Ep. 118 - College Advisors on Dean's Chat - Heidi Lang, Celeste Crowe, and AACPM's Jennifer Bessette

In today's episode, Dr. Jensen and Dr. Richey welcome College Advisors on Dean's Chat! Our guests are in the trenches as undergraduate Pre-Health advisors – Heidi Lang joins us from Saginaw Valley State University, and Celeste Crowe joins us from Appalachian State University. Also, welcome to AACPM's Jennifer Bessette!  This a tremendous discussion on post-covid recruiting into the health professions. Faced with a nationwide decrease in students attending college, and a decrease in applications into many healthcare specialties, coupled with an increase in professional schools and seats available to attend (Ex: Doctor of Osteopathic Medical programs), the challenges facing healthcare education are pervasive. Today's discussion focuses on podiatric medicine and the role of schools, advisors, and experiences to give prospective students an introduction to our wonderful profession! Shadowing and exploring different health professions are essential for making informed decisions about career paths. In a podcast episode, the panel stresses the significance of shadowing experiences in helping students grasp the day-to-day responsibilities, challenges, and rewards of various healthcare professions. Heidi emphasizes the importance of students being able to articulate their reasons for choosing a specific career path and the value of hands-on experiences beyond what is typically seen on television or in videos. Celeste shares her experience with high school students, where they participated in an activity to consider reasons for seeking healthcare, leading to discussions about various healthcare professions, including podiatric medicine. This activity enabled students to connect the dots between different healthcare providers and comprehend the roles they play in patient care. Jennifer highlights the value of shadowing multiple healthcare professionals to gain a comprehensive understanding of different specialties and career options. She encourages students to shadow various healthcare providers to explore their interests and discover the diverse opportunities within the healthcare field. Overall, the episode underscored that shadowing experiences provide students with firsthand exposure to the realities of different healthcare professions, aiding them in making informed decisions about their career paths. By shadowing and exploring various health professions, students can gain insights into different specialties, understand the scope of practice, and determine which path aligns best with their interests, values, and career goals. Enjoy!  https://explorepodmed.org/ Dean's Chat Website Dean's Chat Episodes Dean's Chat Blog Why Podiatric Medicine?  Become a Podiatric Physician https://lelandjaffedpm.com