Overview
Thank you for your interest in the Podiatric Medicine and Surgery Residency with the added credential in Reconstructive Rearfoot/Ankle Surgery (PMSR/RRA) programs at Cleveland Clinic.
Our goal is to help you become all you want to be. Cleveland Clinic is recognized in the U.S. and throughout the world for its expertise and care. We train our physicians to be skilled board-certified podiatrists, while preparing them to meet the challenges of podiatric medicine and surgery in the next decades.
Podiatric Residency Programs
There are two residency programs at Cleveland Clinic:
- Cleveland Clinic PMSR w/RRA (CCF PMSR w/RRA)
- Surgical Hospital of Oklahoma & Cleveland Clinic PMSR w/ RRA (SHO & CCF PMSR w/RRA)
CCF PMSR w/RRA
- Accreditation: CPME
- Location: Cleveland, Ohio at Cleveland Clinic hospitals & facilities
- Length: Three years (36 months)
- Program Director: Patrick McKee, DPM
- Sponsor: Cleveland Clinic Foundation
- Complement: 3/3/3
SHO & CCF PMSR w/RRA
- Accreditation: CPME
- Location: Cleveland, Ohio and Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
- Length: Three years (36 months) – PGY1 at Cleveland Clinic, PGY2 & 3 at Surgical Hospital of Oklahoma
- Program Director: Megan Filkins, DPM
- Sponsor: Co-sponsored between Surgical Hospital of Oklahoma and Cleveland Clinic Foundation
- Complement: 2/2/2
At Cleveland Clinic, you will receive broad clinical experience in all aspects of podiatry to prepare you for your choice of a community-based or academic career. You’ll have access to advanced foot and ankle surgical procedures and techniques, as well as a vast array of research opportunities to further prepare you for clinical care or an academic career.
Our diverse and extensive academic program allows residents to gain the most up-to-date information on all aspects of medical management pertaining to the practice of podiatry. We welcome the opportunity to show you how well we can help you shape your education – and your future.
Externships
One month podiatric externships are available to fourth year podiatric students interested in furthering their knowledge in podiatric surgery and operating room protocol. Each week has a different focus, from outpatient clinics to surgeries to inpatient hospital service.
Students will be invited to all academic sessions during their externship month and may be asked to present a case on an approved topic.
Please visit the AACPM website for specific requirements and/or contact your graduate placement office.
Diversity & Inclusion
Discover the role diversity and inclusion plays at Cleveland Clinic and at its Graduate Medical Education program, as well as our diversity and inclusion efforts.
Learn moreApplication Process & Benefits
Application Requirements
Recruitment efforts are directed toward and appointments offered only to those candidates who meet the eligibility requirements for appointment to podiatric residency training. Applicants with one of the following qualifications are eligible to be considered for training at Cleveland Clinic:
- Graduates of podiatric medical schools in the United States accredited by the Council on Podiatric Medical Education (CPME).
- Prior to beginning the residency, all applicants shall have passed Parts I and II examinations of the National Board of Podiatric Medical Examiners.
All applicants in podiatric medical school and those applying for PGY-1 positions apply through the Central Application Service for Podiatric Residencies (CASPR). All applications are reviewed. Applicants are selected for interview on the basis of preparedness, ability, aptitude, academic credentials, communication skills and personal qualities such as motivation and integrity. We do not have a GPA requirement and an externship at our institution is not required for applicants to be considered for our program.
Interview Process
The interview process is governed by the rules of our Selection Committee. We participate in The Centralized Residency Interview Program (CRIP). Candidates are interviewed by one to three faculty members depending on availability of attendance. Questions asked during the interview process directly relate to the candidate’s educational and work experience as well as the candidate’s attitudes that have a bearing on the training position.
A final rank list is formulated for the CASPR match. Our selection process for the actual ranking of candidates is systematic and consistent. The position in the rank list is directly related to attributes, skills and knowledge identified as highly desirable for candidates in podiatric medicine and surgery. Selection decisions are not based on prejudicial factors or criteria unrelated to the ability to perform in this education program.
The Residency Selection Committee is responsible for all decisions about candidates. The Department of Orthopaedic Surgery adheres to the institution and program specific interview and selection policy so as to avoid the appearance of inconsistent indiscriminate selection or any form of biased decision making in the selection process. We participate in the annual CASPR match and as such adhere to their guidelines as relate to the rules of participation requiring institutions to fill all of their core residency positions in the Main Residency Match.
Matched Applicants
Following a medical student’s successful match with the Department of Orthopaedic Surgery at Cleveland Clinic, final appointment is be based upon successful completion of required elements to include medical school graduation and successful completion of Parts I and II examinations of the National Board of Podiatric Medical Examiners. Eligibility for an Ohio training certificate is also a requirement for appointment.
Benefits
Applicants can find information on benefits via the GME Office website. Learn more about the city of Cleveland.
Health Insurance
All residents have the opportunity to be covered by the Cleveland Clinic Health Insurance plan, with a wide variety of locations covered as "Tier 1" providers.
Vacation
All residents receive 15 days of vacation time during each academic year. These days do not include the CCF recognized Holidays. All vacation time is cleared with the Program Director, Coordinator, and rotation administration.
For more information or if you have questions, please contact:
Leah Hujarski
Program Coordinator
hujarsl@ccf.org
Rotations
SHO & CCF PMSR w/RRA (3 years – 36 months)
PGY1 – at Cleveland Clinic under direction of Patrick McKee, DPM
Clinical rotations involve a diverse, multispecialty faculty group.
- Anesthesiology
- Emergency Medicine – outpatient
- Endocrinology – outpatient
- Internal Medicine – hospital
- Infectious Diseases Bone and Joint Service – hospital
- Psychiatry – hospital
- Podiatric Medicine and Surgery – outpatient and hospital
- Radiology
- Rheumatology – outpatient and hospital
- Vascular Medicine, Lower Extremity Ulcer Center – outpatient
- Vascular Surgery
PGY 2 & 3 – at Surgical Hospital of Oklahoma under direction of Jody Rose, DPM
Clinical and Surgical rotations - Office rotations are done monthly with attending surgeons
- General Surgery
- Orthopedic Surgery
- Vascular Surgery
- Plastic Surgery
- Podiatric Surgery
CCF PMSR w/RRA (3 years – 36 months)
PGY1
In addition to Podiatric Medicine and Surgery outpatient and hospital service, residents will rotate on the below clinical services which involve a diverse, multispecialty faculty group.
Required
- Anesthesiology
- Behavioral Medicine – hospital
- Emergency Medicine – outpatient
- Internal Medicine – hospital
- Infectious Diseases Bone and Joint Service – hospital
- Podiatric Medicine and Surgery – outpatient and hospital
- Radiology
Medical Specialty Electives
- Endocrinology – outpatient
- Rheumatology – outpatient and hospital
- Vascular Medicine, Lower Extremity Ulcer Center – outpatient
Other
- Vascular Surgery
PGY 2 & 3
Clinical and Surgical rotations:
Required
- Vascular Surgery
- Pathology
- Podiatric Medicine and Surgery – outpatient and hospital
Surgical Specialty Electives
- Orthopedic Surgery
- Plastic Surgery
- Vascular Surgery
Education
Weekly podiatric didactic activities are structured to foster learning and independent thinking. Extensive medical (non-podiatric) didactic activities are also performed daily while on outside rotations.
Journal Club (All residents & students)
- 3rd Friday of the month
Diabetic Journal Club (All residents & students)
- Staff Leader: Dr. Botek
Cadaver Lecture & Lab (All residents on service, but open to all)
- Location: Main Campus basement lab (Mb)
Staff Led Lecture (All residents & students)
- Once per month, date based on lecturer’s calendar
Evidence Based Medicine (All residents on service, but open to all)
- Staff Leader: Dr. Chiunda
- CCF Case Conference (All CCF residents & students)
- Once per month with rotating Staff leader
Additional academics available through the Orthopaedic Surgery Department and other specialty departments:
- M&M / Quality & Patient Safety
- Medical Grand Rounds
- Vascular Surgery Conference
Attendance at national meetings, courses and workshops is encouraged. If a PGY2 or above resident presents his/her work at a regional/national/international meeting, the GME department supports one trip up to $1500 annually. Typically, residents have 2 days for travel and one day for the presentation for a total of three (3) days.
Faculty
Program Director
Patrick McKee, DPM
CCF Program Director
SHO/CCF On-Site Director
Podiatric Medicine and Surgery Faculty
Current Residents
Current Residents
PGY-2
Carmen Carland, DPM, MS
- Podiatric Medical School: Kent State University College of Podiatric Medicine
- Residency: Cleveland Clinic PMSR w/RRA
- Clinical Interests: limb salvage, foot reconstructive surgery, diabetic foot care
Eric Hancock, DPM
- Podiatric Medical School: Kent State University College of Podiatric Medicine
- Residency: Cleveland Clinic PMSR w/RRA
- Clinical Interests: Charcot neuroarthropathy, muscle/tissue flap and reconstruction
Mentor Thaqi, DPM, PhD, MS
- Medical School: William M. Scholl COPM at Rosalind Franklin University
- Residency: Cleveland Clinic PMSR w/RRA
- Clinical Interests: foot and ankle surgery, limb salvage, trauma, foot and ankle reconstructive surgery, podiatric clinical research
PGY-1
Salma Haider, DPM, MPH
- Podiatric Medical School: Samuel Merritt University School of Podiatric Medicine
- Residency: Cleveland Clinic PMSR w/RRA
- Clinical Interests: Sports medicine and limb preservation
Kailey Knutson, DPM
- Podiatric Medical School: William M. Scholl COPM at Rosalind Franklin University
- Residency: Cleveland Clinic PMSR w/RRA
- Clinical Interests: Sports medicine and trauma
Megan Palmer, DPM
- Podiatric Medical School: Des Moines University College of Podiatric Medicine and Surgery
- Residency: Surgical Hospital of Oklahoma and Cleveland Clinic PMSR w/RRA
- Clinical Interests: Wound care, diabetic foot care
Marco Rovira, DPM, MSc
- Podiatric Medical School: Kent State University College of Podiatric Medicine
- Residency: Cleveland Clinic PMSR w/RRA
- Clinical Interests: General medicine, sports trauma, and limb salvage
Dillon Toler, DPM
- Podiatric Medical School: Kent State University College of Podiatric Medicine
- Residency: Surgical Hospital of Oklahoma and Cleveland Clinic PMSR w/RRA
- Clinical Interests: Wound care, limb salvage, sports medicine
