SMU College of Podiatric Medicine Restarts Continuing Medical Education Practicum After Two Decades
On Saturday, November 7th, Samuel Merritt University College of Podiatric Medicine (SMUCPM) welcomed over 60 attendees, 12 sponsors, and a lineup of guest speakers to the Essentials of Practice Continuing Medical Education (CME) Practicum. The day brought together alumni, students, and practicing Doctors of Podiatric Medicine (DPMs) for engaging lectures and discussions, while welcoming alumni back to see the College’s new Oakland campus and bringing in over $20,000 for the College.
Co-hosted by SMU CPM department of surgery co-chairs Thomas Chang, DPM, and Byron Hutchinson, DPM, the all-day program moved through four tracks ranging from surgery to biomechanics. It closed with a College update from Mark Razzante, DPM, dean of SMU CPM, followed by an alumni gathering and reception.
This was the College's first seminar as a Council on Podiatric Medical Education (CPME)-approved continuing education provider and its first on the new campus, but it was not the first Essentials of Practice. The program was created in 1995 and ran annually until 2000, and this year marked its return.
Dr. Chang explained why the College brought the seminar back. “We really like the concept of a seminar which involves all disciplines of Podiatric Medicine, so it was a simple decision to revive the Essentials this year in 2026.”
Dr. Razzante added that “having alumni, students, sponsors and practicing physicians in the same room is exactly what we hoped for.”
The esteemed faculty lineup included DPMs Rich Blake, Dock Dockery, Lisa Grant, Lilly Khavari, Kevin Kirby, Larry Oloff, Shannon Rush, and Glenn Weinraub. Lectures covered podiatric medicine, surgery, biomechanics, and a range of other clinical topics. Notably, a pair of bunion talks from Dr. Weinraub and Dr. Oloff sparked a lively discussion over minimally invasive surgery (MIS).
“I loved seeing a full room of doctors and students, all spending their weekend with such a dynamic group of speakers,” said Dr. Chang.
Alumni Community
For many in the room, the day was also a chance to reconnect with alumni from California College of Podiatric Medicine (CCPM) and California School of Podiatric Medicine (CSPM), the predecessor schools of SMU CPM. “As an alum, I was happy to see everyone get together old and new,” said Renee Woo, DPM, president of SMU CPM Alumni & Associates and an alumna of CSPM.
“When it comes to SMU College of Podiatric Medicine—it engulfs CSPM and CCPM,” she reflected. “We stand on the shoulders of those before us and although never perfect, it’s the history, the growth and camaraderie that keeps me involved and coming back.”
Students were part of the conversation, too. “Our students got to learn alongside the doctors they’ll train with and practice beside, and that’s what makes these events worth hosting,” said Dr. Razzante.
Dr. Woo offered a message for the next generation of podiatrists, “I want the students to see how far we have come as a profession and how the ‘California Podiatry School’ contributed to that history.”
Looking Ahead
SMU CPM sees this event as the start of many more. “Our first Essentials of Practice seminar has laid the foundation for a lasting tradition of education, collaboration, and excellence in podiatric medicine. Success is not measured simply by attendance, but by the knowledge shared, and the inspiration created,” said Dr. Hutchinson.
Already looking ahead, Dr. Chang echoed this sentiment. “This is just the start of many future programs where we will bring national educators into Samuel Merritt throughout the year,” he added. He noted that the seminar will likely evolve into “a two-day seminar as we expand on research and dive deeper into more topics.”
For Dr. Razzante, the day was also a homecoming. “Our alumni built this college, and it meant a lot to welcome so many of them back to our new home in Downtown Oakland. Hosting CME gives us a way to keep that community connected and give back to the physicians of Northern California. We look forward to seeing everyone at the next one.”
