As a first-generation college student, my first immersion into medicine was not until I was a junior in college. This was the first time I could shadow a physician and imagine what a medical career could mean for me. I shadowed Dr. Gillon, an orthopedic hand surgeon, in his office and the Operating Room. Dr. Gillon took the time to review CT scans of ganglion cysts and pre- and post-surgery x-rays with me. I watched him cast patients from sports injuries and provide wound care for his post-op patients. I was surprised at how quickly Dr. Gillon’s patients were discharged, but with no post-op complications, there was no need to continue with follow-up appointments.
While pursuing my master’s degree, I became a dermatology medical assistant. I was integral in providing patients of all ages with care for their skin disorders. I assisted in skin cancer excisions, routine biopsies, and patient education. At a point in time, it seemed that any patient presenting with a problem on their foot suddenly became the patient I was assisting. I helped treat onychomycosis and remove plantar warts. Some may call it misfortunate, but looking back, it seems more like a sign.
After three years in dermatology, I became a cosmetic medical assistant, which was a tough transition. I went from caring for patients with medical conditions to assisting with cosmetic injections. I sought opportunities to immerse myself in the anatomy of cosmetic procedures and the risks associated with specific guidelines. I went to the Operating Room to shadow an endoscopic brow lift, midface lift, upper lid blepharoplasty, lower lid blepharoplasty, and liposculpture. I was also able to help perform a facelift and browlift on a cadaver at the Venel Institute.
When I started to explore podiatry, Dr. Kassan, my neighborhood podiatrist, enthusiastically agreed to let me shadow him. I saw a lot of overlap between cases I had been so accustomed to in dermatology. There was also the familiarity of wound care from caring for post-op patients in the cosmetic office. Dr. Kassan took the care he has for his patients an extra step further. He applied lotion to his patients after cutting their nails and drew smiley faces on band-aids for pediatric patients. The most impactful experience of my time was how relieved every patient left the office. Every patient left the office better than when they arrived because they were now more comfortable.
The most intriguing aspect of podiatry is the variety of subspecialties within the field. I have experience in many of these subspecialties, whether sports medicine, wound care, or dermatology. Podiatry is everything I envision for myself when thinking about my medical career. It is not a specialty limited by one body system or age group. It is the perfect balance between clinical and surgical intervention. It also allows you to build lasting relationships with patients.