The Dr. William M. Scholl College of Podiatric Medicine (SCPM) celebrated a 100 percent residency placement during its Match Day event on March 23.

“This is truly an accomplishment by members of the Class of 2018,” said SCPM Dean Nancy L. Parsley, DPM ’93, MHPE. “We are so proud of them. To have a 100 percent placement rate is truly special. It speaks to the hard work, endless effort and unique talents of our students.”

Fourth-year Scholl College students (P4s), joined by friends, family and SCPM faculty and staff, gathered in the Scholl Gallery to learn where they will complete their residency training for careers in podiatric medicine and surgery.

Shirley Chen, SCPM ’18, matched to her first choice, MedStar Washington Hospital Center in Washington, D.C., where podiatric residents earn an additional credential in reconstructive rearfoot/ankle surgery.

“It’s a really well-rounded program,” Shirley said. “Because I want proficiency in everything, I looked for a program emphasizing academics and research as well as the clinic and surgery.”

P4s in the nation’s nine podiatric medical schools participate in the Central Application Service for Podiatric Residencies (CASPR). Previously graduated students who have not yet completed a residency also participate in the process. According to Initial estimates, 30 students will go unmatched in 2018.

“That makes a 100 percent placement rate even more impressive,” Dr. Parsley said.

Scholl students matched into residences at high quality hospitals and medical centers around the country, including Illinois, Wisconsin, California, New York, Vermont, Colorado, Arizona and Texas.

Shirley’s prospects were bolstered by a curriculum vitae that includes collaboration on two peer-reviewed papers and authorship of a manuscript accepted for publication by the American College of Foot and Ankle Surgeons (ACFAS). The latter paper was a product of her NIH-funded Summer Research Fellowship through Scholl College’s Center for Lower Extremity Ambulatory Research (CLEAR), where she worked under the mentorship of Associate Professor Adam Fleischer, DPM ’01, MPH. Twelve SCPM P1s earn the fellowship each year.

“Scholl gave me a lot of key clinical and research exposure,” said Shirley, a native of Carmel, IN. “The NIH training grant opens a lot of doors. We attend and present at national conferences. It’s inspiring to see podiatric professionals out there speaking and presenting on their research. I’m really grateful for that opportunity.”

Diverse clinical experiences offered to Scholl students also help strengthen chances for  a residency match. Shirley is completing her final rotation in general surgery at Chicago’s John H. Stroger, Jr. Hospital of Cook County.

“I’ve seen how all our healthcare service providers lean on each other for information and patient care,” she said. “Seeing how closely podiatric physicians work with physical therapy, vascular, orthopedics and other specialties makes me realize how important it is to have a good relationship with all members of the healthcare team to optimize treatment for our patients.”