This Member Spotlight interview is for podiatrists who want to reflect on how to attract and retain graduate podiatrists – especially in rural locations. Podiatrist Rachel Stone doesn’t hold back in sharing her unique take on rural recruitment (and some very useful life lessons along the way).
This candid audio interview (above) explores Rachel’s view that podiatrists are increasingly becoming the most consistent health professional in many patients’ lives, particularly in rural areas – and the impact of this.
If you’re feeling overwhelmed by patient demand or workforce shortages, this conversation may feel familiar. A substantial part of this fascinating interview focuses on why Rachel believes many short-term recruitment strategies fail. Instead of chasing immediate vacancies, Rachel looks at workforce development as a long game – building relationships with students early, supporting them over time, and increasing the likelihood of retention.
Rachel also digs into workplace culture with some inspiring gems to share that come from decades of lessons – specifically how staff are supported, why psychological safety matters, and how leadership choices affect retention just as much as pay or conditions. Rachel shares a frank discussion about valuing people as people, not just roles, and why that matters in healthcare settings under strain.
Related to this interview:
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