APMA News - September/October 2021 - 66

10 Questions
Featuring Kiana Trent, DPM, of White Plains, MD
In this feature, APMA News asks one member 10 questions and gets all the answers
about their passions, ambitions, and priorities. Would you like to answer
our questions? Contact Aimee Condayan at arcondayan@apma.org.
When you were a kid, what did you want to be when
you grew up?
When I was a kid, I thought I could do it all. I wanted to be an
actress, a marine biologist, and a physician. I have always been
drawn to helping people, and I knew that I was destined for a
career in the health-care field at an early age.
What do you do for fun during your time off?
I love to travel. I try to go on a trip to relax and reset at least
every six months. I also enjoy unwinding at the spa and spending
time with my loved ones.
If you could meet any famous person, who would it
be, and why?
Michelle Obama, hands down. I had the pleasure of seeing her
live during her book tour, and I think it would be such an honor
to sit and talk with her. Her story of how she grew up and
how she got to where she is today is so inspiring. The compassion
and love that she pours into her work motivates me to
continue to work hard, to strive for more, and to always treat
people with respect and dignity and let them know that they
are valued.
Who would you most like to swap places with for a
day?
The chief of surgery at my hospital. The daily ins and outs of
practicing medicine can be daunting. Add that to supervising
all the surgical services, responding to patient care complaints,
and smoothly running an operating room. Those are challenges
I feel I can assist with. My long-term goal is to be the chief of
surgery, so swapping places with him for a day [would] provide
me with some insight into my possible future position.
Why is podiatry the best career for you?
I love the field of podiatry. I do a lot of wound care and limb
salvage cases, and it gives me such satisfaction to heal a wound
or to prevent a more proximal amputation, such as a BKA or an
AKA. When patients come to me thanking me for not giving up
on them and giving them a chance to walk or saving their foot,
it gives me great joy to know that I have made a difference in
my patients' lives.
Who's the most memorable professor you've ever
had, and why?
My Latin teacher, Mr. Jones, from high school. Although this
was a foreign language class, he opened our eyes to see the
world from many different views; he drilled into us the concept
66 APMA News September/October 2021
of critical thinking, and he always pushed his students and believed
they could do anything.
What's the best meal you've ever had?
The Seafood Cobb Salad and the Seafood Platter from Pappadeaux
Seafood Kitchen.
What is the biggest change you've seen in podiatric
medicine since you started practicing?
The VA Mission Act/Provider Equity Act is something I was
thrilled to see passed. This act addresses the disparities between
the VA and the private sector. It also helps the Veterans
Administration to recruit and maintain well-trained podiatric
physicians and surgeons, which in turn improves access to
high-quality foot and ankle care for our nation's veterans.
Tell us about a patient who changed your life/your
approach to medicine/your outlook.
I had an obese, diabetic patient with a history of several amputations
and venous stasis ulcers that I used to see weekly. Every
week, he would come in with soda and chips or soda and a
bakery treat and sit while his feet and legs were being treated.
He was on a path of destruction and self-sabotage. Of course,
we continued to discuss nutrition and compliance, but the
same behavior continued. One day I just sat down and talked
to the patient about his background and how he grew up, his
problem with overeating, and why he struggled. Our weekly
visits turned into weekly therapy sessions, where he shared,
and I offered him helpful tips that might guide him in the right
direction to make positive changes in his life. He started the
keto diet and was able to lose 90 pounds, he joined the gym,
and he requested a therapist. His A1C dropped from 13 to seven,
and his wounds healed remarkably. He taught me that taking
time to invest in your patient and not just focus on their
foot or leg can literally change their lives. This patient has
moved from the area, but he calls me every three months to
give me an update on his progress.
What mistake have you made that taught you a great
lesson?
Never assume. In the world of health care, never assume that
just because it's clear to you, it's clear to anyone else, including
other specialties and/or patients. Always make sure that you are
detailed in your plan so that everyone understands. [This approach]
will enable you to provide the best patient care possible
with smooth transitions. n
APMA News - September/October 2021

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