Footnotes - Fall 2023 - 8

A Victory for Ohio and
A Victory for Podiatry
By Sierra Clark, KUSPM '25
As medical students we all have a number of
responsibilities. We all have obligations to our school work,
families, friends, extracurriculars, and for some even work.
It's a lot to juggle, and it's sometimes hard to think past
next week's exam let alone what Congressional bills could
impact the future of podiatry. It's in all students' best
interests though to get involved and advocate for ourselves
and our future patients. To any students questioning how
current legislation could alter their future, I would employ
them to read this article and learn more about the recent
in-state tuition victory for Kent State University School of
Podiatric Medicine (KSUCPM).
The fight to gain in-state tuition began because, " Ohio
natives who attend KSUCPM were previously the
only in-state medical students who did not receive SSI
8
funding, " according to Ohio Foot and Ankle Medical
Association (OHFAMA) President Adam Thomas,
DPM, an Ohio native and a 2006 graduate of the Ohio
College of Podiatric Medicine. Stakeholders within the
state like Dr. Boike (Dean of KSUCPM), KSUCPM's
administrative team, Dr. Todd Diacon (President of
Kent State University), KSU's government affairs team
including Brady Oxender, and Nick Gatozzi, Senator
Cirino, as well as OHFAMA's members knew they had to
act and get students involved too. OHFAMA Executive
Director Mike Mathy stated, " Students are the future of
our profession, and it's vitally important to let your voice
be heard. Policymakers are eager to hear from you because
they have a vested interest in ensuring quality access to care
for patients and keeping highly educated, skilled physicians
practicing in their state. " When speaking to others involved
in the advocacy to obtain funding, it was emphasized that
FALL 2023
Footnotes - Fall 2023

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