This course will introduce the podiatric medical student to the scope of diagnostic radiology in 2 sections RADIOGRAPHY: radiologic sciences (physics, chemistry, and biology); radiation protection and safety; principles of radiography; radiography of the foot and ankle; and, special diagnostic imaging studies. RADIOGRAPHIC INTERPRETATION AND EVALUATION OF PATHOLOGY: principles of radiographic interpretation; normal and variant radiographic anatomy and development of the foot and ankle; systematic evaluation of bone and joint disorders; and, bone and joint abnormalities. 

This course will expose the podiatric medical student to various introductory aspects of foot and ankle surgery such as: charting, informed consent, wound healing, wound closure, bone healing, tendon, ligament and nerve healing and repair as well as various technical aspects of surgery such as hemostatic techniques, dressings and a comprehensive overview of the principles and techniques of modern anesthesia and pain management.

Actual casting is demonstrated to the student for pathological traumatic conditions of the lower extremity. Students participate in the casting which provides a basic insight in the handling and application of casting. 

The pathology course is designed to introduce human diseases and the laboratory to the podiatry students. The students start with general concepts (such as cell responses to injury, inflammation and the basis of neoplasia). They progress into diseases of various systems including those of the GI, hematopoietic, respiratory, renal, nervous, cardiovascular, musculoskeletal systems etc. and also learn about multi-organ diseases. At the same time, they are introduced to the clinical laboratory and the principals of lab testing, quality assurance and choosing the correct tests and its pitfalls. The course is designed to teach topics within section VI, sub-sections A, B and C, of Part 1 of the national board of podiatry examiners (NBPME-I). The course follows the guidelines provided by the American Association of Colleges of Podiatric Medicine (AACPM). The format of the course is through lectures and small group sessions. The required textbook is Robbins Pathologic Basis of Disease. There are approximately 18 faculty members and 12 pathology residents who do the teaching (the residents contribute primarily in small group sessions). There are currently about 110 hours of teaching divided into 5 sessions (terms) with each term having an exam at the end. All exams contribute equally to the final grade.  

Pathomechanics is a 2nd year course, which reviews single plane osseous and positional deformities of the lower extremity and their effect on normal foot function. It also reviews normal and abnormal gait patterns including phasic muscle activity of the lower extremity muscles. The goal of the course is to provide the student with a thorough approach to normal and abnormal foot function, to enable the student to understand the mechanics of normal and abnormal locomotion, and to enable a logical thought process to develop effective therapeutic options for the management of presented pathology. 

The course provides basic knowledge of drug action, pharmacokinetic properties of several essential drug classes, with discussion of importance to the practice of podiatry. The course begins with lectures on basic principles of pharmacology followed by presentations on specific categories of drugs. Each lecture covers mechanisms of drug action, pharmacokinetic properties, therapeutic uses and effects, adverse reactions, selected drug-drug interactions, and issues relevant to podiatry. 

The study of sports medicine is concerned with specific areas of sports and athletics and the relationship of lower extremity mechanics and function on those activities.  It also is the study of injury in sports - the mechanisms, types of injuries, treatment, and prevention. This course provides the student with the basic understanding of sports injury and prepares the student for the care and treatment of sports injuries.  By combining knowledge of biomechanics, orthotics, primary podiatric care, physical therapy, and traumatology with knowledge of sports, the student will be able to treat the total athlete. 

The course is designed to appreciate normal physiology and the underlying pathophysiology of arterial, venous and lymphatic disease. Particular will be held on how to recognize and appropriately manage common vascular disorders of the lower extremities. A basic understanding of non-invasive and invasive vascular testing with a focus on the lower extremities will be provided.  

This course examines the assessment, clinical decision making, modeling, fabrication, and application of various lower extremity orthotic and prosthetic devices and shoes in the treatment of biomechanically, medically, and/or neurologically induced weight bearing and gait associated pathologies.  Specific aspects of the course include: postural and mechanical assessment, foot and ankle casting techniques, scanning and cadcam technologies, materials and fabrication, fit and functional assessment, problem solving and adjustments, lower extremity orthoses and prostheses, ortho-digital devices, and shoe therapy.  Course content is presented in lecture and workshop format using PowerPoint, case studies whenever possible, and hands-on workshops. In addition demonstrations, video, and guest lecturers will be used when appropriate and available. 

This course provides the podiatric student with basic knowledge of the clinical aspects of dermatology.  This course will provide a foundation for the podiatric student to identify, understand, and treat various cutaneous disorders on the lower extremity as well as identify and understand cutaneous disorders affecting the rest of the body. 

This course will expand on the material presented in Fundamentals of Podiatric Practice I to prepare podiatric medical students for entry into clinical training by providing advanced instruction in the Lower extremity physical examination and assessment of patients. Because the patient is more than the sum of his/her structural and physiological properties, students will also learn the elements of behavioral science necessary to understand and enhance the complex human interaction that forms the therapeutic alliance in patients with and without mental illness.  Proper Documentation/charting requirements will also be reviewed. 

This course is a comprehensive lecture series on Infectious Diseases emphasizing lower extremity and systemic pathologies and treatments. 

Internal Medicine is the study of the etiology, pathophysiology, clinical signs, symptoms and treatment of a wide variety of illnesses of the human body. Attendance is mandatory unless you are excused.  Absence will be reflected in the Class Participation Grade. 

Pathophysiology is the integrated study of the basic medical sciences. Usage of case studies and clinical vignettes taught in a comprehensive medical team approach will serve to help students better understand basic tenants of the medical sciences which will then help them achieve greater success on boards, rotations and clinical practice in the future.  

The goal of the course is to familiarize the student with clinical neuroanatomy, pathology, and clinical syndromes likely to be encountered in a podiatric practice.

2nd Year Perioperative Protocol (253) is an introductory course consisting of 8 hours lecture format and 4 hours hand on workshop.  This course is in the podiatric medical curriculum in order to expose the podiatric medical student to the various introductory aspects of foot surgery, such as informed consent, aseptic technique, blood borne pathogens regulations, regulatory compliance, infection control, patient teaching, office emergencies, podiatric instrumentation, surgical charting and CPR. Students learn how to scrub, gown and glove themselves and others, and the name, classification and use of the instruments in the bone tray. The focus of the workshop is to practice what they have learned and demonstrate ability to perform the tasks without contaminating themselves or the surgical field. 

A comprehensive one-trimester, 4 hours per week course dealing with soft tissue and osseous pathology affecting the foot. The structure and function of the forefoot will be discussed, and patient evaluation and peri-operative management will be described.  Emphasis will be placed on specific reconstructive surgical procedures, both historical and currently used, with detailed attention being paid to sound surgical principles, rationale for selection, step-by-step performance, and objective postoperative assessment. 

This is a one trimester course that aims to (1) offer podiatric medical students hands-on experience working towards the development of manual skills common to surgical residency and introductory level podiatric practice, (2) prepare students for the hands-on aspects of clinical rotations and externships and (3) present an overview of common podiatric surgical techniques.