively develop autonomy while always knowing support is available. The residents describe a structured "buddy call" system that pairs senior residents with interns, fostering confidence, real-time teaching, and peer mentorship during the critical transition from student to physician. As responsibilities increase each year, residents gain experience not only in clinical decision-making but also in leadership, communication, scheduling, and teaching, preparing them for independent practice.

The group also explores the program's educational philosophy, emphasizing surgical principles over procedural memorization. With broad exposure to trauma, reconstructive surgery, diabetic limb salvage, total ankle replacement, pediatric pathology, clubfoot management, and elective foot and ankle procedures, residents develop a well-rounded foundation while learning to critically evaluate multiple treatment strategies. They discuss how progressive responsibility, increasing call experience, and exposure to diverse patient populations across multiple Kaiser facilities create confident, adaptable surgeons prepared for virtually any practice environment.

Academic development remains a central focus of the residency. The residents describe a structured curriculum featuring monthly didactics, hands-on surgical labs, journal clubs, and required research projects that encourage lifelong learning and scholarly contribution. The conversation also explores the growing role of artificial intelligence in medical education, highlighting tools such as Open Evidence and Consensus as valuable resources for efficiently identifying literature and clinical guidelines while reinforcing the importance of critical appraisal and independent clinical judgment.

Throughout the episode, recurring themes include growth mindset, resilience, communication, and earning trust through preparation, humility, and honesty. The residents reflect on how learning to become comfortable with uncertainty ultimately builds confidence, while mentorship from dedicated faculty creates an environment where mistakes become opportunities for growth. Whether discussing residency selection, research, leadership, or patient care, the conversation offers valuable insight for students considering residency and serves as a compelling example of how thoughtful training, strong culture, and collaborative learning prepare the next generation of podiatric surgeons.
https://residency-ncal.kaiserpermanente.org/residency/podiatry/bayarea/

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