Former names	Pennsylvania College of Podiatric Medicine
Motto	“Where the Student Comes First”
Established date	September of 1963
Current President	Dean: John Mattiacci, DPM
Students per class	100
Location	Philadelphia, PA
Colors	Cherry red and white
Website	http://www.podiatry.temple.edu

7-Introduction

Temple University School of Podiatric Medicine (TUSPM) was opened in September of 1963 as the Pennsylvania College of Medicine. The current campus opened in 1973 and was the first facility ever developed for podiatric use. The campus includes classrooms, labs, student housing, and a medical clinic (Foot and Ankle Institute). TUSPM is the only podiatry school that is associated with a major university. The University owns and operates its own health system, which has 4 hospitals, including a 500-bed level 1 trauma hospital. 

Students

The student class size at TUSPM is about 100 students. There are 24 active clubs on campus and many student run sports organizations (i.e. basketball, soccer, and running). TUSPM has various opportunities to volunteer during the city marathons and at Best Foot Forward Philly, a homeless health initiative that focuses on podiatric care. TUSPM’s white coat ceremony is conducted during the second year and this year it will take place April 3, 2020.

Adapting to COVID: During the COVID-19 pandemic, TUSPM transitioned to hybrid learning where essential classes were in person and majority were through Zoom®. Testing format varies from multiple choice, fill-in the blank, and open ended. During the COVID pandemic, many students have opted to socialize through various virtual platforms, such as the Netflix® extension. 

Education

Students at TUSPM are given an apple iPad to keep, which is used to take examinations via Examsoft®. The virtual examinations simulate the format of and prepare students for Step 1 AMPLE.

First year students at TUSPM begin their curriculum with biochemistry, general anatomy, physiology, histology, biomechanics, neuroanatomy, lower extremity anatomy, and more. First year students at TUSPM will be split in groups of 4 people per cadaver for general anatomy and groups of 2 people per cadaver for lower extremity anatomy. TUSPM students will dissect the cadaver head to toe and the school of podiatry is given their own cadavers, separate from other health professional schools at Temple University.

Second year students will build on knowledge gained from first year classes by taking pathology, pharmacology, vascular, pathomechanics, internal medicine, radiology, and more. There is emphasis on biomechanics and pathomechanics. The Gait Study Center at TUSPM provides students with up to date technology and research.

In their third year, students at the TUSPM participate in various rotations through the clinic and simultaneously take classes.

Fourth year offers 1 podiatric office clerkship, 1 medical clerkship, and five hospital based podiatric clerkships throughout the United States.