Following nearly 32 years supporting the College of Podiatric Medicine (CPM), as well as the entirety of the podiatric community, Vincent Hetherington, DPM, has announced his retirement, effective September 30, 2020. Hetherington received his Doctor of Podiatric Medicine in 1977, and a Master of Science in Podiatric Surgery in 1981, both from the Temple University School of Podiatric Medicine (formerly the Pennsylvania College of Podiatric Medicine). The vast experience and global accolades that followed throughout his career are what makes Hetherington one of the most influential podiatrists of our time.
Inside our walls, Hetherington will leave a legacy that forever changed the face of this institution. His tenure at CPM began in 1989 as a Professor and Chairman in the Department of Surgery, shortly after the Dean of Academic Affairs, and ultimately, Senior Associate Dean when the Ohio College of Podiatric Medicine was acquired by 91ֿ in 2012, a transition in which Hetherington was a driving force. He has served as residency director for the KSUCPM University Hospital Residency Program, and has been the leader through decades of the college’s accreditation programming. His “students first” service over three decades has led to amazing progress, change and passion for thousands of CPM graduates.
The Brooklyn, New York native’s impact reaches far beyond the CPM campus in Independence, Ohio, however. Hetherington is a recipient of a Senior International Fellowship at the National Institute of Health’s Fogarty International Center, has received international invitations in Austria, China and Korea, and has served on the International Federation of Podiatrists, the International Academy of Podiatric Medical Educators, and the World Congress of Podiatry. Most recently, in 2014, Dr. Hetherington was inducted as a Fellow of the Faculty of Podiatric Medicine of the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons in Glasgow.
In an effort to leave the profession even stronger, Dr. Hetherington has served on many national and international committees, led various research initiatives, has edited and contributed chapters to three textbooks and played a key role in the writing and editing of over 80 other publications. He also has played a key role in developing opportunities for students and colleagues to earn international experience through the Foot & Ankle Renaissance CME program, as well as student rotations, both in Italy.
The institution will be forever grateful for the contributions of Hetherington. Please join CPM in congratulating him on his transition into retirement. The coming years will be well-deserved time to spend with his wife Jo, their daughter Nancy and his grandchildren. Hetherington is hoping to continue his work at CPM in Emeritus Status through student mentorship, guest lectures, research and furthering CPM international programming. Hetherington’s full CV and career can be found at www.kent.edu/cpm.
--Madalynne Stanic