Smart Steps: A Focus on Complex Diabetes Care

Evidence-based practice is becoming the standard that clinicians, health plans, and care teams can’t afford to ignore. In this episode of Smart Steps, host and Podimetrics Medical Director Dr. Gary Rothenberg is joined by Dr. Windy Cole, Director of Wound Care Research and Adjunct Professor, Kent State and the University College of Podiatric Medicine, for a practical conversation on why evidence matters more than ever in diabetic foot ulcer prevention.Together, they explore how clinical trials, real-world data, and value-based care models are driving greater transparency, shaping clinical decisions, and raising expectations for measurable outcomes. The discussion also breaks down what high-quality evidence looks like, how clinicians can apply research without getting overwhelmed, and where wound care still needs stronger standards and reporting.

Evidence-based practice is becoming the standard that clinicians, health plans, and care teams can’t afford to ignore. In this episode of Smart Steps, host and Podimetrics Medical Director Dr. Gary Rothenberg is joined by Dr. Windy Cole, Director of Wound Care Research and Adjunct Professor, Kent State and the University College of Podiatric Medicine, for a practical conversation on why evidence matters more than ever in diabetic foot ulcer prevention.Together, they explore how clinical trials, real-world data, and value-based care models are driving greater transparency, shaping clinical decisions, and raising expectations for measurable outcomes. The discussion also breaks down what high-quality evidence looks like, how clinicians can apply research without getting overwhelmed, and where wound care still needs stronger standards and reporting.Subscribe now and listen to the full episode coming out on April 14.

Much of what makes Veteran care effective happens outside of what is most visible, and nursing plays a critical role in that often overlooked work. In this episode of Smart Steps, host and Podimetrics Medical Director Gary Rothenberg, DPM, CDCES, CWS, is joined by Helen Kennedy, LPN, and PAVE Nurse at the Ernest Childers OPC VA Clinic, for a grounded conversation about frontline nursing within the VA care model.The discussion explores how nurses support patient outcomes through clinical judgment, relationship building, and close collaboration with the broader care team. Helen shares real-world examples of how early signals are recognized, how trust supports adherence, and how nursing insight helps translate care plans into meaningful, day-to-day action for Veterans managing complex conditions.This episode brings attention to nursing responsibilities that are essential yet often underrecognized, while reinforcing the importance of team-based care. It offers providers a clearer understanding of how nursing experience, consistency, and coordination help sustain high-quality Veteran care over time.

Much of what makes Veteran care effective happens outside of what is most visible, and nursing plays a critical role in that often overlooked work. In this episode of Smart Steps, host and Podimetrics Medical Director Gary Rothenberg, DPM, CDCES, CWS, is joined by Helen Kennedy, LPN, and PAVE Nurse at the Ernest Childers OPC VA Clinic, for a grounded conversation about frontline nursing within the VA care model.The discussion explores how nurses support patient outcomes through clinical judgment, relationship building, and close collaboration with the broader care team. Helen shares real-world examples of how early signals are recognized, how trust supports adherence, and how nursing insight helps translate care plans into meaningful, day-to-day action for Veterans managing complex conditions.This episode brings attention to nursing responsibilities that are essential yet often underrecognized, while reinforcing the importance of team-based care. It offers providers a clearer understanding of how nursing experience, consistency, and coordination help sustain high-quality Veteran care over time.

In this episode of Smart Steps, host Gary Rothenberg, DPM, CDCES, CWS, Medical Director at Podimetrics, is joined by Alyson Myers, MD, Professor of Medicine, Associate Chair of Faculty Mentoring and Community Engagement, and Attending Endocrinologist at Montefiore Einstein. Together, they explore what it really takes to deliver team-based diabetes care.Dr. Myers shares how Montefiore’s new multidisciplinary foot clinic came to life, the patients it serves, and why addressing social and mental health factors is just as important as wound care itself. She and Dr. Rothenberg discuss what “multidisciplinary” means in practice, how collaboration changes outcomes for people with diabetic foot complications, and the measures that matter most in tracking success.This conversation is a must-listen for anyone who believes diabetes care can be more connected, more comprehensive, and more effective.

In this episode of Smart Steps, host Gary Rothenberg, DPM, CDCES, CWS, Medical Director at Podimetrics, is joined by Alyson Myers, MD, Professor of Medicine, Associate Chair of Faculty Mentoring and Community Engagement, and Attending Endocrinologist at Montefiore Einstein. Together, they explore what it really takes to deliver team-based diabetes care.Dr. Myers shares how Montefiore’s new multidisciplinary foot clinic came to life, the patients it serves, and why addressing social and mental health factors is just as important as wound care itself. She and Dr. Rothenberg discuss what “multidisciplinary” means in practice, how collaboration changes outcomes for people with diabetic foot complications, and the measures that matter most in tracking success.This conversation is a must-listen for anyone who believes diabetes care can be more connected, more comprehensive, and more effective.

This episode explores the often-overlooked intersection of mental health and diabetes management, focusing specifically on diabetes distress.While not classified as a mental health disorder, diabetes distress affects up to two-thirds of people with diabetes and significantly impacts treatment adherence, outcomes, and quality of life.Join our expert guests—Dr. Denise Levy, Supervising Physician of Hyperbaric Medicine at Montefiore Medical Center, and Dr. Gary Rothenberg, Medical Director of Podimetrics—as they discuss how all members of the care team have a role in addressing this issue, and how technology solutions like remote monitoring can help reduce patient burden and improve engagement.

This episode explores the often-overlooked intersection of mental health and diabetes management, focusing specifically on diabetes distress.While not classified as a mental health disorder, diabetes distress affects up to two-thirds of people with diabetes and significantly impacts treatment adherence, outcomes, and quality of life.Join our expert guests—Dr. Denise Levy, Supervising Physician of Hyperbaric Medicine at Montefiore Medical Center, and Dr. Gary Rothenberg, Medical Director of Podimetrics—as they discuss how all members of the care team have a role in addressing this issue, and how technology solutions like remote monitoring can help reduce patient burden and improve engagement.

What happens when a preventable condition sidelines a valued employee for nine months? For more than 37 million Americans living with diabetes, that’s exactly what diabetic foot complications can do—and the impact reaches far beyond the clinic.In this debut episode of Smart Steps, host Erin Perkins of the marketing team sits down with Dr. Gary Rothenberg, Director of Medical Affairs at Podimetrics, to uncover the hidden cost of diabetic foot ulcers (DFUs) in the workplace. From long-term disability and extended leave to amputations that can exceed $100,000 per case, these complications are taking a serious toll on employers and employees alike.You'll learn what’s at stake when early warning signs are missed and how proactive, at-home care can help employers reduce costs, improve outcomes, and keep their workforce healthier.

Welcome to Smart Steps, brought to you by Podimetrics. We're on a mission to save limbs and save lives by exploring the complexities of diabetes care — from feet to full health. Each episode features unique perspectives from healthcare providers, payers, advocates, and employers, offering a deeper look at how diabetes care fits into the bigger picture. Join us as we unpack the challenges, share real-world solutions, and take smart steps toward better outcomes for people living with diabetes.