Ep. 310 - Zachary Brooks, DPM - Leadership, From AZCPM Class President to Practice in Oregon

Drs. Jensen and Richey welcome Dr. Michael Gentile to Dean’s Chat—a dual board-certified foot and ankle surgeon whose career spans private practice, academic leadership, fellowship training, and national organizational impact.From reconstructive surgery and limb salvage to resident education and leadership within the American College of Foot and Ankle Surgeons, Dr. Gentile brings a wealth of experience and perspective on what it means to build a meaningful and enduring career in podiatric medicine.🔎 Episode OverviewDr. Gentile shares his journey from graduating summa cum laude at the California College of Podiatric Medicine to completing a rigorous reconstructive residency in Denver, and ultimately becoming a leader in both clinical practice and surgical education.Now practicing with The Permanente Medical Group in San Francisco, Dr. Gentile reflects on his transition across practice environments, his passion for teaching, and his commitment to advancing the profession through research, mentorship, and organized medicine.💡 Key Topics Covered• Dual board certification and what it means for surgical excellence• Evolution from private practice to academic leadership and multi-specialty care• Building and directing a foot & ankle fellowship program• The role of mentorship in shaping the next generation• Leadership within American College of Foot and Ankle Surgeons• Surgical innovation in trauma, reconstruction, and limb salvage• Integrating podiatry within orthopaedic and multi-specialty systems• Lessons learned across a 20+ year career in foot and ankle surgery🧠 Leadership Takeaways• “Great surgeons are built through repetition, mentorship, and accountability.”• Academic medicine provides a platform to multiply your impact beyond the OR• Leadership is less about title and more about consistent contribution• The future of podiatry depends on integration, education, and collaboration👨‍⚕️ About Our GuestMichael A. Gentile, DPM, D.ABFAS, FACFAS• Dual Board-Certified: American Board of Foot and Ankle Surgery (Foot & Rearfoot/Ankle Reconstruction)• Residency: HealthONE Presbyterian/St. Luke’s Medical Center, Denver, CO• Former Chief, Division of Foot & Ankle Surgery – Marshall University School of Medicine• Current Practice: The Permanente Medical Group (San Francisco, CA)• Faculty: AO North America• Section Editor (Trauma): Journal of Foot & Ankle Surgery• Chairman, Surgical Skills Committee – American College of Foot and Ankle Surgeons• Founder, Portland Foot & Ankle Reconstructive Fellowship• Multiple “Attending of the Year” awards and national recognition in surgical education🎯 Who Should Watch• Podiatric medical students and residents• Foot & ankle surgeons interested in reconstruction and trauma• Academic leaders and program directors• Physicians navigating private practice vs. academic careers• Anyone interested in leadership within organized medicine

Welcome to the inaugural episode of the Dean’s Chat Learning Series (DCLS), a new educational extension/spin-off of the Dean’s Chat podcast, hosted by Dr. Jeffrey Jensen, Dean of the Arizona College of Podiatric Medicine, and Dr. Johanna Richey, Asst. Professor at the Arizona College of Podiatric Medicine.In this episode, Drs. Jensen and Richey introduce the vision behind the Learning Series — a more structured, academic, and topic-focused format, free of typical Continuing Medical Education requirements, designed to complement the conversational style of the traditional Dean’s Chat episodes.Thank you to Bako Diagnostics for sponsoring mulitiple episodes in this series!

In this episode of Dean’s Chat, Dr. Jensen and Dr. Richey welcome Dr. Shital Sharma, a physician-leader whose career spans clinical practice, residency education, healthcare business strategy, and emerging technology in medicine.Dr. Sharma brings over a decade of experience at the intersection of academic podiatric medicine, private practice growth, and healthcare innovation, with leadership roles in both hospital-based training programs and private-equity–backed practice models.She previously served as Chair of Podiatry and Residency Director at CarePoint Health, where she led departmental strategy, surgical education, and accreditation oversight. Her work in graduate medical education focused on building strong residency training environments while navigating the evolving landscape of hospital systems and reimbursement.Dr. Sharma currently practices with New York Sports & Joints, where she is involved in market expansion, credentialing, referral development, and operational strategy, helping scale modern multidisciplinary orthopedic and podiatric care models.In addition to her clinical and administrative work, she is pursuing a Master of Public Health at Yale University (expected 2027), with a focus on insurance systems, healthcare policy, and population health. Her academic work reflects a growing interest in how physicians can lead change in a healthcare system increasingly shaped by data, technology, and value-based care.Dr. Sharma is also recognized nationally for her leadership in:• Physician education and residency training• AI integration in clinical workflow• Alumni and professional governance• Practice growth within private equity–supported modelsTopics discussed in this episode• Transitioning from residency director to healthcare strategist• The future of podiatry in large health systems• Private equity and its impact on surgical specialties• How AI will change physician workflow• Why public health training matters for modern physicians• Leadership lessons from academic medicine• Advice for students, residents, and young attendingsThis conversation highlights the importance of adaptability, leadership, and lifelong learning as the profession continues to evolve.

In this Dean's Chat episode of Dean’s Chat, Jo and I sit down with Dr. Zachary Brooks, graduate of the Arizona College of Podiatric Medicine Class of 2019, former class president, and residency-trained foot and ankle surgeon through Kaiser Permanente North Bay Consortium.Dr. Brooks shares his journey from medical student leadership to chief resident, and now to private practice in Eugene, Oregon. We discuss the value of strong residency training, the transition into practice, and advice for students considering podiatric medicine.This conversation highlights the importance of preparation, mentorship, and taking advantage of opportunities during training.🔹 Topics Discussed• AZCPM student experience and leadership roles• Life as class president in podiatry school• Kaiser Permanente residency training• Surgical training and case volume• Transition from residency to practice• Practicing podiatry in Oregon• Advice for current podiatry students• The future of foot and ankle surgery🔹 About Dr. Zachary Brooks• DPM — Arizona College of Podiatric Medicine (2019)• Residency — Kaiser Permanente North Bay Consortium• Chief Resident• Practicing in Eugene, Oregon• Board-certified foot and ankle surgeon

Drs. Jensen and Richey sit down with Dr. Oloff for a Part 2 interview! Dr. Lawrence Oloff is a highly influential podiatric surgeon, educator, and sports medicine specialist. The interview spans Dr. Oloff’s career, the evolution of podiatry, and his experiences at the highest levels of academic medicine and professional sports.This episode is sponsored by Bako Diagnostics!Join us as we discuss “All things podiatric medicine and surgery” including Dr. Oloff’s Career Path & Leadership. Dr. Oloff trained at Pennsylvania College of Podiatric Medicine, he served as faculty at multiple podiatric institutions, including the California College of Podiatric Medicine and was Dr. Jensen’s Dean when he graduated from Podiatric Medial School. Most recently, Dr. Oloff became full-time faculty at UCSF and remains the program director for St. Mary’s Hospital - podiatric residency program as part of the Department of Orthopedics. He now practices alongside orthopedic foot-and-ankle surgeons, operating equally within a top-tier academic medical center—an example of podiatry’s integration into mainstream medicine.He has chaired national academic boards and played a major role in advancing multi-year residency training and residency placement for graduates. A leader in the advancement of Podiatric Surgical Sports medicine, Dr. Oloff has served as team podiatrist for elite organizations including the San Francisco Giants (over 25 years), 49ers, Warriors, Stanford University, and others. He emphasizes: the importance of being a team player over asserting ego; Judicious decision-making, especially around return-to-play; Learning directly from trainers and real-world experience; The pressure, risk, and legal exposure involved in treating professional athletes.Throughout the interview, Dr. Oloff reflects on earlier decades when podiatrists had to “break down doors” to gain hospital privileges and professional respect. Compared to that era, today’s podiatry offers far greater opportunity, visibility, and integration, though challenges remain. He stresses that good surgery is not about technical skill alone, but about knowing when not to operate, understanding biomechanics, planning several steps ahead, and remaining humble.He credits mentors like Dr. Alan Jacobs and underscores the importance of rigorous academics, interdisciplinary collaboration, and lifelong learning. Overall, this episode is a rich oral history of modern podiatry—highlighting its struggles, growth, and future potential—through the lens of one of its most accomplished leaders.

Dean's Chat hosts, Drs. Jensen and Richey, welcome Dr. Dyane Tower to Dean's Chat.This episode is sponsored by the American Podiatric Medical Association (APMA)!Dyane Tower, DPM, MPH, MS, CAE is a nationally recognized leader in podiatric medicine and healthcare administration, currently serving as Medical Director and Vice President of Clinical Affairs for the American Podiatric Medical Association (APMA). With a unique blend of clinical training and executive leadership, Dr. Tower plays a pivotal role in shaping national clinical policy, professional standards, and advocacy efforts for the podiatric profession.She holds the degrees of Doctor of Podiatric Medicine degree from the Scholl College of Podiatric Medicine, and completed her 3 year residency at the North Coloroado Podiatric Medicine Surgery program.Her background highlights advanced expertise in organizational governance, strategy, and healthcare leadership. Her interdisciplinary background allows her to bridge clinical practice, public health, and national-level professional advocacy.At APMA, Dr. Tower oversees:• Clinical policy and professional practice standards• Clinical education and evidence-based guidelines• Regulatory affairs and federal advocacy• Public health integration and interdisciplinary collaborationDr. Tower is widely respected for her strategic vision, clarity of communication, and deep commitment to advancing podiatric medicine at a national level. As a featured guest on Dean’s Chat, she provides expert insight into healthcare policy, clinical governance, professional advocacy, and the future direction of the podiatric profession.Beyond her executive leadership, Dr. Tower is known for her mentorship, national speaking engagements, and ongoing efforts to elevate the voice and visibility of podiatric physicians within the broader healthcare ecosystem. Enjoy!

Dean's Chat hosts, Drs. Jensen and Richey welcome Madelin C. Ramil, DPM, FACFAS, to the podcast. Dr. Ramil is Dean and Professor at Barry University School of Podiatric Medicine (College of Health Professions & Medical Sciences) and a foot and ankle surgeon. She leads clinical education, accreditation and continuous quality improvement, curriculum and assessment, and student advising, retention, and board readiness, while expanding clinical training partnerships. This episode is spoonsorted by Bako Diagnostics!Dr. Ramil earned her DPM from Barry University. She completed residency training at Florida Medical Center North and Plantation General Hospital and pursued fellowship training at Hospital San Rafael in Barcelona, Spain, and in Rome, Italy, under Dr. Ronconi. She is licensed in Florida and is a Fellow of the American College of Foot and Ankle Surgeons. With more than 25 years in practice, Dr. Ramil has trained residents and externs as an attending physician and served as Assistant Surgical Foot and Ankle Residency Program Director. She directed the Foot and Ankle Clinic at Plantation General Hospital and has held privileges in multiple Broward County hospitals. A wound care expert, she has provided care in hospital-based wound centers across South Florida. A national and international speaker, Dr. Ramil also teaches foot surgery in Spain. She served as Director of Research for the HCA Westside Hospital Podiatric Medicine and Surgery Residency Program, supporting clinically relevant scholarship and educational quality initiatives. A proud Barry alumnus, she participated for over 15 years in the Dr. Charles Southerland Yucatán Crippled Children’s Program, BUSPM’s sponsored medical mission.

Dean's Chat hosts, Drs. Jensen and Richey, welcome Dr. Arman Kirakosian to the Podcast!Dr. Arman Kirakosian is a board-certified foot and ankle surgeon whose journey into podiatric medicine began after sustaining an injury while playing professional soccer at Titan Stadium in 1999. Originally from Armenia, Dr. Kirakosian immigrated to the United States at the age of 13 with his parents and younger brother, bringing with him the resilience and determination that would later define his career.This episode is sponsored by the American Podiatric Medical Association!He completed his three-year surgical residency at the Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center in San Francisco from 2007 to 2010. Following residency, he established private practices in San Carlos and San Bruno, earning recognition for his skill in complex foot and ankle pathology and contributing to the field through multiple peer-reviewed publications.In 2015, Dr. Kirakosian returned to the VA San Francisco as a staff podiatric surgeon. By 2017, he was appointed Director of the Podiatric Surgical and Medical Residency Program, where he currently mentors six residents and numerous podiatric medical students. A passionate educator, he taught Gross Anatomy at San Francisco State University from 2006 to 2024, blending academic teaching with real-world surgical experience.Dr. Kirakosian also serves as Team Podiatrist for the Sacramento Republic FC (USL) and was named Team Podiatrist for the San Jose Earthquakes (MLS) in 2021. He has traveled internationally as the primary team doctor for the Armenian Women’s National Soccer Team during World Cup and Euro Cup qualifying competitions.Guided by mentors such as Dr. Thomas Chang, Dr. Kirakosian remains dedicated to teaching, advancing sports medicine, and giving back to the profession that once cared for him as a young athlete. Enjoy this podcast!!Dr. Arman Kirakosian, D.P.M. FABPM, FAAFASABPM Diplomate, American Board of Podiatric Medicine Diplomate with Certification of Added Qualification in Sports MedicineResidency Director of Podiatric Medicine and Surgery | DVA San Francisco Medical CenterTeam Podiatrist | San Jose Earthquakes, Sacramento Republic FC, Armenian Women’s National Soccer Team AAPSM Fellow | American Academy of Podiatric Sports MedicineACSM Member | American College of Sports Medicine CPMA President | California Podiatric Medical Association

Dean's Chat hosts, Drs. Jensen and Richey, welcome Matine Mirsaidi, D.P.M to the podcast!This episode is sponsored by BakoDx!Dr. Matine Mirsaidi received his Doctor of Podiatric Medicine at the Arizona College of Podiatric Medicine of Midwestern University, receiving premium podiatric medical training from a didactic and clinical aspect in affiliated facilities across the country. Thereafter, he completed a three-year podiatric medical and surgical residency at Carl T. Hayden VA Medical Center. He was trained by numerous well renowned foot and ankle specialists across the valley in the diagnosis and treatment of foot and ankle conditions, with vast training in both conservative and surgical management.Dr. Mirsaidi’s diverse training spans across wound care, diabetic foot care and limb salvage, complicated lower extremity infections, sports related injuries, dermatological conditions of the lower extremity, heel pain, flat feet, and other foot and ankle ailments.Raised here in the valley, Dr. Mirsaidi has always emphasized the importance of giving back to the community that has given so much to you. He volunteers at multiple events biannually such as FitFeet affiliated with Special Olympics of Arizona.In his free time, Dr. Mirsaidi enjoys spending time with his loved ones, traveling, participating and following sports such as soccer, football, basketball, and playing the guitar.In addition to English, Dr. Mirsaidi is fluent in Farsi/Persian, with a background in Spanish and French as well.Enjoy the podcast!

Drs. Jensen and Richey welcome Lieutenant Commander Brittany Lovett, DPM, a native of Mount Laurel, New Jersey, to Dean's Chat!She began her military career in 2008. She enlisted in the Air National Guard in 2008 and readily embraced her MOS (108th Services) whilepreparing meals and providing hospitality to her fellow Airmen on McGuire Air Force Base. She was meritoriously promoted to Senior Airman and took her first leadership role over six other junior Airmen. While enlisted, she attended Rutgers University in Camden, New Jerseyand earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Biology in 2010. LCDR Lovett was competitively selected for the Healthcare Program Scholarship, and commissioned as an Ensign in the Naval Reserves in April 2012.After completing her Doctorate of Podiatric Medicine Degree from Barry in 2015, University in 2015, she was promoted to Lieutenant. In 2015, she completed Officer Development School in Newport, Rhode Island. LCDR Lovett then reported to Womack Army Medical Center, Fort Bragg, North Carolina, where she was selected as Chief Resident. As the Chief Resident, she overseen 5 other junior residents, diligently taking call monthly, establishing clinical templates, and coordinating surgical schedules, while performingover 400 surgeries. LCDR Lovett successfully completed Residency in 2018, in addition to publishing an article Wound Management of a Pediatric Spina Bifida Patient Secondary to a Dog Inflicted Fifth Digit Amputation. She successfully completed a three-year foot and ankle reconstructive surgical residency, and became board certified in American Board of Podiatric Medicine. In 2018 she reported to Walter Reed National Military Medical Center, Bethesda, Maryland where she was competitively selected as the Department Head of Podiatry at the White House Medical unit and the Navy Command Legal Officer within her first year on board. Additionally, she was appointed as the Unit Budget Officer and National Capital Region Podiatry Deputy Product Line Chair where she developed best practices and ensured seamless coordination of and administrative support for 1,434 Officers and Sailorsassigned. As a result of her sustained leadership skills, she was hand selected as Navy Medicine Readiness and Training Command Bethesda Division Officer where she ensured 100% medical readiness of 370 service members. She fulfilled a vital role while serving on the COVID 19 Vaccination Task Team. While touring at Walter Reed, LCDR Lovett’s passion for healthcare administration grew. In 2021, she graduated summa cum laude from Louisiana State University, earning a Master of Healthcare Administration degree. In 2022 LCDR Lovett reported to Naval Medical Readiness and Training Command, Jacksonville, FL. She serves as a Staff Podiatrist, Clinical Manager of Ophthalmology Department, Southeast Region Suicide Prevention Coordinator, Caregiver Operational Stress Relief Team Lead, Vice President of the Southeast Medical Service Corp Association, and a Member of the Climate Resiliency Team.In 2025, LCDR Lovett was hand-selected to serve as the Department Head of the Navy Manpower Analysis enter at NAS Jacksonville, leading initiatives to enhance warfighter optimization and fleet readiness. LCDR Lovett is certified by the American Board of Podiatric Medicine and is an active Federal Services member of the American Podiatric Medical Association. Her personal awards include Joint Commendation Medal, Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal , Humanitarian Service Medal, and numerous unitand service award.Enjoy this wonderful interview!