Answering a Call to Serve During the Pandemic

Katie Yacu

TUSPM Class of 2024

APHA President-Elect

July 16th, 2020, is a day that changed my life forever.

I received a call that I had been accepted into Temple School of Podiatric Medicine's Class of 2024.

I applied during the COVID-19 pandemic from my childhood bedroom like several classmates. I knew this was where I needed to be! The healthcare workers making a difference at the frontlines during the pandemic had inspired me.

I had been accepted into the program without completing a bachelor's degree! An extraordinary accomplishment that was possible because I had completed every prerequisite necessary for admission.

At the time, I was finishing my second year at Clemson University pursuing a degree in Health Sciences.

Within two weeks of receiving the news that I was admitted into the program, I got rid of my college apartment lease, packed all my belongings, and moved a 12-hour drive away from the place I called home!

Although it was the most significant risk I had ever taken, it was a risk I was willing to take to fulfill my dream of becoming a podiatric physician. 

The first semester was challenging for me. Not because of grades or struggles keeping up with a large volume of information, but the self-doubt I had in myself would sometimes consume me. These insecurities were the same ones that I had carried throughout my college experience. I remember I would always say to myself before every exam, "This is going to be what weeds me out," no matter how confident I felt about the material. Being young in a professional school with so many intelligent and talented people was far more intimidating than I thought it would be.

But over time, I had overcome the uncertainties. I began to increase my willpower.

I would meet professors and accomplished podiatric physicians over Zoom meetings, and it would remind me that they were once in my shoes too. I thought, if they could do it, then so can!

Podiatry school has reminded me that my success depended on my believing in myself. 

Moving up "North" to Philadelphia was also a culture shock.

I was born and raised in South Carolina in Charleston's charming town. It was highly different from Philadelphia, a fast-paced city, and did not expect these formalities. There, saying "yes ma'am" or "yes sir" was common courtesy and southern hospitality was a lifestyle.

Also, trading in my 70-degree winters in South Carolina for 20-degree walks to class in Pennsylvania took getting used to, but luckily, I survived.

Living far from home taught me to live independently. TUSPM was one of the "closer" podiatry schools that I could apply to, and it was important to me to stay in the same time zone as my family.

I had lived with other people my entire life, whether it had been my immediate family or roommates.

My second year of podiatry school was the first opportunity to live alone. 

As someone who has struggled with Mental Health their entire life, this took a toll on me some days and, in the beginning, filled me with feelings of loneliness.

But over time, these feelings started to go away. I would remind myself I was one phone call away from my family, and that was enough for me.

This independence was what I needed to realize it is okay to be alone finally, and it does not mean people are not there for you.

Your biggest cheerleaders can be miles and hours away.

Fast forward to today. I am 22 years old, finishing the spring semester of my second year, and preparing for Boards and Clinics this upcoming summer.

In ten years, when I am 32 years old, I hope that I will be like one of those accomplished podiatric physicians inspiring someone like myself to keep pushing through.

I can confidently say choosing to go to podiatry school has changed my life for the better. 

I have become a stronger, more resilient person.

The lesson learned is that you are always one decision away from a different life! It is up to you to make it a positive one!