We Make Doctors
The educational philosophy and mission of the LECOM School of Podiatric Medicine (SPM) is to prepare students for residency training using a holistic approach where podiatric medical students have an understanding of the overall health of patients while specializing in preventing and treating disorders of the foot and ankle.
Program Overview
School of Podiatric Medicine
The missions and educational philosophy of the LECOM School of Podiatric Medicine (SPM) is to prepare students for successful residency training through a comprehensive, holistic approach. The program ensures that podiatric medical students develop a strong understanding of overall patient health, while specializing in the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of foot and ankle disorders.
The curriculum is designed to optimize student learning by incorporating a diverse range of teaching methods, including traditional lectures, laboratory work, small group discussions, problem-based learning, and evidence-based medicine. The program also integrates the latest technology to support all courses, fostering an environment that enhances learning. Many courses are taught alongside osteopathic medical students, promoting valuable interprofessional collaboration and offering students insights into a multidisciplinary approach to healthcare.
Spanning four years, the curriculum follows a two-plus-two structure. The first two years focus on foundational sciences, clinical systems, and podiatric-specific coursework. During these years, students are also introduced to critical subjects such as healthcare management, medical jurisprudence, research and biostatistics, and the sociocultural aspects of human behavior. Clinical rotations begin at the end of the second year, providing students with early hands-on experience.
The third and fourth years are dedicated to a wide variety of clinical training experiences in both medical specialties and podiatric medicine. These rotations take place at multiple clinical training sites, from rural clinics to large medical centers, including facilities associated with LECOM Health. This diverse clinical exposure ensures that students gain well-rounded experience, equipping them with the skills needed to excel in their podiatric careers.
School of Podiatric Medicine Administration
Duane Ehredt, JR., DPM, FACFAS
Clinical Professor and Dean,
School of Podiatric Medicine
Michael Hankins, DPM
Assistant Clinical Professor and
Assistant Dean of Clinical Education
Elizabeth Ferrer, PhD
Associate Professor and
Assistant Dean of Pre-Clinical Education
Mission Statement of the School of Podiatric Medicine
The mission of the LECOM School of Podiatric Medicine is to prepare students through an innovative curriculum, scholarship opportunities, and service e experiences for residency training who are dedicated to improving the overall health and wellness of all members of society through the practice of podiatric medicine.
Strategic Planning Goals of the School of Podiatric Medicine
The program curriculum is designed to maximize student learning by integrating various teaching pedagogies, such as traditional.
- Achieve candidate status leading to full accreditation by the Council on Podiatric Medical Education.
- Enroll diverse classes of highly motivated and qualified applicants having the greatest opportunity to successfully complete the program and advance to residency training.
- Develop and deliver a rigorous innovative podiatric medical curriculum to meet current and future needs of the podiatric professional and communities served by graduates.
- Recruit and integrate into the LECOM community a cohort of motivated faculty dedicated to teaching, scholarship, patient care, and service.
- Create a research enterprise that engages faculty and students leading to the discovery and communication of new knowledge.
- Expand podiatric services provided by clinical faculty to the Erie and surrounding communities.
- Create a sufficient number of residency positions to accommodate students graduating from the School of Podiatric Medicine.
View our CPME Required Outcomes Table and Distance Learning Curriculum Percentage information below:
Explore LECOM
LECOM is an integral partner in LECOM Health, a comprehensive healthcare network that offers robust clinical training opportunities for students across a diverse range of settings, including ambulatory centers, hospitals, and community-based clinics located in both urban and rural areas. Key training sites include LECOM Medical Center and Behavioral Health Pavilion, the LECOM Senior Living Center (a multi-level medical and residential facility for older adults), and the LECOM Medical Fitness and Wellness Center.
During their fourth year, students have the opportunity to rotate through medical centers across the United States, many of which are affiliated with residency training programs. These rotations provide invaluable real-world experience and exposure to a broad spectrum of clinical settings. At these patient-care centers, students work alongside healthcare professionals from various medical disciplines, further enhancing their understanding of interprofessional practice. This collaborative approach underscores the importance of teamwork in achieving optimal patient outcomes and helps students develop the skills necessary to thrive in diverse healthcare environments.
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LECOM Facilities
LECOM is committed to providing a safe and supportive environment for all members of its community. Located on a 50-acre campus along West Grandview Boulevard in Erie, PA, the LECOM main campus is meticulously maintained, fostering a sense of pride and connection to a premier institution. The campus offers exceptional resources for students, including state-of-the-art lecture halls, laboratories, study spaces, library facilities, research areas, and a virtual bookstore. Every detail of the campus is thoughtfully designed to align with the mission of educating future healthcare professionals to provide excellent patient care.
The campus is equipped with the latest instructional technology to enhance the learning experience. Lecture halls feature “smart classroom” equipment, with both wireless and wired computer network connections for student laptops. Classrooms support multimedia presentations, with faculty able to control and illustrate content from the lectern. An online learning management system further augments student education, ensuring seamless access to course materials.
In addition to academic resources, LECOM encourages students, faculty, and staff to prioritize their health and well-being. The main campus features outdoor athletic fields and running/walking trails for recreational activities. Just a short distance from campus is the LECOM Medical Fitness and Wellness Center, an 82,000-square-foot, world-class medically integrated health and fitness facility offering a wide range of amenities.
These facilities are designed to support both physical fitness and mental well-being, providing students and staff with the resources needed to maintain a balance, healthy lifestyle.
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The Erie Community
From main campus, students can enjoy breathtaking views of the entire city of Erie, including serene expanse of Presque Isle State Park, which serves as the region’s crown jewel for both summer vacations and year-round outdoor activities. On clear days, students can even watch ships sail across Lake Erie, heading toward southern Ontario, Canada. The campus uniquely blends the charm and security of a small town with the conveniences and amenities of a larger city. Erie’s tree-lined neighborhoods, community parks, low of cost living, four-season climate, and picturesque landscapes create a welcoming and vibrant environment.
Erie is ideally located, almost equidistant from Pittsburgh, Cleveland, and Buffalo, making it easily accessible by car, train, or plain. Situated within 500 miles of more than half of the U.S. population, Erie offers convenient connections to major cities and destinations.
Each year, over 4 million visitors are drawn to Pennsylvania’s only “seashore”. Erie has grown into the state’s fourth-largest city and has evolved from its historical roots as a hub for maritime commerce, commercial fishing, and manufacturing into a thriving center for tourism, healthcare, and higher education. The city is home to four hospitals, five collges and universities, and a range of trade and technical schools, making it a dynamic and well-rounded community.
LECOM encourages students to actively engages with the local community and take on leadership roles under the guidance of staff. There are numerous opportunities for student involvement in service activities, such as program-specific outreach education, health fairs, and charity runs/walks. This engagement fosters a sense of connection to the community while promoting a culture of service and compassion.
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