Western University of Health Sciences College of Podiatric Medicine (WesternU CPM) is a podiatric medical school at Western University of Health Sciences (WesternU) based in Pomona, California. WesternU CPM is one of eleven podiatric medical schools in the United States, and one of eight colleges at Western University of Health Sciences. The school was founded in 2009 with an inaugural class of 38 students[3] and is fully accredited by the American Podiatric Medical Association's Council on Podiatric Medical Education (CPME).[4] WesternU CPM offers a four-year professional degree program leading to the degree Doctor of Podiatric Medicine (DPM).
History
The College of Podiatric Medicine was founded in 2009 at Western University of Health Sciences.[3] The inaugural class consisted of 38 students; the college currently has about 100 students. In November 2012, the Council on Podiatric Medical Education granted the college full accreditation.[5]
In 2010, Osteomed, a small bone implant device company, donated the first of five $20,000 payments to a scholarship fund for podiatry students at Western University of Health Sciences.[6] The donation marked the start of the college's first endowed scholarship fund.
Academics
The Health Education Center is the main building for the College of Podiatric Medicine. It first opened for classes in January 2010.
The College of Podiatric Medicine offers a single four-year professional degree program leading to the degree Doctor of Podiatric Medicine (DPM). First and second year podiatric medical students take the same courses as the osteopathic medical students from the osteopathic medical college on campus.[2] The first two years of coursework focus on the basic sciences with a systems-based approach to basic clinical sciences. Subjects include biochemistry, pharmacology, immunology, hematology, oncology, neuroscience, psychiatry, rheumatology, endocrinology, cardiology, nephrology, pulmonology, reproductive medicine, dermatology, and gastroenterology.
The curriculum at the College of Podiatric Medicine includes Interprofessional Education (IPE), a program that involves various colleges at WesternU. WesternU’s IPE program is one of the largest in the country in terms of class size and number of health professional programs participating. The IPE program aims to demonstrate an understanding of other health professions and to provide and promote a team approach to patient care and health care management, leading to improved patient care.[7] While a debate exists on the effectiveness of interprofessional education in encouraging collaborative practice, IPE is becoming a more common component of medical school curriculum in the United States, and many groups, including the World Health Organization, view it as a means of reducing medical errors and improving the health care system.[8]
There are two optional programs offered to podiatry students at WesternU. An Intensive Summer Anatomy Course is available for students who have an interest in anatomy, and the Summer Preparedness and Readiness Course (SPaRC) is a multi-week program designed to prepare incoming students for the rigors of their chosen program.
Students at WesternU CPM may choose to complete a Master of Science in Health Sciences (MSHS) degree in addition to their Doctor of Podiatric Medicine.[9]
Accreditation
The College of Podiatric Medicine is fully accredited by the American Podiatric Medical Association's Council on Podiatric Medical Education (CPME), an independent, specialized accrediting agency.[5][4] Western University of Health Sciences is accredited by the Accrediting Commission for Senior Colleges and Universities of the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC).[10] The WASC Accrediting Commission granted approval of the substantive change proposal for the Doctor of Podiatric Medicine on December 8, 2008.
