April Bailey-Maletta, DPM
When I was five years old my mother asked me what I wanted to be when I grew up. I answered that I wanted to be a doctor. Every year after that she would ask the same question getting the same answer as the year before. All she would say is “you can be and do anything your heart desires as long as you enjoy what you do”. Today I can honestly say that I very much enjoy practicing medicine, and I am so glad that I continued with my dream. Prior to entering Podiatry school the closest I came to treating feet was cutting my mother’s nails. I never would have imagined that I would be where am I today.
In my clinical practice, I have a significant diabetic patient population, who present with very difficult to heal wounds that require aggressive treatment. To see the smile on their faces when I am able to save their toe, foot and sometimes their life, in addition to the appreciation they have, empowers me to keep doing what I am doing every day. I never would have thought that as a Podiatrist I would be the one to save these patients. This puts me at a greater advantage than other providers are with their patients, as many of my patients become like family.
Healing people in pain is another part of my profession that I truly enjoy. Treating heel pain, bunion pain or even an ingrown toenail, still gives me excitement as my patients return to their everyday activities and enjoy life again.
Recent academic achievements include being named the 2019 Academic Advisor of the Podiatry Residency Program, which is a position I take great pride in. I am able to pass along my skills and training to the younger generation that I wish I had had while I was training. It warms my heart to see the residents excited in learning and engaged in their education. I am also actively involved with clinical research, as well including new innovations in the treatment of wounds.
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