My name is Jarrett Fenon, and I was raised in the working-class town of Northampton, Pennsylvania, along the eastern edge of the state. I come from a blue-collar family and was brought up with the values of hard work, humility, and discipline. While I was a three-sport athlete in high school, it was ultimately the structure and principles instilled by my parents that most influenced my pursuit of a career in medicine.
Interestingly, my path didn’t originally point toward medicine, let alone podiatry. I earned my undergraduate degree in Molecular Biology and Chemistry from West Chester University, where I developed a strong interest in the core sciences. For a time, I considered pursuing a PhD in molecular biology. However, my academic advisor urged me to explore opportunities in the private sector first, citing the challenges of an academic career. That advice proved invaluable. I took a position as a biochemist in the biotechnology field, but soon realized it wasn’t the field for me.
That period of uncertainty led me to healthcare. I began working as a medical scribe in an orthopedic office and quickly discovered a deep passion for medicine, particularly orthopedic care. This experience became the catalyst for my decision to pursue a career in podiatric medicine.
I went on to attend Barry University School of Podiatric Medicine in Miami, Florida. Early in my first year, I attended a residency fair where I met Dr. Bradley Lamm, who was representing the West Penn residency program. From that moment, West Penn stood out to me as a top-tier program and remained on my radar throughout my education.
During my time at Barry, I consistently earned Dean’s List honors, received several academic awards and scholarships, and was inducted into the Pi Delta National Honor Society. As I progressed through my medical education, I also came to understand that while medicine is centered on patient care, it is deeply intertwined with business. Clinical decisions, treatment plans, and resource management are all shaped by economic factors. Recognizing this, I chose to pursue a dual degree and earned my Master of Business Administration alongside my medical education. This dual background in science and business has not only enriched my clinical training but also strengthened my ability to impact healthcare delivery more broadly, especially by advocating for greater integration of podiatric care into mainstream medical systems.
My experience at West Penn ultimately solidified my decision. I was impressed by the program’s culture of mentorship, its supportive and collaborative learning environment, and the enthusiasm of its residents. The availability of advanced resources, such as an open cadaver lab, only reaffirmed the program’s commitment to excellence.
I’m incredibly excited to begin my residency at West Penn and eager to grow both personally and professionally over the next three years. I look forward to the challenges ahead and the many opportunities this program will provide to further my development as a physician and leader in the field.
