Michal Szpara ’14, a health sciences pre-podiatry major in the College of Education, Nursing and Health Professions (ENHP), graduated from the New York College of Pediatric Medicine and completed his residency at Memorial Hospital and Kent Hospital in Rhode Island.
Michal is now a proud owner of Coastline Foot and Ankle Specialists, a thriving practice with locations in East Lyme, Connecticut, and Westerly, Rhode Island. In addition to his role at Coastline Food and Ankle Specialists, Michael is chief of podiatry at Lawrence and Memorial Hospital and Co-Medical Director of Podiatric Food and Ankle Surgery, Yale New Haven Health Southeastern Region. He is also a Fellow of the American College of Foot and Ankle Surgeons (ACFAS) and is certified in Foot and Ankle Surgery by the American Board of Foot and Ankle Surgery (ABFAS).
Michal finds great satisfaction in the variety his job offers. “My favorite part of my job is the diversity of my day-to-day work. I see a range of patients from different backgrounds and with different needs, including trauma, sports medicine, diabetic infections, pediatric and geriatric cases,” he said.
During his time at UHart, Michal appreciated the small class sizes and the accessibility of professors and mentors. “The smaller class sizes really allowed for one-on-one interaction with professors and counselors, which I found incredibly valuable," he explained. “The faculty and staff were always available to help and answer any questions.” He also felt prepped for success in the pre-podiatry program. Michal says, “I strongly believe the accelerated and condensed curriculum of UHart’s pre-podiatry program was key in preparation for the intense curriculum in a medical school setting.”
Despite his busy schedule, Michal remains connected to the University of Hartford. He has actively participated in alumni events such as mock interviews and professional panels. For him, staying involved with UHart is a way to show gratitude for the opportunities he received and to inspire future students. “I’m grateful for the opportunities UHart provided, and I want to pass it on to current and future students,” he said.
When asked about life outside of his career, Michal shared that he recently became a father to a 10-month-old and is learning to juggle his professional responsibilities with the joy of parenting.
Michal Szpara ’14, College of Education, Nursing and Health ProfessionI strongly believe the accelerated and condensed curriculum of UHart’s pre-podiatry program was key in preparation for the intense curriculum in a medical school setting.