APMA News - November/December 2019 - 29

EDUCATIONAL FOUNDATION

Highlighting Today's Most Outstanding
Student Scholars: 10 Minutes with Emily Lewson
Each year, the APMA Educational Foundation awards scholarships to exceptional third- and fourth-year podiatric medical school
students. In this issue, we sat down with PICA scholarship recipient Emily Lewson, New York College of Podiatric Medicine
(NYCPM), Class of 2020. Lewson received her bachelor's degree in Biology and English from the University of Connecticut.
APMA News: What made you decide to
pursue podiatric medicine?
Lewson: At UConn, I competed as a Division I cross country and track and field
athlete. Since then, I have gone on to run
marathons, which quickly led to injury. My
interest in biomechanics was piqued and
led me to shadow a podiatrist. After one day
of [seeing the podiatrist's] happy patients,
I sent in my podiatry school application.
APMA News: Are you working on any medical projects or research?
Lewson: My research group won first place
at NYCPM's Poster Day 2019 for our project investigating different variables influencing equinus in type 2 diabetic patients.

I keep a notebook bedside because I started
waking up thinking of subjects I thought I
should review.
APMA News: How do you stay motivated as
a student?
Lewson: Ever since beginning in clinic, I
stay motivated by my interactions with patients. Nothing makes me want to study
harder than when we are treating an individual with a new procedure or ... a previously unknown (to me) condition.

APMA News: What qualities would you say
make a great physician?
Lewson: A great physician is a clear comEmily Lewson
municator with appropriate skills and
knowledge of his or her limits. I find that the most satisfied
APMA News: What are some challenges you've overcome or
patients tend to be the most informed, and [they] are often treataccomplishments you've achieved?
ed by physicians who consistently get the same outcomes
Lewson: I graduated from UConn in three years with two
because they have a reliable skill set while performing approdegrees and completed an honors thesis. It was a lot of work
priate procedures.
but gave me a gap year to explore my interests and led me to
podiatry, so I am grateful I did it.
APMA News: What makes you stand out from others?
Lewson: I have a relentlessly optimistic outlook. At the end of
APMA News: Where did you grow up?
a 14-hour day of surgery, not too many people are smiling or
Lewson: I grew up in southwestern Connecticut, in a small
excited about the next day, but I am. I think a positive attitude
town called Ridgefield.
fosters a better environment to work in and hopefully encourages those around me.
APMA News: What are some of your hobbies or interests?
Lewson: As I mentioned, I am an avid runner and started the
APMA News: Is anyone else in your family in the medical field?
running club at NYCPM. In my free time, I read a wide selection
Lewson: Everyone else in my family works with computers
of books, and I love to cross-country ski.
and coding. My brother can't even stomach the briefest discussion of podiatric interventions. I am very lucky, though, in
APMA News: What's the hardest part about being a student,
that they are all an incredible support system.
and what's the best?
Lewson: The best part of being a student is that every moment
APMA News: What do you look forward to as a podiatric
seems like an opportunity to learn something new. After travelphysician?
ing around the country this year, I have seen more podiatry than
Lewson: A few months ago, I would be nervous anytime someever before and learned so much. The hardest part of being a
one asked me a question, but I have learned so much that I look
student is that every moment is an opportunity to learn. Now,
forward to the opportunity to pass along knowledge. n
APMA News November/December 2019

APMA News - November/December 2019

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of APMA News - November/December 2019