In a healthcare landscape facing critical workforce shortages, one medical specialty offers something extraordinary: the ability to transform lives instantly while building a sustainable, fulfilling career. Welcome to podiatric medicine — where clinical excellence meets meaningful patient relationships, and where your impact is both immediate and lasting.
At Kent State University College of Podiatric Medicine — founded in 1916 and one of the nation’s oldest podiatric medical schools — we’ve prepared over 7,000 physicians who don’t just treat conditions: they restore mobility, prevent devastating complications, and give patients their lives back.
Kent State’s campus is located just outside a medical mecca, offering clinical rotations through world-class hospitals including the Cleveland Clinic, University Hospitals, MetroHealth, and the VA, to name a few. This unmatched network ensures students gain diverse, high-caliber experiences. Our reach also expands globally, with opportunities to experience podiatric medicine abroad — including in Arezzo, Italy.
Dr. Nick Campitelli
2001 Graduate, Kent State University College of Podiatric Medicine
Meet Dr. Nick Campitelli, a 2001 graduate practicing in Fairlawn, Ohio. “What’s cool about podiatry is people usually come in with pain, and if you can relieve it instantly, they walk out thrilled because they can get back to their life,” he explained. Dr. Campitelli built a thriving practice while maintaining work-life balance. His innovative social media presence educates millions about foot health while building patient trust. Beyond practice, he mentors Kent State students during surgical externships at world-class facilities.
Dr. Crystal Holmes
2002 graduate, Kent State University College of Podiatric Medicine
Dr. Crystal Holmes, a 2002 graduate, demonstrates podiatric medicine’s academic reach. Now a Clinical Professor at the University of Michigan Medical School and chair of Kent State’s Advisory Board, she specializes in diabetic foot care — preventing the devastating complications she witnessed affecting family members. “At Kent State, I developed my interviewing skills and those soft skills for building relationships, delivering news with respect and calm,” she said.
Why choose podiatric medicine?
Choosing podiatric medicine means choosing your specialty from day one. Unlike many other medical paths, you’ll have the flexibility to shape your career — whether through surgical practice, sports medicine, wound care, biomechanics, pediatrics, or diabetic limb preservation. You’ll treat a diverse patient population while enjoying a desirable work-life balance that supports both professional success and personal well-being. This specialty uniquely combines surgical expertise with longitudinal patient care. Podiatric physicians are the only doctors receiving specialized medical and surgical training specifically in lower extremity care.
You can specialize in sports medicine, diabetic wound care, pediatrics, or surgery — working in private practices, hospitals, or academic settings.
And the advantages are compelling, including:
- Competitive salaries averaging over $200,000
- Flexible scheduling and autonomy in practice style
- The ability to provide instant relief that changes lives
The Kent State difference
Kent State’s dedicated faculty and counseling staff focus exclusively on podiatric medical students — no competing obligations. They offer tutoring at no charge and comprehensive faculty mentorship guiding students through curriculum, clinical experiences, and residency selection. Kent State is also one of just two podiatric medicine programs based at a top-tier, R1 research university.
Your journey starts with one step. Take it at Kent State.
Ready to explore this rewarding specialty? Visit Step Into Podiatry to shadow a practicing DPM or contact us at 216-231-3300 or [email protected].
