Barry University’s School of Podiatric Medicine celebrated its annual Rite of Passage ceremony alongside family and friends as the 55 member, class of 2013 received their white coats this month. The event marks the completion of their classroom studies and beginning of their clinical rotations.
The day’s proceedings included the presentation of three new scholarships awarded to deserving podiatric medicine students, recognition to two extraordinary Doctors of Podiatric Medicine for their missionary work in the Yucatan, and a permanent acknowledgment to seven professors who have donated their time and money to their students.
Class of 2013, podiatric medicine students Kristen Patterson, Sarah Haller and Thomas Wilson were each awarded three newly established scholarships for their hard work and dedication. Patterson, past president of the Barry Podo-pediatric Club, is the winner of the Dr. Sean Liffiton Memorial Scholarship. Patterson, who helped organize the Memorial Golf Tournament for the scholarship, was awarded $2,000 which will be credited to her tuition costs. She was selected by Barry faculty based upon her interest in podiatric sports medicine. The late Liffiton was a member of the class of 1993 and served as team podiatrist for the Florida Panthers hockey team.
Haller, Florida Podiatric Medical Students Association president, received the Dr. Harvey Kopelman Award. This scholarship was established by the Florida Podiatric Medical Society and Audrey Kopelman. Kopelman, former Florida Podiatric Medical Association (FPMA) president, practiced in St. Petersburg, Fl., and dedicated more than 50 years of his medical practice to provide the best care possible to each of his patients as well as to furthering the reputation and well-being of the podiatric profession. He championed malpractice protection for Florida podiatrists and raised the level of care afforded to podiatric patients. Haller was selected by the faculty to receive the $1,000 scholarship, for displaying Kopelman’s leadership qualities and exhibiting dedication to her future profession.
Wilson, chosen upon his academic success and demonstration of community service and leadership, was awarded a $500 scholarship established by Dr. Bradley Haves, president of the Barry Podiatric Alumni Association and board member, along with Dr. Michael Wohlfahrt. The award is in memory of Dr. Barton Baggett, fellow peer, class of 1990. Baggett served as a podiatric physician at the Family Podiatry Center in Valdosta, Ga. Wilson is vice president of Barry’s student chapter of the American College of Foot and Ankle Surgeons.
Drs. Charles Southerland and Dr. Keith Kashuk co-directors of Barry’s Yucatan Crippled Children’s Project (YCCP) were lauded for their 15 years of dedicated service to the YCCP. The duo, with the help of many volunteers, has helped more than 7,400 children, making well over 70 flights.
It all began on July 4, 1996, when Southerland – a professor of Podiatric Medicine and Biomechanics – led a team of podiatric physicians on a mercy mission to Merida, Mexico to operate on disadvantaged crippled children from the Yucatan Peninsula. Over the years, 68 doctors have volunteered their personal time, more than 81 students and residents have been trained and assisted in surgeries, and more than 23,500 volunteer hours have been logged.
The YCCP is supported with more than $500,000 in donations including gifts from the Frank J. Lewis Foundation, The International Foundation, The Hialeah Foundation, The Milagros Foundation (Carlos Santana’s Foundation), the American College of Foot and Surgeons, Sole Supports Inc., the International Foot & Ankle Foundation for Research and Education, Bako Pathology Services, among many others.
“We are humbled by our supporters who have shared the vision of this great work,” said Southerland. “With their kind and generous donations, we have made a dramatic impact on crippling deformities affecting thousands of disadvantaged children in the Yucatan.
Southerland along with doctors Albert Armstrong, Jacqueline Buchman, Jacqueline Brill, James Losito, Thomas Merrill and John Nelson were acknowledged for their donations to their students totaling more than $500,000 in the last 15 years. A commemorative plaque with their names will be displayed at the school in their honor.
The ceremony’s keynote speaker was Dr. Marie Williams, a board certified foot and ankle surgeon as well as a fellow of the American College of Foot and Ankle Surgery. Williams is currently the residency director at Jackson North Medical Center and serves as chairman of the podiatry department at Aventura Hospital and Medical Center.
Williams was the first clinical dean at the School of Podiatric Medicine where she served three years and is currently an adjunct professor. She has trained 36 Barry surgical residents and more than 500 Barry podiatric students have trained through her clinical practice on externships. She has made seven mercy trips to the Yucatan as one of Barry’s faculty providing surgical care to impoverished crippled children in Mexico. For her many contributions to Barry, Williams was honored with the Honorary Podiatric Alumna Award in 2006.