Dr. Patrick DeHeer
— APMA’s 100th President

Drs. Jeffrey Jensen and Johanna Richey welcome Dr. Patrick DeHeer, the newly inaugurated 100th President of the American Podiatric Medical Association, for an in-depth conversation about leadership, advocacy, and the future direction of podiatric medicine.

Fresh off his historic inauguration during the March 2026 APMA House of Delegates in Washington, DC, Dr. DeHeer reflects on the significance of becoming the profession’s 100th president and the responsibility of helping guide podiatry into its next century. The discussion explores themes of unity, visibility, advocacy, and leadership as APMA navigates several pivotal initiatives affecting podiatric physicians nationwide. 

Topics include:
• Dr. DeHeer’s inauguration and vision for APMA’s next 100 years
• Current advocacy efforts surrounding the Diabetes Foot Health Access and Modernization Act (“Diabetes Shoe Bill”) and its implications for patient access and limb preservation 
• The evolving conversation around ACGME integration and what it could mean for podiatric residency training and hospital alignment
• Development of podiatric assistant and radiography educational pathways to strengthen office efficiency and workforce support
• Legislative priorities, federal advocacy, and the importance of political engagement within organized podiatry
• Building leadership pipelines for the next generation of podiatric physicians
• Maintaining unity within the profession during a period of rapid healthcare transformation

Dr. DeHeer also shares personal reflections on servant leadership, mentorship, and why he believes podiatry’s future depends on continued engagement from practitioners, educators, residents, and students alike.
This episode offers a timely look at organized medicine, healthcare policy, and the strategic priorities shaping podiatric medicine in 2026.

About Our Guest
Dr. Patrick DeHeer is a nationally recognized foot and ankle surgeon, educator, and healthcare advocate from Indianapolis, Indiana. In March 2026, he was inaugurated as the 100th President of the American Podiatric Medical Association. Throughout his career, he has been deeply involved in leadership, residency education, legislative advocacy, and advancing the visibility and influence of podiatric medicine nationally.