Dean's Chat host, Dr. Jeffrey Jensen, is joined by Dr. Jason Kayce, a successful podiatric physician in Phoenix, Arizona. Dr. Kayce was introduced to podiatric medicine by Dr. Ross Taubman, past APMA president, while an undergraduate student at the University of Maryland. Dr. Kayce was a 2011 graduate of the Arizona College of Podiatric Medicine. He completed his medical and surgical residency training at the Cambridge Alliance in Massachusetts before moving back to Arizona to practice. 

His passion for education is evident as he is an Assistant Professor at the Arizona College of Podiatric Medicine and has students rotating with him throughout the year. Dr. Kayce also allows prospective students interested in podiatric medicine to shadow him routinely. Dr. Kayce has 10 posters, papers, and papers pending, has a patent pending, and is faculty for the American College of Foot and Ankle Surgeons.

Tune in for a fun discussion with a successful podiatrist 9 years out of residency training, we also discuss his young family, his passion for archery, and the sale of his practice to a private equity group. We also discuss work-life balance and how podiatric medicine affords this opportunity. Dr. Kayce also highlights his active involvement in the American College of Foot and Ankle Surgeons and his attending position at the Creighton University Podiatric Medicine and Surgery Residency Program. 

This episode highlights how podiatric medicine offers a diverse range of career paths for practitioners. In the episode, Dr. Jensen and Dr. Kayce discuss several options within the field, including wound care, trauma, and hospitalist-based podiatry. These specialized career paths allow podiatrists to provide a variety of services to patients.

Dr. Jensen dives into the career path of wound care. Podiatrists who specialize in wound care focus on treating different types of wounds, such as diabetic foot ulcers or surgical wounds. They possess the expertise to assess and manage these wounds, ensuring proper healing and preventing complications.

Additionally, the episode mentions other career paths, such as private practice with a surgical emphasis, nursing home care, joining an orthopedic group, or joining a multidisciplinary group. These options highlight the versatility of the field and the various opportunities available for podiatrists to practice in different settings and with different focuses.

Dr. Kayce shares his experience of selling his private practice to a private equity firm and becoming an employee for a certain period of time. Initially, he was approached by a private equity group three years ago but passed on the opportunity as it didn't seem promising. He was later approached by a different group, but that also didn't work out. Eventually, a third group bought his practice, and they are currently employees of that group.

One of the reasons Dr. Kayce considered joining a private equity firm was to have leverage from an insurance company standpoint. They believed joining a larger group would give them more negotiating power with insurance companies. 

Dr. Kayce mentioned that his day-to-day work didn't change much after joining the private equity firm. He continued practicing in the same private practice setting, and the firm did not micromanage his work. The private equity group was satisfied with the production of their practice and allowed them to continue as they had been doing for a decade.

Overall, the field of podiatric medicine offers a range of career paths that allow practitioners to specialize in specific areas and provide specialized care to patients. Whether it's wound care, trauma, hospitalist-based podiatry, or other options, podiatrists have the opportunity to pursue their interests and make a significant impact in the field.

...