The College of Podiatric Medicine (CPM) is sometimes cited as the lovely, uncharted stepchild of the University. Acquired in 2012 from private ownership under the name Ohio College of Podiatric Medicine, its building rests on 27 acres in Independence, just eight miles south of downtown Cleveland. While its overall goals and operations are not dissimilar from that of the university, CPM holds one unique department, the Office of Continuing Medical Education that functions in a world of its own, often unbeknownst to those unfamiliar with the college.
Following the completion of a podiatry student’s four years at CPM, along with a minimum two-year residency program, the Council on Podiatric Medical Education requires physicians to complete several Continuing Medical Education (CME) hours on an annual basis in order to renew their license. The number of required CME hours are determined by each state organization and can be obtained by attending a few of the many lecture-based conferences put on around the country and abroad. The CPM Office of Continuing Medical Education has hosted conferences long before it merged with Kent State, and has become its leading connection with over seven thousand alumni around the world.
Each year CPM holds three CME conferences to meet the needs of its alumni as well as the country’s nine other podiatry colleges. The Foot & Ankle Renaissance, held each May and crafted by CPM’s Senior Associate Dean Vincent Hetherington, brings attendees to the university’s Florence Campus, Palazzo Vettori, for a 15-hour seminar incorporating tours of medically significant locations around the ancient city.
In August, the CME office teamed with CPM’s Institutional Advancement to welcome our alumni back to the college for a four-day, 25-hour CME program, the North Coast Foot & Ankle Symposium, flanked by alumni celebrations that create networking opportunities for students and alumni. Finally, in November, members of the CPM continuing medical education committee traveled to Orlando to host its largest and longest CME tradition, the Southeast National Conference. Last year, the 12th annual conference welcomed a CPM record-breaking 395 attendees to the Walt Disney World Swan Hotel, where lectures are held.
With each new year and different state that CPM hosts these conferences comes new licensure requirements. Throughout the year, the CME committee, chaired by CPM Dean Dr. Allan Boike, works to tailor each conference schedule while committee staff essential to the execution of the conference works with speakers, audio/visual equipment, sponsors and conference venue staffers to ensure a successful and fulfilling week of continuing medical education.
The most exciting aspect of CPM Continuing Medical Education is not merely the service it provides to alumni, but the effect it has on current students as well. All proceeds generated by CPM’s CME events benefit students through a direct contribution to scholarship funds. The conferences continue to grow, right along with CPM’s reputation in the world of continuing podiatric medical education and student scholarships.
For more information on CPM continuing medical education, visit the Continuing Education website.