Promote the Profession

Promotion of our Profession Begins with You

I have the opportunity to speak with prospective students and current students on a daily basis. And I ask a lot of questions about why they have chosen to pursue this specialty. Nearly all of the students mention a shadowing experience as one of most significant reasons they chose to become a DPM. Their experience with a podiatrist – in the office, clinic and OR – has been so impactful that they have chosen to follow in our footsteps.

I am asking you to consider mentoring prospective students by allowing them to shadow you and experience all that our profession has to offer. To that end, APMA has developed STEP INTO PODIATRY, a website designed to showcase our great profession and encourage pre-health students to learn more about the field. One aspect that I would strongly encourage any alumnus to consider is becoming a DPM Mentor. By becoming a Mentor, you will welcome pre-health students into your office/practice so they can experience what day-to-day life is like as a DPM. You can opt-in through your account profile on APMA.org, making the process easier than ever:

• Log in to APMA.org
• Click “My Account” on the top of the screen
• Click “Update Contact and Mentor Info”
• Scroll down; select the box next to “Become a Podiatry Mentor”
• Click “Save”

When talking with prospective and current students, they often ask me about whether or not I am happy in this profession. My answer is always the same: Pursuing podiatry has been the greatest decision I have made and I would do it all over again. I know many of you feel the same way. Please consider becoming a mentor and sharing the greatest decision you made with the next generation.

Thank you,

Allan M. Boike, DPM