Dr. William M. Scholl College of Podiatric Medicine

Dr. William M. Scholl College of Podiatric Medicine (SCPM) is the college of podiatric medicine at Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine and Science, granting the Doctor of Podiatric Medicine (DPM) degree, as well as occasionally a Bachelor of Science in Biological Sciences for students who do not already have a BS when they begin their podiatry program. The DPM replaced the historical Doctor of Surgical Chiropody (DSC) degree.

Founded in 1912 by Dr. William M. Scholl along with five medical doctors, a pharmacist, a chiropodist, a chemist and a shoe fitter, SCPM was originally called Illinois College of Chiropody and Orthopedics. At the time, both daytime and evening sessions were offered. As with Chicago Medical School, SCPM's admission policies were based on non-discrimination.

The college has been housed at several locations in Chicago and its suburbs during its history, and has undergone several name changes. Founded as the Illinois College of Chiropody and Orthopedics in 1912, it became the Illinois College of Chiropody in 1916, the Illinois College of Chiropody and Foot Surgery in 1929, the Illinois College of Podiatry in 1962, the Illinois College of Podiatric Medicine in 1968 and finally the Dr. William M. Scholl College of Podiatric Medicine in 1980.

Around 1959, the rival Chicago College of Chiropody and Pedic Surgery, another Chicago podiatry school, closed down. The Illinois College became the custodian of the Chicago College's records and alumni. Some records of the Von Schill Memorial School of Chiropody and Pedic Surgery were also inherited (it is unclear if Von Schill is an alternate name for the Chicago College of Chiropody).

Scholl College has educated about one-third of all podiatric physicians in the nation. In 2010 Nancy L. Parsley, DPM was appointed the new Dean of the Dr. William M. Scholl College of Podiatric Medicine as the first female dean of the college. She succeeds Terence B. Albright, DPM who saw SCPM through its merger with Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine and Science in 2001.

Scholl College has always been a leader in community service. Free foot clinics were offered during the early years. This idea expanded during World War II when podiatrists across the country, many Scholl graduates, set up free foot clinics at USOs and educating the military on foot care for soldiers. In 1987 SCPM initiated a Foot Care for the Homeless program. Following that in 1988 the "Let Someone Else Fill Your Shoes" campaign started to supply shoes to the homeless. In 1990 Scholl graduate Timothy Neylon (DPM '89)and SCPM were presented the Award for Excellence by Health and Human Services Secretary Dr. Louis Sullivan.

SCPM houses the renowned Center for Lower Extremity Ambulatory Research (CLEAR) . CLEAR is the most productive lower extremity research group in the world and hosts seminars and visiting clinicians/professors on a regular basis. CLEAR was founded by Dr. David Armstrong, DPM, PhD in 2004 at the Dr. William M. Scholl College of Podiatric Medicine. CLEAR is also home to the Scholl College Human Performance Lab. The Human Performance Lab was designed as a state-of-the-art facility to better understand how the human body responds to the physical environment. Its researchers are particularly interested in developing innovative tools based on miniaturized body worn sensors to characterize movement changes in response to pathology (e.g., neuropathy, osteoarthritis, balance, pain and movement disorder, etc.).

The college also houses The Feet First Museum, with displays dedicated to the legacy of Dr. William M. Scholl and the history of podiatric medicine in the United States. The Feet First Exhibition is the only one of its kind in the U.S.; this museum offers hands-on exhibits and colorful displays illustrating the human foot and its relationship to the rest of the body.

The college is also the birthplace of Alpha Gamma Kappa fraternity, established in 1939.

External links

• Scholl College of Podiatric Medicine Website
• CLEAR
• Rosalind Franklin University
• Rosalind Franklin Faculty Publications
• Dr William M Scholl College of Podiatric Medicine Research Sweeps 2010 Awards for the American Diabetes Association
• Nancy Parsley named dean of Scholl College of Podiatric Medicine

See also

Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine and Science, Chicago Medical School, William Scholl

External links

• Official website

Coordinates: 42°18′04″N 87°51′40″W / 42.301°N 87.861°W / 42.301; -87.861