APMA News - March/April 2021 - YP3

Rachel Albright:
Rising Star
During the 2021 APMA House of Delegates, Rachel Albright,
DPM, MPH, was honored with the Rising Star Award. The
award recognizes a member who has been in practice for
no more than five years and has demonstrated outstanding
service to APMA. Dr. Albright is a former APMA Public Health
Fellow and a member of the Young Physician Leadership
Panel. Her acceptance speech is shared below.

octors,
Speaker,
members of the
board,
delegates,
honored guests. I accept
this Rising Star award with
great honor and appreciation. Yet, this time together
is somewhat bittersweet,
as we are all here during
a time of great trial for our
country and health-care
system. Although we still
Rachel Albright
currently remain in the
tunnel of the pandemic, we
march onward toward the light ahead. Despite the challenges
we all have endured this past year, I am optimistic toward a
future that embraces and promotes the health of our communities, promotes more efficient health-care delivery, and [resolves]
socioeconomic disparities in the health-care system.
Since the Rising Star Award is reserved for early career
professionals, we all have gotten the privilege of seeing what

previous recipients have achieved. Previous winners have progressed to roles like the dean of a podiatric medical school, the
director of clinical affairs for APMA, and the director for the
American Board of Podiatric Medicine, just to name a few. I
am humbled to be in such great company and honored to stand
beside this esteemed group of people.
Each and every one of you listening today is accepting this
award with me as well-because I'm not " self-made. " I've
benefited from others who have come before me: those who
have broken through the invisible walls and glass ceilings and
paved the way for the young physician to pass through. Many
of you, those we consider the pioneers of the profession, are
here today. I am the product of what true mentorship, patience,
financial, and time investments look like-individual people
and organizations who sacrifice time and energy to invest in a
youngster. APMA-this organization right here and the members within it-has made an investment in me that I will be
forever grateful for.
One of the best career choices I've ever made was completing the APMA/TDI Public Health Fellowship at Dartmouth
College. I believe one of the most important tools we have to
prove our profession's worth now and in the future is research.
This fellowship gave me the skill and confidence that is needed
to produce research which can be considered high quality on
any platform and [in] any specialty. I aim to use this investment to pursue the tough questions of what our profession
can offer the community, offering scientific proof for both the
young physicians now and the future generation of podiatrists
to stand proudly and say, " I am essential. " I don't think I have
necessarily done enough yet to truly deserve the recognition
I'm receiving today, but I will ambitiously and hungrily strive
to reach a level worthy of this award, and worthy to stand beside
those who have received it before me. Thank you very much for
this honor.

Continued from Page 1

in school, whether that mentor is a professor or even a student in the year above.
Mentors will be able to provide you with
valuable insight regarding research
opportunities. The second thing is to
investigate your school's clubs. I was also
lucky enough to be a research coordinator for the American College of Podiatric
Medicine: Scholl Chapter and was able to
do research with four of my peers and
present a case study at the APMA Summer Series.
And the last thing that is vital to all
students is to read research articles!
Research always starts with an idea, and
that idea can start with you. Some of the
strongest ways to stay involved in the

research field as well as strengthen and
sharpen your skills for externships are to
read articles or attend journal clubs. [Editor's Note: Be sure to stay up to date with
the latest in foot and ankle research with
JAPMA at Japmaonline.org.] Also, keep
in mind that if research is not something
that interests you, THAT IS OKAY! The
most important thing is to be open to the
idea of learning from articles and being
able to participate as much as possible.
To those who already have their foot
in the door with research, my biggest
advice to you is: Don't hesitate to apply
to present at conferences! I was terrified
when I first submitted my abstract for
presentation at a conference and was

because I was " just a student. " Little did
I know, I placed in the Oral Presentation category at the APMA Summer
Series. If you had told me a year before
that I would place in a category with
residents and practicing physicians, I
would not have believed you. You never
know unless you try! Regardless, if it is
a poster or an oral presentation or even
just the opportunity to attend a conference virtually, take every opportunity to
get involved.
Research is a growing field that cannot
happen without help from the brilliant
minds of students! I encourage you all
to get involved with research during your
academic years and beyond.
YOUR APMA / PAGE 3

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APMA News - March/April 2021

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