Ep. 111 - Drs. Christina Pratt, Mark Razzante and Coleman Clougherty - CMC STEPS Founders

Dean's chat Co-hosts, Doctors Jeffrey Jensen and Johanna Richey interview the founders of the non-profit CMC STEPS (Collaborative Medical Content- Student Transatlantic Education Podiatric Surgery) whose mission is to enhance the educational experience of podiatric medical students across the world! Tune in as we discuss their unique friendship that has withstood the test of time.  Doctors Christina Pratt, Mark Razzante, and Coleman Clougherty all went to undergraduate University together at John Carroll University where they quickly became lifelong friends. They then all obtained their Master's degree in Bioethics at Case Western Reserve University. Mark and Chrissy received their doctorate of Podiatric Medicine from Samuel Merritt University in Oakland California, While Coleman received his doctorate from Kent State- Ohio School of Podiatric Medicine. Their paths reunited during residency when Dr. Razzante and Dr. Clougherty became co-residents completing their 3 year surgical training program with St. Vincent Charity Medical Center in Cleveland, and Dr. Pratt completed her surgical training with The Cleveland Clinic, Mercy Health, and Akron General Hospitals. Join us as we explore "all things podiatric medicine" including forging international ties, breaking down barriers to provide more opportunities for students, and the growing pains associated with developing a non-profit organization. As current faculty with Samuel Merritt University, we discuss different educational styles and how sometimes learning can be most effective with a combination of complementary teaching styles.  Dr. Mark Razzante, Dr. Christina Pratt, and Dr. Coleman Clougherty emphasize the importance of persistence in their teaching styles, noting that despite challenges like low initial viewership for their online sessions, they persevered and continued to provide educational content. This persistence paid off over time as their audience grew, allowing them to impact more students. Moreover, they stress the significance of transparency in their teaching approach. They mention the importance of being open and honest with students to create a comfortable and safe learning environment. Dr. Pratt specifically highlights the value of transparency in academic settings, where students can easily detect insincerity or lack of authenticity. By being transparent, the doctors aim to establish trust with their students, fostering better communication and understanding. The collaboration among the educators extends beyond the classroom to hands-on workshops and virtual sessions. By combining their strengths and expertise, they create engaging and interactive learning opportunities for students. Dr. Coleman highlighted the value of hands-on workshops and practical demonstrations, which allow students to apply theoretical knowledge in a real-world setting. This experiential learning approach can deepen students' understanding and retention of the material. Overall, the collaborative efforts of Dr. Mark, Dr. Christina, and Dr. Coleman showcase how different teaching styles can work together harmoniously to enhance the educational experience for students. By leveraging their individual strengths and approaches, they create a dynamic learning environment that caters to diverse learning preferences and fosters student engagement and success. In the podcast episode, the founders of the CMC Foundation shared their journey of being open to new opportunities and their willingness to adapt, which led to impactful initiatives and growth in the field of podiatric medicine. Enjoy! https://explorepodmed.org/ Dean's Chat Website</p ...