RE: Unmatched Residency Placements Currently Stand at 86 (Name Withheld)
From: H. David Gottlieb, DPM
I too held similar feelings about CPME as Name Withheld until very recently. My change in attitude came just a few weeks ago while bemoaning that I was told to change the wording of Council on Podiatric Medical Education to Council ON Pod MED ED in our Handbook, among other items. This made little sense to me, and I decided that CPME could not be run in a capricious manner as it appeared. Rather there must be a way that this all makes sense.
I looked online to see EXACTLY what their stated mission is and who, if anyone, oversees and verifies what they do. What I found is on the CPME website, the APME website and the Department of Education website in plain view for all to see. CPME is the agency authorized by APMA and recognized by the Department of Education to oversee podiatric medical education [colleges, residencies, fellowships, and CME]. They receive oversight by the DOE and likely the APMA. Just like residencies have to provide proof that we are providing a valid educational experience, so too does the CPME have to provide proof of their oversight. All this requires strict adherence to their rules and regulations during oversight.
I've been to the CPME offices. I've met their staff both on phone and in person. There are too few people doing too much work in too little space. Everyone should be treated courteously, I agree. But I think that overall, CPME is doing a decent job, even though I don't always agree with what I have to do to comply.
H. David Gottlieb, DPM, Baltimore, MD, hdavidgottliebdpm@gmail.com
