Western University College of Podiatric Medicine

The College of Podiatric Medicine was founded in 2009 at Western University of Health Sciences.[3] The inaugural class consisted of 38 students; the college currently has about 100 students. In November 2012, the Council on Podiatric Medical Education granted the college full accreditation.[5]

In 2010, Osteomed, a small bone implant device company, donated the first of five $20,000 payments to a scholarship fund for podiatry students at Western University of Health Sciences.[6] The donation marked the start of the college's first endowed scholarship fund.

The Health Education Center is the main building for the College of Podiatric Medicine. It first opened for classes in January 2010.

The College of Podiatric Medicine offers a single four-year professional degree program leading to the degree Doctor of Podiatric Medicine (DPM). First and second year podiatry students take the same courses as the osteopathic medical students from the medical college on campus.[2] The first two years of coursework focus on the basic sciences with a systems-based approach to basic clinical sciences. Subjects include biochemistry, pharmacology, immunology, hematology, oncology, neuroscience, psychiatry, rheumatology, endocrinology, cardiology, nephrology, pulmonology, reproductive medicine, dermatology, and gastroenterology.

The curriculum at the College of Podiatric Medicine includes Interprofessional Education (IPE), a program that involves 9 colleges at WesternU. The IPE program aims to demonstrate an understanding of other health professions and to provide and promote a team approach to patient care and health care management, leading to improved patient care.[7] While a debate exists on the effectiveness of interprofessional education in encouraging collaborative practice, IPE is becoming a more common component of medical school curriculum in the United States, and many groups, including the World Health Organization, view it as a means of reducing medical errors and improving the health care system.[8]

Third and fourth year students complete clinical rotations through many of the local hospitals, such as Arrowhead Regional Medical Center, Riverside County Regional Medical Center, Olive View–UCLA Medical Center, Downey Regional Medical Center, and Veterans Administration facilities.[2] The rotations provide hands-on experience in various specialties of medicine, including internal medicine, family medicine, emergency, pediatrics, surgery, cardiology, anesthesia, orthopedics, and podiatric medicine. Students also have the option of pursuing clinical rotations outside of California for their fourth year.

There are two optional programs offered to podiatry students at WesternU. An Intensive Summer Anatomy Course is available for students that have an interest in anatomy, and the Summer Medical Sciences Preparatory Program is offered to students interested in an introduction to gross anatomy, biochemistry, and osteopathic manipulative medicine.

Students at WesternU-CPM may choose to complete a Master of Science in Health Sciences (MSHS) degree in addition to their Doctor of Podiatric Medicine.[9]

The College of Podiatric Medicine is fully accredited by the American Podiatric Medical Association's Council on Podiatric Medical Education (CPME), an independent, specialized accrediting agency.[5][4] Western University of Health Sciences is accredited by the Accrediting Commission for Senior Colleges and Universities of the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC).[10] The WASC Accrediting Commission granted approval of the substantive change proposal for the Doctor of Podiatric Medicine on December 8, 2008.

• Lawrence B. Harkless, professor, researcher, and podiatry school dean, described as the "father of diabetic foot care."[11]

• Western University College of Veterinary Medicine
• Western University College of Osteopathic Medicine – California campus
• Western University College of Osteopathic Medicine – Oregon campus

WesternU College of Podiatric Medicine Homepage