WesternU College of Podiatric Medicine introduces high school students to sports medicine
Podiatric physicians and surgeons take on many roles, from the everyday care of athletes to life and death situations. High school students visiting Western University of Health Sciences learned about these different roles during a hands-on demonstration from the College of Podiatric Medicine.
About 30 11th grade students from Bravo Medical Magnet High School visited WesternU’s California campus March 6, 2026. The students are on the patient care track and have interest in the health professions. WesternU College of Podiatric Medicine Associate Professor Arman Kirakosian, DPM, demonstrated sports taping techniques. Dr. Kirakosian, who serves as the president of the California Podiatric Medical Association, has extensive sports medicine experience, serving as the Team Podiatrist for the Sacramento Republic FC (USL) and the San Jose Earthquakes (MLS).
Dr. Kirakosian said a patient came to his private practice for a diabetic foot exam. She had a non-healing ulcer that had been there for months. He was unable to find a pulse during a Doppler exam and immediately sent the patient to a vascular surgeon.
“The vascular surgeon called back the next day and said that if the patient wasn’t sent to us, she probably would have passed away the next morning,” Kirakosian said. “Those are the things (podiatric physicians) pick up in clinics, and saving lives is wonderful and goes a long way.”
Taping is a wonderful, basic tool that can save somebody from further injury like ankle sprains and turf toe, Kirakosian said. He demonstrated taping techniques for the knee, ankle and foot and provided guidance to students as they taped each other’s legs and feet.
“Many of our students apply to our magnet high school because they are interested in exploring health careers. When they first come to us, they are limited. They have an understanding they may want to become either a doctor or a nurse, not knowing the wider array of health careers,” said Paulina Martinez, Link Learning Coordinator at Bravo Medical Magnet High School. “This is our attempt to expose them to podiatric medicine and other health care careers. This is a great opportunity to influence their decision on which profession to pursue. Any hands-on experience for students really helps expose them to the field.”
Dr. Kirakosian taped the knee of Bravo Magnet student Kaylee Carrion. With the tape applied, Kaylee said she felt like she could stand taller and that she could do anything. She has competed in multiple sports, including softball, baseball and boxing, but she had never been taped like this before.
“I never knew what taping was for. I can see how it supports certain parts of the body that you need. Even if you don’t have a problem, you can still use this,” Kaylee said. “I’m more of a visual learner. Being able to experience these types of workshops benefits me more. I can memorize more by learning it throughout this process.”
