After almost 40 years in podiatric practice, I often find myself reflecting on what I truly enjoy most about my professional life. Without hesitation, my first love has always been the connections I’ve made—firstly with the patients I’ve treated and gotten to know, but also with the incredible colleagues and staff I’ve had the privilege to work alongside.
I am fortunate to share a unique professional journey with my spouse, working side by side like a team plow horse. While we occasionally navigate decisions about practice management together, most of the time we operate both independently and as one. Despite the occasional challenge that comes with Marilyn’s personality (just making sure she reads this!), we remain in sync and committed to providing exceptional care.
The Personal Side of Podiatry
Many patients ask if we talk about work at home. The answer is yes—but not in the way you might imagine. While we occasionally consult on each other’s specialized skills, what we most often discuss are the fascinating lives of our patients—their adventures, hobbies, past careers, future travel plans, and yes, their health challenges and personal losses. These stories form the fabric of our reflections on work.
Each patient relationship is unique:
- Some visits are brief, offering guidance on better footwear choices or functional stability.
- Others involve two or three visits to surgically address lifelong pain.
- Many patients return regularly, every few months, due to systemic, physical, or mental health challenges.
Every encounter is an opportunity to impact a life, ours and those of or patients.
A Special 55-Year Connection
Yesterday, a patient came into our Brantford podiatry office on her 80th birthday. While not our oldest patient, it was a chance to make her day truly special. Reflecting on her journey, we realized how remarkable it was: Judy’s first visit to our office was in January 1971, long before our current nurse or receptionist were born. While I personally met Judy in 1999 when I joined Sheldon Freelan DPM at The Podiatry Associates, her story spans 55 years of care—a testament to lifelong patient connections.
Providing podiatric care in an ever-changing world presents a challenge: how do we deliver modern clinical skills and techniques while preserving the time-tested values of compassionate care? It’s an ongoing dance—one we embrace with every patient.
Why Relationships Matter in Healthcare
At the heart of podiatry is more than clinical expertise—it’s about human connection, trust, and care that spans generations. Each patient teaches us something new, and every shared story strengthens the bond that makes this profession so rewarding.
Whether it’s a single visit, a surgical journey, or lifelong routine care, our goal remains the same: to walk alongside our patients on their journey to better health, comfort, and sustained mobility.
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