Dean’s Chat host, Dr. Jeffrey Jensen, is joined by Dr. Javier LaFontaine. Dr. LaFontaine is the Dean at the University of Texas Rio Grand Valley School of Podiatric Medicine (UTRGV-SPM) in Harlingen, TX. The Council on Podiatric Medical Education (CPME) approved RGVSPM in 2022, and Dr. LaFontaine recruited the UTRGV-SPM inaugural class this past year. Discussions include the approval process for attaining Candidacy Status as the 10th Podiatric Medical School in the country and the Texas application service for health professions that is unique to our profession. Dr. LaFontaine has a long history in education and is a tremendous leader. Under his guidance, the future is bright at the UTRGV-School of Podiatric Medicine!
In this episode of Dean’s Chat, Dr. Jeffrey Jensen interviews Dr. Javier LaFontaine, the Dean at the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley School of Podiatric Medicine. They discuss Dr. LaFontaine’s background, including his education and residency training, as well as the recent first class at the Rio Grande Valley School of Podiatric Medicine. Tune in to learn more about Dr. LaFontaine and his experiences in the field.
Dr. LaFontaine emphasizes the importance of engaging everyone and not making all the decisions as an effective leader. He acknowledges that while a leader who makes all the decisions can be effective, it can lead to chaos when they move on because others are not equipped to take over. Instead, he describes his leadership style as one that involves people in solutions and action plans. Dr. LaFontaine values collaboration and seeks input from others, including students. Dr. LaFontaine believes in surrounding themselves with talented individuals and recognizes that nobody knows everything.
Dr. LaFontaine explains that in academia, professionals do not always receive immediate feedback for their work. Unlike professions where patients express gratitude for the immediate impact of their treatment, in academia, the impact is often seen years later when former students or residents reach out to express their appreciation. Dr. LaFontaine shares that he receives random emails from old students or residents who share their accomplishments, such as obtaining their first patent. These moments of feedback and recognition serve as reminders of the impact Dr. LaFontaine had on their lives and careers.
Dr. Jensen and Dr. LaFontaine discuss that podiatry education encompasses more than just residency training and includes a significant amount of foundational work done at the schools. They emphasize the thought and effort put into podiatry education and want the community to be aware of and appreciate the work happening behind the scenes.
Dr. Jensen and Dr. LaFontaine also discuss how many health advisors express misconceptions about the field, assuming it only involves working with diabetes and not realizing that podiatrists also perform surgery. This highlights the knowledge gap and misunderstanding about podiatry, and that programs like Dean’s Chat can help bridge this gap and increase awareness about the work and effort put into podiatry education.