Ep. 345 - Peter Sorensen, DPM - AI Benefits and Challenges!

Ep. 345 - 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.

“Diagnostic miscues in podiatric dermatology” - with Dr. Leland Jaffe, DCLS S1E5

In this episode of the Dean’s Chat Learning Series, Dr. Johanna Richey welcomes podiatric dermatology expert Dr. Leland Jaffe for an in-depth discussion on diagnostic miscues, biopsy decision-making, and the importance of maintaining a broad differential diagnosis in podiatric medicine. Drawing from his experience teaching dermatology and working extensively in wound care, Dr. Jaffe shares how his threshold for performing biopsies has significantly lowered over the years as he recognized how many serious conditions can masquerade as common foot and ankle pathology. The conversation explores how chronic wounds, nail disorders, inflammatory skin conditions, and even routine “ingrown toenails” can occasionally hide malignancies or autoimmune disease. Dr. Jaffe emphasizes that when a patient fails to improve with appropriate standard-of-care treatment, clinicians must pause and ask, “What am I missing?” rather than simply repeating unsuccessful therapies. Through several compelling clinical examples, including wounds later diagnosed as squamous cell carcinoma, basal cell carcinoma, and autoimmune-mediated lesions, he highlights how biopsy can completely alter a patient’s treatment trajectory and, in some cases, save lives. Dr. Jaffe also provides practical insight into biopsy technique selection, discussing when he prefers punch biopsies, shave biopsies, or excisional biopsies depending on the suspected diagnosis. He explains why inflammatory conditions often require full-thickness punch biopsies, while suspected melanomas may warrant more nuanced excisional approaches to ensure accurate staging. Importantly, he reassures clinicians that “some biopsy is better than no biopsy,” encouraging providers not to let uncertainty or fear prevent them from obtaining tissue when something feels atypical. A major theme throughout the episode is collaboration. Dr. Jaffe and Dr. Richey discuss the value of working closely with dermatopathologists, oncologists, dermatologists, and wound care specialists to optimize patient outcomes. They stress that diagnosing a concerning lesion is not the end of the clinician’s role, but rather the beginning of a team-based process that benefits both patients and providers. #podiatry #podiatricmedicine #podiatricdermatology #skincancerawarenessmonth #skincancerawareness #skincancer #melanoma #melanomaawareness #PICA #BakoDx

Ep. 333 - Graduation Season! AZCPM Reflections on the Class of 2026!

Preparing the Next Generation: The Class of 2026 Journey to Residency On this episode of Dean’s Chat, Drs. Jeffrey Jensen and Johanna Richey reflect on the incredible journey of the AZCPM Class of 2026 as students transition from podiatric medical education into residency training. From awards banquets and graduation celebrations to clerkships, research, leadership development, and board preparation, the discussion highlights the many moving parts involved in preparing future podiatric physicians for successful residency placement and long-term careers. Topics Discussed • Reflecting on the accomplishments of the Class of 2026 • The importance of residency preparation throughout all four years • Clerkships and how students build professional relationships during externships • Research, scholarship, and academic productivity in modern podiatric medicine • Faculty mentorship and advising • Professionalism, communication, and work ethic during clerkships • Awards banquets and celebrating student excellence • Graduation week traditions and milestones • Board preparation and the transition into residency • The emotional and professional evolution from student to physician • Lessons learned from this year’s residency placement cycle Key Takeaways • Residency preparation begins long before fourth-year clerkships • Relationships and reputation matter during externships • Research and leadership continue to distinguish applicants • Teamwork, resilience, and professionalism remain critical skills • Graduation is not the finish line — it is the beginning of residency training and lifelong learning About Dean’s Chat Dean’s Chat features conversations on podiatric medical education, leadership, residency training, professional development, and the future of the profession with Dr. Jeffrey Jensen and Dr. Johanna Richey. #DeansChat #PodiatricMedicine #Residency #AZCPM #MedicalEducation #PodiatrySchool #Clerkships #Graduation #Research #FuturePhysicians

Ep. 332 - Student Recruitment, Marketing, and the Future of Podiatry - Drs. Pascarella and Andersen

Student Recruitment, Marketing, and the Future of Podiatric Medicine Featuring Dr. Gene Pascarella and Dr. Jane Andersen Drs. Jeffrey Jensen and Johanna Richey welcome Dr. Gene Pascarella, Executive Director of The Podiatry Foundation, and Dr. Jane Andersen, Chair of the Foundation for Podiatric Education, for an important and timely discussion on the future of student recruitment in podiatric medicine. As healthcare education faces increasing competition for talented students, the profession is taking a coordinated and strategic approach to attracting highly qualified undergraduate students into podiatric medicine. This episode explores the current landscape of recruitment, national marketing initiatives, and the collaborative efforts underway to strengthen awareness and interest in the profession. Topics include: • The mission and evolving role of The Podiatry Foundation • Current recruitment trends across colleges of podiatric medicine • National marketing strategies aimed at increasing awareness of podiatric medicine among undergraduate and pre-health students • Challenges facing the profession in today’s competitive healthcare education environment • Messaging strategies that resonate with prospective students and families • The importance of storytelling, mentorship, and visibility in attracting future podiatrists • The role of social media, digital campaigns, and student ambassadors in modern recruitment efforts The conversation also highlights the upcoming June 9 stakeholder meeting, where leaders from across podiatric medicine—including educational institutions, professional organizations, residency leadership, and industry stakeholders—will gather to discuss coordinated next steps and long-term strategies for recruiting the next generation of podiatric physicians. Drs. Pascarella and Anderson share their perspectives on collaboration, innovation, and why this moment represents a critical opportunity for podiatry to redefine and strengthen its national recruitment efforts. This episode is essential listening for educators, students, practitioners, and anyone invested in the future growth and sustainability of podiatric medicine. About Our Guests Dr. Gene Pascarella Dr. Gene Pascarella serves as Executive Director of The Podiatry Foundation and has long been recognized for his leadership in podiatric medical education, organized medicine, and student recruitment initiatives. He continues to play a key role in advancing collaborative efforts focused on strengthening the future of the profession. Dr. Jane Andersen Dr. Jane Andersen is Chair of the Foundation for Podiatric Education and a respected leader in podiatric medical education and professional development. Her work has focused extensively on educational advancement, mentorship, and supporting initiatives that enhance the visibility and future of podiatric medicine.