S.T.E.P.S

Student Transatlantic Education in Podiatric Surgery

The First step is right here.

The core program within the CMC Foundation is S.T.E.P.S.

  • Our Mission
  • Our Vision
  • Our Impact

The goal of S.T.E.P.S. is to provide podiatry students and residents receive a more complete education. S.T.E.P.S. offers lectures and seminars both virtually and in person as well as training and labs to give students real, hands-on experience. 

Students can't always get all the hands-on training they need in school. S.T.E.P.S. is an opportunity to enhance the educational experience of podiatry students and residents which in turn enhances the field and level of medical service provided to the general public. We give students real case studies to learn from, the chance to learn virtually without worrying about testing, and we focus on all aspects of podiatry.

We invite students and residents from all backgrounds to apply for S.T.E.P.S. because we believe that diversity and inclusion enhance the experience of all our students. S.T.E.P.S. comes at no cost to participants thanks to the CMC Foundation’s generous benefactors.

Support the CMC Foundation

S.T.E.P.S. is made possible thanks to our generous benefactors.

Make a Donation

Make a donation toward a S.T.E.P.S. student, our events, and more.

Become a Sponsor

Sponsor one of our virtual or in-person events, a training lab, and more.

Monthly Virtual Events

Our monthly events focus on learning in a communal setting. This includes students walking through real X-rays together and discussing medical journals from around the world.

Quarterly Labs

The best way to learn is with real, hands-on experience which we provide to our S.T.E.P.S. students with quarterly labs using cadavers or other specimens.

One Step Ahead

Our annual One Step Ahead conference is a chance for orthopedic and podiatry students to come together for a series of lectures, labs, career advice, and more.

Study Plans & Tips

As part of S.T.E.P.S., you'll get advice on putting together a solid study plan and learn how to take the best notes putting you in the best position to succeed.

Watch S.T.E.P.S. In Action

Visit the CMC YouTube page and find numerous helpful videos covering many of the same topics and exercises we cover in our S.T.E.P.S. series.

What Videos Do You Want To See?

S.T.E.P.S. is all about our students and we want to make the videos you find most helpful. So let us know what you want to see on our YouTube next!

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S.T.E.P.S. Board

Brennan Reardon, President

Dr. Reardon grew up in Fremont, Ohio. She attended The Ohio State University for college and graduated in 2017 with a Bachelor's degree in Health Sciences. She graduated from Kent State University College of Podiatric Medicine in 2021 where she served as Pi Delta President. Brennan recently completed her residency at Wake Forest Baptist Health in Winston-Salem, North Carolina. She is now in Mountain View, CA completing a fellowship at the Silicon Valley Comprehensive Foot & Ankle surgical Fellowship.

Zack Hill, Vice President

Dr. Hill went to college at Walsh University where he graduated with his biology/pre-medicine degree. He went to Kent State University College of Podiatric Medicine. Dr. Hill completed his residency at Grant Medical Center in Columbus, OH In June of 2024, where he served as chief his final year. Zack is currently completing a one-year fellowship at AHN/Indy Foot and Ankle Reconstruction Surgical Fellowship In Indianapolis, Indiana.

Sarah Messina, Event Chair

Dr. Messina attended college at the University of Michigan where she majored in Biological Anthropology. She is a graduate of Kent State University College of Podiatric Medicine where she served as the Ohio Podiatric Medical Student Association Secretary. She spent her first two years of residency at Detroit Medical Center and completed her third year at Ascension St Johns, in Detroit. She is now in private practice at North Oakland Foot & Ankle in Michigan.

Nate LeSueur, Treasurer

Dr. Nate LeSueur was inspired to pursue a career in medicine by his father, who was a chiropractor. His goals are to be a problem solver, always be kind, and never do anything without first knowing it will better the patient's life. After earning his bachelor's degree in Applied Biological Sciences at Arizona State University, Dr. LeSueur moved his family to Independence, Ohio, where he earned his Doctorate of Podiatric Medicine from Kent State University. He and his family then moved to Salt Lake City, Utah, where Dr. LeSueur completed his foot and ankle surgical residency at Intermountain Medical Center. He is currently working for Owensboro Health Hospital System with his clinic being primarily in Madisonville Kentucky. Dr. LeSueur's personal interests include his family, photography and athletic pursuits. "Family holds a special place in my heart, and I value the quality time spent with my wife and kids," he says.

Michael Sweeney, Academic Chair

Dr. Sweeney is from Ford City, Pennsylvania. He obtained his Bachelor Degree from Edinboro University of Pennsylvania. He then went on to Kent State University College of Podiatric Medicine to obtain his DPM. He completed his residency training at the University of Louisville, this past June, where he was chief resident. Currently he is completing a fellowship in Waycross, Georgia focusing on Limb Deformity and Reconstruction.

Preston Carr, Marketing Chair

Dr. Preston Carr is a board qualified foot and ankle surgeon offering services at both New Age Foot & Ankle Surgery in Richmond Virginia. He is an Ohio native who received a Bachelor of Science in Chemistry at the University of Cincinnati. He continued his studies and received a Masters degree in Pharmacology and Cell Biophysics thereafter. He later obtained his doctorate degree from Kent State University in Cleveland, Ohio in 2021. Dr. Carr completed a three-year intensive residency at a level 1 trauma center at Inova hospital in Fairfax Virginia, where he served as chief resident spanning 10+ hospital and surgical center branches. His training includes complex limb deformity correction and reconstructive in forefoot and rearfoot lower extremity pathology. Dr. Carr is currently practicing in Richmond, Virginia as a foot and ankle surgeon.

Trenton Leo, Recruitment

Dr. Trenton Leo is from Twinsburg, Ohio and a proud graduate of Kent State University College of Podiatric Medicine, Dr. Leo’s journey into the world of foot and ankle care was marked by a deep-seated desire to restore quality of life and enable pain-free ambulation for his patients. He completed his residency at Eastern Virginia Medical School, specializing in Charcot neuroarthropathy and limb reconstruction. Beyond the confines of the clinic and operating room, Dr. Leo enjoys spending time with his wife, Brooke, and furry companion, Malibu as well as teeing off on the golf course, cheering on all Ohio sports, and volunteering for STEPS.

Anna Grace Mauro, Fundraising

Anna Grace Mauro was born and raised in Detroit and is currently working in her father's podiatry practice, Warren Podiatry. She attended Michigan State for undergrad and went on to receive her doctor of podiatric medicine degree from Kent State University College of Podiatric Medicine. She completed her residency in 2023 at Ascension Macomb-Oakland in Michigan. She absolutely loves to travel and explore different cities and is Sicilian, so a love for food is at her core. When not working with the STEPS program, she is out trying a new restaurant.

Tung Dao, Student Recruitment & Fundraising Chair

Dr. Tung Dao practices at Orthopedic Specialists and Sports Medicine in Granville, Ohio. He holds a biochemistry degree from Kent State University and a master's in medical physiology from Case Western Reserve University. Dr. Dao completed his residency at Grant Medical Center in Columbus, Ohio, and a fellowship in reconstructive foot and ankle surgery at the Silicon Valley Reconstructive Foot and Ankle Fellowship in Mountain View, California. In his free time, he enjoys being with his wife, child, and three dogs.

Mason Kitchens, Marketing & Social Media Chair

Mason Kitchens is a third-year podiatric medical student at Des Moines University College of Podiatric Medicine and Surgery. He earned his B.S. in Psychology from the University of Texas at Dallas in 2022. Mason is passionate about serving underrepresented communities and has participated in multiple medical mission trips to Central America. He aspires to pursue a career in academia, where he can contribute to both education and patient care.

Eric Hancok, Fundraising Chair

Eric Hancock, DPM was born and raised in Cleveland, OH. He attended St. Olaf College and earned a Bachelors degree in Biology. He went on to graduate from Kent State University College of Podiatric Medicine (KSUCPM) and is a current second year resident at the Cleveland Clinic Foundation.

S.T.E.P.S. Scholarship

We know that a medical education is costly, and we’re passionate about helping students get the knowledge they need. We offer scholarships to help students cover tuition and textbooks as well as travel expenses to our conferences. 

We’re able to provide these scholarships thanks to generous donations from the community. 

Testimonials

Supporters

AM

Anna Grace Mauro

November 13, 2023

Amount Donated
$250.00
SL

Stryker Sports Medicine Lorusso/Ransom

October 25, 2023

Amount Donated
$2,500.00
MR

Mark Razzante

April 24, 2023

Amount Donated
$20.00
CC

Clarity Creative

March 30, 2023

Amount Donated
$5.00
CC

Clarity Creative

March 30, 2023

Amount Donated
$5.00
Contact

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