12/13/2016    Rod Tomczak, MD, DPM, EdD

Prior to podiatry school, did you apply for medical, osteopathic, or dental school?

I am exceptionally happy to be a DPM. I have
accomplished much in and for the profession;
publishing, starting a three year residency at
Ohio State University, being a board examiner,
teaching at the Des Moines Podiatry Program for
nine years before accepting a full time faculty
position at Ohio State University Department of
Orthopaedics in 1995. We considered expanding the
Division and I was asked to look at a list of the
previous applicants. It consisted of many of the
leaders in our profession.

During my fourth year at OCPM I applied to medical
school and was accepted but because of the
residency program I wanted chose me in the first
podiatry match in 1977, I went to Metropolitan
Hospital in Philadelphia. One of our OCPM
graduates went to MD school at the University of
Buffalo. During the second year of my residency I
was offered a seat at PCOM and an Orthopaedic
residency at Cherry Hill Medical Center in New
Jersey. I stayed with Podiatry.

In 2005 I started medical school in Belize, then
became the dean upon graduation. I also was
founding dean of a medical school in Saudi Arabia
and Curacao. Caribbean medical schools are
populated by American students who were not
selected by American medical schools. I am certain
podiatry students would outperform these Caribbean
students on all knowledge, skill and behavioral
parameters.

While at Des Moines, we once offered a limited
number of students the opportunity to receive both
DPM and DO degrees. They were simultaneously
accepted into both programs. The University Board
halted the dual degree program and those students
had to opt for one program or another. Eleven out
of 12 chose the DO program.

Rod Tomczak, MD, DPM, EdD, Dean at Hothman
American University Medical College, Turks and
Caicos Islands

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