Q&A With Dr. Schlomo Schmuel

Dr. Schlomo Schmuel started his adventure to becoming a podiatrist by attending Kent State University College of Podiatry Medicine. This college I located in Independence, Ohio. After graduation in 1991, he attended hi Residence yin Podiatric Surgery located in Los Angeles County at the University of Southern California Medical Center. By shifting between the two locations he was able to experience some unique situations and gain the experience that would cultivate his patient centric style of care.

For the last twenty-five years, Schlomo Schmuel has served his patience with the care of a dedicated physician.  Located on Sunset Blvd, attached to the Happy Foot Sad Foot sign that is the border between Silver Lake and Echo Park, he is easy to find. Dr. Schlomo Schmuel’s clinic – Sunset Foot Clinic, caters to all foot related issues from fungus in the toenails to heel pain and ankle sprains or fractures. Additionally, he has ensured the clinic became an Accredited Ambulatory Surgical Center. This means that complex reconstructive and emergency surgeries can be performed here.

Situated in Los Angeles, California, Dr. Schlomo Schmuel is a proud father of three incredible children. He is also the husband to a beautiful bride. He enjoys spending his free time with his family, flying them here and there for trips. He is also a commercial pilot for private charters when he selects to be. Keeping a healthy lifestyle, alongside his wonderful family is part of what makes every day wonderful.

Have you always wanted to do what you are doing now?

I have known for a long time that I wanted to be in a job that helped people. Being a doctor was a fascination for me that grew into a passion. After spending time in medical school, I was able to see the importance of our feet to our overall and lifelong health. I focused my training and attention on developing the skills to help people stay healthy from their foundation upward.

What does it mean to you to be in this business?

Being a doctor is one of my life passions. Helping others develop ways to care for their feet, repair ailments, and heal from various impairments has been my greatest passion outside of my family. I know I’m giving my best to each and every person that enters my office. There are few jobs a person can do that can leave such a lasting and positive impact upon the lives of those they encounter.

What do you do to stay motivated?

It isn’t hard to stay motivated when you know that you’re going to help someone heal from something that has been ailing them for far longer than they should have had to endure. I look forward to each patient. I enjoy knowing that when they leave my care, they will be walking pain free. That makes it very easy to remain motivated.

What is your secret to staying productive and staying on top of tasks?

Being as efficient with my time and resources is the primary method. All of my appointments are scheduled on the same few days each week. I then schedule my time in hospitals visiting and following up in the same time frames each week as well. This efficient use of time enables individual attention for each person I visit or that comes into the office.

What aspects of your job do you find the most fulfilling?

The aspects I find most fulfilling is when a patient has completed a round of treatment and is out of pain, or other discomfort. They walk away with a feeling of comfort they didn’t enter with. It is hard to imagine if you haven’t been through it. It is wonderful that I’m able to help someone get out of a horrible level of pain or eliminate an embarrassment before it becomes something worse.

What aspects of your job do you find the most challenging?

It is challenging when I have to explain to a patient or family members that they will need surgery. Surgery, even routine ones, are stressful to people. We know it will help them when it comes to that, but it is still difficult.

We never come to this choice easily. By the time I have to sit down with a patient and tell them surgery is required we have exhausted all other avenues available.

What are your passions?

First, my family. They are my world. They bring me joy and happiness every single day. Second my patients are my passion. Really, helping them would be more accurate. They come to me to resolve a problem and sending them home with a solution is the highlight of every day.

What inspires you everyday?

This is going to sound sappy, but my beautiful wife does. I wouldn’t be where I am today without her. She keeps this family moving through all the good and bad and everything in between. It is amazing to have such a great support in my life.

What career choices would you recommend for someone starting in your industry?

Get good grades in high school. Make sure you declare your major in biology or chemistry right when you enter college and find a medical school that fits your passions. It doesn’t matter if you want to go into surgical specialties or gynecology there is a school that fits what you are looking forward to doing. Do your research. Pursue your goals right from the beginning and you’ll get the experience you desire to create the career you want.

If you could start all over again would you still choose the same career? Why or why not?

I wouldn’t change a thing about my career. It has been one of the most fulfilling parts of my life and I am pleased that I have been able to help so many people. I am looking forward to continuing to do so for many years to come. While I would love to eliminate some of the learning experiences, but that is only part of the process that grew and developed both my practice and my skills.

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