WesternU College of Podiatric Medicine receives $120,000 gift to establish the Dr. Thomas Rambacher Reconstructive Surgery Endowed Scholarship

Western University of Health Sciences' College of Podiatric Medicine (CPM) recently received a $120,000 gift to establish the Dr. Thomas Rambacher Reconstructive Surgery Endowed Scholarship. This gift was donated by Thomas Rambacher, DPM, FACFAS, FAPWCA.

The goal of the endowed scholarship is to support students and further the field of podiatric medicine through an emphasis in reconstructive surgery. The Dr. Thomas Rambacher Reconstructive Surgery Endowed Scholarship will support incoming DPM students with a strong interest in biomechanical reconstructive surgery who are committed to the humanistic practice of restorative care. The endowed scholarship is open to students from places Dr. Rambacher has personal ties to: Ohio, Kentucky, West Virginia, Orange County, California, and Los Angeles County, California.

"Dr. Rambacher's generosity is truly admirable. This gift helps us alleviate the stress and financial burden students are encumbered with while pursuing their podiatric medical education," said CPM Dean Jonathan Labovitz, DPM, FACFAS, CHCQM. "Dr. Rambacher is leading the way in helping make a difference in the lives of his patients, and now, in partnering with WesternU CPM, to educate the next generation of podiatric physicians."

Growing up in the small town of Ironton, Ohio, Dr. Rambacher experienced firsthand how rural communities sometimes lack easy access to health care professionals. "I came from a medically underserved area, so I got to see how important it is to have access to health care and medicine as I went further into my career," said Dr. Rambacher.

Dr. Rambacher received his doctorate in podiatric medicine from the Ohio College of Podiatric Medicine, now Kent State University College of Podiatric Medicine. As part of his primary podiatric medicine residency at the Cleveland Clinic Foundation, Dr. Rambacher started working as a resident in Southern California, where he has been practicing ever since.

Dr. Rambacher credits his unique upbringing in Appalachia and his exposure to both rural and urban communities as part of what has made him a successful and holistic physician. He is hopeful that by opening the scholarship to students from West Virginia, Kentucky, Ohio, and the L.A. basin, it will bring diverse perspectives to CPM.

"I got to see some juxtaposition that I feel made me a better doctor, seeing the diversity and different opinions from the rural communities versus the city," said Dr. Rambacher. "That made a big difference in my journey."

Today, Dr. Rambacher has a private practice in Orange County. He is board-certified by the American Board of Foot and Ankle Surgery and certified in wound care by the American Professional Wound Care Association. While Dr. Rambacher is passionate about all aspects of podiatric medicine, he is excited to encourage students to explore limb salvage practices and reconstructive surgery.

"To reconstruct something that is extremely damaged into something salvageable, not only gives them their activities, normal daily living, and quality of life back, but it actually saves their life," shared Dr. Rambacher. "To be able to save a leg and be able to stop the cardiovascular disease that comes along with leg loss is a true calling. That is something that we as podiatrists can do, uniquely, that others cannot."

The endowed scholarship was not Dr. Rambacher's first exposure to WesternU. "I work with the residency program out of Long Beach Memorial and so I frequently work with students from all over the country, including WesternU. I have been really impressed with the quality and caliber of students coming from WesternU," said Dr. Rambacher. "That's why I wanted to work with the University for this scholarship. I see the quality of the third- and fourth-year students coming out, as well as the residents WesternU is producing, and I'm impressed."

Dr. Rambacher is excited to encourage the next generation of podiatrists to push the limits of the field and provide their patients with a renewed sense of mobility and confidence.

"I want young podiatrists to know and believe when they start their careers that they can fix the stuff. We can fix these serious issues," Dr. Rambacher said. "We don't have to do just do superficial or easy stuff; we can do the hard stuff. We have the ability and WesternU, specifically, is giving them the training to do that."

Those interested in contributing to the Dr. Thomas Rambacher Reconstructive Surgery Endowed Scholarship can do so today by visiting our website.

Public link

Please use the above public link if you want to share this noodl on another website.