Dean's Chat - All Things Podiatric Medicine

Drs. Jensen and Richey are so excited to welcome Dr. Chandler Ligas to Dean's Chat - as he is a young emerging leader in the field of podiatric medicine and surgery. 

Dr. Ligas currently works in Oakwood Georgia and is faculty with the Emory University School of Medicine Residency Program. 

Dr. Ligas' interest for podiatric medicine developed after a soccer injury and a conversation with his cousin (and now business partner Dr. Thomas Brosky) He completed his undergraduate degree with a Bachelors of Arts in Biology/Premed at Pfeiffer University in North Carolina. He then went on to the Kent State College of Podiatric Medicine where he received his Doctorate of Podiatric Medicine Degree. He went to Emory University to complete his three-year surgical residency training and listen in as he discusses his recent fellowship with the Silicon Valley Reconstructive Foot and Ankle Fellowship on the West Coast in Northern California. 

Join us as we have an in-depth discussion about fellowship training, The value that it provides for anyone wanting to finesse their clinical skills, as well as advanced their career by providing them with a network and opportunities including potential earlier board certification. Dr. Ligas is full of excellent tips and suggestions about what questions residents can ask themselves as they are considering opportunities for fellowship. Listen as he discusses the considerations and questions he had as a resident and how it helped shape his decision.

Dr. Ligas is a natural leader and has received several leadership awards, including the Michael L Stone award, Thomas E Melito scholarship as well as the APSA National Student of the Year award. He continues to lead our profession now as an Attending faculty and shares his insights about where the opportunities lie in the future. He discusses some of his early mentors and the programs that helped inspire him to lead such as the S.T.E.P.S. program.

He has been heavily involved in research and is an active member with multiple professional organizations, including the Podiatry Institute, the STEPS Foundation, and American College of Foot and Ankle Surgeons as a member of the scientific literature review committee. He has published multiple papers and delivered several lectures across the country. Join us as we discuss the passion for education and research and dive into the many ways people can get involved. 

https://med.emory.edu/departments/orthopaedics/education/residency/podiatry/index.html
https://podiatryinstitute.com/
https://supportcmc.com/education/steps/
https://www.acfas.org/
https://www.abfas.org/residents
https://www.apma.org/ 

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Drs. Jensen and Richey welcome the Dr. Jeffrey Lehrman to Dean's Chat!  Join us for a discussion on his career in podiatric medicine, his consulting career, being a consultant for the American Podiatric Medical Association and Bako Diagnostics!ties, and more!

Dr. Lehrman is a podiatrist and a Certified Professional Coder and Certified Professional Medical Auditor.  He operates Lehrman Consulting, LLC which provides guidance regarding coding, compliance and documentation.  Dr. Lehrman serves as a staff liaison at the AMA CPT® Editorial Panel meetings where CPT codes are created, edited, and deleted. Join us for a great discussion, simplifying a topic where many are confused!  Enjoy!

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www.explorepodmed.org
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Dean's Chat is so excited to welcome back student doctor Miko Fogarty! As a current 4th year student at the Samuel Merritt University College of Podiatric Medicine, she shares unique insights into what her 4th year has been like traveling the country for her externship programs and what she is most excited for in the future. 

In this interview, Drs. Jensen and Richey dive deeper into Miko's previous career as a professional ballerina. Born in London, Miko Fogarty is a former award-winning professional ballet dancer and a current podiatric medical student. At the age of 12, she was one of six ballet dancers featured in the critically acclaimed
documentary "First Position: A Ballet Documentary", directed and produced by Bess Kargman. Aftertraining at the Indiana Ballet Conservatory in the U.S. and Jinushi Kaoru Ecole du Ballet in Japan, Mikojoined the Birmingham Royal Ballet as the youngest artist in 2015 and toured around the United Kingdom dancing in performances such as Swan Lake, Romeo and Juliet, Midsummer's Night Dream, and the Nutcracker.

Miko has received worldwide recognition for her performances. She was awarded the Gold Medal at theMoscow International Ballet Competition and was a Prize Winner at the Prix de Lausanne in Switzerland. Other accolades include the Silver Medal from Varna International Ballet Competition, a Bronze Medal from YAGP New York Finals, and two Gold Medals from the World Ballet Competition. Miko has been
invited to perform in performances around the world including in countries such as Peru, Bulgaria, Russia, Switzerland, Mexico, Japan, Canada, Taiwan, Singapore, Thailand, China, Australia, Indonesia, Scotland, Northern Ireland, England, and all across the United States.

Although Miko's dance career was flourishing, she could not ignore her goal of pursuing a college education and discovering more about the intricacies of medicine and healthcare. She started at Feather River College and Contra Costa College, where she earned her Chemistry and Biology Associate's Degrees before transferring to the University of California, Berkeley in 2018. Miko graduated with honors in Integrative Biology in 2020 while also researching brain cancer therapies at the University of California, San Francisco. Currently, Miko is a podiatric medical student studying to become a foot and ankle surgeon in California.

Miko found her passion for teaching classical ballet in Thailand when she gave her first ballet class in 2016. Since then, Miko has continued to teach and has coached hundreds of students of all levels. She has taught masterclasses in New Zealand, Panama, Mexico, Australia, Taiwan, Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia, and the Philippines. Miko is also active on social media with over 230,000 followers on Instagram and 29 million views on Youtube and was listed as one of "The Most Influential People of 2011" in Dance Spirit Magazine.

Miko was given the honor of sharing her inspiring journey on the National Public Radio in 2018 which led to a TEDxBerkeley talk in 2019 and Imagine Talks speech in 2020. She hopes to give her students and patients the inspiration they need to pursue their goals while also prioritizing their physical and mental health.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4Q-KcrLGnco
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QpZZZhJIemw
https://www.linkedin.com/in/mikofogarty/

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Drs. Jensen and Richey welcome Dr. Javan Bass to Dean's Chat!

Dr. Bass is originally from Montgomery, AL, graduating with honors from Jefferson
Davis High School in 1998. He later graduated from the University of Alabama as a Pre-
Med /Finance double major and recipient of the Outstanding Economics Achievement Award.

From there, Dr. Bass received his medical education from Temple University School of
Podiatric Medicine. As a Temple Merit and Presidential scholarship award recipient, Dr. Bass maintained his standing with the Stirling-Harford-Diprimio Honorary Anatomical Society as well as the Pi Delta National Podiatric Honor Society. Post-graduate medicine and surgical training was attained at Emory Medical Center, formerly Dekalb Medical Center in Atlanta, Ga. 

Dr. Bass received extensive training in reconstruction of the foot and ankle as well as diabetic limb salvage. He went on to complete one year of advanced trauma surgical training at Aria hospital in Philadelphia, Pa. where training was centered on the reconstruction of complex foot and leg fractures.

As an educator,  Dr. Bass is an author in the Podiatry Institutes' annual "Reconstructive Foot and Ankle Surgery Update series," which compiles the latest advances in Podiatric medicine and surgery.  Dr. Bass lectures on topics such as proper antibiosis for skin and soft tissue infections, skin and soft tissue mass cancer identification/treatment,  reconstruction for complicated lower extremity deformity, diabetic limb salvage and trauma considerations. Dr. Bass is a clinical consultant for multiple medical companies striving to enhance patient outcomes through advanced technology.  

As a Fellow of the American College of Foot and Ankle Surgeons, Dr. Bass is Board Certified in reconstruction of the foot and ankle while also serving as the current Georgia Podiatry Association President, APMA Delegate (Georgia), APMA PAC  Board of Directors, Scientific Committee Chairman, and APMA Political Action Committee coordinator for the state of Georgia. 

As a Physician, Dr. Bass is adamant in his belief that one should always strive for excellence. As a student of medicine, he continues to stay abreast of the latest advances in medicine and surgery through constant review of the current medical literature.

Dr. Bass' affiliations include: Fellow of the American College of Foot and Ankle Surgeons,
Board Certified in Reconstructive Foot Surgery, Board Certified in Reconstructive Surgery of 
the Rearfoot and Ankle, Licensed, Georgia State Board Member, Georgia Podiatric Medical Association Member, American Podiatric Medical Association delegate.

Enjoy this discussion with a your leader in our profession!

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www.explorepodmed.org
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Drs. Jensen and Richey welcome back Dr. Patrick DeHeer to Dean's Chat! The discussion centers around Dr. DeHeer's residency program, his mission trips, the Foundatoin for Podiatric Medical Education, and the podiatric profession!

Dr. DeHeer serves as a Trustee on the APMA Board of Trustees. He practices in Central Indiana as part of the national supergroup Upperline Health. Dr. DeHeer serves as the residency director of the podiatric surgical residency program at Ascension St. Vincent Hospital in Indianapolis. In addition, he served as the team podiatrist for the Indiana Pacers for thirty years, from 1992 to 2022. Dr. DeHeer, DPM, is a member of the American Podiatric Medical Association (APMA) and a fellow of the American Society of Podiatric Surgeons (ASPS), and American College of Foot and Ankle Surgeons (ACFAS).  He is also a member of the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Glasgow.

Dr. DeHeer is a Diplomat of the American Board of Foot & Ankle Surgery certified in foot surgery and reconstructive foot and ankle surgery. He is the inventor of The Equinus Brace™ and a partner in IQ Med. He is the President and Founder of Step-By-Step Haiti and Foot Aid. Dr. DeHeer's passion for teaching and providing lower extremity healthcare in developing countries culminated in recognition by the 2014 International Federation of Podiatrists Humanitarian Award and the 2011 APMA Humanitarian of the Year Award.  

Dr. DeHeer also shares his interests outside of his work life. He expresses a love for intellectual pursuits and aesthetics, such as music, particularly the Grateful Dead, and various forms of art and culture. He enjoys engaging with theater, movies, reading, and visiting museums. Tune in to hear about Dr. DeHeer's appreciation for intellectual pursuits and artistic expressions.

 www.explorepodmed.org
https://podiatrist2be.com/
https://higherlearninghub.com/

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Over the next few months, Dean's Chat will be providing bonus episodes interviewing students from the Schools and Colleges of Podiatric Medicine. This week we are joined by three students from Rosalind Franklin University, William M Scholl College of Podiatric Medicine (RFUCPM); Cameryn Green, representing the class of 2026, and Agna Patel and Haumza Dweik, both from the class of 2027.  All three represent the American Podiatric Medical Students Association (APMSA) within RFUCPM.

This episode is sponsored by Bako Diagnostics!

Join our discussions each week on the podiatric journey our students are embarking on at the various schools. Students share their path to 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 do some professor shout-outs and discuss student services, extracurricular activities, and student life at each school. Enjoy!

In this episode, Drs. Jensen and Richey and the students discuss the significance of shadowing various health professionals to determine career preferences and find satisfaction in their chosen field.  The hosts specifically mention that podiatrists tend to be very happy with their careers due to the wide range of specialization options available to them. They explain that podiatrists can focus on areas they truly enjoy, which contributes to their overall job satisfaction.

The students mention their personal experiences with shadowing and how it influenced their career decisions.  The students emphasize the importance of shadowing multiple specialties to determine personal preferences. They emphasize that understanding other specialties is valuable even for those pursuing podiatry, as it helps in comprehending the body's other systems and treating patients holistically.

The students note that many podiatrists they have worked with and shadowed are incredibly satisfied with their careers. While they acknowledge that satisfaction can be found in other specialties as well, they observe this as a common theme within the podiatry profession. They also mention that students from all schools of podiatric medicine are incredibly happy with their choice to pursue podiatry.

In this episode, we discuss the importance of students taking advantage of opportunities for involvement and support from organizations like APMSA. They emphasize that being involved in organizations like APMSA allows students to have a voice and make a change at the national level. They mention that APMSA provides various opportunities for students, such as hosting webinars on different topics like mental health and clerkship advice. 

Overall, the episode emphasizes the benefits of shadowing different health professionals to help students determine their career preferences and find satisfaction in their chosen field. It underscores the importance of exploring various specialties, including podiatry, and understanding different aspects of healthcare to make informed decisions.

https://www.apmsa.org/

https://bakodx.com/

https://bmef.org/

www.explorepodmed.org

https://podiatrist2be.com/

https://higherlearninghub.com/

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Over the next few months, Dean's Chat will be providing bonus episodes interviewing students from the Schools and Colleges of Podiatric Medicine. This week we are joined by two students from New York College of Podiatric Medicine (NYCPM); Sara Baaser, and Mariam Kamil, both from the class of 2027.  Both represent the American Podiatric Medical Students Association (APMSA) within NYCPM.

This episode is sponsored by Bako Diagnostics!

Join our discussions each week on the podiatric journey our students are embarking on at the various schools. Students share their path to 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 do some professor shout-outs and discuss student services, extracurricular activities, and student life at each school. Enjoy!

In this episode, Drs. Jensen and Richey and the students discuss the significance of shadowing various health professionals to determine career preferences and find satisfaction in their chosen field.  The hosts specifically mention that podiatrists tend to be very happy with their careers due to the wide range of specialization options available to them. They explain that podiatrists can focus on areas they truly enjoy, which contributes to their overall job satisfaction.

The students mention their personal experiences with shadowing and how it influenced their career decisions.  The students emphasize the importance of shadowing multiple specialties to determine personal preferences. They emphasize that understanding other specialties is valuable even for those pursuing podiatry, as it helps in comprehending the body's other systems and treating patients holistically.

The students note that many podiatrists they have worked with and shadowed are incredibly satisfied with their careers. While they acknowledge that satisfaction can be found in other specialties as well, they observe this as a common theme within the podiatry profession. They also mention that students from all schools of podiatric medicine are incredibly happy with their choice to pursue podiatry.

In this episode, we discuss the importance of students taking advantage of opportunities for involvement and support from organizations like APMSA. They emphasize that being involved in organizations like APMSA allows students to have a voice and make a change at the national level. They mention that APMSA provides various opportunities for students, such as hosting webinars on different topics like mental health and clerkship advice. 

Overall, the episode emphasizes the benefits of shadowing different health professionals to help students determine their career preferences and find satisfaction in their chosen field. It underscores the importance of exploring various specialties, including podiatry, and understanding different aspects of healthcare to make informed decisions.

https://www.apmsa.org/

https://bakodx.com/

https://bmef.org/

www.explorepodmed.org

https://podiatrist2be.com/

https://higherlearninghub.com/

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Deans Chat welcomes Dr. George Tye Liu, current president of the American College of Foot and Ankle surgeons! Dr. Liu is a remarkable leader of the profession, currently working in Dallas TX as an Associate Professor in the Department of Orthopedic Surgery at University of Texas Southwestern. Dr. Liu specializes in Foot and Ankle Trauma and Reconstruction surgery.

This episode is sponsored by Bako Diagnostics!

Dr. Liu completed his undergraduate degree from Trinity University in San Antonio TX with a double major in Biochemistry and Biology. Join us, as we get the inside scoop into what sparked his interests in podiatric medicine. He went on to complete his 4 yr podiatric medical degree with Temple University followed by his 3 year surgical residency program with University of Texas Health Science Center. As a lifelong learner, Dr. Liu completed additional Fellowship training with 2 international fellowships focused on Orthopedic Trauma, one in Dresden, Germany with AO and the other in Catania, Italy. Tune in, as he describes how Fellowship training influenced and impacted his career. 

Dr. Liu is also a prolific educator. He has authored over 50 peer-reviewed articles, delivered a plethora of invited lectures both nationally and internationally as well authored many textbook chapters in the topics of foot and ankle surgery. Listen, as he shares some of his experiences education during multi-disciplinary grand rounds with orthopedic, internal medicine, radiology and podiatric residents at University of Texas Southwestern.  As a section editor for the Journal of Foot and Ankle surgery, Dr. Liu shares his insights about publishing and conducting research. He recently obtained his Masters degree in Biostatistics from the University of Nebraska Medical Center. Listen, as he shares why high quality research is important to advance the future of foot and ankle surgery and the podiatric profession in general. 

Dr. Liu has been a tremendous leader in the profession both nationally and locally. He has received many awards in his career and describes how the call of leadership drives us forward. He has served in many roles (chair, board member and committee member for various task forces) with the Texas Podiatric Medical Association. He is current faculty for the AO North America, prior chair of Planning committee for the American Diabetes Association and part of the Advisory board for the American Academy of Foot and Ankle Osteosynthesis. We hope you enjoy this opportunity to get to know Dr. George Tye Liu! 

https://www.acfas.org/

https://www.abfas.org/residents

https://www.aofoundation.org/aona

https://utswmed.org/doctors/george-liu/

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www.explorepodmed.org 

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Dean's Chat hosts, Drs. Jensen and Richey, welcome Dr. Jenneffer Pulapaka to the podcast to discuss her career - from podiatric medicine, to lifestyle medicine, to owning a restaurant, to authoring a recipe book highlighting a plant based diet.

"Light the Fire within your Mind." -- Jenneffer Pulapaka, DPM

Over the past sixteen years, Dr. Jenneffer Pulapaka's expertise in podiatric surgery has helped thousands of patients. She opened her practice in 2005, DeLand Foot and Leg Center (DFALC), where she currently sees patients. 

DFALC was the first female podiatric surgeon's office in a community where less than 10% of the surgeons were women, and in 2005, she was only the second female to complete the post-doctoral fellowship at the Russian Ilizarov Scientific Center for Restorative Traumatology and Orthopaedics. 

"Patients want and need healthy, affordable options for fresh vegetables and fruits. There are simple ways to help. One way was by building a free community garden for patients at DFALC- Plant to Plate Patient Garden. Another way is with a physician-driven RX: Veggies & Fruits Patient Program. 

We provide government contracting covering your medical care, socks, shoewear, and diabetic foot care needs. DFALC continues to protect clients, workers, patients, and employees from high impact work environments that ease the symptoms of arthritis to shielding against amputations from diabetic side effects. We have been an elite Podiatric Center serving local government agencies, orthopedic clinics, physical therapists, chiropractors, and VA patients.

Dr. Pulapaka launched WICCD - Women Inspiring Change and Community Development, to promote positive leadership in Central Florida, & by Women Marketplace, an online venue where women and men purchase business products that are women owned, produced, or designed. Dr. Pulapaka noted, "I believe every patient needs a physician who will be an advocate to help them regain their health." She is also the Co-owner and Wine Director @ Cress Restaurant, a business dedicated to improving our food system, through local sources, sustainable practices, and refined flavours. This has led to Cress' devotion to champion the local & sustainability movement and initiate food waste programs."

• Read more at: www.jenneffer.com

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Johanna and Jeff want to wish everyone a wonder holiday break! Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

Thank you to our wonderful guests, Dean's Chat is about our guests, first and foremost! 

Thank you to our team at PodPopuli for enabling a smooth podcasting experience, (both audio and video), and to Sammy for all the work behind the scenes on social media and the website!

We are so grateful the podiatric community has found the podcast to be of value, thank you to our listeners and viewers - we hope to keep bringing you interesting, thought provoking guests!

Lastly, as shout out to Bako Diagnostics! Our shared commitment and passion for podiatry is what makes this all work! 2025 is setting up to be a great year!

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