I had never been exposed to podiatry prior to my junior year in undergraduate school at Western Illinois University. I was preparing for the MCAT and trying to decide where I wanted to go to medical school when my pre-medical advisor recommended that I also look into podiatry. I scoffed at the idea in the beginning because all I had ever wanted to be was an orthopedic surgeon. But, I was willing to look into it after a little persuasion. I was quite impressed with the depth of podiatry, including the fact that I would get to do surgery - on bones and joints! All aspects of the field intrigued me and the next thing I know, I was off to Scholl. I have never once regretted my decision. For this, I will always be grateful to Dr. P. James Nielsen at Western Illinois University.

Beth Noe, DPM
muban5@yahoo.com
2nd year resident - DVA - Phoenix
2004 Graduate of Scholl College at Rosalind Franklin University
1998 & 2000 Graduate of Western Illinois University

I did not come from a family of Podiatrists and was never exposed to this profession growing up. My decision to become a DPM was for several reasons:

1. I am American Indian (Lumbee) from southeastern NC- For years I witnessed my family, friends, church members, etc lose limbs and lives from the devastating effects of diabetes. There are no specialists in my area who focus on limb preservation and there is such a great need. I hope to give back to my community...

2. Supply vs. Demand- so few DPMs in this rural, minority community but tremendous need in the vast diabetic population of native americans.

3. Personal- I see such potential for growth within this profession (especially in my community) and opportunity to go beyond Podiatry. My goals are a bit ambitious but my future is unlimited with He who is leading me...

Shelli Brewington, DPM
shellibrewington@hotmail.com
PGYI – University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio

I had known since the young age of 13 that I wanted to be a doctor through my experience as a acoustic neuroma patient. No one in my family was involved in the medical field so through high school and college, I would try to immerse myself into different programs on learning about the vast field of medicine which also included volunteer work at one of the local hospitals in San Antonio. It was not until right after the summer before my last year at St. Mary's University did I become introduced to podiatry. It so happens that one of my very close friends was applying to podiatry schools and sat me down to tell me of her experiences and desires to become a podiatrist. I didn't really think much of it before she had mentioned it to me. On that very same day, it so happens fate was knocking on my door! I went home to tell my mother about what my friend had said and found a letter from Scholl College of Podiatric Medicine inviting me to apply!! I went to the yellow pages and picked out a name from long list of podiatrists and gave him a ring. I gave him a little background information and told him I would very much like to shadow him for a month if possible. He eagerly responded and asked that I come to meet him the next day! It was on that day that I decided that podiatry was for me. It was like "love at first sight." I really feel that podiatry is such a wonderful field to get into not only because of the different array of patients that you see but all the different pathologies, treatments, new innovations that are out there to help patients. One of the many other attractive things about podiatry is that you can still have a life and time to spend with your family! I really am glad that I made the choice of becoming a podiatrist. Hey, maybe, I can be the start of a family of podiatrists!

Anna M. Olvera, DPM
annathefootdoc@yahoo.com
St. Vincent's Midtown Hospital
New York, New York

Thanks again for all of the responses and please send in your story if you want to share it…!