Message from the Dean

Welcome to the current edition of In Stride. I am pleased to report that the campus is vibrant and with few exceptions, classes are live and in person. However, we have also instituted many hybrid initiatives and continue utilization of new technologies to bring the clinic into the classroom. We continue discussions regarding expanding class size and associated resources as well as the potential for an in-house bacteriology lab. Furthermore, we are in discussions with INOVA, the largest health care system in the Northeast, in the hope of creating a collaborative affiliation with BUSPM.

Plans are underway for celebration of the 25^th Anniversary of the Yucatan Project (renamed the Dr. Charles C. Southerland, Jr. Yucatan Children’s Project) and we hope to engage many of the clinicians and staff who participated in this endeavor throughout the years. The First Annual CME Seminar entitled ‘The Yucatan Experience’ is also planned for next year. The School of Podiatric Medicine is also looking into resources that could expand our ability to augment amputation preventative strategies for patients with diabetes in and around our community.  Additionally, our clinical research initiatives continue to thrive.

The future of the School of Podiatric Medicine is bright and full of promise as we train our students to enter residency training.

I hope you enjoy this issue and welcome your comments and suggestions.

Sincerely,

Rob

Robert J. Snyder, DPM, MSc, MBA, CWSP, FFPM RCPS(Glasgow)
Dean, Professor and Director of Clinical Research

Alumni Connection

Dr. Artreese Adams

What are you doing now?
Currently I am an Army Podiatrist stationed in Hawaii at Tripler Army Medical Center. I serve as the Chief of the Limb Salvage Service and an Attending Staff within the orthopedic surgery residency training residents in foot and ankle surgery.

What do you like about your job?
The most interesting thing that I like about my job is the ability to serve my country providing care to service members and their families.

How did Barry prepare you for your job?
Barry prepared me very well in providing me the ability to excel in residency and as an attending in clinical practice. I never envisioned myself teaching orthopedic surgery residents however the opportunity presented and I am very comfortable in training them to perform foot and ankle surgery.

Of what accomplishment are you most proud?
I am most proud of having served as the Chief of Podiatry in Korea. I was the only podiatrist serving in the South Korean Peninsula where I was able to provide care for all U.S Forces.

What was your favorite course and why? My favorite course at Barry was Podiatric Medicine IV. I learned a lot about wound care and various co-morbidities as it related to wound healing.

Who was your favorite professor and why?
My favorite professor was Dr. Snyder. While I learned from all professors I would have to say that his classes have served me the most in my practice.

What extracurricular activities were you involved in at Barry?
While at Barry I participated in a number of extracurricular activities. I was a drilling reservist in the U.S Army. I was the National Student National Podiatric Medical Student representative and served as a Teaching Assistant for Gross Anatomy Lab and Neuroanatomy labs.

Why did you choose Barry?
I chose Barry due to the fact that I am a South Florida native and Barry University felt like home. It is also a veteran friendly institution.

What is one thing you wish you had done while you were studying at Barry?
The one opportunity that I wish that I took more advantage of at Barry was the ability to conduct research. It was a bit difficult for me at the time due to my military status while in school however I have learned in practice especially at medical institutions that you are often asked to conduct poster presentations or studies. 

What advice would you give current students?
The advice that I would give to all students is to take advantage of opportunities. Don’t dismiss anything and keep your mind open to all areas of practice. I would also advise students to engage in difficult task as it provides opportunities for self-development and professional growth.

Download Dr. Adams' CV →

Saving Lives, One Toe at a Time

Cherison Cuffy, DPM, CWSP, ACFAS

I am an island boy from the small country of Dominica and migrated to the United States after a brief stop in St. Thomas, USVI. My family settled in Miami where my mom worked as a registered nurse for Jackson Memorial Hospital. Long before I even had thoughts on college, my mother pursued her advanced degrees in nursing at Barry University. I pursued my undergraduate degree at the University of Miami where I met my lovely wife, Sharon Cuffy, in physics. I now have the privilege to work alongside my wife at the Barry University Foot & Ankle Institute Tamarac office. We both went on to Temple University School of Podiatric Medicine for a momentary break from South Florida only to return for podiatric residency and to the true comforts of home.

I have had the pleasure of working alongside some incredible individuals in my career. Dr. Snyder and Dr. Sigal have been my mentors in residency training and in practice. Though Dr. Sigal has gone on to watch us from above, I have been blessed to have been trained by so many incredible physicians and also privileged to work closely with the internationally recognized Dr. Snyder within the Paul & Margaret Brand Research Center. We have been able to support Barry University and the community through the numerous clinical research studies. By the grace of God, we have been able to save many limbs and hopefully many more through the services and investigation of limb threatening ulcerations and chronic non-healing wounds.

It is a rewarding feeling to help people suffering from debilitating injuries and navigate the difficult task of resolving chronic ulcers. I have been working within the specialty of wound management and limb preservation for a decade.  Though I am not always successful in limb salvage, I do believe the patients move forward with the amputation knowing that Dr. Cuffy did his best and that a hard fought attempt was made. These moments can be scary, painful, tumultuous, and depressing for patients. I believe it is my job to share these experiences with the brilliant minds in our classrooms. Hopefully, as a faculty and with the support of these future colleagues, we can enhance our efforts to decrease the number of non-traumatic amputations and preserve more limbs with intelligent evidence-based decisions wrapped in compassion and empathy.

Got a story to share? We want to spotlight you in the next In Stride newsletter! Please submit your story to BUSPMnewsletter@barry.edu. You can also nominate a student or alumni whose story you think we should tell.

Student Prospective on Growth and Opportunity that Accompanies a Barry Education

By Adam L. McAteer

Adam L. McAteer

Why did you choose Barry?
The two components that became most influential in my choice to attend Barry were the language opportunities and the interview process. I began studying Spanish when I was nine years old, but learning that language in an exclusively academic environment never provided me with adequate exposure to speaking Spanish fluently in the medical setting. It quickly seemed to be the obvious choice given the abundance of Spanish speakers in the community and clinics, giving me the hope that I would soon gain the skills to become a physician with the ability to communicate effectively with future Spanish-speaking patients. Throughout my interview process, I felt very welcome. From the interview itself, to the students I met, everyone gave me a sense that I would find myself in an environment with open minded people that were dedicated to this field of study.

What has been your favorite course so far and why?
Our anatomy courses have been my favorite, with the dissection lab components being most enjoyable. I am a hands-on, visual learner and tend to learn best by doing. This tangible component as a supplement to lecture material gave me the most confidence of all subjects that I knew the material well. I always enjoyed dissecting and had a great lab group that worked well together, providing both education and a collaborative environment. It helped me determine my strengths and weaknesses by encouraging the mindset that allowed me to learn from others and seek help from both my peers and the incredible teaching assistants we had at the time.

Why did you choose to study podiatry?
Podiatry has been my goal ever since I was a child. My mother is a podiatrist, having started a private practice all on her own just out of residency and has continued to be a successful physician for over 30 years now. She has acted as my strongest supporter and most influential role model, always encouraging the work ethic and motivation that I would need to one day work alongside such an amazing woman. I was always fascinated by her work and began to fully understand its importance as I got older. A very valuable respect for the field of Podiatry developed as I grew up admiring her work, and I gained the insight as to how rewarding this profession can be when you not only apply yourself, but also become genuinely passionate about caring for the people that rely on you to improve their quality of life with every visit.

Of what accomplishment are you most proud?
Progressing into my third year and beginning the clinical portion of my education has been a defining moment for me. Successfully passing my first board exam and receiving my white coat felt like the culmination of years of hard work, yet it’s only a milestone in the rest of my journey that lies ahead. It was at this point I knew I would finally be able to put some of the skills I’ve worked for into practice and seize every opportunity to gain as much clinical knowledge while I have the chance. From this semester forward we truly begin to develop the necessary foundation for becoming successful physicians, and I am thrilled to be able to take this next step with the confidence to see it through to the end.

In what extracurricular activities (clubs, internships, jobs, etc.) are you involved?
Given my appreciation for anatomy, I became a teaching assistant for both Gross Anatomy and Lower Extremity Anatomy in my second year. I became affiliated with many clubs, ranging from volunteering with Podopediatrics to attending the medical mission trip to the Dominican Republic, but quickly became most passionate about the American College of Foot and Ankle Surgeons (ACFAS). I became the president-elect for ACFAS at the end of my first year and have now assumed the role as ACFAS president. The club gave me so much exposure to surgical skills and allowed me to encourage my peers to do the same by leading hands-on workshops. With ACFAS I was able to present research at the Annual Scientific Conference in Las Vegas last year and am now working with this year’s executive board on a new project that will be presented at the upcoming conference in Austin, Texas. The experiences associated with this organization have contributed in countless ways to my academic endeavors and created so many significant connections along the way.

What have you learned about yourself through your studies at Barry?
I feel as though I learned the most about my internal sense of discipline. As many of us do, I’ve had moments of insecurity, anxiety and overall stress that can make a student feel discouraged. However, I remain as adaptable as possible and try my best to use that all as motivation in the hopes of avoiding those feelings from surfacing to begin with. My initial goal at the start of my time at Barry was simple; maintain a good GPA and see where it takes me over time. As I began to see a more disciplined side of myself emerge, I started to see the positive results it afforded me both inside and outside of the classroom. It allowed me to perform well in school, and to push myself to balance other demanding commitments that have resulted in unforgettable experiences and irreplaceable relationships.

What advice would you give students thinking about studying podiatry?
Take the time to immerse yourself in as many aspects of the field as possible. Every podiatrist I have seen whether in private practice or the operating room had their own style, their own strengths, and their own journey to how they became the skilled physicians their patients needed. You aren’t just specializing in the foot and ankle; you are becoming an integral part of a unique individual’s well-being. Sometimes the smallest details make the biggest difference on the path to this person living a healthy, happy life based on your care. The idea that we have the potential to eventually have that type of impact on someone’s life is rewarding enough to know I will be very content with my chosen area of study.

What advice would you give prospective students thinking about Barry?
Always keep an open mind. It was clear that every school came with its own environment, but make your decisions on what you truly feel. Just as every school has its own environment, every individual has their own experience and goals that will guide them to their best fit. The friends and the educators I have met throughout my career at Barry have all demonstrated they truly want me to learn, and I am very grateful to them. With that in mind, don’t be afraid to ask questions or reach out to current students! The process of choosing a school can be overwhelming, so I encourage everyone to take advantage of gaining perspective from those that may play a role in your overall experience at Barry in the future.

Jimmie Earl Lewis III

Jimmie Earl Lewis III

How is it that the APMA invited you to the meeting?
I was very fortunate to be chosen as one of fifteen students selected from the nine podiatry schools, including three from Barry University, to receive the 2021 Travel Scholarship, awarded by the APMA Educational Foundation.  The Travel Scholarship allowed me to attend the national APMA 2021 Annual Scientific Meeting in Denver this past July 29 – August 1.

My social media platforms have become known since the summer before starting podiatry school in the Fall of 2020. I have an Instagram page called @j.lewispodiatry and a website called www.jlewispodiatry.com that promotes and advocates for the field of podiatry. I also created my platforms because I want people to understand my story and DO NOT GIVE UP! I will continue to be one of the advocates for podiatric medicine and motivate every student to conquer their dreams and discover the world that lies ahead of them. Throughout my years in podiatry school, my goal is to be a leader in recruiting more students to the field and increasing diversity at all podiatric medical schools across the United States. I will continue to push for excellence and do everything possible to add to others’ educational experiences. The APMA has been following my journey and invited me to the convention to meet other podiatrists and Board of Trustees who continue to impact the field like myself. I was able to meet renowned podiatrists such as Drs. William Long, David Amstrong, and more. This experience was incredible, and I look forward to attending the National in future years to come.

How is it that you were selected for the award, was there an application process involved?  What was the criteria?
First, I would like to thank the APMA again for the fantastic hospitality, the evidence of the younger generation's involvement, and the non-CECH lecture luncheons from renowned professors in the field. Even though the 2020/2021 year has had many challenges, this convention allowed me to meet fellow peers from the other podiatric medical schools, colleagues that I follow on my social media platform, and meet the Board of Trustees members and their families. Nevertheless, the APMA Educational Foundation announced this travel scholarship in April. Each student was supposed to create a one-minute video describing why they wanted to attend the convention, describe how this experience will impact their schooling, and finally describe why and which educational workshops they wanted to attend. Fifteen students were selected from the nine podiatry schools, and three students were selected from Barry University School of Podiatric Medicine.

In addition to the travel scholarships, this year's competition featured the first-ever Physician's Choice Award, a travel scholarship specifically chosen by a select group of dedicated supporters within the APMA, physicians, and dear friends of the foundation. I was honored to be selected for the award.

Special interests? 
I also have a strong interest in public health disparities, wound care, and sports medicine in the field of podiatry. I want to learn more about these branches of podiatry through the organizations at Barry and the Barry Foot and Ankle Institute Clinic pretty soon.

Advice to Classmates and Colleagues
And for advice to my classmates and colleagues at the other podiatry schools, please try to attend the convention next year. I know attending a convention can be a challenge both financially and professionally. However, if you are fortunate enough to have a supportive environment that allows for convention attendance, do not miss out on an outstanding professional development opportunity. I hope to see you all there in the future.

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POD Class of 2023 Hosts First-Ever Hybrid Residency Fair

The School of Podiatric Medicine and the Class of 2023 finished the summer season with an impressive first by turning their Annual Residency Fair into a hybrid event. The Residency Fair, which celebrated its 16th year on August 28, 2021, connects students with residency programs from across the country and encourages them to explore their options for clerkship designation.

As hosts of this year’s fair, the Class of 2023 chose to welcome residency program representatives—including some Barry alums—both in person and virtually. “Our students were able to interact with more than 37 residency programs,” says Dr. Shanika Hill, Associate Dean of Clinical Education in the School of Podiatric Medicine. More than 70 students attended the Fair, which was sponsored in part by Bako Diagnostics . While in-person residency representation was strong at 25 programs, the virtual option enabled more far-flung programs to join the fun. In total, the Fair welcomed representatives from programs in Florida, New York, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Texas, DC, Indiana, Connecticut, and Virginia. “We are proud of our students’ engagement in the process and are appreciative of the time and effort from the programs,” says Dr. Hill.

Quotes from Dr. Shanika Hill, Associate Dean of Clinical Education

“Our students were able to interact with more than 37 Residency Programs from across the country to provide them with a personal connection to assist them with their choice of clerkship designation. We are proud of our students’ engagement in the process and are appreciative of the time and effort from the programs”

“Additionally, it was a proud moment to see our graduates/DPM from the Cohorts of 2019, 2020 and 2021 representing their respective residency program”

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Laboratory Research in BUSPM

Dr. Enrique Rosario Aloma

The grant is to study microbial effects on tumors. We are aiming to study the effect of lactobacillus acidophilus on 3 of the most common soft tissue sarcomas in the lower extremities: melanoma, fibrosarcoma and liposarcoma. We have preliminary data that shows not only inhibition of growth, but death of tumor cells in vitro. The first stage is to treat the tumor cell cultures with the bacteria and analyze the results. Stage 2 is to mutate the bacteria and transform it, making it able to produce tumor necrosis factor alpha, an apoptosis inducing compound produced by white blood cells. Stage 3 is to build an animal model using a microscopic worm, infect it with the tumor and then treat it with the mutated strain. We also have a smaller scale project, studying the effect of lactobacillus on pseudomonas biofilm.

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White Coat Ceremony for the Class of 2023

Guest Speaker- Dr. Marie Williams Dr. Snyder (Dean)

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The Yucatan Children’s Project is Back

This was the first Yucatan Children's Project trip in nearly 1.5 years. Previous quarterly trips were cancelled and rescheduled due to international COVID quarantine policies. Accordingly, this trip was intended to perform limited surgical procedures and numerous consults. In essence, the latest visit was designed to start up the program again and position the mission for future trips. As a result of these consults, several surgeries are scheduled for November when the team returns for their next quarterly visit.

These volunteer doctors travel to the Yucatán and screen children with severe and disabling foot and leg disorders. Several children are then scheduled for reconstructive surgery at a local hospital. A Mexican orthopedic surgeon assists and helps to provide the postoperative care necessary in these cases.

About the Yucatan Project

Dr. Charles Southerland is presented with a special cake to celebrate 25 years of the project.

The Dr. Charles C. Southerland Jr. Yucatan Children’s project began as an outgrowth of humanitarian relief after hurricane Gilbert ripped through the region in 1988. Dr. Southerland, a professor of podiatric medicine at Barry University, worked with health care professionals and public officials in Mexico, and vowed to bring medical care to crippled children in the Yucatan as an ongoing project.

On July 4, 1996, Dr. Southerland led a team of podiatric physicians on a medical mission to Merida, Mexico, to perform surgery on disadvantaged, physically disabled children from the Yucatan Peninsula.

The Yucatan project has treated more than 7,600 children through the years. Many kids will now be able to smile as well as realize they can walk like other children.

For more news visit us here: https://www.barry.edu/en/academics/podiatric-medicine/

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