RE: GA Podiatrist Appointed VA Deputy National Podiatric Medical Director
From: Jeffrey M. Robbins, DPM
I am pleased to announce that Nichol Salvo, DPM has been assigned to the role of Deputy National Podiatric Medical Director for the Department of Veteran Affairs. Her role will be to assist the National Podiatric Medical Director in the administration of the Podiatry Service.
This includes the Clinical Podiatry Service Program, the Podiatry Residency and Fellowship Program, and the Prevention of Amputation in Veterans Everywhere Program. During this assignment, she will maintain her role as Chief Podiatry Services at the Atlanta VAMC.
Jeffrey M. Robbins, DPM, National Podiatric Medical Director, Podiatry Service, Specialty Care Services, VACO
From: Laura J. Pickard, DPM, James R. Christina, DPM
We wholeheartedly agree with Dr. Jacobs that Dr. Owens’ accomplishment is tremendous and is a tribute to her skills, hard work, and dedication. However, I would like to take the opportunity to correct a few inaccuracies in Dr. Jacob’s message. First and foremost, prior to the passage of APMA’s bill to classify podiatrists within the physicians & dentists pay grade, the law was clear that only an MD could serve as chief of staff of a VA facility.
We have no doubt that Dr. Saunders did serve in a leadership capacity, and perhaps he will comment himself to clarify, but I suspect he served as the Chief of Surgery or as an Acting Chief of Staff while the agency worked to identify a permanent replacement. Until Dr. Owens’ appointment this year, there have been ZERO podiatrists officially appointed Chiefs of Staff of VA facilities. As Jeffrey Robbins, DPM, Podiatric Medical Director for the VA, pointed out, APMA’s legislation paved the way for Dr. Owens to be appointed. We are extremely proud of Dr. Owens for this accomplishment.
Laura J. Pickard, DPM, President, APMA, James R. Christina, DPM, Executive Director/CEO, APMA
05/27/2022
RESPONSES/COMMENTS (VA NEWS)
From: Jeffrey M. Robbins, DPM
Without the passage of Section 502 of the Mission Act, introduced by The Honorable Congressman Brad Wenstrup, DPM and the unwavering efforts of APMA and specifically Mr. Benjamin Wallner, Dr. Owens' remarkable accomplishment would not have been possible. This is the value of belonging to and supporting APMA.
Jeffrey M. Robbins, DPM, Cleveland, OH
