Jaden Hacking is currently pursuing his undergraduate degree in exercise science with a concentration in pre-podiatry at ɫҹ University. A native of Perry, Ohio, Hacking first attended Ohio Wesleyan University, where he ran track. During his first year at Ohio Wesleyan, he suffered a foot injury that ultimately resulted in surgery and ended his track career. It was through that injury that Hacking was introduced to podiatric medicine.
“At first, by looking up the profession and learning more about it, I realized that ɫҹ had a podiatry school,” Hacking said. “But seeing my own podiatrist, who went to ɫҹ, he told me about the Early Assurance Program. You have to be a ɫҹ student for a year to qualify for the Early Assurance Program.”
The Early Assurance Program is ɫҹ’s pathway that provides qualified students with a clear, supported route to medical, pharmacy and podiatric programs. Acceptance into the program’s Podiatric Pathway offers provisional admission to the Doctor of Podiatric Medicine program at the College of Podiatric Medicine. Admission is contingent upon meeting academic criteria and maintaining professional conduct.
“I transferred here, and being a part of ɫҹ, I have met and made connections with some of the professors and the dean at the podiatric medicine school,” Hacking continued. “They gave me advice on how to better prepare myself while an undergrad with observational hours, research hours and classes they recommend that aren’t required but can help me a lot. With all those connections I got through ɫҹ, it really sets me up to not only be a good applicant into the program, but also truly understand what this profession is and fall in love with it.”
From Teeth to Feet
Hacking’s grandfather owns a dental practice, where both his aunt and uncle work. Hacking has also worked there over the years. He could see the impact healthcare has on people, and he knew he wanted to be a part of that. But instead of going into the family business that focuses on teeth, Hacking found a calling to treat people’s feet.
As an undergraduate student on the Kent Campus, Hacking is already getting exposure to the College of Podiatric Medicine.
“Over the summer, I did the college’s healthcare experience,” he said. “It’s a three-day camp where you get to see the college, meet the professors and learn about admissions. You also meet the students there and see what life is like as a podiatry student. And then recently, when I went for my interview for the Early Assurance Program, they gave me a tour again. I got to see not only some of the classes but some of the cool features they have, like their cadaver lab and their virtual reality opportunities with virtual patients. Being able to see how that can benefit me made me excited to apply.”
Hacking likes that there are different aspects to a career in podiatric medicine, whether that’s surgery, diabetic care or sports medicine.
You’re able to focus on what you learn and love,” he said. “The school allows me to learn which part of it I find the most interesting and want to do with the rest of my life. So, as a student, I’m just excited to learn more about it and what I can do as a podiatrist.
“As someone who had a foot injury, I knew everything started with the foot and ankle,” Hacking said. “If I had pain there, I had it sitting down. I had it walking around. I couldn’t go have fun with friends because my foot would hurt just standing around with them. Knowing that people live like that on a day-to-day basis and I’m able to relieve the pain – to be someone who can give their foundation and life back – and knowing that I could be that person for them makes me excited for four more years of school and the profession itself.”
For those interested in podiatric medicine, particularly undergraduates like himself, Hacking suggests learning more about it.
“The biggest thing is start with your research on the basics of what it is,” Hacking said. “That’s what I had to do. But then get hands-on. Get shadowing experience. Find a podiatrist who’s willing to show you all the different aspects of it because at first, I thought it was just superficial, ingrowth type of stuff. But it wasn’t until I actually got to the clinic and saw the cases they deal with and the treatments they can do that I realized how important and how large an impact this profession can have. It’s no longer just toenails, but it’s Achilles repair. It’s tendons for your ankle. Yes, it’s bunion and bunion repair, and toenail pain relief, but there are so many aspects to it that the impact you can make is a lot greater than the idea of what podiatric medicine really is.”
A Medical Career With Work-Life Balance
Hacking also values the work-life balance a career in podiatric medicine offers.
I’ve always been a very family-first type of guy,” he said. “My family takes care of one another. Even in a family-owned dentistry, we all look out for one another and help one another. Podiatry is definitely a profession where you can get that surgery aspect I’ve always wanted and the rehab, but you also aren’t on call all the time, and you don’t have extreme hours.
Hacking plans to join the College of Podiatric Medicine in 2027 after receiving his Bachelor of Science in Exercise Science. In the future, he sees himself working at a hospital. He also sees himself working with people with diabetes who suffer from foot ulcers and neuropathy.
“Being someone who can not only give them care but also teach them how to do self-care and raise their self-efficacy is the impact the world needs with where the population is with diabetes,” he said. “It’s a growing population. I’m not someone who can help with that growing population, but I can help treat the population and give them a better life. I hope I can be that physician for them and make an impact in that way.”
ɫҹ ɫҹ’s College of Podiatric Medicine
Located in Independence, Ohio, about 10 miles south of Cleveland, the College of Podiatric Medicine is ɫҹ’s medical school, where students develop the skills and knowledge to become podiatric physicians and surgeons. Doctors of podiatric medicine diagnose, treat and prevent foot and ankle disorders. It is one of only 11 podiatric medicine schools and colleges in the nation and the only one in Ohio.
ɫҹ’s College of Podiatric Medicine has graduated more than 7,000 podiatric medicine doctors throughout its history. ɫҹ is playing a critical role in addressing the nation’s need for qualified foot and ankle specialists at a time when diabetes, obesity and an aging population are driving demand for podiatric care to record levels.
Podiatric medicine combines clinical and surgical care with the ability to build lasting, meaningful patient relationships. Doctors of podiatric medicine can specialize in a variety of areas, including sports medicine, diabetic wound care, dermatology, radiology, limb salvage, pediatrics and surgery. They can work in a variety of settings, including private practices, clinics, hospitals and educational environments. Physicians specializing in podiatric medicine are the only doctors to receive specialized medical and surgical training and board certification in the care of the lower extremity, which is the part of the body from the hip to the toes.
Learn more about ɫҹ’s College of Podiatric Medicine.
ɫҹ has a personalized support system designed to help its students prepare for admission to professional schools in medicine, dentistry, podiatric medicine, pharmacy, veterinary medicine, optometry, physician assistant studies and other health-related fields. Contact ɫҹ’s Pre-Health Programs Office for information and assistance.
