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Dr. Jeff Jensen

A podiatric physician for over 30 years, Dr. Jensen is currently the Dean of the Arizona College of Podiatric Medicine and Chair of the American Association of Colleges of Podiatric Medicine (AACPM).  He previously served as the Dean at Barry University School of Podiatric Medicine (2010-2014), and Senior Director for Research at Barry University (2014-2017).

Dr. Jensen spent the first 17 years of his career as the owner of the Diabetic Foot & Wound Center in Denver, Colorado.  He co-founded the North Colorado Podiatric Medicine and Surgery Residency Program and was the Clerkship Director for 10 years.  He is Board Certified by the American Board of Foot and Ankle Surgery.

A graduate of the California College of Podiatric Medicine, Dr. Jensen completed his podiatric surgical residency training at Kern Hospital in Warren, MI.

Dr. Jensen conducted over 35 clinical trials on diabetic foot ulcerations, venous leg ulcerations, and pressure wounds.  He also obtained 11 research grants through the National Institutes of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Disorders (NIDDK), National Institute of General Medical Sciences (NIGMS), National Institute on Aging (NIA), and the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA), generating over $5.0M.

Dr. Jensen has received 14 patents for his medical innovations addressing diabetic foot ulcer offloading, post-surgical care, fracture care, assisting injured soldiers in the field, antibiotics for multi-drug resistant organisms, and head trauma/concussion prevention.

He has published articles in Diabetes Care, Wounds, Vascular Surgery, Archives in Dermatology, Wound Repair and Regeneration, Clinics in Podiatric Medicine and Surgery, and JAPMA, among others.  He has also given over 350 presentations on Wound Care and Total Contact Casting nationally and internationally.

Recognizing that the standard of care for diabetic foot ulcers did not encompass effective offloading to allow for healing, Dr. Jensen founded MedEfficiency, Inc. and developed the TCC-EZ Total Contact Casting System that is now used extensively throughout the USA and around the world.  Over 3.0M TCC-EZ’s have been applied generating over $300M in sales.

Dr. Johanna Richey

Dr. Richey completed her Doctor of Podiatric Medicine degree from Midwestern University graduating at the top of her class in 2009. She completed her surgical residency program with Kaiser San Francisco Bay Area Foot and Ankle Residency Consortium. She was hired as an attending surgeon/faculty there, teaching and training residents and also worked as faculty in Oakland with the Samuel Merritt University, California School of Podiatric Medicine for over 10 years. She joined Midwestern University as faculty in 2023 and has enjoyed working with students, teaching them skills and techniques both in the classroom and clinic as well as in the operating room.

Dr. Richey has worked in several practice settings including academic, private practice and large organizational medical facilities delivering both inpatient and outpatient care. She has a wide variety of clinical experience including trauma, reconstructive surgery, sports medicine and limb salvage. She has also conducted clinical research, published original articles in peer reviewed journals, and has co-authored chapters in surgical textbooks.

She is a Fellow of the American College of Foot and Ankle Surgeons and is Board Certified in both Forefoot and Rearfoot/Ankle Surgery by the American Board of Podiatric Surgery. Dr. Richey’s passion is in academics and she currently serves on the Education Committee for AO North America DPM division and as an editor for The Journal of Foot and Ankle Surgery.

Dr. Richey’s philosophy for treating foot and ankle pain and deformity is rooted in identifying and addressing the underlying causes. She has a particular interest in helping students and patients understand the mechanics of the foot, especially the impact that deformity and muscle imbalance have on the development of foot and ankle pain/pathology and how to help restore function and keep her patients moving!

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• Introduction and Guest Welcome 0:00
  • Dr. Barrett introduces the guests, Dr. Jeffrey Jensen and Dr. Joanna Ritchie, and outlines the topics to be discussed, including AI in training and transitions from residency to private practice.
  • Dr. Barrett welcomes the guests and sets the stage for the discussion about the Arizona College of Podiatric Medicine.
  • Dr. Barrett emphasizes the importance of the profession and the robust training program for podiatric medical students.
• Background on the Dean’s Chat Podcast 1:34
  • Dr. Jensen explains the inception of the Dean’s Chat Podcast, inspired by a studio visit and the need to increase student enrollment in podiatric medicine.
  • The podcast aims to showcase the profession by interviewing deans, students, residency directors, and political leaders within the profession.
  • Dr. Jensen mentions the involvement of Dr. Joanna Ritchie, who co-hosts the podcast and helps secure guests.
  • Dr. Ritchie shares her initial reluctance to join the podcast but highlights the importance of sharing historical stories and experiences within the profession.
• Impact of the Podcast on Student Interest 5:35
  • Dr. Barrett inquires about the podcast’s impact on student interest, and Dr. Jensen confirms that it has sparked interest in podiatric medicine among students.
  • The podcast includes playlists for each college of podiatric medicine, making it easier for students to learn about different schools and the profession.
  • Dr. Barrett appreciates the diverse perspectives brought by the podcast guests and the benefits of having a format that allows for various backgrounds and experiences.
  • Dr. Jensen credits the pod populi podcast studios for their editing and production support, which enhances the quality of the podcast.
• Curriculum Comparison: Podiatric vs. MD Programs 7:34
  • Dr. Barrett and Dr. Jensen discuss the curriculum differences between podiatric and MD programs, noting that there are 11 podiatric schools, with five affiliated with DO schools.
  • Dr. Jensen explains the advantages of being integrated with DO programs, including a solid foundation in basic sciences and a holistic approach to patient care.
  • Dr. Ritchie emphasizes the importance of a strong foundation in basic sciences for podiatric physicians, given the increasing complexity of medical fields.
  • Dr. Barrett shares his experience with functional medicine and the need for podiatric medical students to have a broader education.
• First Two Years of Podiatric Medical Education 10:14
  • Dr. Ritchie outlines the first two years of the curriculum, which includes foundational courses in biochemistry, anatomy, neuroanatomy, immunology, microbiology, pharmacology, pathology, physiology, and biomechanics.
  • The curriculum also includes general medicine courses, physical diagnosis, and podiatric medical and surgery courses.
  • Dr. Ritchie mentions that some courses, like histology and genetics, have been merged into other subjects, such as anatomy and biochemistry.
  • Dr. Barrett inquires about additional courses specific to podiatric medicine, such as lower extremity anatomy and pathomechanics, which are integrated into the curriculum.
• Third and Fourth Year Rotations and Clerkships 20:34
  • Dr. Jensen describes the third- and fourth-year rotations, which include clinical rotations in Phoenix and Tucson, with a focus on hospital-based rotations and practice-based experiences.
  • Students participate in competency-based exams and standardized patient assessments to ensure they have integrated their knowledge effectively.
  • Dr. Jensen explains the process of clerkships, where students spend two months at a hospital with an affiliated residency program and then complete mandatory rotations.
  • The residency interview process takes place in January, and students finish their mandatory rotations and graduate in May.
• Residency Match and Program Expansion 24:09
  • Dr. Jensen highlights the efforts of Dr. Melanie Violent in expanding residency programs to ensure every graduate has a training opportunity.
  • Dr. Barrett and Dr. Jensen discuss the challenges of increased regulation and the need for more residency programs to meet the demand.
  • Dr. Jensen mentions the recent opening of new schools, such as Lee University College of Podiatric Medicine and the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley School, to address the growing need for podiatric education.
  • Dr. Barrett emphasizes the importance of maintaining high-quality students and not lowering entrance requirements to accommodate the smaller applicant pool.
• Scope of Practice and Licensure Challenges 28:32
  • Dr. Barrett and Dr. Jensen discuss the variations in scope of practice across different states and the challenges podiatrists face in obtaining hospital privileges and licensure.
  • Dr. Ritchie points out the importance of board certification and the standardization of training to ensure podiatrists are recognized and credentialed.
  • Dr. Barrett shares his experience with fellowship programs and the lengthy credentialing process, which can limit the practice opportunities for new graduates.
  • Dr. Jensen and Dr. Ritchie discuss the need for pre-planning and early recruitment for fellowships to address the credentialing challenges.
• Future of Podiatric Education and AI Integration 45:51
  • Dr. Ritchie and Dr. Jensen discuss the potential for AI to streamline basic sciences and the possibility of a hybrid model for podiatric education.
  • Dr. Ritchie emphasizes the importance of engagement and hands-on learning, even in a virtual environment, to ensure students can apply their knowledge effectively.
  • Dr. Jensen shares an example of AI being used to summarize research articles, highlighting the potential for AI to assist in the educational process.
  • Dr. Barrett and Dr. Jensen agree that a hybrid model, combining online learning with hands-on experiences, may be the future of medical education.
• Conclusion and Final Thoughts 55:41
  • Dr. Barrett wraps up the discussion by expressing his pride in the work being done at the Arizona College of Podiatric Medicine.
  • Dr. Jensen and Dr. Ritchie express their appreciation for the opportunity to share their insights and experiences.
  • Dr. Barrett emphasizes the importance of exposure and shadowing for students to understand the breadth of opportunities within podiatric medicine.
  • The conversation ends with a focus on the future of podiatric education and the potential for AI and hybrid models to enhance the learning experience.

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