Ep. 311 - Shital Sharma, DPM, FACFAS - Leader, Educator, Business Strategist

In this episode of Dean’s Chat, Dr. Jensen and Dr. Richey welcome Dr. Shital Sharma, a physician-leader whose career spans clinical practice, residency education, healthcare business strategy, and emerging technology in medicine.Dr. Sharma brings over a decade of experience at the intersection of academic podiatric medicine, private practice growth, and healthcare innovation, with leadership roles in both hospital-based training programs and private-equity–backed practice models.She previously served as Chair of Podiatry and Residency Director at CarePoint Health, where she led departmental strategy, surgical education, and accreditation oversight. Her work in graduate medical education focused on building strong residency training environments while navigating the evolving landscape of hospital systems and reimbursement.Dr. Sharma currently practices with New York Sports & Joints, where she is involved in market expansion, credentialing, referral development, and operational strategy, helping scale modern multidisciplinary orthopedic and podiatric care models.In addition to her clinical and administrative work, she is pursuing a Master of Public Health at Yale University (expected 2027), with a focus on insurance systems, healthcare policy, and population health. Her academic work reflects a growing interest in how physicians can lead change in a healthcare system increasingly shaped by data, technology, and value-based care.Dr. Sharma is also recognized nationally for her leadership in:• Physician education and residency training• AI integration in clinical workflow• Alumni and professional governance• Practice growth within private equity–supported modelsTopics discussed in this episode• Transitioning from residency director to healthcare strategist• The future of podiatry in large health systems• Private equity and its impact on surgical specialties• How AI will change physician workflow• Why public health training matters for modern physicians• Leadership lessons from academic medicine• Advice for students, residents, and young attendingsThis conversation highlights the importance of adaptability, leadership, and lifelong learning as the profession continues to evolve.