What I Have Learned So Far As A Residency Director

Q: What have you learned about being a Program Director from your residents and your time in the position?

A:

David Bernstein, DPM, FACFAS says his time with residents has imparted enhanced patience, friendship, and pathways to relate to different generations of learners.

“Over the years I better appreciate and understand how they approach different learning opportunities,” he adds.

Kristin Kelley Rizzo, DPM, FACFAS, DABPM shares that being a Program Director serves as a motivator to keep up with the latest trends, publications, and conferences in order to teach tried and true basics, as well as implementing new areas of study for herself, residents, and students.

Jordan S. DeHaven, DPM, FACFAS took over as Director of Podiatric Medical Education at Roger Williams Medical Center in Providence, RI, in October of 2019. He says that he continues to learn things on the fly; from complaints amongst the residents and fellow attendings, to dealing with hospital administration, and communicating with hospital risk management. He finds that he learns something new on a daily basis. 

“I have learned that, in the end, the residents want autonomy but need leadership,” he says. “As Program Director, you must provide that leadership while also allowing some space for the residents to grow and learn as a group.”  

Q: What have you learned about podiatry in general from your residents and your time in the position?

A:

Dr. Rizzo says her time as a Director reinforced that podiatry attracts all types of people from many different backgrounds.

“It really has a lot to offer in the way of schedule and job flexibility, as well as the ability to specialize in different areas,” she continues. “This is something I don’t think the general public understands very well.”

Dr. DeHaven adds that podiatry as a profession is a small group, and practicing in Rhode Island, that group is even smaller. 

“I know nearly all the podiatrists in our state on a first name basis,” he says. “The unique position that I am in as a Program Director in Rhode Island is that I get to see and experience how many of the other podiatrists practice in our state.” 

He goes on to say that he often asks residents how their cases went with a given doctor and discusses the cases, many times seeing a different point of view or a different way of doing something that he may not have thought of prior. 

“This opportunity has allowed me to at times even reach out to other docs and inquire about a particular case that I heard about through the residents,” says Dr. DeHaven. “This, to me, brings the community closer and ultimately helps with practicing better patient care.”

Dr. Bernstein says that his position has given him a unique perspective, learning much about how students are educated and changes in the curriculum of podiatry school.

Q: Are there any unique viewpoints or approaches you feel you have adopted as a result of your time as a Program Director?

A:

Dr. DeHaven says he makes a point to tell the residents that they need to be aware that what they do is meaningful. Who they treat and interact with on a daily basis is not just another surgical case, procedure, or wound, he shares with them. They are someone that will experience an impact by what the residents do, and just as importantly, what the residents say. 

“Through experiences with the residents, both good and bad, they have continued to reinforce my view that our jobs on a daily basis have meaning and should never be viewed otherwise,” he adds.

Dr. Bernstein says he now keeps in mind that residents tend to be more verbose and overexplain a patient situation instead of cutting to the heart of the issue. But, also, he says, they can remind you to be more humble.

Dr. Rizzo add that she I has learned to initially take a neutral stance on all issues brought to her, and then do her research before making a statement. 

The Program Director is often asked to advocate for hospital administrators, staff, and attendings as well as residents, and I’ve learned that it is best to see issues from all sides before weighing in, while still keeping residents’ best interest at the forefront of any decisions,” she explains.

Q: What advice would you share with a fellow podiatrist considering following a pathway towards becoming a Program Director?

A:

Listening and learning from residents is a key piece of advice that Dr. Bernstein has for potential future Program Directors.

“Remember that they can teach you many new ideas and approaches to different care plans,” he says.

Dr. Rizzo adds that the hours are long and the work can sometimes be unappreciated, but that the role is  rewarding and a great way to give back to the profession. She continues on to say that the position allows directors to feel like they are helping to shape the next generation, or at least making a small influence.

Dr. DeHaven shares that his pathway to his current role was an unexpected one.

“If you talked to me nearly 20 years ago when my journey with podiatry began //and told me// that I would be a director of a residency program, I probably would have either laughed or flat out said, ‘Nah, that's not for me,’” he says. “But what I found is that I have a great desire to educate as well as to be part of the future or our profession. If someone is even thinking about becoming a director, I say pursue it.”

He shares that he advised that first steps towards this goal include becoming active in a residency program as an attending, taking extra time to teach the residents with academic lectures or journal club. He recommends pursuing opportunities within that program such as Clerkship Director or even Assistant Director. 

“Try to experience all you can to understand that leadership role of director; if there is a site visit coming up, see if you can sit in on some of the meetings with the director and the committee,” he recommends. “This will help you get a feel for the position and help you determine if it's something you really want to do.”

Dr. Bernstein is the Director of the Podiatric Residency Program at Bryn Mawr Hospital in Bryn Mawr, Pa. He is a Fellow of the American College of Foot and Ankle Surgeons.

Dr. DeHaven is the Director of Podiatric Surgical Residency at Roger Williams Medical Center in Providence, RI.  He is a Fellow of the American College of Foot and Ankle Surgeons.

Dr. Rizzo is a fellow of the American College of Foot and Ankle Surgeons and is a Diplomate of the American Board of Podiatric Medicine. She is currently the Director of the Podiatric Residency Program at the Atlanta VAHCS and previously served as the Program Director at the Orlando VA podiatric residency.