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In the game Musical Chairs, there are a certain number of chairs set up in a circle to start. The music begins to play and the contestants keep walking around the circle until all of a sudden, it stops. They all then all scramble to find a seat and the ones left without one, are eliminated from the game. This analogy is similar to what students who have completed their podiatric studies experience when it comes time to securing a placement in a residency program after the “music of medical school” stops playing and they scramble to grab a seat. Sadly however, it ends up that there are never enough seats and many students are left without a spot. So what happens next? Fortunately, there are physicians like Cynthia Cernak, DPM of Wisconsin who has reached out to these students and taken them under her wing for a year of mentoring and preparation helping these individuals get back into the game and win a seat in a residency program the following year. In May, Michael Vallez completed his studies at Scholl College of Podiatric Medicine but unfortunately did not place. Utilizing his connections with teachers and mentors at Scholl, he heard of a precept program at Weil Foot and Ankle Institute and began his post graduate year with Dr. Cernak. This position has provided him with multiple opportunities to see what a day in the life of a podiatric physician is like. From patient intakes to orthotic development, Michael has seen various specialties and has the advantage of being able to zero in on more specific areas of expertise on which he might want to focus as he continues his education. Michael also gets a sneak preview of the practice management side of the profession which is not taught in school. Michael was asked if he had some advice for students preparing for residency he said, “Start early - maybe at year 2 to explore what is out there. Try to get involved in multiple externships and more importantly, just get involved whether it is joining clubs, at school, or volunteering. Make yourself stand out.” Michael also said that the mentoring and helpful hints he has received from Dr. Cernak and the other physicians in the practice is a huge benefit. Dr. Cernak has been involved with these post graduate students for 2 years now and she is witness to the energy and aptitude they possess. She said that when these students experience the disappointment of not being placed, they have to dig deep within themselves and take the disappointment and turn it into a success. Dr. Cernak is very proud of Michael and his accomplishments and she is certain Michael will be a published author on the subject of orthotics and will be very successful podiatrists in the years to come. The one piece of advice that both Michael and Dr. Cernak have for students and all physicians is, “To be successful, you need to operate inside your strength zone and outside your comfort zone .” The institute for Podiatric Excellence and Development’s Graduate Management and Clinical Program (GMCP) has successfully placed 14 students over the last 2 years in various practices throughout the United States. This program provides a period of training for future medical professionals, during which a more experienced medical professional (or practitioner) provides training and observation time for the less experienced trainee who may not have been placed in a residency program. Our program is always seeking practices who will offer training to a precept for the interim year. For more information, please contact Ruth Ann Donahue, IPED Executive Director at radonahue@podiatricexcellence.org. | ||||||||||||||||||||
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