A Podiatric Homecoming
When Mark Razzante, DPM, Dean of Samuel Merritt University's College of Podiatric Medicine, talks about podiatric surgeons Thomas Chang, DPM, and Byron Hutchinson, DPM, he sounds understandably awestruck. "The two of them are known all across the world, with decades of experience, lecturing, teaching workshops, and partnering with industry. Everybody knows them pretty much everywhere you go," he gushes. 'There are very few textbooks on foot and ankle surgery, and Dr. Chang wrote one of them," he adds. "It's a decades-old landmark book that we all study from. It is outstanding to have both of them join our faculty."
Chang and Hutchinson joined the College of Podiatric Medicine (CPM) as surgical faculty in late December 2025, bringing their extensive experience in education and practice as well as an eagerness to contribute that depth of knowledge to SMU. And for both, their new roles are a kind of homecoming. Hutchinson graduated in 1982 from the California College of Podiatric Medicine (CCPM, which later became SMU's College of Podiatric Medicine), and Chang taught at CCPM beginning in 1993, fresh out of residency at the Podiatry Institute in Tucker, Georgia.
"I was young, energized, and eager to share my experiences with students, residents, and the Northern California community," Chang recalls. "When I left CCPM in 2001, it was time for me to explore the world of private practice. Even then, I always dreamed that one day l'd return to academics, armed with the real-world clinical perspective that only years of private practice can provide."
After 25 years, that dream has finally become reality, and Chang notes that he couldn't be more grateful for the timing. "CCPM's transformation into Samuel Merritt University, with its impressive new building in downtown Oakland, makes this an especially exciting moment to return," he says.
One of the things that makes this chapter particularly meaningful for Chang is being joined by Hutchinson, whom he describes as "a lifelong friend and mentor who is internationally recognized as an educator in foot and ankle surgery."
"Together, we bring a collective 75 to 80 years of experience in practice and education," says Chang.
"We are also thrilled to be partnering with Drs. Razzante, Christina Pratt, and Esther Kwon, who have already built a strong foundation here in recent years."
Over their decades in the field, both Chang and Hutchinson built the kind of distinguished, heavyweight resumes that most surgeons only dream of, giving SMU students the rare privilege of learning advanced surgical techniques and procedures directly from the source. Razzante emphasizes the unique dynamic, noting that "our students have the ability to pick the brains of some of the most intelligent, caring surgeons in our profession. The experience they have is immeasurable, but they re also very willing to learn what is needed to be taught, based on our curricular guide and what the students currently need, not just their own case studies. They actually want to teach at the student level for boards purposes and to make them better residents. It's rare to have that combination."
Being recently retired from private practice, the single-focus energy Chang and Hutchinson bring to SMU is palpable. Hutchinson touts his excitement to return as co-chair of the Department of Surgery alongside Chang, who echoes his enthusiasm to be back in academia. "I hoped to return one day when I could focus all of my energy on teaching," says Chang. "I feel the experiences I have gained from working in a busy practice career now provide me with much more depth to enter the educational arena again."
Razzante believes their commitment to teaching now provides special opportunities to pass down their knowledge. "They're not splitting their time or energy with anything else, they're focused on teaching SMU's students. Their dedication is the kind we want our students to witness and learn from."
When asked about their dreams for the future of SMU's podiatry department, Chang and Hutchinson emphasize that their immediate priority is to maintain and, where possible, enhance the exceptional level of education that students are already receiving. They also want to bring back top-notch continuing medical education programs and events to help shine a light on SMU's strengths, expand SMU's footprint in podiatric research, and strengthen alumni outreach across the SMU community and Northern California.
"It is truly a privilege to be back," says Chang, "and Byron and I look forward to what we can build together."
