We are living in unprecedented times. These six words have become the motto of 2020. They are spoken soberly each day around 2 p.m. by Ohio Health Director Dr. Amy Acton and Governor Mike DeWine during the daily update on the spread of COVID-19 Coronavirus throughout Ohio. The rapid progression and fluidity of the novel coronavirus throughout the world has kept us on our toes and forced a creativity on our practices in order to maintain our missions at the forefront of focus.
The College of Podiatric Medicine (CPM) is experiencing this swell of change not only in the way it provides first rate podiatric medical education to its students, but also in the services offered to Northeast Ohio patients at the Cleveland Foot & Ankle Clinic (CFAC).
CFAC serves as a teaching facility where third- and fourth-year CPM students work alongside faculty to diagnose and treat various conditions of the foot and ankle. Students treat a variety of pathologies and learn about the many subspecialties in the field, including wound care, limb salvage, palliative care, surgery or trauma, biomechanics and even sports medicine, among others.
While the Independence center and the office on the Kent Campus reluctantly closed, the clinic in the Midtown section of Cleveland remains open, albeit with limited patient hours. Although most routine visits are being postponed, any post-op patients requiring continuity of care can still get treatment on Mondays and Wednesdays.
CFAC faculty and staff are working diligently to implement best practices from Dr. Acton and Governor DeWine. Appointments are spaced throughout the day to establish social distancing and masks are available for physicians and patients during close-proximity exams. Patients and clinicians use remote support during periods when the clinic is closed.
Student clinical rotations at CFAC have been canceled for the remaining March session and are being reassessed month-to-month. However, the clinic’s purpose remains certain during these uncertain times: getting Northeast Ohio patients back on their feet.