Ep. 269 - Arizona College of Podiatric Medicine 2025, American Podiatric Medical Student Association

Dean's Chat hosts Dr. Jeffrey Jensen and Dr. Johanna Richey, welcome Dr. Priya Parthasarathy to the podcast! Dr. Parthasarathy is a board-certified podiatrist and foot & ankle surgeon based in Silver Spring, Maryland. Dr. Parthasarathy is a partner at Foot & Ankle Specialists of the Mid-Atlantic and serves as a national spokesperson for the American Podiatric Medical Association (APMA). This episode is sponsorted by the American Podiatric Medical Associaiton! A graduate of Temple University School of Podiatric Medicine, Dr. Parthasarathy completed her surgical residency at Botsford General Hospital in Michigan. She has been recognized for her leadership, clinical excellence, and dedication to patient education—both in clinical practice and in national media appearances. Dr. Parthasarathy is passionate about advancing awareness of podiatric medicine, mentoring future generations of DPMs, and empowering patients through preventive care and health education. Her inspiring journey, media presence, and advocacy make her one of the most influential voices in modern podiatry. Join us as Drs. Jensen & Richey sit down with Dr. Parthasarathy to discuss her professional journey, her advocacy for women in medicine, and the evolving landscape of podiatric care in today's healthcare environment.

Dean's Chat hosts, Drs. Jensen and Richey, welcome the American Podiatric Medical Association student representatives from the Arizona College of Podiatric Medicine. This episode is sponsored by Bako Diagnostics! Megan Beard (Class of 2027), Dalaiah Shelton (Class of 2028), and Taylor Bollinger (Class of 2028) join us to discuss how they discovered podiatric medicine, their shadowing experiences, and things that have surprised them in school. They also discuss things that have inspired them, and a series of "Rapid Fire" questions! Enjoy this conversation with student leaders! #Podiatry #FootAndAnkle #Residency #MedicalEducation #Surgery #PodiatricMedicine #PreMed #HealthCareCareers #DeansChat

Drs. Jensen and Richey welcome Dr. Rikesh (Ricky) Patel to Dean's Chat! Rikesh A. Patel, DPM, AACFAS has joined the Indian Health Service in Winslow, Arizona, where he provides advanced foot and ankle care to the community. This episoded is sponsored by the American Podiatric Medical Association! A graduate of Barry University School of Podiatric Medicine, Dr. Patel recently completed an advanced foot & ankle fellowship with the Northwest Illinois Foot & Ankle Foundation and previously practiced with the Ankle & Foot Center of Central Florida. He is a fellowship-trained foot & ankle surgeon committed to helping patients regain mobility through innovative surgical and nonsurgical treatments. Follow him on social media as "Pretty Ricky"!

Dean's chat hosts, Drs. Jeffrey Jensen and Johanna Richey, welcome Dr. Kelli Iceman to the podcast! Originally from Detroit, Michigan, she earned her Bachelor of Science degrees in Microbiology and Human Biology at Michigan State University, followed by her Doctor of Podiatric Medicine degree from the Scholl College of Podiatric Medicine in Chicago. This episode is sponsored by Bako Diagnostics!! She completed an intensive residency in reconstructive foot and ankle surgery at Gundersen Medical Center in La Crosse, Wisconsin — a training that set the stage for her distinguished career in sports medicine, trauma, and complex reconstructive surgery. Today, Dr. Iceman practices with the Advanced Foot & Ankle Clinic across Minnesota and Wisconsin, where she combines cutting-edge surgical expertise with a compassionate, patient-centered approach. She is a Fellow of the American College of Foot and Ankle Surgeons and a respected educator dedicated to mentoring future podiatric surgeons. Kelli also has a passion for AI, and its incorporation into the electronic medical record. She as been involved with a start-up and her insights are incredible! Join us as Dr. Iceman shares her inspiring journey from Michigan State to surgical leadership — and how she's redefining reconstructive foot and ankle care across the Upper Midwest. Enjoy!

Dean's Chat hosts Drs. Jeffrey Jensen and Johanna Richey welcome Dr. John Del Monte, DPM, to the podcast. This episode is sponsored by the American Podiatric Medical Association! Dr. Del Monte is a board-certified podiatric foot & ankle surgeon serving Jersey City, New Jersey, with over 20 years of clinical practice. A native of the city, he is deeply committed to helping his community with cutting-edge care and compassionate service. He earned his degree from the New York College of Podiatric Medicine, completed residency at the Foot Center of New York, and has held faculty roles including Associate Professor at the New York College of Podiatric Medicine. Dr. Del Monte also serves as Residency Director for the Podiatric Medicine and Surgery program at CarePoint Health System in Hoboken, NJ. Fluent in English and Spanish, he provides both conservative and surgical treatments—from athlete's foot to complex ankle surgery—with a goal of restoring comfort, mobility, and activity for every patient.

Dean's Chat hosts, Drs. Jensen and Richey, welcome Dr. JD Shih to the podcast! Dr. JD Shih, DPM, MPH Assistant Professor, Clinical Surgery — Keck Medicine of USC Podiatric Surgeon • Limb Salvage Specialist • Public Health Advocate This episode is sponsored by Bako Diagnostics! Dr. JD Shih is a board-certified podiatric surgeon specializing in chronic foot and ankle wounds, reconstructive surgery, limb preservation, and biomechanics.  He holds dual board certification from the American Board of Podiatric Medicine and the American Board of Foot and Ankle Surgery.  He earned his Doctorate of Podiatric Medicine (with honors) from the California School of Podiatric Medicine at Samuel Merritt University, followed by a residency in podiatric medicine and surgery (PMSR/RRA) through the VA and affiliated hospitals in Los Angeles.  In 2019, he completed a fellowship in limb preservation (Lawrence B. Harkless Fellowship) at Keck Medicine of USC.  Fueled by a passion to reduce preventable amputations, Dr. Shih also obtained a Master's in Public Health from Dartmouth's Geisel School of Medicine.  His research spans diabetic foot epidemiology, prevention strategies, imaging diagnostics in foot and ankle disease, disparities in care, and wound management biomechanics.  He has been honored with the Arthur E. Helfand Award for research excellence and the John & Janet Carson Public Health Advocacy Award.  He is active in the American Podiatric Medical Association, California Podiatric Medical Association, and the American Association of Colleges of Podiatric Medicine (where he serves as mentor).  Originally from Taipei, Taiwan, Dr. Shih has lived in the U.S. for much of his life, training and practicing on both coasts.  His care philosophy centers on partnership: he seeks to work closely with patients and families, combining evidence-based medicine, interdisciplinary care, and personalized planning to optimize outcomes.

Drs. Jeffrey Jensen and Johanna Richey, welcome Dr. Renee Woo to the Dean's Chat podcast! Dr. Renee Woo, DPM is a board-certified podiatrist proudly serving the Bay Area through Bay Area Foot Care in San Leandro, CA. A San Leandro native, she returned home after earning her Doctor of Podiatric Medicine from the California School of Podiatric Medicine in 2016 and completing her residency at the VA Central Alabama Healthcare System in 2019. Dr. Woo's practice focuses on sports medicine, bunion surgery, regenerative injections, wound management, diabetic foot care, and trauma treatment, caring for patients of all ages—from athletes to those simply seeking healthier, pain-free mobility. Her commitment and compassion have earned her recognition as the CPMA Humanitarian of the Year (2023) and Rising Star of the Year (2024). Beyond her clinical work, Dr. Woo enjoys a vibrant and active lifestyle. She's an athlete at heart—once a collegiate water skier at the University of Alabama—and today she still loves skiing, yoga, and live sports. A true foodie, she also enjoys cooking and exploring new dining experiences around the Bay Area. Through her dedication to patient care, her community roots, and her passion for healthy living, Dr. Woo continues to make a meaningful impact in podiatric medicine and beyond.

Dean's Chat hosts, Drs. Jensen and Richey, welcome Dr. Walter Strash and his daughter, Bella Strash, a 4th year student at the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley - School of Podiatric Medicine, to the podcast. We discuss, the new podiatric school in Texas, now with 4th year students out on rotation. Bella's experience in podiatry since childhood, and her passion for running and surgery! This episode is sponsored by Bako Diagnostics! Dr. Walter W. Strash, DPM, FACFAS, is a highly respected podiatric foot and ankle surgeon with more than three decades of clinical experience in San Antonio, Texas. He earned his Doctor of Podiatric Medicine degree from Temple University School of Podiatric Medicine in 1988, following his undergraduate studies in biology and psychology at Carleton University in Ottawa, Canada. He then completed his surgical residency at Metropolitan Hospital in Pennsylvania. In 1991, Dr. Strash founded Alamo Family Foot & Ankle Care, where he continues to provide comprehensive treatment for a wide spectrum of conditions including bunions, hammertoes, Achilles tendon disorders, plantar fasciitis, arthritis, and complex reconstructive procedures. He is double board certified by the American Board of Foot & Ankle Surgery in both Foot Surgery and Reconstructive Rearfoot & Ankle Surgery, and he is a Fellow of the American College of Foot and Ankle Surgeons. Alongside his private practice, Dr. Strash serves as an Associate Professor in the Department of Orthopedic Surgery at the University of Texas Health Science Center in San Antonio, where he contributes to teaching, mentorship, and research. His clinical philosophy is rooted in evidence-based medicine, ensuring that patient care is guided by proven scientific approaches. Known for his patient-centered care and surgical expertise, Dr. Strash is recognized as both a leader and innovator in podiatric medicine. His dedication to advancing the profession through education, research, and compassionate clinical practice has made him a trusted physician and mentor to the next generation of podiatric surgeons. Enjoy this episode with a daughter following in her father's footsteps and helping pave the way for a new generation of podiatrists!

Dean's Chat hosts, Drs. Jeffrey Jensen and Johanna Richey, are again joined by four students for Part 4 of their educational journey at the Arizona College of Podiatric Medicine. Joining us are Zachary Anderson, Audrey Diaz, Rineeta Lahiri, Austin Benally This episode is sponsored by APMA! We are going to follow this group, from the Class of 2027, through their time at AZCPM! These students have been immersed in the medical school curriculum for one year now. Great insights on their 1st year and 2nd year experience, culmonating in taking Boards Part 1! We discuss boareds Part 1 and the study habits that allowed students from AZCPM to have 100% pass rate on the first take!

Dean's Chat hosts, Drs. Jensen and Richey welcome Dr. Sarah Haller to the podcast! This podcast is sponsored by Bako Diagnostics! Dr. Sarah E. Haller, DPM, FACFAS is a fellowship-trained, double-board certified foot & ankle surgeon at Essex Union Podiatry in New Jersey. She specializes in sports medicine, post-traumatic reconstruction, revision surgery, and musculoskeletal deformities. She is widely recognized as one of the stars of the hit TLC reality series "My Feet Are Killing Me." On the show, Dr. Haller showcases her expertise by diagnosing and treating some of the most complex and dramatic foot and ankle conditions—bringing advanced podiatric medicine to a national audience and educating viewers about the importance of foot health. Dr. Haller earned her Doctorate of Podiatric Medicine from Barry University, completed her foot & ankle surgical residency at Hoboken University Medical Center (serving as Chief Resident), and completed an advanced fellowship at the Weil Foot & Ankle Institute in Chicago. She is the founder of the New Jersey Foot and Ankle Foundation and serves as a peer reviewer for journals such as Foot & Ankle Specialist and The Journal of Foot & Ankle Surgery. When she isn't caring for patients or advancing research, you might find her doing yoga, riding outdoors, or spending time with her Labrador Retriever.