Dr. Gordon was recently awarded the Pioneer in Podiatry Award at the PPMA Inaugural Dinner in November. This award speaks to Dr. Gordon's mark in the field of podiatry, most notably in sports podiatry. Gordon is certainly a podiatrist of many firsts or one of the first! 

 

The former Track & Field collegiate athlete attended Temple University and changed majors repeatedly before he took that final leap, “landing on his feet” in podiatry.  

 

“Temple’s Track and Field Athlete takes his final leap after almost 50 years contributing to podiatry.” 

 

Gordon’s accomplishments in podiatry include being involved in a groundbreaking study to improve the usage of athletic footwear (football and soccer cleats) during his time in school, becoming the first podiatrist for Temple University athletics in the ’70s at the Temple Sports Medicine Center, and becoming the first podiatrist of staff for the Philadelphia 76’ers professional basketball team.  Gordon was the podiatrist for the University of Penn Sports Medicine Center for a remarkable 41 years! While at Penn, he served as the doctor for the Penn Relays and the Penn Intercollegiate athletes. For the last ten of those years, he served as the Assistant Golf Coach for both the Men’s and Women’s teams. 

 

As a passionate athlete and healthcare professional, Gordon has appreciated helping athletes become 100% after injury. He wanted to allow his patients to live an enriched life returning to their passion for running or their sport of choice! His mission of healing patients, including athletes, empowered him to become President of The American Academy of Sports Medicine and the American Running Fitness Association.  

 

Gordon, a teacher that transitioned to a podiatrist early in his career, has passed the baton to the new owner of Gordon Podiatry, Alicia Canzanese, DPM, ATC. Dr. Gordon has many lessons as a healthcare professional and business owner that he has been able to share with other professionals like Canzanese. After a 50-year run in podiatry, he has made the tough decision to retire. This has allowed him to enjoy life, which includes spending time on the golf course! What a fantastic run he has had in his podiatric career. 

 

Thank you, Dr. Gordon, for your contribution to the field of podiatry!  

 

The new owner of Gordon Podiatry, Alicia Canzanse presents Dr. Gordon with this award. She shares his passion for sports medicine, getting involved in podiatry at PPMA and other organizations, and demonstrating leadership! 

  

Medical school provides many challenges and obstacles that an incoming student and
current students need to adapt to. A major personal skill a student needs to develop is time
management, which may be overwhelming at first, but definitely doable.

Something that students may overlook is the balance between studying, attending classes, and finding time to eat healthy.

To me, this especially applies to the first two didactic years when classes and
studying are a priority. Planning for having healthy meals is something that is never really talked
about and is often overlooked when developing a schedule. Numerous excuses can be made
that can sway a student to take the easier route and not eat the right foods.

Another component that is complementary to this is exercise, which can easily be the first activity students take away in times of stress.

Eating healthy and exercising are huge components of a successful student not only in the classroom, but being an all around elite student. I find that many students do not want to take time away to exercise or make the correct foods. However, having these scheduled into your day can help with managing the stresses of medical school along with maintaining a healthy lifestyle.
I personally have exercised my whole life through high school and college, times when the information load was not as heavy as medical school. It was easier to have free time dedicated towards eating right and exercising.

Working out and eating healthy are not aspects I plan on deleting from my daily life, so I had to strengthen my time management skills in order to keep that same regimen. A key component is setting a strict schedule which may include going to the grocery store at the same time on the same day of the week, exercising at the same time everyday, and being smart with the foods you buy.

There are quick healthy options that a student can get to optimize health and time efficiency. A huge barrier is class load, information load, and student exhaustion. These are main factors that prevent a student from accomplishing these goals.

When classes were taking off and I was bombarded with information, this is when time management was key.

Waking up as early as 4:30 to workout before class is a smart and efficient thing to do. This leaves the rest of the day to focus on school without having to worry about dedicating time to exercise.

I advise incoming students to implement this lifestyle before coming to school, so that is already something they are used to. Medical school is all about balance. Waking up early to get tasks done opens up doors to effective studying, exercising, and eating healthy.

The combination of these aspects will leave students feeling more confident and realizing they can push themselves ever further personally and professionally in a healthy way.

Chad Kleinsmith

Class of 2025

Member Spotlight on Victoria M. Adeniran, DPM, MPH

Roxborough Memorial Resident Physician

As a resident, Victoria M. Adeniran, DPM has transitioned from studying to working. She says she is welcoming the world of “adulting.” Victoria is embracing getting to know her co-workers and relating to them. The transition after being in school for so many years feels a little weird, but she knows that everyone in her circumstance goes through this transition.

She is found that giving herself grace as she learns has been helpful, as is seeking and securing trusted mentors that she is able to capture wisdom from.

The increase in earnings is also an adjustment. She knows that it is important to understand how to manage her paychecks is important. Remaining frugal will help secure her fortune. She recommends Dave Ramsey’s readings including “Financial Peace University” to guide her in her journey.

Knowing that student recruitment is a concern for the future of podiatry, Victoria is enthusiastic about introducing the profession to kids and young students. “Students are unable to aspire to a profession they have never heard of,” she states strongly. Spreading awareness about the profession to nieces and nephews, cousins, friends, and acquaintances is a fantastic way to get the word out about the profession. She spreads awareness in talking to strangers including medical professionals about the profession. She is certain to include examples of her work and the accomplishments she makes vs. simply stating that she is a Foot and Ankle Surgeon.

She feels as though it is important for the medical community to understand what she does growing the level of respect for what she does for her patients. She cites that name recognition of the career of podiatry is a concern and ensuring that the community places the same value on podiatry that they do medical doctors including that of ensuring podiatrists are compensated equally for the same procedures that other professionals are receiving.

Dr. Victoria Adeniran, DPM, MPH and her podiatry journey can be followed at @VictoriaSisVic on Instagram and on LinkedIn at Victoria M. Adeniran.

Dr. Srinivas has a fascinating story that is not the traditional path to becoming a podiatrist.

Originally from Pittsburgh, PA, Sindhu Srinivas completed her Master's Degree at Georgetown University. She worked for a few years before attending podiatry school at 26. 

She discovered podiatry while working as a healthcare consultant. Srinivas chose this profession because of the range of podiatry career options that include private practices, group practices, and multiple sub-specialties. She found podiatry to be unique in comparison to other fields. The podiatry profession allows podiatrists to focus on areas of interest at various stages. 

She attended podiatry school at Barry University in North Miami Shores, Florida. Dr. Srinivas has been appointed a leadership role at Geisinger Podiatry as Co-Chief in the residency program for 2022-2023.

"Residency is an enriching and challenging time. When compounded with a surgical residency, during a pandemic, it is a whirlwind," says Srinivas.

She has learned that it is essential to adapt but continue to put one's best foot forward. Srinivas is very thankful to attend a program that supports her growth during the different stages of her career. 

Dr. Srinivas's most recent accomplishment has been the opportunity to serve as chief resident for the upcoming year. Stating, "It has been one of my largest accomplishments because many of our attendings participate in the selection and their recognition of the quality of my work is an honor."

When asked how she thinks our state can increase the podiatry profession's brand awareness, Srinivas believes recruitment of podiatrists in PA must begin at engagement with resident physicians and students at an early stage. She goes on to state, "We need to focus on utilizing social media platforms and other non-traditional mediums in highlighting and creating young member seminars, local conferences, and membership benefits. We should try to advocate for students to explore and shadow different varieties of podiatry within our state at the early onset of their medical journey. I also feel like we have a unique opportunity to have a medical school within our state. I think by highlighting the growth and potential for our profession in PA at an early juncture, this will prompt students and residents to look into practicing here in the long term."

Srinivas regularly accesses PPMA's website (www.ppma.org) to learn more about growing in the podiatric profession, including reading PPMA newsletters to see what other members are discussing.

She also accesses The Goldfarb Foundation (www.goldfarbfoundation.org) website to access online lectures.

Dr. Sindhu Srinivas thinks that one of the things that podiatrists can do for the greater good of the profession is open practices and day-to-day activities to individuals ranging in age from elementary students to other physicians for mentorship and accessibility.

Srinivas thinks very few speak about our profession or allow students to visit. Many individuals do not know about podiatry or discover it quite late, just as she had. Having access to good mentorship can be difficult. She thinks that greater advocacy for our profession, beginning in local high schools to colleges and onwards, will highlight our profession. 

She is active on social media, initially starting a page to educate pre-meds of the opportunities and challenges present in podiatry and medicine. She used it as almost a residency diary. As Srinivas's social media presence has grown, she utilizes the page to provide mentorship and showcase the reality and importance of balance and life outside of medicine. 

PPMA members can look Dr. Sindhu Srinivas up on Instagram at @drskinandbones.

Originally shared in the Sept/Oct 2021 PPMA Newsletter

David Calderone is currently with Orthopedic Associates of Lancaster, LTD

What inspired you to pursue podiatry? 
My mother worked in healthcare for 30 years. Throughout her career, she was in multiple departments including medical records. At that time, charts had to be signed in person, so she was able to meet many doctors and build relationships with them. She always really enjoyed podiatrists!

Early in my education, I was pursuing a biology degree. One of my college counselors encouraged me to consider a medical career. My mother suggested podiatry. I observed one of the doctors she knew and was drawn to the way patients’ lives were changed by receiving care in his office. 

How has your career in podiatry changed? 
I’ve now been practicing for 26+ years. I lived and worked in Detroit for well over a decade as a partner in a small group practice. Many of my patients were diabetics so I have extensive experience with limb salvage, non-healing ulcers, gangrene, and more. 

I moved to PA about a year and a half ago. I joined Orthopedic Associates of Lancaster and now work with 22 orthopedic surgeons. As the only podiatrist in the group (and non-surgical member), I’ve enjoyed collaborating as a team. The respect and mutual admiration for each other’s specialties have been instrumental in treating our patients effectively.

What has been most enjoyable for you throughout your career? 
I’ve helped lots of patients who have struggled with flatfoot, chronic tendinitis, etc. It is amazing that people get as far as they do in their life without receiving proper care for their foot pain. A simple referral to PT, custom orthotic, and recommendation for proper shoes can dramatically improve someone’s life. 

What advice do you have for podiatry students? 
I’ve seen many patients with pain in their feet for 10+ years. They come to the office in tears sharing their story. Often they do not need surgery. They need lifestyle advice. Prescribing PT, teaching proper taping techniques, etc. Because of this, you need to understand the biomechanics of the foot. Surgery has its place, but podiatry has so many directions. There’s a whole other side that helps patients to have better lives and happier. I’ve had a lot more satisfaction by improving someone’s blood flow and saving their leg than treating a bunion. There’s no other feeling like meeting a patient who limped in crying and helping them walk out smiling.

What does your future look like? 
In 2025 I will have been in practice for 30 years. I love what I do but I’m also looking forward to retirement someday!