Footnotes - Winter 2024 - 18

The setup of my work also allows me great control over
my time, which was a priority for me post-residency. I
didn't want another boss dictating my schedule. If I need
to take time off for appearances or personal matters, I can
balance it out. I ensure my patients are taken care of, and
my supportive group makes that possible.
Q: How have you seen the representation of women
and diversity in the field of podiatry change over
the course of your career?
A: It's getting better, which is encouraging. However,
there's always more that can be done. In medicine
overall, including podiatry, we need more diversity to
bridge health disparities. When healthcare professionals
are diverse, they can better understand and address
the unique needs of different communities. It not only
enhances the quality of care but also reduces the risk
of making ignorant or prejudiced statements. Exposure
to diverse communities during education helps
healthcare professionals be more culturally competent
and understanding. In the end, diversity in the field
positively influences patient care, creating a more
inclusive and equitable healthcare environment.
Des Moines University, where I have a strong affiliation,
makes a conscious effort to enhance diversity, although
it's an uncomfortable conversation at times, especially
considering the political landscape and changes in
affirmative action. Setting parameters to ensure
opportunities for students of color and women is crucial
not only for them but for the broader population to be
educated about diverse communities.
Being able to have a national platform and be highly
visible as a black woman and graduate of an HBCU
has been truly a shining moment for me. It is not lost
upon me that representation matters and I am happy
to have been afforded this opportunity to represent and
I do not carry it lightly. Seeing how young women and
18
" Being able to have a
national platform and be
highly visible as a black
woman and graduate of
an HBCU has been truly a
shining moment for me. "
-Ebonie Vincent, DPM, MBMS, D.ABPM
young black women in particular react to my presence
and then strive to be in the field of medicine is truly
humbling and I am so proud to be an example of what
they can be one day. I do my utmost to continue to give
back by being a mentor to many students at any stage
in their education and being a consistent presence on
social media to reach the masses.
Q: As a successful woman in podiatric medicine, what
advice do you have for aspiring female podiatrists?
A: Absolutely, I think you can have it all, but maybe not
all at once. There are phases in a woman's life where
you might need to prioritize career and put other things
on the back burner like relationships, family, and travel.
However, once you've reached a certain point in your
career, it's crucial not to let your career overshadow
other aspects of life. Personally, I'm married, have a dog,
and am starting a family in my late thirties. It took some
time, and I did feel a bit frustrated at points, wondering
why things weren't happening sooner. But focusing on
my career in the beginning has given me the autonomy
to manage these new life phases. It's about making
choices that align with your priorities at different stages.
Everyone's journey is unique, and there's no one-sizefits-all
approach to balancing career and personal life.
WINTER 2024
Footnotes - Winter 2024

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