03/08/2023    Rod Tomczak, DPM, MD, EdD

Would you be interested in an online 18-24 month course to obtain a PA degree and license?

I have an MD degree I have used to open three
medical schools around the world along with an EdD
degree which was more important functionally than
an MD degree. I have never used my degree to see a
patient or even thought of practicing as an MD. I
have recently been asked to open a PA school. PA
schools require an MD to be the responsible
administrator.

I have to inquire what would be the goal for anyone
to become a DPM, PA? Will I have to take PA
boards? Will I need a residency and what will the
license allow me to do? Can I manage the type 2
diabetics I see for wound care or write letters to
Medicare attesting to the fact this patient is
indeed a diabetic and needs monthly care? Is it
worth it to be able to sign an H and P? PAs seem to
take care of "well patients." They aren't the
primary care givers in the ICU and seem to assist
at surgery rather than perform it. They are usually
seen with the patient's care team rounding and
later writing orders and discharging. They also
seem to do the post-op care in the office or
clinic.

Who's to say PAs won't be starting foot and ankle
fellowships and advertising as the primary care
givers of the foot and ankle after three years of
medical training? There are a lot of podiatrists
leaning toward conservative care because it is more
lucrative in the long than surgery and conservative
care doesn't carry the liability of surgery.

I was in that initial group of podiatrists who were
selected for PSR 24+ residencies and were supposed
to lead the crusade for podiatry to become a
surgical specialty. First and foremost, I am a
podiatrist. I hope to follow the axiom, "Be who
you are and be that well." After teaching DO
students in Des Moines, MD students at Ohio State
University, and opening medical schools around the
world, don't get a PA education because it will
make you feel as smart as them. You already are.

Rod Tomczak, DPM, MD, EdD

There are no more messages in this thread.