Dean’s Chat

09/01/2026

Ep. 356 - 2026 APMA National Interviews! Dr. DeHeer et al!

Dean’s Chat comes to you from the 2026 APMA Annual Scientific Meeting in Nashville, Tennessee! Drs. Jeffrey Jensen and Johanna Richey sat down with leaders, educators, clinicians, residents, and other influential voices from across the profession for a special series of conversations recorded at the Bako Diagnostics booth.

Video #1 features: Dr. Patrick DeHeer, Dr. Adrianna Strimbu, Dr. Michael Cornelison, Dr. Peter Sorensen, Dr. Bethany Robinson, Student Doctors Gianna Tuitele and Lily Cohen, Dr. Priya Parthasarathy.

These rapid-fire conversations highlight the people, ideas, organizations, and initiatives shaping the future of podiatric medicine. From education and residency training to professional leadership, clinical practice, advocacy, and the evolving opportunities within the profession, this special APMA series provides an inside look at podiatry from the individuals helping move it forward.

A special thank-you to Bako Diagnostics for hosting Dean’s Chat and providing the space for these conversations at APMA National.

Whether you are a prospective podiatric medical student, current student, resident, educator, or practicing podiatrist, this series offers a unique opportunity to hear directly from leaders throughout the profession.

Topics include:
APMA Annual Scientific Meeting • Podiatric Medicine • Podiatric Medical Education • Residency Training • Professional Leadership • Podiatric Surgery • Practice Management • Advocacy • Career Development • The Future of Podiatry

08/28/2026

Joseph Park, DPM, FACFAS - Residency Director, Riverside University Health System

In this episode of Dean’s Chat, Dr. Jeffrey Jensen and Dr. Johanna Richey sit down with Joseph Park, DPM, FACFAS, Assistant Professor at the Western University of Health Sciences College of Podiatric Medicine and Program Director of the Riverside University Health System PMSR/RRA Residency.

Dr. Park discusses his path through podiatric medicine, from the New York College of Podiatric Medicine to residency at MedStar Georgetown University Hospital/Washington Hospital Center, followed by fellowship training in foot and ankle trauma and reconstructive surgery.

The conversation explores Dr. Park’s transition into academic medicine, his role as an educator and residency program director, and his perspectives on mentorship, surgical training, residency preparation, and the future of podiatric medical education.

Board certified by the American Board of Foot and Ankle Surgery in Foot Surgery and Reconstructive Rearfoot/Ankle Surgery, Dr. Park brings a valuable perspective on combining advanced surgical training with teaching and academic leadership.

Join Drs. Jensen and Richey for a conversation about podiatric education, residency training, reconstructive surgery, mentorship, and developing the next generation of podiatric physicians.

Keywords

Joseph Park DPM, WesternU College of Podiatric Medicine, Riverside University Health System, podiatry residency, PMSR/RRA, podiatric medical education, foot and ankle surgery, reconstructive rearfoot ankle surgery, ABFAS, ACFAS, Dean’s Chat

08/25/2026

Ep. 354 - Elizabeth Piselli, President, American Association for Women Podiatrists

The AAWP (American Association for Women Podiatrists) 2026 Clinical Conference is:

October 23–25, 2026
Sanibel Harbour Marriott Resort & Spa
Fort Myers, Florida

08/21/2026

Ep. 353 - Rajat Lahiri, DPM, AZCPM, Swedish Nedical Center, Los Gatos!

In this episode of Dean’s Chat, Dr. Jeffrey Jensen sits down with Rajat Lahiri, DPM, a graduate of the Arizona College of Podiatric Medicine at Midwestern University, to discuss his journey into podiatric medicine, his surgical training, and his growing expertise in minimally invasive bunion surgery.

Dr. Lahiri brings a distinctive background to foot and ankle medicine. He graduated with honors from the University of Pittsburgh with a degree in bioengineering, where he developed an interest in solving complex problems and improving patient care through medical innovation. Wanting to apply that problem-solving mindset directly to patients, he pursued his Doctor of Podiatric Medicine degree at AZCPM, graduating with Pi Delta honors.

Following podiatric medical school, Dr. Lahiri completed his residency training at Swedish Medical Center in Seattle, one of the country’s highly regarded podiatric surgical training programs. His residency provided extensive experience in reconstructive foot and ankle surgery and helped shape his approach to complex surgical care.

A major area of Dr. Lahiri’s professional interest is minimally invasive bunion surgery, an evolving approach designed to correct bunion deformities through smaller incisions. His interest and experience in minimally invasive techniques have led to invitations to lecture at multiple state and national conferences.

Originally from Seattle, Dr. Lahiri now serves patients throughout the San Francisco Bay Area. Beyond medicine, he enjoys spending time with his fiancée and family, traveling, trying foods from around the world, and following football and soccer. A devoted supporter of the U.S. Men’s National Team, he had the opportunity to see the team compete live during the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

08/18/2026

Ep. 352 - Mahsa Agha Jafari, DPM, Assistant Professor, Arizona College of Podiatric Medicine

On this episode of Dean’s Chat, Drs. Jensen and Richey welcome Mahsa Agha Jafari, DPM, Assistant Professor at the Arizona College of Podiatric Medicine (AZCPM).
Dr. Agha Jafari is a graduate of AZCPM and completed her three-year residency training at Creighton University Medical Center in Phoenix, Arizona. Following residency, she entered private practice in the Phoenix area, gaining valuable experience in the day-to-day clinical management of patients before returning to her alma mater to join the faculty.
In this episode, Dr. Agha Jafari shares her journey from podiatric medical student to resident, private practitioner, and now academic faculty member. The discussion explores how her experiences in private practice have shaped her approach to teaching and mentoring the next generation of podiatric physicians.
Drs. Jensen and Richey also discuss the transition from clinical practice into academic medicine, the rewards and challenges of working with students and residents, and the importance of strong clinician-educators in preparing future podiatric physicians.
Topics include:
• Dr. Agha Jafari’s path to podiatric medicine
• Her experience as a student at AZCPM
• Three-year residency training in Phoenix
• Lessons learned from private practice
• The decision to return to AZCPM as a faculty member
• Transitioning from practitioner to educator
• Teaching and mentoring podiatric medical students
• Preparing students for residency and clinical practice
• The evolving role of podiatric medical education
• Advice for students and young physicians considering a career in academics
Join us for a conversation highlighting the full-circle journey of an AZCPM graduate returning to help educate and inspire the next generation of podiatric physicians.

08/14/2026

Ep. 351 - Jordan Frey, MD - Money, Medicine, and the Path to Financial Freedom”

In this episode of Dean’s Chat, Drs. Jeffrey Jensen and Johanna Richey sit down with Dr. Jordan Frey, a board-certified plastic and reconstructive surgeon, microsurgeon, researcher, and creator of The Prudent Plastic Surgeon, to explore an often-overlooked component of physician wellness: financial literacy.

This episode is sponsored by Bako Dx!

Dr. Frey shares his unconventional path into plastic surgery, explaining how a last-minute elective during medical school introduced him to the creativity, complexity, and versatility of plastic and reconstructive surgery. His interest ultimately evolved into a passion for microsurgery, where he found the combination of technical precision, innovation, and problem-solving particularly rewarding.

The conversation then shifts from the operating room to the financial realities facing physicians. Dr. Frey candidly describes reaching the end of his training with significant student and credit card debt, little savings, and a growing sense of burnout. He realized that much of his stress was connected to financial uncertainty and that developing a simple financial plan could provide a sense of control and improve his overall well-being. That realization became the foundation for The Prudent Plastic Surgeon, which began as a simple blog documenting his own financial journey and has grown into a platform dedicated to helping physicians understand personal finance and build financial independence.

08/11/2026

Ep. 350 - Michael Cornelison: Moving Forward Together: Leadership and Collaboration in Podiatry

In this episode of Dean’s Chat, Drs. Jeffrey Jensen and Johanna Richey welcome Dr. Michael Cornelison, former president of the American College of Foot and Ankle Surgeons (ACFAS) and current executive director of the California Podiatric Medical Association (CPMA), for a wide-ranging conversation about leadership, mentorship, collaboration, and the future of podiatric medicine. Dr. Cornelison also offers a unique perspective as a father of three daughters, two of whom have followed him into podiatric medicine.

08/11/2026

https://youtu.be/qKgPIbU2nzs?is=MGtl2TmBjVQkxiet

Ep. 350 - Michael Cornelison: Moving Forward Together: Leadership and Collaboration in Podiatry

In this episode of Dean’s Chat, Drs. Jeffrey Jensen and Johanna Ric...

08/09/2026

Interview with APMA CEO Meaghan McClelland! Quite a week in Nashville!