Footnotes - Winter 2024 - 17

Q: You've been an advocate for diabetic foot care
awareness. What inspired you to specialize in this
area and how do you engage with communities to
promote foot health, especially among individuals
with diabetes?
A: The diabetic population became a focal point for
me due to the significant need for awareness and
prevention. Often, when patients seek help after
developing wounds, it's a race against time to prevent
potential amputations. I prefer catching individuals right
after their diabetes diagnosis, emphasizing prevention to
avoid severe consequences like amputations.
To engage with communities, I initially started by
visiting physical therapy offices, conducting webinars,
and engaging in online platforms like Instagram and
Facebook through live sessions. Creating a radius within
the community is effective; people started to listen.
Attending different lectures at urgent care centers
and making myself known in the community has
proven beneficial. This way, urgent care centers can
start referring patients to me, creating a collaborative
approach to promoting preventative health in diabetes.
Q: What improvements would you like to see in terms
of public awareness of podiatric health?
I think a crucial aspect is understanding that there's
no miracle fix. People need to be more aware of how
challenging foot surgery is and the extended healing
process involved. Unlike hand surgery, where you can
cradle and protect the affected area, foot surgery faces
the constant pressure of gravity and body weight,
making it delicate. It's essential to convey the message
that when we say " no weight bearing, " it means
absolutely none, even for simple tasks like going to the
bathroom. Additionally, people should recognize how
overall health impacts surgical outcomes. For instance,
smoking habits can significantly affect healing. The
WINTER 2024
" My Feet Are Killing Me " TLC
awareness needs to extend to the patient's responsibility
in their recovery process.
Q: You've been involved in various roles, including
clinical practice, teaching, and media appearances.
As a woman, a leader, and a podiatrist, how do you
balance these different aspects of your career and
your personal life?
A: Balancing these different aspects can be challenging,
and it depends on the medium and the audience. For
significant appearances like on Kelly and Ryan, I might
take time off from work, given the broader audience
reach. However, for Zoom meetings, dinner meetings,
and phone calls, I find flexibility in my schedule, like
during lunch or occasionally on a Saturday morning.
It's a constant juggling act, but I've mastered it to some
extent, though challenges still arise.
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Footnotes - Winter 2024

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