Mercy Health - St. Rita's Medical Center

At Mercy Health – St. Rita’s Medical Center, students may participate in a Podiatric Medicine & Surgery externship embedded within the esteemed three year residency program. The extern rotations offer immersive exposure to foot and ankle pathology in a Level II Trauma Center environment, working alongside podiatric surgeons and the resident team. During an externship, participants rotate through core specialties including diabetic wound care, orthopedic and reconstructive foot and ankle surgery, trauma call, and outpatient clinic settings, benefiting from high surgical case volume and hands on clinical responsibilities Didactics include journal club, morbidity & mortality conferences, biomechanics lectures, grand rounds, and skills labs (e.g. suture and bracing) integrated with the residency curriculum. Externs receive structured mentorship from multiple attending podiatric surgeons and interact regularly with multidisciplinary teams across internal medicine, vascular surgery, plastic surgery, and radiology. This experience offers insight into hospital protocols, committee participation, and quality improvement processes that parallel the residency’s emphasis on professional development. Overall, the externship mirrors the residency’s strengths—excellence in reconstructive rearfoot and ankle surgery using external fixators, robust wound care exposure, and a supportive “at-home” learning environment fostered by dedicated faculty and staff.

Program extremely strong in reconstructive rearfoot ankle surgery with circular external fixators. High surgical case load. Level II Trauma Center. Advanced clinical experience of foot and ankle pathology, recognition, and management. Ample foot and ankle reconstruction surgeries. Wound care inpatient and clinical settings. At "home" atmosphere with caring faculty, residents, and staff.