By: Tiffany Cerda, MS-4.

Tiffany Cerda is a fourth-year podiatric medical student at Barry University School of Podiatric Medicine. She is currently a senior editor of Hallux Magazine.

During my time at Barry University, I have served in numerous extracurricular and leadership positions. I have held work study positions as a Teaching Assistant and Tutor for both Gross Anatomy and Neuroanatomy. My leadership roles have included: President of the Hispanic Podiatric Medicine Student Association (HPMSA), President of the Podiatric Skills club, Secretary for Florida Podiatric Medicine Student Association (FPMSA), and the Student Involvement Liaison for American Association of Women Podiatrists. My duties as President of HPMSA were to present information about the Hispanic culture and community, conduct Spanish lessons and group interaction, as well as preparing students for interactions with Hispanic patients at volunteering events, clinics, and medical mission trips. Podiatric Skills club is a great addition to our student education because the club helps to provide podiatry related skills prior to patient contact. The Secretary for FPMSA oversees the schedules of all podiatry clubs, which is essential for smooth and continued student participation. As the Student Involvement Liaison for American Association of Women Podiatrists, I was responsible for facilitating the organization’s activities, encouraging student participation, and representing the interests of the students in the organization during meetings. Outside of campus, I enjoy being creative, and I do this by working with Hallux Magazine as an editor. These many hats that I have worn throughout my time in Podiatry school have encouraged me to improve my time management skills, communication, and strive to do well in classes.

These many hats that I have worn throughout my time in Podiatry school have encouraged me to improve my time management skills, communication, and strive to do well in classes.

Much of my educational motivation stems from my community outreach. When it comes to community services involvement, I enjoy participating in foot washing events for the Miami local homeless and the Joe DiMaggio Special Needs Resource Fair, as well as helping to fundraise for the Podiatric Medical Missions Gala and mission trips. At the foot washing events, I have been able to provide general foot exams and routine patient foot care under the supervision of attending physicians. This clinical exposure contributes to my continued education, with the goal that practice will lead to perfection. I have also participated in fundraising and local drives like the Yucatan Crippled Children AAWP Toy Drive and Lotus House AAWP Sock Drive. The Yucatan Crippled Children AAWP Toy Drive was dedicated to collecting funds and new toys to send to underserved children of Mexico, who will be treated by the medical team of the Yucatan Crippled Children Project. In 2019, I participated in an “alternate spring break,” a medical mission trip with Jose’s Hands and OTTOM to the Dominican Republic, where we provided care to over four hundred patients. This experience was very dear to me. Prior to the mission trip, I personally organized a GoFundMe to raise funds that were used to prepare over four hundred bags that included toothbrushes, toothpaste, socks, shoelaces, over the counter medicines, personal hygiene products, and much more.

This clinical exposure contributes to my continued education, with the goal that practice will lead to perfection.

By Tiffany Cerda, MS-4

School: Barry University School of Podiatric Medicine

Support Hallux Magazine’s Writing

Have the urge to write something? Are you motivated to publish something worth sharing? Want to give advice, helpful tips, or podiatry information to the younger generation? Visit our Authors section before submitting. Get in contact with us and one of our student journalists will reach out to you. We hope to get from people around the world that way.