Keeping The “P.O.D.” In Podiatry

As I reflect on my post-graduate training over the last five years, I wish to express gratitude to all the podiatric, allopathic and osteopathic physicians that embraced me into the comradeship of medicine. Working alongside these various specialties, I realized that we have different designations for a reason and we shouldn’t feel “less than” in comparison to our MD/DO counterparts. One of the reasons I chose this field was due to a unique pre-podiatry shadowing experience. These experiences afforded me the opportunity to spend quality time shadowing various internal medicine physicians, family medicine physicians, dental surgeons and a podiatrist.

One common feature I noticed amongst all of the physicians was their expansive medical knowledge base. But, something about the podiatrist stood out. It was not just his proficiency in his field of study, nor was it his high patient volume in the clinic. What stood out to me was the charisma he expressed with his patients and colleagues, which I now call “POD,” for professionalism, optimism and determination. It was this uniqueness that significantly increased my interest in the field of podiatry. I think as a profession we have to continue to focus on this highlight by pushing the envelope and being positive examples to upcoming physicians.

Looking To The Future

As I conclude my tenure as a podiatric clinical research fellow at one of the top podiatric fellowships at our nation’s oldest hospital system, I vow to co-write at least one Forum column a year with a post-graduate trainee. I also hope that the editors of Podiatry Today add post-graduate trainees as authors, bloggers and columnists to keep the voices of upcoming physicians heard in the publication. I think it was both bold and optimistic for the editors of this prestigious magazine to allow a young, black male physician to participate as a quarterly Forum columnist.

It is an honor to be a part of this publication, and I look forward to continuing contribution. It has been a year since my first printed article, “Vulnerable: Thoughts From An African American Male Podiatric Physician,” and it is one that still remains relevant today. As a physician of the black, indigenous and people of color (BIPOC) umbrella to be given a voice in a format such as this freely resonates with our medical specialty and medicine as a whole.

I am truly proud to be called a podiatrist. Often patients ask me “why podiatry?” I almost every time reply, “why not podiatry?” I take pride in the ability to literally provide a patient immediate joy, whether by removal of a painful ingrown nail, corticosteroid injection of a painful heel or a surgical plan that provides optimism to those suffering from a long-term disability. Historically, I feel we are moving forward with the times, and that attests to the growing diversity and equity of our profession. I began this medical journey in 2012 and have given my life to the field since the day I walked through the doors of Kent State University College of Podiatric Medicine. During that time, I moved my family to three states, and soon will to a fourth, to obtain a strong foundational medical education, surgical amplitude and a solid network to bolster others of all colors, creeds, political affiliations and genders. The astonishing part is I wouldn’t change the storyline. I believe the change starts with us, and we are the change the profession needs. The future is bright, my fellow podiatrists! We are PODs; professionals that are optimistic and determined to provide optimal care to our patients and mentorship to rising medical students, trainees and fellow colleagues. n

Dr. Johnson is a second-year Podiatric Medicine and Surgery Clinical Research Fellow at the University of Pennsylvania-Penn Presbyterian Medical Center in Philadelphia, which concludes July 1, 2021. Dr. Johnson will continue his career as Clinical Assistant Professor in the Division of Metabolism, Endocrinology and Diabetes (MEND) at the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor, Mich. Dr. Johnson dedicates this column to his family (Nathalie, Amaya and Ashton) who endured his journey to attending podiatric physician and professor over the last nine years.

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