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Reflections On Black History In Podiatric Medicine And Surgery
Since February is Black History month, I wanted to highlight and dedicate this month’s Forum to Black history within podiatric medicine and surgery.
Lawrence Harkless, DPM: The Father Of Diabetic Foot Care
The first individual I would like to highlight is a great friend, mentor, and educator to many in the field. Lawrence Harkless, DPM, is the first and only Black Founding Dean of a podiatric medical school in the United States, the College of Podiatric Medicine at Western University of Health Sciences in Pomona, CA. One of Dr. Harkless’ monikers is the “Father of Diabetic Foot Care.” The Department of Surgery of Keck School of Medicine of the University of Southern California even honored Dr. Harkless’ accomplishments within the realm of diabetic lower extremity research with the first-ever named Limb Preservation Fellowship, the “Lawrence B. Harkless Limb Preservation Fellowship.”1
Even in retirement, Dr. Harkless’ efforts to progress podiatric medicine and surgery continue, with his latest endeavor being the interim Dean of the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley School of Podiatry (UTRGV), which will be the first-ever podiatry school in the state of Texas. The school reached its first milestone towards opening its doors in 2020, when the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board approved a request from UTRGV to create a Doctor of Podiatric Medicine with a major in Podiatric Medicine, for the UTRGV School of Podiatry.2
I honestly could spend an entire issue elaborating on Dr. Harkless’ accomplishments, not only for podiatrists of color; but podiatrists of every color and creed. One of my favorite quotes from Dr. Harkless is, “We [podiatrists] are the dermatologists, neurologists, rheumatologists, and orthopedists of the foot and ankle.”3 It is a quote I often use when discussing the profession with young pre-medical students inquiring as to what exactly a podiatrist does. Despite coming from a giant like Dr. Harkless, even this quote does not truly fully define our specialty. Being in this profession is truly limitless, no matter our ethnic background, race, gender, or sexual orientation.
Mildred Dixon, DPM: A Practice Pioneer
Mildred K. Dixon, DPM, was one of the first Black female podiatrists (chiropodists) in the United States. Dr. Dixon began her career as a dental nurse, but later discovered chiropody through her mentor, Dr. Helen Hawthorn. Dr. Dixon became intrigued by the field and later enrolled at the Ohio College of Chiropody, now known as Kent State University College of Podiatric Medicine (KSUCPM). Dr. Dixon completed her education in 1944 and relocated to Tuskegee, Alabama, during the Jim Crow laws. After being denied licensure by the Alabama Association of Chiropodists (AAC), she later petitioned the National Association of Chiropodists (NAC) for privileges to practice. The organization granted her a lifetime membership, allowing her to practice in the state of Alabama.4
Dr. Dixon eventually became the first full-time female, African American podiatrist at the Tuskegee Veterans Administration (VA) Hospital, created the first podiatric residency in Alabama, and established podiatry clinics at VA hospitals throughout the state of Alabama.4 She was even inducted into the KSUCPM Hall of Fame and has an endowment scholarship at the university, the Dr. Mildred Dixon Endowed Scholarship for Podiatric Medicine. Dr. Dixon passed away in 2018 at the age of 102, but her legacy continues to shine.4 I must add, as a KSUCPM alumnus, seeing Dr. Dixon’s portrait in gold within the college hallways motivated me to overcome the challenges of podiatric medical school, representing a face of relevance.
Leaders like Drs. Harkless and Dixon inspire young physicians of all backgrounds to never settle for the status quo. As one of the rising leaders within the specialty, I inform every student, trainee, and mentee that we stand on the backs of giants. It is every podiatrist’s job to smoothly pave the path to success for those that follow, as these remarkable individuals did, so that we no longer metaphorically “eat our young.”
Dr. Johnson is a Clinical Assistant Professor in the Division of Metabolism, Endocrinology & Diabetes-Podiatry (MEND) at University of Michigan in Ann Arbor. Dr. Johnson is the first African American podiatrist to receive the Symposium of Advanced Wound Care/American Podiatric Medical Association Wound Care Podiatrist Scholarship award. In addition, Dr. Johnson is the first African American Editorial Advisory Board Member for Podiatry Today.
Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of Podiatry Today or HMP Global, their employees and affiliates. Any content provided by our bloggers or authors are of their opinion and are not intended to malign any religion, ethnic group, club, association, organization, company, individual, anyone or anything.
1. Armstrong DG. Lawrence B. Harkless Honored with First Ever Named Limb Preservation Fellowship @KECKMEDUSC. DF Blog. Available at: https://diabeticfootonline.com/2019/04/25/lawrence-b-harkless-honored-with-first-ever-named-limb-preservation-fellowship-keckmedusc/comment-page-1/. Published April 25, 2019. Accessed December 20, 2021.
2. UTRGV. THECB approves first podiatry program in Texas, at UTRGV. The Newsroom. Available at: https://www.utrgv.edu/newsroom/2020/10/23-thecb-approves-first-podiatry-program-in-texas-at-utrgv.htm. Published October 23, 2020. Accessed December 20, 2021.
3. California Board of Podiatric Medicine. Step into a rewarding career in podiatric medicine. Available at: https://www.pmbc.ca.gov/forms_pubs/stepinto.pdf . Published September 2009. Accessed December 20, 2021.
4. Kent State University School of Podiatric Medicine. KSUCPM remembers Mildred K. Dixon, DPM; a trailblazer for women.” Available at: https://www.kent.edu/cpm/news/MildredDixon . Updated November 21, 2019. Accessed December 20, 2021.
