Ep. 158 - Ronald Ray, DPM, FACFAS - ABFAS, ACFAS, AO North America

Dean's Chat hosts Drs. Jeffrey Jensen and Johanna Richey,  welcome Dr. Ronald Ray DPM, who currently practices in Great Falls Montana. Dr. Ray completed his undergraduate degree at California State University at Long Beach with a Bachelors of Science in Physical Therapy. He worked as a Physical Therapist for several years and ultimately became interested in podiatry from his interest in the mechanics of the lower extremity.   Through his work, he explored podiatric medicine and decided to return for his Doctor of Podiatric Medicine degree obtained from the California College of Podiatric Medicine.  He went on to complete his surgical residency training at one of the top programs in the country at Waldo Podiatric Surgical Residency Program in Seattle Washington (now known as the Swedish residency program). Here he was introduced to many of his mentors. It was through his training he met Dr. Sig Hansen MD with Harborview Medical Center and had the privilege of doing an AO Fellowship with him.   Listen, as we hear his experience of working with Dr. Hanson and the beautiful lessons that he learned watching a master of surgery. Join us as we discuss all things podiatric medicine and surgery as we discuss Dr. Ray's many service opportunities.   Dr. Ray discusses what it means to be involved with professional organizations. As a past president of the American Board of Foot and Ankle Surgery as well as leader in the American College of Foot and Ankle Surgeons (serving on many different committee including: Annual Scientific meeting, Leadership Development Committee and Surgical Skills Committee).  Dr. Ray is no stranger to advancing our profession in the education world. His continued dedication and service are predicated on his passion, which is clear as you hear him speak.  Dr. Ray discusses tricks to elevate speaking in public which our students will surely benefit. Tune in, as he discusses his mentors, Dr. Jeffrey Christensen DPM and Richard Bouche DPM, who helped encourage him to take on lecture opportunities and get engaged in the profession. He provides great wisdom and tips into stretching your comfort zone and being willing to jump in and take the leap into the unknown. His physical therapist framework of learning and developing a skill set-verbalizing, and saying lectures out loud to develop proprioception and muscle memory to improve public speaking are fascinating!  Dr. Ray has been integral in the development of the American College of Foot and Ankle Surgeons collaboration with the AO Foundation to build the curriculum for the Advanced Principles Course for Foot and Ankle Trauma and Surgery. He talks about how this collaborative effort has been a harmonious, but delicate balance of earning trust and maintaining the highest standards to propel our profession forward.   If you are interested in more information about how to join the American College of Foot and Ankle Surgeons or the AO North America https://www.aofoundation.org/aona/engage-with-us/Become-a-member https://www.acfas.org/membership/joinrenew  To find upcoming AO-ACFAS courses:  https://www.aofoundation.org/aona/our-community/DPM/DPM-courses-and-events#sortCriteria=%40startdate%20ascending&f-speciality=DPM https://www.acfas.org/educat ...