In this episode of Dean’s Chat, Drs. Jeffrey Jensen and Johanna Richey welcome Dr. Michael Cornelison, former president of the American College of Foot and Ankle Surgeons (ACFAS) and current executive director of the California Podiatric Medical Association (CPMA), for a wide-ranging conversation about leadership, mentorship, collaboration, and the future of podiatric medicine. Dr. Cornelison also offers a unique perspective as a father of three daughters, two of whom have followed him into podiatric medicine. He reflects on the importance of leading by example and allowing the next generation to discover their own reasons for choosing the profession. His daughters’ journeys have reinforced his belief that podiatry needs to introduce students to the profession much earlier and demonstrate not only the clinical opportunities, but also the fulfillment, flexibility, and diverse career paths available to DPMs.
Dr. Cornelison shares his own circuitous path into podiatry, beginning with an interest in biomechanics and musculoskeletal physiology at UCLA. A chance recommendation from a pre-health counselor, followed by an unexpected connection with podiatrist and mentor Dr. Jeff Stone, ultimately led him to Scholl College and then to residency training at Inova. He describes how mentors, senior residents, and the culture of his training program helped foster his interest in leadership and reinforced the idea that podiatrists have an important role to play beyond the clinic and operating room.
The discussion explores Dr. Cornelison’s leadership journey through ACFAS, including his experience navigating the organization through the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic and ultimately serving as president. A central theme of his leadership philosophy is collaboration. He discusses his efforts to bring organizations including ACFAS, APMA, AAOS, and AOFAS together around shared priorities such as reimbursement, advocacy, and the advancement of podiatric medicine. He emphasizes that progress does not require having every answer in advance; sometimes leaders must be willing to remain open-minded, listen to different perspectives, and build consensus.
Dr. Cornelison also discusses leadership development and the importance of creating pathways for individuals from all backgrounds and training programs to become involved. He highlights emerging leadership initiatives within ACFAS and APMA as opportunities to cultivate the next generation of leaders. His advice is particularly relevant to anyone seeking greater professional fulfillment: find a niche beyond the traditional nine-to-five clinical role, whether through leadership, advocacy, research, education, or another area of interest. By staying engaged, embracing collaboration, and focusing on what can be controlled, podiatrists can help move the profession forward while finding greater purpose and satisfaction in their own careers.