Hello everyone! In this episode of Dean’s Chat Drs. Jensen and Richey interview Dr. Shane Hollawell, a podiatric surgeon, fellowship director, and national leader in foot and ankle surgery. Join us, as we discuss “All things podiatric medicine and surgery!” In this episode we discuss Dr. Hollawell’s background as a collegiate football player to podiatric medicine, his education at Temple University, his surgical residency in Philadelphia, and his current leadership roles in fellowship training, residency education, and professional organizations such as the American College of Foot and Ankle Surgeons.
Tune in to our discussion as we discuss the strong crossover between athletics and medicine. Dr. Hollowell explains how football shaped his time management, resilience, discipline, and ability to adapt—skills he sees as directly transferable to surgical practice. Listen to the parallels between game preparation and surgical planning, emphasizing adaptability, mental preparation, and learning from setbacks.
Join us for an in-depth discussion on fellowship training. As the Foot and Ankle Fellowship Director for the Orthopedic Institute of Central Jersey, Dr. Hollawell advocates strongly for fellowship education, noting that it enhances surgical confidence, clinical judgment, outpatient practice skills, business acumen, and overall career readiness. He explains how fellowships help graduates “hit the ground running,” often leading to stronger initial job offers and long-term career advantages. In this episode we get granular about guidance for residents and students on selecting fellowships, researching programs, networking at ACFAS events, and using the ACFAS website as a primary resource.
Leadership and lifelong learning are recurring topics. Dr. Hollawell discusses leadership as leading by example, adaptability, collaboration, and mentorship at all career stages—from private practice to national organizations like the American College of Foot and Ankle Surgeons, where he serves on the board. The panel agrees that the future of podiatric medicine lies in continued surgical and medical parity, specialization, and professional unity.
Finally, we end with reflections on mentorship; Dr. Hollawell credits his residency training and senior attendings for granting autonomy and shaping his clinical confidence. He highlights learning not only from mentors but also from teaching residents and fellows. Beyond medicine, we discuss his community service, including his involvement with the Marine Corps Scholarship Foundation, and his interest in surgical innovation and device development driven by practical clinical experience.
We hope you enjoy!
https://www.acfas.org/professional-resources/fellowship-resources
https://www.acfas.org
https://oibortho.com/orthopaedics/foot-ankle/

Welcome to the APMA News Takover, Part 2!

Hosted by APMA's Dr. John Garnett, this is the Part 2 interview with Jeffrey Jensen, DPM and Johanna Richey, DPM.

📌 Episode Overview

In this special APMA Takeover episode of Dean’s Chat, we sit down with Dr. Jeffrey Jensen and Dr. Johanna Richey for a wide-ranging conversation on leadership, advocacy, education, and the evolving identity of the podiatric profession.

This episode is sponsorted by the American Podiatric Medical Association (APMA)!

This episode pulls back the curtain on how APMA, academic leadership, and frontline clinicians are working together to strengthen podiatric medicine—at a time when visibility, unity, and strategic messaging matter more than ever.

🧠 Key Topics Covered

1) Why APMA matters now more than ever
How organized medicine and unified messaging shape the future of podiatry.
2) The role of leadership in uncertain times
What deans, association leaders, and clinicians must do to protect and advance the profession.
3) Education as advocacy
How podiatric medical education intersects with public perception, policy, and student recruitment.
4) Telling the podiatry story better
Why podiatric medicine struggles with visibility—and how that can change.
5) Students, residents, and the pipeline problem
Honest discussion about enrollment, engagement, and the responsibility of leadership.
6) APMA’s evolving role
From legislative advocacy to student outreach and national branding.

🔑 Notable Takeaways
• Leadership in podiatry is no longer optional—it’s required at every level.
• The profession must control its narrative or risk being defined by others.
• Collaboration between APMA, colleges, and clinicians is the only sustainable path
• Students are watching—and leadership behavior sets the tone for the future.

👣 Why This Episode Matters

This conversation isn’t just about policy or administration—it’s about identity.
Where podiatric medicine has been, where it is now, and where it’s headed.

Whether you’re a student, resident, practicing DPM, or academic leader, this episode challenges you to think bigger about your role in shaping the profession.

Dean's Chat hosts, Drs. Jensen and Richey, welcime the current American College of Foot and Ankle Surgeons, Dr. Alan Ng, to the podcast!

This episode is sponsored by Bako Diagnostics - a leader in student, residency and physician education and hands on training!

A Denver native, Dr. Alan Ng went to Chicago and Texas for his medical training and surgical fellowship, as well as a short stint in practicing podiatric surgery, before eventually moving back to his hometown to join Advanced Orthopedics. Dr. Ng specializes primarily in Foot and Ankle Reconstructive Surgery and Trauma. Outside of his own practice, he is heavily involved in the world of podiatric medicine, serving as a past President of the American Board of Foot and Ankle Surgery, and is currently president elect American College of Foot and ankle Surgeons.

Dr. Alan Ng is also heavily involved in designing surgical equipment and consulting for multiple surgical companies to enhance patient outcomes and to use new technology to improve surgical techniques. He currently consults and designs surgical devices for Stryker Foot and Ankle/Sports Medicine, Restore 3D, Orthosolutions, Medline Unite, Organogensis, Anika Orthopedics, Lifenet, Sinaptic, and Paragon 28/Additive Orthopedics.

Education
• Residency: Foot/Ankle Surgery/Fellowship – Harris County Podiatric Surgical Residency Program, Houston, TX
• Medical School: Doctor of Podiatric Medicine – Dr. William M. Scholl College of Podiatric Medicine, Chicago, IL
• Undergraduate Degree: University of Colorado, Boulder, CO
Board Certifications
• American Board of Foot & Ankle Surgery – Reconstructive Rear Foot/Ankle Surgery and Foot Surgery
Memberships & Organizations
• Continuous Certification Committee and Exam Oversight Committee- American Board of Foot and Ankle Surgery
• Highlands-Presbyterian St. Luke’s Podiatric Surgical Residency Program (Committee Member)
• Board of Directors, President - American College of Foot and Ankle Surgeons
• Fellowship Director – Rocky Mountain Reconstructive Foot and Ankle Fellowship
• Residency Committee – Highlands/Presbyterian St. Luke’s Podiatric Surgical Residency Program

Interests & Hobbies
• Skiing
• Golf
• Martial Arts (Karate & Muay Thai Kickboxing)

Enhoy thgis conversatin with a true leader in podiatric surgery!