Editor’s note: On this, the 24th anniversary of 9/11, we continue our proud tradition of publishing the following note from the editor, which was published in PM News on 9/12/01 and circulated via the Internet throughout the world.

It is just after 3 AM here in New York City and I simply can't sleep. Looking out the window of my bedroom on the 17th floor, there is an unobstructed view of the Manhattan skyline. I search again for the once familiar sight of the two tall white buildings that marked the lower end of the skyscraper-filled island. All I see are some eerie search lights of the rescue crews.

Like everyone else, I have been in shock all day, particularly since I witnessed in real-time the morbid views of the second plane hitting the World Trade Center and the sequential collapse of both towers.

World Trade Center 9/11/01

The gamut of emotions runs from shock, fear, sadness, to anger. Barely one half-century after the Holocaust, despite all our technological advances, man remains uncivilized. The realization sets in that the terrorists who committed this crime could have and still could set off a nuclear bomb, killing millions. The safety and security we have taken for granted in America is and will never be the same.

My phone has been ringing all day. Family and friends call to determine that everyone is safe. My mom calls to tell me my brother was scheduled to be at the WTC at 9 AM and was at the subway station when the first plane hit. Had the plane hit five minutes later, he would have been on an elevator headed for certain death.

Unfortunately, many thousands were not so lucky, including many employees of Blue Cross/Blue Shield, which only a few years ago moved from midtown to this location. There will be many tears shed as the names of those murdered in this horrific disaster become known, many unnecessary funerals to attend. So many innocent lives lost for no reason. So many families destroyed.

Later this morning, my wife and I will donate blood and attempt to do what we can in this time of crisis. We know the entire podiatric community will collectively pray for those affected by this catastrophe and provide whatever support is needed.

SMUCPM partners with Soccer Club to Highlight Podiatric Biomechanics

Official Higher Education Partner of the Oakland Roots & Soul soccer clubs, Samuel Merritt University College of Podiatric Medicine (SMUCPM) recently collaborated with Roots soccer players on a three-part “Boot Review” video series exploring foot health and performance in soccer.

(L-R) Dr. Tim Dutra discusses the effect of soccer cleat design on performance with Jurgen Damm, Roots soccer player.

Through a series of evaluations, SMUCPM  faculty worked closely with professional athletes at the University’s Motion Analysis Research Center to assess the functionality of soccer cleats made by the popular shoe brand, Charly. The resulting videos, which document the process of evaluating the cleats, have been featured on the big screen at the Oakland Coliseum during Roots games and appeared across SMU and Roots social media accounts. The first video in the series can be viewed here.

ALPS and DFCon Join Forces at ASVS 2025 in Singapore

A historic milestone was reached with the launch of the first-ever DFCon Asia Track at the Asian Society for Vascular Surgery (ASVS) 2025. This dedicated track brought global leaders in diabetic foot management together with regional experts to discuss innovations, challenges, and strategies tailored to the Asian context. Faculty from the American Limb Preservation Society (ALPS) and DFCon actively contributed to pre-conference workshops, delivering hands-on training and sharing expertise with clinicians from across Asia and beyond.

ALPS and DFCon Join Forces at ASVS 2025 in Singapore

The inclusion of this track marked an important step in strengthening international collaboration to combat the burden of diabetic foot complications worldwide. Faculty from ALPS and DFCon actively contributed to pre-conference workshops as well, delivering hands-on training and sharing expertise with clinicians.

RE: Outrageous Shoe of the Day

Toetally customized shoe (Photo: Minjoo Chae)

Source: Kim Hyeyoung via Virtual Shoe Museum

• To Post a message, send it to:    bblock@podiatrym.com
• Notes should be original and may not be submitted to other publications or listservs without our express written permission.
• Notes must be in the following form:
  RE: (Topic)
  From: (your name, DPM)
  Body of letter. Be concise. Limit to 250 words or less). Use Spellchecker
  Your name, DPM City/State
• Subscribers are reminded that they have an ethical obligation to disclose any potential conflicts of interest when commenting on any product, procedure, or service.