Mission Statement
The mission of the Carl T. Hayden VAMC Podiatry Externship Program is to offer third and fourth year podiatric medical students a comprehensive academic, clinical, surgical, and biomechanical learning experience under the supervision and guidance of attending physicians and podiatric residents. This includes working in a busy podiatric practice with a wide variety of pathology, performing minor surgical procedures in the clinic, and assisting in major surgical cases in the operating room. Students will round on inpatients daily and assume significant responsibility for patient care. Incorporating a multi-disciplinary approach, students will have many learning opportunities in treating patients with acute and chronic problems and lower extremity manifestations of systemic disease. This includes advanced pathology, trauma, severe infections, and the full spectrum and scope of podiatric practice. Students will participate in journal club, weekly lecture series, workshops, and continuing education programs. Students are also required to give an extern presentation during their training experience.
Application Process
Students apply for clerkships through the centralized online application coordinated by the American Association of Colleges of Podiatric Medicine (AACPM). Clerkship offers are also extended through this system.
An externship is not required for attaining a residency position, but it is strongly encouraged. The primary goal of the externship month is an educational experience aimed at helping students develop their academic, clinical, and surgical skills. The rotation also allows the attending physicians an opportunity to assess the student's demeanor, rapport with patients, and level of knowledge and understanding of podiatric medicine and surgery in a variety of settings.
An interview through the Centralized Residency Interview Process (CRIP) is required for attaining a residency position.
Contact Information
Annie Jong, DPM
Director of Podiatric Medical Clerkships
Carl T. Hayden VAMC
650 E. Indian School Road
Phoenix, AZ 85012-1819
phone: (602) 277-5551, ext. 6182
fax: (602) 200-6028, Attn: Podiatry
e-mail: Annie.Jong@va.gov