Footnotes Summer 2024 - 17

What inspired you to specialize in pediatric
podiatry?
After graduating with a two-year surgical residency
from Worcester Medical Center in Massachusetts, I
was inspired by Dr. James Lucido, a pediatric professor,
who had an incredible passion for pediatrics. Unlike
any other specialty in podiatry, there's a strong passion
in those who specialize in podiatry. During my early
practice, I started really questioning if there was more
to prevention than just correction. I went on a mission
to treat more kids, prevent more problems, and start
looking at things at an earlier age in children. I took
the initiative by joining a clinic at a local hospital that
had a multidisciplinary team including a physiatrist,
pediatric PT, and orthotist. I eventually took over the
clinic, and we would see patients with physiatry, physical
therapy, occupational therapy, pedorthics, orthotists, and
spinal surgeon. We would conduct a multidisciplinary
plan for children with musculoskeletal issues or
neuromuscular diseases all the way to flexible flat foot.
This collaborative approach allowed me to see the
significant impact of early intervention and prevention
on children's musculoskeletal issues, which inspired my
dedication to pediatric podiatry. I realized that children
respond faster to treatments because of how malleable
a child is, conservatively, in comparison to an adult, and
seeing their progress is incredibly rewarding.
What challenges did you encounter and how did
they shape your professional path?
Starting podiatry school at a young age and being
away from home for the first time were initial
challenges. Professionally, convincing pediatricians to
prioritize prevention over correction and addressing
misconceptions about growing pains were significant
hurdles, but I succeeded in winning them over by
treating patients and showing them the outcomes as
examples. I also overcame these hurdles by providing
Members of the ACFAP Board who attended the Pediatric Foot and Ankle Seminar.
SUMMER 2024
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Footnotes Summer 2024

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