Ep. 32 -Temple University School of Podiatric Medicine - Danica Pratta & Neha Metgud

Over the next few months, Dean's Chat will be providing bonus episodes interviewing students from the Schools and Colleges of Podiatric Medicine. This week we are joined by two students from Temple University School of Podiatric Medicine (TUSPM), Neha Metgud and Danica Pratta. Both Neha and Danica are in the Class of 2025 and represent the American Podiatric Medical Students Association (APMSA) within TUSPM. Join our discussions each week on the podiatric journey our students are embarking on at the various schools. Students share their path to discovering podiatric medicine, to applying to what is now eleven schools and colleges of podiatric medicine, to the first and second year of didactics, Boards Part 1 and 2, and clinical experiences and opportunities. We do some professor shout-outs and discuss student services, extracurricular activities, and student life at each school. Enjoy! In this episode, Dr. Jensen and the students discuss the significance of shadowing various health professionals to determine career preferences and find satisfaction in their chosen field. They highlight that students often shadow not only DOs and MDs but also physical therapists, physician assistants, and podiatrists. The hosts specifically mention that podiatrists tend to be very happy with their careers due to the wide range of specialization options available to them. They explain that podiatrists can focus on areas they truly enjoy, which contributes to their overall job satisfaction. The students mention their personal experiences with shadowing and how it influenced their career decisions. One mentions shadowing different specialties, including podiatry, during her time in Central America. She discovered a strong interest in foot and ankle issues, which ultimately influenced her decision to pursue podiatry. Dr. Jensen and the students emphasize the importance of shadowing multiple specialties to determine personal preferences. They emphasize that understanding other specialties is valuable even for those pursuing podiatry, as it helps in comprehending the body's other systems and treating patients holistically. The students note that many podiatrists they have worked with and shadowed are incredibly satisfied with their careers. While they acknowledge that satisfaction can be found in other specialties as well, they observe this as a common theme within the podiatry profession. They also mention that students from all schools of podiatric medicine are incredibly happy with their choice to pursue podiatry. In this episode, Dr. Jensen and the students discuss the importance of students taking advantage of opportunities for involvement and support from organizations like APMSA. They emphasize that being involved in organizations like APMSA allows students to have a voice and make a change at the national level. They mention that APMSA provides various opportunities for students, such as hosting webinars on different topics like mental health and clerkship advice.  Overall, the episode emphasizes the benefits of shadowing different health professionals to help students determine their career preferences and find satisfaction in their chosen field. It underscores the importance of exploring various specialties, including podiatry, and understanding different aspects of healthcare to make informed decisions. Dean's Chat Website  Dean's Chat Episodes  Dean's Chat Blog Why Podiatric Medicine?  Become a Podiatric Physician