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

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.

Ep. 331 - "From Student to Surgeon" - The Inova Residency Experience with Drs. Rose and Anjum

In this episode of Dean’s Chat, Drs. Jeffrey Jensen and Johanna Richey welcome two third-year residents from the Inova Health System podiatric residency program: Hozaifa Anjum, an alumna of the Arizona College of Podiatric Medicine, and Gregory Rose from the New York College of Podiatric Medicine. The conversation offers an inside look into one of the nation’s premier residency programs while also highlighting the personal journeys that led both residents into podiatric medicine. The discussion centers heavily on residency training, externships, and the transition from medical school to surgical practice. Hozaifa and Greg provide thoughtful advice for students preparing for clerkships, emphasizing humility, enthusiasm, personal accountability, and the importance of balancing confidence with professionalism. Both residents stress that success during externships is less about grades or class rank and more about work ethic, reliability, curiosity, and engagement. They also reflect on how quickly residency passes and encourage students to actively document cases, study surgical approaches, and develop habits of reflection early in training. Listeners also gain a detailed overview of the Inova residency structure, including inpatient management, surgical exposure, orthopedic trauma rotations, overnight call responsibilities, and the program’s strong academic culture. The residents highlight the breadth of surgical experience available at Inova, ranging from minimally invasive procedures to complex reconstructions and trauma care, as well as the program’s emphasis on evidence-based medicine, cadaver labs, research, and multidisciplinary training. Particularly impactful are their stories about orthopedic trauma call at the Level I trauma center at Inova Fairfax Hospital, where residents manage high-acuity cases and gain significant hands-on experience. As the episode concludes, both residents discuss their next career steps. Hozaifa will pursue advanced fellowship training with Dr. Brian Burgess (a pripor guest on Dean’s chat Ep.320), while Greg will remain at Inova as a faculty attending, continuing his passion for education and residency mentorship. Throughout the conversation, both express deep gratitude for the mentorship, investment, and guidance they received from the Inova faculty and reflect on how residency has shaped not only their surgical skills but also their professional identities. This episode provides invaluable insight for podiatry students preparing for externships and residency while showcasing the culture, rigor, and mentorship that define high-level surgical training