The Carl T. Hayden VAMC Podiatry Externship Program's mission is to offer third and fourth year podiatric medical students a comprehensive academic, clinical, surgical, and biomechanical experience utilizing a multi-disciplinary approach.

Students from all eight colleges of podiatric medicine are welcome to participate in clinical training at the Carl T. Hayden VA Medical Center.

Both third and fourth year students have, for several years, enjoyed the abundance of patients and the learning opportunities afforded students that participate in the training program. Short, informal visits are also welcomed.

Training experiences may be as short as two weeks or as long as six months. Students who participate in longer training experiences will be involved with departments other than podiatric medicine.

The typical learning experiences include working in a busy podiatric clinic with a wide variability in podiatric pathology.

Students will perform minor surgical procedures in the clinic and will assist in major surgical procedures in the operating room.

Students will round on hospitalized inpatients on a daily basis and assume significant responsibility for patient care. They will be exposed to acute and chronic problems as well as the lower extremity manifestations of systemic disease. This includes trauma, severe infections, and a full spectrum and scope of podiatric practice.

Students will participate in journal club, the weekly lecture series, weekly workshops, and continuing education programs conducted by the VA.

Students are required to give an extern presentation during their training experience.