APMA News - November/December 2022 - 58

development update
Highlighting Today's Most
Outstanding Student Scholars:
10 Minutes with APMA Student
Scholar Andrew Attia
Each year, the APMA Educational Foundation awards scholarships to exceptional third- and fourthyear
podiatric medical students. In this issue, we sat down with Andrew Attia, California School of
Podiatric Medicine at Samuel Merritt University, Class of 2024, as the winner of the 2022 APMA-PICA
full-tuition scholarship.
Andrew Attia
How did you get interested in
podiatric medicine?
I first became interested in podiatric medicine by
shadowing podiatrists. Through shadowing, I
learned about the complexities of podiatric
medicine and the impact podiatrists make in
keeping communities walking and preventing
hospitalizations and amputations.
What do you want to accomplish with your career?
To make a positive impact in the lives of my
patients and my community. I also hope to be a
leader in the field by inspiring and motivating the
next generation of physicians and podiatrists who
come from backgrounds similar to mine.
Additionally, I would like to be an advocate for all
of my patients and always ensure that there is a
high level of trust between my patients and me.
" At PICA, we have dedicated over 40 years to protecting
podiatric physicians and their livelihood through professional
liability insurance. We recognize that PICA has an obligation
to support all phases of a podiatrist's career. Scholarships
for our students remain core to who we are as a company.
PICA congratulates Andrew Attia on his selection as the 2022
APMA-PICA Full Tuition Scholar. "
-Ross Taubman, DPM, president of PICA
Who are your heroes, and why?
My hero is my mother. I watched how hard she
worked while raising my brother and me in a new
country, and completely on her own. My mother's
hardworking and selfless example is inspiring and
drives me to be the best I can be. She encourages
me to persevere to accomplish my goals no matter
the circumstances.
58
apmanews
NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2022
What do you think is the most pressing issue
in public health?
The health insurance coverage gap. Uninsured
adults with incomes below the poverty line are
caught in the Medicaid coverage gap. These adults
do not have access to affordable health coverage
and are unable to afford life-saving treatments,
medications, and procedures and in turn are faced
with life-threatening health conditions and a
decreased quality of life. As a future physician, I
hope to be able to treat all patients regardless of
their insurance status. I will also continue to
advocate for policies that will close the coverage
gap in order to increase communities' access to
quality, affordable health care.
What are some qualities you see in physicians
you admire?
I admire physicians who are compassionate,
understanding, empathetic, honest, skilled,
competent, and committed to their patients. I
have been fortunate to see these qualities in the
physicians I have shadowed and worked with
during my clinical rotations. I hope to embody
these qualities as a physician one day.
Are you working on any medical projects
or research?
I'm currently working with colleagues on a
research article about use of low- and high-frequency
ultrasound to promote wound healing. Our
goal is to find a significant improvement in wound
healing when using ultrasound as an adjunct
therapy versus conventional care alone; [the use of
ultrasound] would ultimately improve the quality of
life for patients experiencing chronic ulcers. I have
also founded a free clinic for uninsured patients to
receive quality health care at local churches. I help

APMA News - November/December 2022

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of APMA News - November/December 2022