Dr. William M. Scholl College of Podiatric Medicine celebrated a successful residency match on March 15, as members of the college’s Class of 2019 achieved 100 percent residency placement.

Eighty fourth-year (P4) students matched into three-year podiatric medicine and surgery residency programs across the country, including: Loyola University Medical Center and Advocate Christ Medical Center in Illinois; Highlands/Presbyterian St. Luke's in Colorado; Swedish Medical Center in Washington; and Kaiser Permanente Santa Clara in California.

Scholl College P4s, who also achieved 100 percent placement in 2018, participate in the Central Application Service for Podiatric Residencies along with P4s from the nation’s eight other podiatry schools. Students gathered with family, friends and faculty in the Scholl Gallery to learn and share their good news.

“Our 100 percent match rate over two consecutive years is a testament to the quality of Scholl College students, the strength of our educational program, and the dedication and commitment of faculty and staff,” said SCPM Dean Nancy L. Parsley, DPM ’93, MHPE. “Match Day is such a momentous occasion in the lives of students and we are proud of our students for their success. As they prepare to begin their next phase of education and training, we share in their excitement and happiness today and we wish them all the best for their futures.

Gisele Youth, SCPM ’19, matched with her first choice: MedStar Washington Hospital Center in Washington, D.C., where she spent a month-long rotation.

“I’m super excited,” Gisele said after tearing into her envelope. “MedStar was my number one pick. I’m really happy they chose me to be part of their team.”

Gisele also opened the envelope for her good friend, P4 Helene Cooper who is in California on a rotation, to discover she is also headed to MedStar.

“We’ve been a support system for each other while at Scholl and we will support each other at MedStar too,” Gisele said. “I’m looking forward to the next three years.”

Born in Cameroon, West Africa, Gisele immigrated to the United States to pursue her undergraduate education. She also earned a master of science in chemistry at George Mason University in Virginia before applying to Scholl College. She was mulling a PhD in biochemistry when a shadowing experience with Scholl alumnus Mohammad Sharif, DPM ‘99, who practices with Emory University’s Emory Healthcare in Atlanta, the largest health system in Georgia, changed her path.

“Dr. Sharif was such an inspiration,” Gisele said. “He helped me see the fulfillment in podiatric medicine. He does everything: wound care, limb preservation, podiatric and reconstructive surgery. He encouraged me and guided me through the application process.”

Gisele received more strong mentorship at Scholl College, where her many accomplishments include the NIH-funded Summer Research Fellowship through the nationally-recognized Center for Lower Extremity Ambulatory Research (CLEAR). Participation in the fellowship, which requires an intensified biomechanics course, helped Gisele push her limits.

“Dr. Jarrett knows how to challenge you to become a better version of yourself,” Gisele said of Associate Professor Beth Jarrett, DPM ’85, CPed. “She wants students to explain their rationale. She helps us study more efficiently. I became a different student — less focused on memorizing and more focused on understanding human anatomy and applying the concepts in biomechanics and physics to movement.

“When a patient walks through your door, you have to pay careful attention and listen to understand what’s going on with them.”

The recipient of numerous honors and awards, including the 2018 Paul H. Schwartzentraub, DPM ’67, and Sean P. Schwartzentraub, DPM ’97 Honorary Endowed Scholarship, Gisele said RFU’s interprofessional coursework and Scholl College’s capstone “boot camp” have helped prepare her for the challenges of residency and beyond.

“As a resident and as a doctor, you work with professionals in many different specialties — allopathic physicians, nurses, physical therapists, pharmacists and so many more,” Gisele said. “Learning to communicate and to understand each other’s roles and responsibilities is crucial to care. We have to work together on behalf of our patients.”