Kent State University’s College of Podiatric Medicine will celebrate its centennial anniversary in 2016. Located in Independence, Ohio, it is one of nine accredited podiatry colleges in the United States and is a four-year, graduate-level medical college, granting the degree of Doctor of Podiatric Medicine.
Since it was founded in 1916, the college has graduated more than 6,780 podiatrists who made outstanding contributions to the field and study of podiatric medicine. Currently, it has 124 students in its first-year class.
“The growth of our college has been demonstrated in both number of students and scope of practice in education over the past 100 years,” says Allan M. Boike, D.P.M., FACFAS, dean of Kent State’s College of Podiatric Medicine. “It is astounding to view the evolution of the profession beginning with only 14 students – to having more than 100 graduates each year. From its humble, yet noble beginnings, to becoming a leader in foot and ankle health care, the college has maintained one goal: to produce the finest providers of foot and ankle care in the world.”
As part of the 100-year celebration, the college has planned activities throughout 2016, which began with a kick-off event for students, faculty and staff on Jan. 7. The events continue in February with the Southeast National Conference and the Southern Exposure Seminar. In May, the College of Podiatric Medicine Hall of Fame Society will honor distinguished podiatrists for their outstanding contributions within the podiatric community. In August, the alumni association will hold its annual barbecue. The final celebration will be a weeklong event in September, including an alumni reunion weekend.
Additional information about the centennial celebration events can be found at www.kent.edu/cpm/100years. Centennial events will be represented on social media using #KSUCPM100.
The mission of Kent State’s College of Podiatric Medicine is to educate students to be highly competent doctors of podiatric medicine who will excel in residency training. It has regional and national affiliations with more than 50 worldwide hospitals and more than 300 private practitioners nationwide that provide externship training to its students.
“As we look forward to the upcoming century of Podiatric Medicine and podiatric medical education, it is important that we look back and honor those who have helped build the profession and the college as we know it today,” Boike says. “The profession has tremendously grown and evolved in its scope of practice through the hard work and efforts of those who have come before us, and we owe them a great deal of gratitude.”
For more information about Kent State University’s College of Podiatric Medicine, visit www.kent.edu/cpm.
