APMA News - January/February 2025 - A2

Share Your Work
at The National
The APMA Annual Scientific Meeting (The
National) brings a variety of opportunities to
share your knowledge and expertise with your
colleagues in podiatric medicine and surgery.
From serving as faculty and sharing your
insights through educational programming to
showcasing your research during the poster
abstracts competition, there are many ways to
get involved at this must-attend meeting.
Looking to learn more? We sat down with
Malachi Brown, third-year podiatric medical
student at Barry University School of Podiatric
Medicine, to get the details on his experience
as a speaker at The National in Washington,
DC, in 2024.
How did you prepare your
presentation? What resources or
tools were most helpful during
your preparation?
From my childhood upbringing and my
undergraduate experiences, I've always
felt that public health was a natural
and necessary calling. Growing up,
I was exposed to various community
challenges and the importance of collective
well-being, which shaped my
understanding of health care beyond
individual patient care. As I entered
medical school, this foundation led me
to seek out opportunities to explore public
health on a broader scale, not just in
a clinical or community setting, but also
through research and education.
My first step in this journey was finding
a mentor with experience in both
research and public health-someone
who could help guide me as I navigated
this path. I was fortunate to connect with
Rachel Albright, DPM, MPH, from the
American Public Health Association
(APHA) Foot and Ankle Health Section,
who introduced me to Brandon Brooks,
DPM, MPH. Under Dr. Brooks' mentorship,
I was able to gain deeper insights
into a different side of research, one
YOUR APMA / PAGE 2
practice as both a physician and a surgeon.
Each presentation and interaction sparks
new questions and fresh perspectives,
inspiring me to explore avenues of
research I had not considered before.
Attending national conferences also
provides invaluable opportunities for
networking. Engaging with thought
leaders and innovators in the field has
been incredibly motivating, and seeing
the work of others only strengthens
my belief in the power of research to
transform health care. Being a part of
this dynamic community has fueled my
desire to continue making meaningful
contributions to the field of public health,
both in the classroom and beyond.
Malachi Brown
that deeply aligned with my interests in
public health. Dr. Brooks' guidance was
crucial in developing the content of my
presentation, and I am incredibly grateful
for his mentorship. For resources,
I relied on JAPMA, which provided a
strong link between podiatry and my
topic (opioids). I also consulted public
health databases such as the CDC, NIH,
and the American Journal of Public Health
to ensure my research was grounded in
the most current evidence.
How has presenting your work
at meetings like The National
impacted your research or career?
Presenting at national meetings has profoundly
shaped my career and research
trajectory. The experience has deepened
my passion for academic medicine and
further solidified my commitment to
integrating public health into my future
Do you have any tips or advice for
a student or young physician looking
to present their research for the
first time?
My advice is simple: Go for it. Growth
happens when we step outside our
comfort zones, and presenting research
is one of those experiences that pushes
you to expand your limits. Pursue your
passions, even if they lead you down an
unfamiliar or uncharted path. Don't be
afraid to explore new ideas or take risks.
The unknown is where the most rewarding
discoveries are made.
It's also important to ignore negative
external voices that may hold you back.
Instead, focus on seeking advice and
support from mentors, professors, physicians,
colleagues, and those who can
offer constructive feedback and guidance.
Don't hesitate to reach out and ask
for help-you'll find that most people are
more than willing to share their expertise
and support your growth. Ultimately,
take ownership of your work, be confident
in your abilities, and embrace every
opportunity to learn.
TAKE THE NEXT STEP!
The Call for Abstracts at The National 2025 is now open. APMA
encourages you to share your research with attendees at the meeting,
July 24-27, in Dallas/Fort Worth. The submission deadline is February 21.
Learn more and apply today at www.apma.org/abstracts.
http://www.apma.org/abstracts
APMA News - January/February 2025

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