Ep. 338 - AZCPM Class of 2029 - 1st year Done! Emery Wright, Iman Dasti, Grant Slye, Andrew Ross

Ep. 338 - AZCPM Class of 2029 - 1st year Done! Emery Wright, Iman Dasti, Grant Slye, Andrew Ross

Join Dean's Chat hosts, Drs. Jeffrey Jensen and Johanna Richey as they welcome four members of the Arizona College of Podiatric Medicine Class of 2029 following the completion of their first year of podiatric medical school. This episode is sponsored by APMA! This annual tradition provides a candid look at the transition from undergraduate education to the rigors of medical school. Students discuss the challenges, surprises, successes, and lessons learned during their first year, offering valuable insight for prospective students, current learners, faculty, and anyone interested in the journey toward becoming a podiatric physician. Guests * Emery Wright * Iman Dasti * Grant Slye * Andrew Ross In This Episode * Adjusting to the pace and expectations of medical school * Study strategies that worked during the first year * Managing time, stress, and personal wellness * Building friendships and finding support within the AZCPM community * Experiences with anatomy, basic sciences, and clinical exposure * Advice for students considering podiatric medicine * Reflections on completing the first year and preparing for year two The conversation highlights the resilience, growth, and determination required to succeed in podiatric medical education and showcases the supportive culture at AZCPM. About Dean’s Chat Dean’s Chat is the official podcast of the Arizona College of Podiatric Medicine, hosted by Dean Jeffrey Jensen and Dr. Johanna Richey. Each episode explores the people, stories, and innovations shaping podiatric medicine and healthcare education. Listen on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube, and wherever you get your podcasts. #Podiatry #MedicalSchool #AZCPM #MidwesternUniversity #PodiatricMedicine #DeansChat #FutureDoctors #HealthcareEducation #ClassOf2029 #MedicalStudents

Ep. 337 - Zachary Anderson and Isabel Bathke: Trust the Process: Love, Clerkships, and the Road to Residency

In this special Dean’s Chat episode, Drs. Jeffrey Jensen and Johanna Richey welcome Arizona College of Podiatric Medicine students Zachary Anderson and Isabel Bathke to discuss their journey through podiatry school, clerkships, and the exciting transition toward residency training. Members of the Class of 2027 and an engaged couple preparing for both residency and marriage, Zach and Isabel share how they first met during orientation and how a friendship built on shared goals evolved into a partnership that has helped them navigate the challenges of podiatric medical education together.  The conversation explores how each of them discovered podiatry and ultimately chose AZCPM. Isabel recounts her early exposure to the profession through a high school shadowing experience, while Zach discusses his interest in a specialty that uniquely combines surgery, wound care, diabetic limb salvage, and long-term patient relationships. Together, they reflect on the experiences that have shaped their development as future physicians.  A central theme of the episode is teamwork, accountability, and balance. Although they quickly realized they had very different learning styles, Zach and Isabel found ways to support one another throughout the demanding curriculum. From reviewing concepts over dinner and spending time in the cadaver lab to enjoying golf as a study break, they describe how maintaining balance and creating a sustainable approach to learning helped them succeed while strengthening their relationship.  The discussion also highlights preparation for Part I Boards and the value of ACPM’s integrated curriculum alongside osteopathic medical students. Both students reflect on how the foundational sciences learned in the classroom translated directly into clinical experiences during clerkships. As they encountered increasingly complex patients and collaborated with physicians from multiple specialties, they gained a deeper appreciation for treating the whole patient rather than focusing solely on the foot and ankle.  Now immersed in fourth-year clerkships throughout Florida and Arizona, Zach and Isabel discuss the process of selecting externships, evaluating residency programs, and balancing professional aspirations with the realities of planning a future together. Their experiences provide insight into the unique challenges and rewards of pursuing medical training as a couple, emphasizing the importance of communication, flexibility, and mutual support.  Throughout the episode, Zach and Isabel offer encouragement to students currently navigating the demanding years of podiatry school. Their message is one of perseverance and perspective: trust the process, embrace the challenges, and recognize that the long hours of studying and preparation are building the foundation for future success in patient care. As they look ahead to residency and the next chapter of their careers, their story serves as a reminder that professional growth, meaningful relationships, and personal fulfillment can all develop together through dedication, teamwork, and a shared sense of purpose

Ep. 336 - Podiatry found me...How Opportunity and Process Shaped Dr. Marque Allen’s Career

Welcome to Dean’s Chat where we discuss all things podiatric medicine and surgery! In today’s episode Drs. Jeffrey Jensen and Johanna Richey welcome Dr. Marque Allen, fellowship director at Sports Medicine Associates of San Antonio and team podiatrist for the San Antonio Spurs. Join us for a wide-ranging discussion about perseverance, professional growth, and the unexpected journey that led him to podiatric medicine.  Dr. Allen shares a deeply personal story of being the first person in his family to attend college, beginning his academic journey at a community college after graduating high school class. Through determination, curiosity, and an unwavering work ethic, he transformed from a student taking remedial coursework into a university valedictorian and eventually a physician. Along the way, he credits influential mentors who recognized his potential and helped guide him toward a career he never initially envisioned. In a recurring theme throughout the episode, Dr. Allen reflects on how “podiatry found him,” describing a career shaped less by rigid planning and more by saying yes to opportunities and embracing lifelong learning.  Our conversation explores the evolution of podiatric education and residency training, including Dr. Allen’s unique pathway through internship, residency, and multiple fellowships. Drawing on leadership experiences as APMSA National President and later service in organized medicine, he discusses the profession’s transition from a fragmented residency system to today’s standardized training model. While praising the advances made in education and professional recognition, he also raises thoughtful questions about the future of non-surgical podiatric training and the need for diverse pathways within the profession.  Join us as we hear Dr. Allen’s philosophy on success, confidence, and imposter syndrome. Despite decades of accomplishment, he candidly admits that part of him still feels hesitancy. Instead of letting this become fear that stops him- he has embraced the idea of surrounding himself with “people smarter than me” to continue to learn and grow. Rather than relying on natural talent, he attributes his success to discipline, accountability, and a belief that no one will outwork him. His message is clear: excellence is built through consistent effort, humility, and a willingness to keep learning.  Throughout the discussion, Dr. Allen emphasizes mentorship, surrounding oneself with excellence, and embracing failure as a learning opportunity. The episode concludes with a preview of Part 2, where the conversation will shift toward professional sports medicine, his work with elite athletes, fellowship education, and lessons learned from caring for players in the NBA. We hope you enjoy!

Ep. 335 - Peter Sorensen, DPM - AI Benefits and Challenges!

Dr. Peter Sorensen joins hosts Dr. Jeffrey Jensen and Dr. Johanna Richey for a wide-ranging conversation about artificial intelligence in podiatric education and practice. Recorded as Sorensen finishes his second year of residency at Ascension St. Vincent in Indianapolis, the episode traces his path from a college ankle fracture into the profession, through his early experiments with ChatGPT in 2022, and into the platform he now builds for students and residents. This episode is sponsored by Bako Diagnostics! The importance of using AI responsibly is Dr. Sorensen’s main message. He and the hosts discuss how to let AI save time and sharpen thinking without quietly eroding the skills that make a good clinician and surgeon. Along the way the conversation turns to hallucinations and active learning, the risk of “de-skilling,” AI as a thought partner, and how these tools can lower the steep barrier to entry into organized podiatry. Sorensen started using ChatGPT the week OpenAI released it to the public in November 2022, while he was still in podiatry school. The early versions, he admits, let him down — they couldn’t even browse the internet in real time — but he kept a running mental list of things he wished the tools could do. Over the last several months, he says, the capabilities finally caught up to those ideas. The most quoted idea in the episode is also its most countercultural: skepticism isn’t a reason to avoid AI — it’s the reason to use it. “I always tell people to always doubt the output of AI,” Sorensen says, because hallucinations are real. But that doubt, he argues, turns a passive user into an active learner. If something feels off, you go to the primary source, and modern tools are increasingly good at telling you where their claims came from. The hosts press on the harder question — cognitive offloading, or “de-skilling.” Dr. Richey makes the point that real learning has to be a little hard: “We can’t biohack knowledge, but we can make it more accessible.” She and Jensen return to a distinction they’ve discussed before — that knowledge is becoming a commodity in the palm of our hands, while wisdom is not. Sorensen agrees that the journey matters more than the destination, and that offloading every hard thing would leave the next generation unable to do the work. His answer isn’t to abstain; it’s to be intentional. Beyond time saved, Sorensen describes the use case he now values most: a thought partner. Claude, he says, is his go-to here — a soundboard that helps him clarify what he actually thinks while keeping the ideas his own. As a senior resident beginning to form his own positions on patient care and professional politics, he finds the tools useful for clearing mental clutter and organizing scattered thoughts into something coherent. He speaks from recent experience. Through the APMA Emerging Leaders Program, he traveled to Washington, D.C., to advocate on Capitol Hill, and came away struck by the tireless, often-underappreciated work that actually moves the needle — including the efforts of APMA staff. Attending the House of Delegates as a young physician observer was, he says, one of his most eye-opening experiences, and also where he started using Claude in earnest, to make sense of what he was watching. About Dr. Peter Sorensen Peter Sorensen, DPM, MHA, is a podiatric surgery resident at Ascension St. Vincent in Indianapolis. He earned his DPM and MHA from Des Moines University (graduating in 2024) and holds a BA in Spanish from Southern Utah University; he previously worked as a medical Spanish interpreter. He is a member of the APMA Emerging Leaders Program and served on the APMA Re-imagining Education Task Force. He is the publisher of The Guidewire, where he writes about artificial intelligence in podiatric medicine and works to lower the barrier to entry into the profession for students and residents.

Ep. 334 - James Whelan: Leading beyond the operating room: Fatherhood, Leadership and Purpose

In this episode of Dean’s Chat, Drs. Jeffrey Jensen and Johanna Richey welcome Dr. James Whelan, attending faculty with the OSF St. Catherine Residency Program, Chair of the APMA Education Committee, Wisconsin Podiatry Examining Board Chair, and an emerging leader in the podiatric profession. The conversation explores Dr. Whelan’s journey into podiatry, his passion for resident education, and the leadership lessons he has gained through clinical practice, organized medicine, and family life. Dr. Whelan shares how a chance opportunity to shadow multiple surgical specialties as an undergraduate student led him to podiatry. While the procedures themselves were fascinating, it was the podiatrist’s professionalism, kindness, and interactions with patients and staff that ultimately inspired his career path. From there, the discussion shifts to residency education, where Dr. Whelan reflects on the profound responsibility of training future physicians. Drawing from both positive and challenging experiences during his own residency, he discusses the importance of creating psychologically safe learning environments, fostering confidence, and using coaching principles to help residents overcome obstacles and achieve their potential. The conversation highlights the evolving culture of medical education and the balance between maintaining high expectations while supporting learners through constructive feedback. Dr. Whelan shares practical examples of how individualized coaching and mentorship can transform struggling residents into confident future colleagues. He also discusses the unique privilege of working with residents and how teaching continually sharpens his own clinical skills and perspectives. Beyond residency training, Dr. Whelan offers insights from his service on the Wisconsin Podiatry Examining Board, where he reviews licensure and disciplinary matters. He emphasizes that many complaints stem not from poor clinical care but from breakdowns in communication, documentation, and professionalism—valuable lessons for practitioners at every stage of their careers. In recognition of Father’s Day, the discussion concludes with a meaningful conversation about balancing leadership, clinical practice, and family. Dr. Whelan reflects on how becoming a husband and father reshaped his definition of success, emphasizing that professional achievements are important, but relationships and presence with loved ones matter most. His thoughtful perspective on mentorship, leadership, and service offers valuable lessons for students, residents, and experienced practitioners alike. This episode is a powerful reminder that excellence in medicine extends far beyond clinical skill—it is built through kindness, coaching, advocacy, lifelong learning, and a commitment to helping others succeed.