Welcome from the Dean

Jason LeeHello and welcome to the LECOM School of Podiatric Medicine, the newest school of Podiatric Medicine in the United States. The LECOM School of Podiatric Medicine has been developed in a manner that will train the next generation of podiatric physicians to meet the needs of an increasingly diverse population and contribute to the overall health and well-being of society.

As the population in the United States increases, demographics change and the prevalence of diseases, such as diabetes, peripheral vascular disease, and obesity, continue to affect society. We also know that collaboration between healthcare providers is essential for improved patient outcomes. These factors are increasing the demand for podiatric services, along with the need for people to maintain a healthy lifestyle throughout the aging process.

The academic and clinical curriculum of the School of Podiatric Medicine has been designed to meet current and future podiatric needs. Some unique features of the School of Podiatric Medicine:

  • Podiatric medical students share basic science and key clinical systems courses with their osteopathic colleagues. This educational relationship forms the foundation for future interprofessional collaboration.
  • The podiatric curriculum maximizes student learning by integrating various teaching pedagogies, such as traditional lectures, labs, and small group discussions supported by the latest technology.
  • Student support services are dedicated to ensuring students have access to academic and personal resources necessary for success.
  • LECOM has its own health system (LECOM Health) that includes hospitals, outpatient clinics (both rural and inner city), the Medical Fitness and Wellness Center, the Senior Living Center, and partnerships with other large medical centers.
  • LECOM has invested in a new teaching and learning space for the School of Podiatric Medicine.
  • The 50-acre LECOM main campus sits along West Grandview Boulevard in Erie, PA with views of the city of Erie, Presque Isle State Park, and Lake Erie.

In the fall of 2023, we enrolled our inaugural class. When asked why our students chose LECOM, their answers did not surprise us. They recognized excellent educational reputation of LECOM, are excited to be part of something new, appreciate the professional and supportive culture of LEOCM, value the educational relationship with the College of Osteopathic Medicine, and feel comfortable living in an affordable small city with many amenities of a larger city. In addition, they cited the preparatory benefits of the summer Bootcamp Program and being part of an organization with its own health system and exceptional facilities.

There are many reasons to choose the LECOM School of Podiatric Medicine to realize your goal of becoming a podiatric physician. I encourage you to contact us at podiatry@lecom.edu if you have any questions.

I wish you all the very best for your studies and I look forward to seeing you soon on the LECOM campus.

– Dr. Jason Lee, DPM, FACFAS, D.ABPM, MS Med Ed

Dean, LECOM School of Podiatric Medicine