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Dean's Chat - All Things Podiatric MedicineAuthor: Dr. Jeffrey Jensen
Welcome to Dean's Chat, where we go inside the world of podiatric medicine. I'm Dr. Jeffrey Jensen, the Dean of the Arizona College of Podiatric Medicine, and this show will highlight the organizations, leaders, and voices in the podiatry profession. Join me each week for discussions on all things podiatry including clinical, academic, research, administrative, and even politics within our great field. We will cover many topics in podiatry, raise some questions, find some answers, dive deep into some challenges, and shine a positive light on Podiatric Medicine's inner workings...and hopefully, get you involved in the podiatry field! Dean's Chat includes conversations with leaders in the podiatric profession including Deans, Residency Directors, Faculty, Researchers, and Entrepreneurs. The conversations include podiatric medical students, 1st, 2nd, and 3rd-year residents, and young practitioners. They convey the podiatry educational journey to students entering the field of podiatric medicine where they become physicians and surgeons treating the foot and ankle. So come along for the ride, follow us now on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you enjoy your shows. Language: en Genres: Health & Fitness, Medicine Contact email: Get it Feed URL: Get it iTunes ID: Get it Trailer: |
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Ep. 324 - Kelsey Millonig, DPM - "Pregnancy, Practice, and Professional Growth!"
Friday, 8 May, 2026
In this special Mother’s Day episode of Dean’s Chat, Dr. Jeffrey Jensen and Dr. Johanna Richey welcome Dr. Kelsey Millonig, a foot and ankle surgeon specializing in limb reconstruction. As Kelsey is expecting her first child soon, we wanted to discuss all things podiatric medicine and surgery- while also building a life you love. Join us, for a wide-ranging and personal conversation about career development, mentorship, and motherhood in medicine. Dr. Millonig shares her unique path into podiatry, which began with shadowing an anesthesiologist during college and discovering a passion for surgery. Through intentional exploration and a focus on both professional fulfillment and lifestyle, she found podiatric medicine to be the right fit. A central theme of the discussion is the power of mentorship and relationships, with Dr. Millonig emphasizing that opportunities are built through authenticity, connection, and consistent effort rather than chance.The conversation highlights her commitment to pursuing high-level training, including residency in Washington State and fellowship in Maryland, despite the challenges of maintaining a long-distance marriage. She strongly encourages students to “go where the training is,” framing these decisions as short-term trade offs that provide long-term career flexibility and fulfillment. Dr. Millonig also reflects on how her clinical interests evolved over time—from early exposure to limb reconstruction and external fixation to incorporating minimally invasive surgical techniques into her practice—underscoring the importance of lifelong learning and adaptability in medicine.In honor of Mother’s Day, the discussion turns to Dr. Millonig’s experience navigating pregnancy while maintaining a demanding surgical career. She candidly shares her initial fears that starting a family might negatively impact her professional trajectory, only to find overwhelming support from colleagues, partners, and patients. Tune in, as we focus on perspective reframing in pregnancy and motherhood as integral parts of a physician’s journey rather than obstacles to success. We emphasizes that women in medicine can pursue both career excellence and family life, while acknowledging the importance of support systems, tradeoffs and open communication!The episode closes with a message of reassurance and empowerment, particularly for women in medicine facing similar decisions. Dr. Millonig reflects that if she could give advice to her younger self, it would be to trust the process and recognize that career and personal milestones can coexist. Overall, this episode offers an inspiring and thoughtful look at the evolving identity of modern physicians, blending professional ambition with personal fulfillment
