Volume 7, Number 5-6, May-June 2020

NYCPM Re-Opens; FCNY Resumes (Almost-Full) Schedule

With the health and safety of students, faculty and staff as paramount considerations, NYCPM re-opened on July 6. Safety protocols abound, and modifications to different aspects of education at the College are in place, carefully crafted to maintain safety as well as the integrity of podiatric medical education (see list here ). CME seminars are all virtual as well. The FCNY has instituted safety protocols for patients and doctors and is operating an almost-normal schedule. Both institutions undergo enhanced cleaning and disinfection more than daily. If anyone needs a reminder, dozens of brightly colored signs posted throughout the halls keep all protocols front of mind. The library also opened with new protocols, posted on its website. “We’re confident that NYCPM students at all levels will receive the quality pre-clinical classes and clinical experiences key to excelling on board exams and to graduating on time,” said Michael J. Trepal, DPM (’81), VP of Academic Affairs and Academic Dean.

My Journey as a Front Liner by Susheel Bathla, DPM (’94) Member, NYCPM Board of Trustees I was deployed at ICU/CCU SIUH, Staten Island from March 27th until April 26th. I had a great deal of mixed feelings, excited to be a front liner, nervous and scared at the same time. Thousands of questions and concerns crossed my mind as I was standing in a line to be fitted for N95: Would I be able to handle the pressure? What am I supposed to do once I am done with my shift? Will I be bringing Covid-19 back home to my family?     I was briefed for about 15 minutes regarding my duties and responsibilities while I am putting my PPE on. While trying to concentrate on what Dr. D was explaining, I was struggling to put all the pieces of PPE in a correct order at the same time. My vision was getting foggy with my reading . . . Read more

NYCPM’s First Virtual Graduation Celebrates Class of 2020 NYCPM’s first virtual graduation was held via Zoom on May 15, 2020, the original date for the Class of 2020’s in-person graduation at Lincoln Center. In addition to the date, a number of other features from NYCPM’s traditional commencement ceremonies were retained. The names of each award winner was called (and their photos and award names displayed). Each graduate’s name was also announced (there were 85) and the names and photos displayed, including those of   . . . Read more Seen on Zoom at their graduation, were, from top, Milad Motalebi Kashani, DPM (2020 Class Valedictorian); Tinisha Ricks, DPM; Ria Sajnani, DPM; and Stewart Kite, DPM (now an NYCPM resident).

Growing Louis Levine Scholarship Supports Empire State College Students Louis L. Levine, the President and CEO of NYCPM since 1991, established The Louis Levine Scholarship Fund within the Empire State College Foundation in 1975. Mr. Levine worked with SUNY to create The  Harry Van Arsdale Jr. Center for Labor Studies at Empire State; the Center offers specialized programs leading to college degrees. His funds are earmarked for working adults seeking personal development and growth; students study collective bargaining, how to handle grievances and how to lead an organization. A majority of the applicants for the . . . Read more

NYCPM Fetes Graduating Residents and Welcomes New Residents

On June 24, a COVID-inflected reception was held in the Metropolitan Hospital Center auditorium for the three 2020 NYCPM graduating residents: Muhammad Ansari, DPM; Faezeh Bakhtiari-Nejad, DPM; and David Ehrlich, DPM (chief resident), above, left to right. Smaller, and with fewer refreshments, the reception nonetheless was filled with feelings of celebration and good wishes. Robert A. Eckles, DPM, Dean of Graduate Medical Education and Associate Professor of Orthopedic Sciences; Michael J. Trepal, DPM (’81), Vice President for Academic Affairs and Academic Dean, Professor of Surgical Sciences, and John T. Pellicone, MD, Chief Medical Officer of Metropolitan Hospital Center/HHC all spoke; many others offered their good wishes to the graduates. A few days later, NYCPM welcomed new residents (and 2020 graduates) Stuart Kite, DPM and Emma Akinyi Salome Otieno, DPM, MPH.

A 100% Pass Rate! In early June, 46 members of NYCPM’s class of 2020, took the Part III Board exam, and all 46 passed, a 100% pass rate! Dean Trepal offered his congratulations to both the graduates and to the faculty who instructed them.

Alvin J. Kanegis, DPM (’56) Passes Away Dr. Alvin J. Kanegis graduated from the MJ Lewi College of Podiatry (now NYCPM) in 1956. He served terms as President of The Nassau Division of the New York State Podiatric Medical Association and also as a Trustee of the American Podiatric Medical Association. He was a founding member of the FAPA Fraternal Association for podiatrists in the 1950s along with Drs. Shangold, Greenberg, Geller, and Lane. Dr. Kanegis served as its executive director for the past 30 years until his death. Source: PM News