Jarrod Shapiro, DPM
Practice Perfect Editor
Assistant Professor,
Dept. of Podiatric Medicine,
Surgery & Biomechanics
College of Podiatric Medicine
Western University of
Health Sciences,
St, Pomona, CA

The year 2010 is coming to a close, I hope happily for everyone. As in all years, it amazes me just how much happens in one year. It doesn’t seem so as the year progresses, but the world is an incredibly busy place – and taken all together, a lot happens. In many cases, we can point to one major event that stood out from the others. For me, it was receiving a very complimentary phone call in April from Lawrence Harkless, DPM, asking me to come to Western University for an interview. I still can’t describe my excitement after getting off the phone with him. I had sent my CV almost on a whim with no thought that I would have even the slightest chance of obtaining a position with the University.

My New Life at Western University

Eight months later, here I sit in my office at Western University of Health Sciences, College of Podiatric Medicine, humbled and still excited at my remarkable turn of events. I’ve found academic medicine to be as exciting and challenging as I thought it would be, and I’ve met some fantastic podiatric physicians.

Academia is a Community

The primary way in which I have benefited is from a sense of community. Over my first 4 years of practice, I have been essentially on my own with very little daily involvement from other podiatric physicians. During my first 2 years, I was an associate to an older podiatrist with different training, and although I learned much from him, I was still somewhat isolated. I was even more isolated during my second 2 years in a rural practice as the only podiatric physician in town. Now that I am surrounding by podiatric physicians of various ages and experience levels, I have a community of like-minded individuals who work very well as a team, and I’ve profited greatly.

Thanks to you, the Members of PRESENT Podiatry

I want to take a quick moment and thank all of the readers and contributors to our online community. I’ve greatly enjoyed both reader submissions and the vibrant discussion on the PRESENT eTalk community. It is truly a privilege to be a participant.

Thanks to PRESENT e-Learning Systems

I also want to thank everyone at PRESENT e-Learning Systems for all their kindness, support, and leadership. They are an incredible resource for the podiatric community, contributing so much to our profession. If you’re not a heavy user of all they have to offer, I strongly recommend it. You’ll benefit greatly from the various lectures, live conferences, eZines, and discussion community. Keep up the great work, PRESENT. I’m expecting more fantastic work in the upcoming year.

On to 2011!

I can’t wait to see what 2011 has in store! Write in with your most memorable moment of 2010. All the best wishes on a happy and healthy New Year. I hope your 2011 is as exciting as mine promises to be.