2024 Residency Directors Forum

Jayson Atves, DPM, FACFAS

Eric Barp, DPM, FACFAS

Michelle Butterworth, DPM, FACFAS

Allan Boike, DPM, FACFAS

Luke Cicchinelli, DPM, FACFAS, PICA

Keith Cook, DPM, FACFAS

Patrick DeHeer, DPM, FACFAS

Randall Dei, DPM, FACFAS

Thanh Dinh, DPM, FACFAS

Jacqueline Donovan, DPM FACFAS

Samantha Figas, DPM, FACFAS 

Jeffrey Jensen, DPM, FACFAS

Jonathan Labovitz, DPM, FACFAS

Lisa Levick-Doane, DPM, FACFAS

Charles Lombardi, DPM, FACFAS

JT Marcoux, DPM, FACFAS

John Martucci, DPM, AACFAS

Robert Mendicino, DPM, FACFAS 

Roya Mirmiran, DPM, FACFAS

Colin Mizuo, DPM, FACFAS

Hamidat Momoh, DPM

Ellie Nasser, DPM, FACFAS

Aksone Nouvong, DPM, FACFAS

Brett Sachs, DPM, FACFAS

Harry Schneider, DPM, FACFAS 

Christina Staskiewicz, DPM, FACFAS

John Steinberg, DPM, FACFAS

Mike Vaardahl, DPM, FACFAS

Melanie Violand, DPM, FACFAS

Steven Vyce, DPM, FACFAS

Eric Walter, DPM, FACFAS

Wednesday, January 31, 2024
11:30 am – 6:30 pm
Tampa Convention Center: Rooms 114-117


11:30 am– 12:00 pm 
Check-In

12:00 -1:30 pm
FORUM AND RESIDENTS DAY SHARED LUNCH

12:00 - 12:10 pm
Introduction and Welcome
Randall Dei, DPM, FACFAS
The 2024 Residency Directors Forum agenda was developed based on feedback received from previous Forums post-event surveys.  This year’s Forum includes several panel discussions with the aim to provide a venue to exchange knowledge and wisdom among our residency directors.  The Forum will focus on faculty development and will cover topics such as identifying and managing current challenges in education, exploring tips and techniques to enhance resident teaching, and learning more about legal aspect of administrating a residency program.  The 2024 Forum will also have a mock showcase of a Residency Review Committee's (RRC’s) program approval process.  Set sail and join us for this educational voyage.


12:10 - 12:40 pm
GS1: Student Recruitment Crisis: A Rising Tide Lifts All Boats
Roya Mirmiran, DPM, FACFAS, Moderator
Panelists: Jeffrey Jensen, DPM, FACFAS; Jonathan Labovitz, DPM, FACFAS; Allan Boike, DPM, FACFAS; Patrick DeHeer, DPM, FACFAS; Eric Barp, DPM, FACFAS; Michelle Butterworth, DPM, FACFAS
It is well recognized by everyone that the reduction in number of applicants to the podiatry schools can have major impact in future of everyone in the profession. The Colleges, residency programs, fellowship programs, and even more important the community is significantly affected by the current student recruitment crisis. The goal of this session is to discuss current initiatives and how one can get involved in promoting podiatry and to support the podiatric colleges in becoming a united front.  In this session, we will share what your school Deans and AACPM are doing to promote "Feet on the Street" campaign.  We will also hear from APMA on how you can help promote student recruitment in your area.  ACFAS and ABFAS are joining the forces to increase awareness of our profession.   We need your feedback and engagement to help reduce the ripple effect of our current student attrition crisis.

Learning Objectives – attendees will:

1. Get familiarized with current steps taken by various organizations in promoting student recruitment.

2. Learn what each program or individual can do to support or promote current efforts in student recruitment.

3. Share what other actions needed to achieve a successful/sustainable student recruitment campaign.

4. Provide feedback on how we can improve quality as well as quantity of student applicants to podiatry schools.

12:40 - 1:00 pm
GS2: PRR Logging Quiz: Keep Your Program Ship-Shape
Harry Schneider, DPM, FACFAS and Cody Togher, DPM, AACFAS, Moderators
Panelists: Mike Vaardahl, DPM, FACFAS; JT Marcoux, DPM, FACFAS
Appropriate logging of procedures is essential to our residents. CPME approves a
residency certificate based on a resident meeting MAVs in surgical and non-surgical experiences.
Furthermore, ABFAS grants a Board Qualification certificate based on residents meeting MAV in predefined surgical categories. To be Board Certified, surgical logging becomes an important arm of the case review. In this presentation, you will hear from a representative from PRR, RRC and ABFAS on
challenges they have encountered with surgical logging. In addition, we will have a competition
between residents and program directors on their knowledge of appropriate logging.

Learning Objectives - attendees will:

1. Review common mistakes made by residents when logging cases.

2. Understand the detail of information required when logging.

3. Learn the implications of improper logging to both the resident and residency program.

4. Learn any future anticipated changes to the logging process.

1:00- 1:30 pm
GS3: The Legal Aspect of Residency Programs: Surfing the Waves
Hamidat Momoh, DPM, Moderator
Panelist: Luke Cicchinelli, DPM, FACFAS, PICA
Mistakes can happen, tempers can flare, and in some cases, residents or program directors can sometimes find themselves on the wrong side of the table. Sometimes, litigations are initiated against residency programs and or program directors/faculties for issues such as behavioral misconduct, wrongful termination, discrimination, hostile work environment, etc. The goal of this session is to discuss and learn from others’ strategic successes and failures as well as gain a better insight on the different obstacles, protection, insurance, and other resources available to these institutions.

Learning Objectives – attendees will:

1. Hear and share examples of litigation against residency programs.

2. Understand how other programs navigated their legal processes and learn from their successes and failures.

3. Gain insight on resources available to protect programs, directors, residents and patient care.

1:30 – 1:45 pm
BREAK – 15 minutes
Residents may stay for the next session on Generational Differences


1:45 – 2:45 pm
GS4: Generational Differences and Their Impact on Incoming Residents: Something’s Fishy
Here…
Samantha Figas, DPM, FACFAS, Moderator 
Speakers: Lisa Levick-Doane, DPM, FACFAS; Melanie Violand, DPM, FACFAS
In recent years, workplaces have seen the effects of generational differences, with companies trying to figure out how to bridge this generational divide. In medicine we are not exempt from these challenges. We are seeing our traditional teaching methods being less effective our modern learners. In this session, we will discuss that although traditional methods of teaching should not be abandoned, adapting new approaches may be necessary to get the most out of our residents. We will discuss techniques to optimize newer generational learning, the balance of work life balance, and management of professionalism with this newer generation.

Learning Objectives – attendees will:

1. Discuss differing views of work-life balance and burnout between generations.

2. Learn about work-life balance integration. 

3. Foster efforts in improving wellness and education in our training models.

4. Discuss adaptations of traditional teaching methods for the newer generation.

5. Learn techniques in how to manage professionalism in our trainees.

2:45 – 3:30 pm
GS5: Mock RRC Program Review: Charting the Right Course
Harry Schneider, DPM, FACFAS, Moderator
Keith Cook, DPM, FACFAS, JT Marcoux, DPM, FACFAS, Aksone Nouvong, DPM, FACFAS, Steven Vyce, DPM, FACFAS
The RRC will provide a hands-on demonstration regarding cited areas of noncompliance as well as actions taken after a site visit. Audience participation via small groups will review, discuss, and share whether they believe the program corrected the cited area of noncompliance, and what approval status they believe should be granted to the program. The RRC panel will provide feedback and provide the action taken in the same way they would present the program to the review committee during a meeting.

Learning Objectives – attendees will:

1. Understand the residency review committee requirements for a successful site visit.

2. Observe the residency review committee processes for review of site visit reports.

3. Learn how programs are placed on probation.

3:30 – 3:40 pm
GS6: CPME Update
Harry Schneider, DPM, FACFAS, Moderator
Steven Vyce, DPM, FACFAS
The CPME 320 document, “Standards and Requirements for Approval of Podiatric Medicine and Surgery Residencies” was updated starting July 1, 2023. The Council on Podiatric Medical Education will provide an update and review of changes in residency training.

Learning Objectives – attendees will:

1. Review updates in the CPME 320 document.

2. Understand changes in required rotations, educational and wound care requirements.

3:40 – 4:00 PM
BREAK – 20 minutes 
Snacks and drinks available. Please use this time to visit organizational representatives available for Q&A at their tabletop displays.


TOWN HALL MEETINGS: 30 min each
4:00 - 4:30 pm / 4:35 - 5:05 pm / 5:10 - 5:40 pm
Attendees stay in their assigned rooms; speakers rotate.

TH1: Listening to the People: Make Your Own Waves 
John Martucci, DPM, AACFAS, Moderator
Panelists: Jayson Atves, DPM, FACFAS; Charles Lombardi, DPM, FACFAS; Thanh Dinh, DPM, FACFAS
There are a variety of ways to navigate training residents. Each attending has the great responsibility as captain of their own educational voyage! In this town hall, we'll have our weathered panelists discuss topics such as handing over the knife to trainees, the role of Entrustable Professional Activities (EPAs), and other points of interest. The audience will be polled ahead of the forum to determine those issues of interest.

Learning Objectives – attendees will:
•              Discuss relevant, current topics focused on how to train surgical residents.
•              Hear commentary from experienced attendings about working with trainees.
•              Learn about Entrustable Professional Activities and how they fit into resident training.


TH2: Sailing the Ocean - Best Practices
Jacqueline Donovan, DPM FACFAS, Moderator
Panelists: Robert Mendicino, DPM, FACFAS; Brett Sachs, DPM, FACFAS; Eric Walter, DPM, FACFAS
This session aims to address evolving challenges in podiatry education and practice.  Through this town hall, attendees will gain valuable insights into these critical needs for academic requirements in a residency program.  This program will offer a roadmap for podiatry educators to navigate the ever-evolving healthcare landscape and strengthen their academic foundations while maintaining a work life balance and honoring the 80-hour work week.

Learning Objectives - attendees will:

1. Discuss the evolving strength of podiatry programs and how to “sail the ocean” with changes being made at hospitals with lack of podiatry support.  

2. Learn how to structure academics to include but not limited to lectures, chapter review, journal club, board prep.

3. Learn to structure topics and implement learning plans to include practice management, billing, medicine, surgical, complication. 

4. Hear best practices to involve industry with interaction with residents and financial support with avoiding industry bias.

5. Learn how to implement a strong academic base with honoring work life balance and managing burnout.

TH3: Tips and Tricks for Navigating a Successful Program: Adjusting your Sail
Christina Staskiewicz, DPM, FACFAS, Moderator
Panelists: Colin Mizuo, DPM, FACFAS; John Steinberg, DPM, FACFAS; Ellie Nasser, DPM, FACFAS; Aksone Nouvong, DPM, FACFAS
The landscape of resident training is always shifting and as such, as educators we need to adjust our sail to flow with the wind. This session will focus on tactics and new technologies residency programs and educators are using to build educational programs. We will share and exchange ideas on how to implement both didactic and hand skills training, what workshops are being implemented and how to overcome teaching challenges in the OR. There will also be discussion on In-training examinations, and how the results of these examinations impact academic programs.

Learning Objectives – attendees will:

1. Learn strategies on building an educational program. 

2. Exchange information on new technologies and workshops available for hands-on resident skills training.

3. Discuss how to adjust to teaching challenges in the operating room.

4. Receive feedback on how to interpret In-training examination scores to best aid residents 

5. 5. Learn how In-training examination scores can be utilized to adjust or shape an educational program.

5:40 - 6:00 
BREAK (10 min)
Open bar and appetizers available


6:00 – 6:30 pm
GS7: Town Hall – Lessons Learned: Soothing Wisdom from the Sea
Randall Dei, DPM, FACFAS, Moderator
Panelists: John Martucci, DPM, AACFAS; Jacqueline Donovan, DPM, FACFAS; Christina Staskiewicz, DPM FACFAS
The best nuggets come from your peers! Attendees will recombobulate back to the General Session room to present unique findings from each town hall back to the entire group before the Forum wraps up.

Learning Objectives – attendees will:

1. Discuss the highlights of relevant topics brought forward from the 'Town Hall' meetings focused on how to train surgical residents.

2. Discuss the best practices to structure academics, practice management, billing, medicine, surgical and the available new teaching technologies and workshops available for hands-on resident skills training complication form the combined meetings.

3. Share lessons learned during the sessions about involvement of industry with interaction with residents and financial support with avoiding industry bias.

4. Share lessons learned about honoring work life balance and managing potential resident/faculty burnout.

5. Hear of the exchange of information on how to adjust to teaching challenges in the operating room.

6. Learn how the various groups used and interpreted the In-training examination scores and how best to adjust or shape an educational program.

6:30 pm
Residency Directors Forum Closing
Roya Mirmiran, DPM, FACFAS; Harry Schneider, DPM, FACFAS

Register Online

Registration is $150.  Up to two attendees per residency/fellowship program can attend. Deans are complimentary.

Please note that the capacity for the 2024 Residency Directors Forum is 120 registrants. Please be sure to cancel your registration by emailing membership@acfas.org if you are no longer able to attend to allow those on the wait list to register.

This activity has been planned and implemented in accordance with the standards and requirements for approval of providers of continuing education through a joint provider agreement between the American Association of Colleges of Podiatric Medicine (AACPM) and the American College of Foot and Ankle Surgeons (ACFAS). AACPM is approved by the Council on Podiatric Medicine as a provider of continuing education in podiatric medicine. AACPM has approved this activity for a maximum 6.0 continuing education contact hours.