01/11/2013    Gino Scartozzi, DPM

The Self-Esteem of Podiatry 2013 (Jack Sasiene, DPM)

I read the post by Dr. Sasiene and can
appreciate his frustration at what he perceives
within the APMA and/or his state society. I
would like to provide my two cents worth, so to
speak.

It was Former Secretary Donald Rumsfeld that
stated "You go to war with the army you have -
not the army you might want or wish to have at a
future date." This quote is especially prophetic
in what we all face with the turmoil of
healthcare reform in the future. Your state and
national organizations (APMA) represent your
interests on a much larger scale than that of
the individual in most cases.

I serve on many organizations within and outside
my profession. Are there instances when some
organizations can become "tone-deaf" to the
needs of it's membership? Are there instances
when "new" ideas are not received well by some
within organizations from the membership? It is
possible that can occur .... "been there, seen
that!" Alas, men are imperfect!

The organizations that thrive are those that are
open and inviting to new ideas and members. Any
organization that fails to implement this
philosophy, with time, devolves and degenerates
to the point it becomes extinct, through
abandonment, and heaped on the trashpile of
history.

However, I would ask Dr. Sasiene to reconsider
his membership withdrawl from the APMA and/or
his state component society. There are many
people involved in those organizations that do
help the average podiatrist in practice. Not
every "goal" sought by an organization
will "fit" every member's need every single
time. In fact, I would strongly suggest that he
not only become a member but participate
actively if his time permits. I would also
strongly suggest he contribute financially to
the political lobbying efforts of these
organizations. Why? Because in the end, Ben
Franklin stated it best ... "If we do not hang
together, we will certainly all hang separately."

One of the organizations that my family and I
that I proudly serve is the Boy Scouts of
America. One important lesson that is provided
through its ranks from member, to volunteers, to
leaders is that "leaders make change ... they do
not wait for it." This is a lesson all of us can
take from and any organization can use.

Gino Scartozzi, DPM, New Hyde Park, NY
Gsdpm@aol.com

Other messages in this thread:

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01/12/2013    Tip Sullivan, DPM

The Self-Esteem of Podiatry 2013 (Jack Sasiene, DPM)

Hopefully, Dr. Sasiene realizes that not all
podiatrists accept insurance. I have practiced
for 23 years in a significantly podiatrically-
challenged area and have a mixed practice with
about 50% coming from surgeries. My attitude and
practice have not changed. It is very simple as
a podiatric physician the agreement we make to
care for someone’s feet is between us and them.
The responsibility to pay me in that
relationship does not reside with an insurance
company. It is the individual podiatrists choice
to accept insurance as an intermediary in that
relationship.

Will you see more patients by accepting
insurance? —of course! Will you make more money?
Years ago, I would say "of course", but in
today’s world, I would say maybe. The ding (28%)
that you mention to your practice has NOT been
caused by APMA. In fact, if APMA were not
supported financially by the rest of us, your
28% drop would most likely be much higher. Do I
and others get pissed off at APMA for the way
they handle things some times? SURE WE DO! One
of my rather simple-minded philosophies
regarding that is: Don’t complain if you do not
participate!

I guarantee you that things will not
miraculously change “by the will of Obama.”
Each one of us must DO SOMETHING to help change
things. What are you doing? How much of your
income and time are you using to further our
profession. Are you complaining about accepting
insurance and continuing to accept it? If you
are, then shame on you! If you are not, then
Keep it up!

Tip Sullivan, DPM, Jackson, MS,
tsdefeet@MSfootcenter.net