FL and beyond

Stock photo. This is not my hand.

It started with my first Spirit Flight, ever. Spirit was offering a flight for 130 bucks vs. the 500-dollar going rate for my last-minute flying decision. My friends all know that I’m an American or Southwest girl through and through. My dad texted me the night before my flight, "Annie, how could you do this, if you needed the money, you should have just asked". Dad, I'm in medical school, of course I need the money. I'm a get-to-the-airport-2-hours-early kind of gal, even if it is just a domestic flight. Good thing I did because TSA was backed up. It seemed everybody wanted to get out of the City of Brotherly Love for the Sunshine State at 4am on a Thursday. I was headed to my first ever podiatry conference, The APMA Conference 2022 in Orlando, Florida, with the help of a scholarship, that the APMA honored me with. Looking back on it now, I hope this conference is one of the many conferences I get the chance to attend.

Right from the get-go, Day 1 started at the Orlando World Center Marriott, a hotel the likes of which I cannot articulate. It was the first hotel I had stepped foot in that had more restaurants and waiters in it than the concierge breakfast with Texas shaped waffles that I was used to. My first event for the day started later in the evening. Day 1, I got to meet the physician whose signature approves all the NBPME boards questions and got to talk to him; no, I didn’t think to ask for any hints. During the first Grand Hall opening, vendors and businesses lined the aisles. While all of this is going on, young student doctors are advocating for the needs of the current medical education in closed room meetings (shout out to all of you and thank you for your strides). It was a great chance to see the new innovations and tried and true family businesses, each with their unique approach to improving patients’ lives through partnerships with current and upcoming physicians. From new age grafts with record breaking healing time to conservative management methods, and even encrypted tech that makes communicating in the interdisciplinary team easier. Speaking to vendors gives you an insight into the creative minds that market well and provide an asset to the healthcare team. Out of the Day 1 evening, there were some exceptional vendors that I continue to stay in contact with. The Young Physicians Reception took place in the middle of all of this. Students from all over the country and the physicians who contribute to student education, were present to greet the young scholars and kick off the first day of our student conference experience. We were treated to great food and took advantage of the headshots they offered pre-externship application.

Day 2 was for me, a day of workshops and an opportunity to meet students from all over the USA. Though I’ll admit, I was studying for my midterm through this day. Throughout the day, we got to learn about different techniques in imaging to how a deeper understanding of biomechanics can be used to better our outcomes. This day also entailed a scholarship dinner. Engaging with the 7 other students that were chosen for the scholarship from Scholl and Barry was eye-opening to hear the cool things, like quiz bowls, that students across the nation are accomplishing and how much they were enjoying the conference. Until today, I hadn’t had the chance to really meet students from the various schools. The future of podiatry is in great hands because the students I was surrounded by were bright and bold. Their desire to learn and serve were evident and it’s exciting to be part of this cohort. For me, I’m glad to have made their acquaintance this early on and know my future colleagues that can offer me perhaps a different viewpoint whether it be on a surgery or patient intervention as a practicing physician, soon. On Day 2, I ran into some professors and delegates from TUSPM; it was comforting to see familiar faces and even a few days apart from them and having learned so much at the conference already, really allowed me to appreciate the efforts of our clinicians.

Day 3, had to be the most exciting day for me. This morning started at the crack of dawn, with the APMA 5k, which allowed us time to enjoy a beautiful Florida morning, marking the last official day of the conference. Everyone’s spirits were high. The last day, centered on research and resident and student presentations. In a closed meeting, I watched as established physicians provided feedback to up-and-coming residents for their projects which will allow them to take them from good to great. At the Poster Abstracts Symposium, the room was filled with residents from all over, impassioned about their projects and the comradery and interest was strong. These researchers had their audiences hooked. As you walk through the poster aisles, you can hear 30 different conversations being had ranging from everything from recognizing an old professor to the new correlation that the study found that might have previously been overlooked. I even recognized a few students that I had never seen before, except in their pictures that line the alumni portraits at Temple. When they say podiatry is a tight-knit field, they’re really telling the truth. Even better, was to see how accomplished our alumni were and how encouraged they were to see students that were once in their shoes.

Florida was exciting, a little overwhelming, and completely worth the anticipation. I hope every student takes the chance to attend an upcoming conference and keep your mind open to learning whatever you can from wherever it comes from. Perhaps a small conversation with the resident doctor next to you or introducing yourself to a speaker might turn into a worthwhile connection. APMA conferences and those alike offer opportunities to network and open doors to experience different paths in podiatry while also offering established providers the chance to come together. If you’re intimidated by going to a conference, take a friend with you; but you don’t have to. There aren’t too many moments where you aren’t surrounded by students and opportunities to learn like this. Apply for that scholarship or ask your friends to host you; either way take advantage of the chance to broaden your horizon while the kettle is hot.

If you’re on the fence about attending a conference, I hope I’ve encouraged you to take the leap. Don’t worry about it. Just go for it. You’ll learn a lot.