An injury turned into a passion
Espinoza's heart to help heal people drives her throughout her residency training.
Maribel Espinoza, DPM, a first-year resident in the department of orthopaedic surgery and rehabilitation, vividly remembers visiting a podiatrist when she fractured her foot as an adolescent. One healed foot and years later, she wouldn’t have imagined she would be a resident physician delivering care to individuals with similar injuries impacting the foot or ankle.
“I remember being in the podiatrist office with my mom and the doctor came in and immediately diagnosed me and got me the treatment I needed,” Espinoza said. “I didn’t know how that impacted me until later.”
Espinoza received her doctor of podiatric medicine from the California School of Podiatric Medicine at Samuel Merritt University in Oakland, California.
While searching for residency programs she and her husband were looking for some place outside of California. When it was time to choose where she would spend her residency she was excited to call the University of Florida College of Medicine – Jacksonville her new home.
“We’ve spent just a few months total in Florida and we can’t see ourselves anywhere else,” Espinoza said. “The quality of education is unmatched and the community here is welcoming. It’s the perfect environment for learning.”
Maribel Espinoza, DPM, is a first-year resident in the department of orthopaedic surgery and rehabilitation.
Only five months into her residency, Espinoza’s passion to learn is apparent and has captured the attention of those training her.
“Dr. Espinoza hit the ground running for our service, she is dedicated to providing the highest-quality patient care,” said Jason Piraino, DPM, an associate professor and chief of the foot and ankle division at the UF College of Medicine – Jacksonville. He is also the program director of the podiatry residency.
“She is devoted to education and is consistently driven to understand and inquire about any specific didactic or clinical areas she is unclear about,” said Piraino. “Her work ethic is beyond reproach and always is willing to stay and help the team. Dr. Espinoza is the kind of resident any director would want on their team.”
Adjusting to residency is never an easy process. However, Espinoza says when you have a heart to help heal people, you can overcome any challenge.
“I try to show up to work daily with a positive mindset because our patients deserve the best,” Espinoza said. “They come to us for help, and while I’m still early on in my residency it drives me to want to do my best to provide the best care possible.”
The reality of residency
Putting into practice certain concepts taught in medical school interests Espinoza, she said. Particularly because it reveals other elements such as access, health coverage and other issues that can hinder someone who needs health care attention.
“In just four months of residency I’ve learned about disparities that patients face when they are in need of care,” Espinoza said. “They don’t necessarily teach you that in medical school.”
Learning from the experts
As part of the next generation of podiatrists, Espinoza says she is happy to train with faculty who are invested in her education.
“All of my attendings are incredibly helpful,” Espinoza said. “We have some true medical giants in podiatry and I’m grateful every day that I get the opportunity to work with them.”
Looking toward the rest of her residency, she is eager to become a better leader, teacher and asset to residents who come after her.
“I never want to stop learning, there’s always something to read, a procedure to perfect and high- quality care to provide.”
