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05/18/2023
RESPONSES/COMMENTS
RE: Unequal Treatment of Ex-Patriot DPMs by ABPM
From: Jeff Carnett, DPM
There are many of us American trained DPMs working overseas who are not eligible to be board certified by either board as we did one or two-year residencies, but not three-year programs. So, how shocking to see that ABPM will certify those with bachelor degrees in podiatry from the UK, SA, Australia, Malta, and New Zealand who did not take the MCAT, have no basic medical sciences in their courses, and no residencies. These degrees are right from high school.
Doesn't that discredit anyone with the ABPM certification in the U.S.? So, we expatriate DPMs need to take a bachelor podiatry degree so we can get certified, but we can't get certified with a CPME-approved DPM degree and residency? I’m trying to understand how that helps the profession. While overseas, our work is often highly surgical, but alas that doesn't count.
Jeff Carnett, DPM. Auckland, New Zealand
Other messages in this thread:
02/19/2026
RESPONSES/COMMENTS (OBITUARIES) - PART 3
It was with sadness that I read of the passing of Dr. Zier. Whether he knew it or not, the man was my mentor. He was perhaps the perfect example of what the relationship between podiatry and the allopathic profession can and should look like.
He taught me what it means to be collegial, kind, and patient. His kindness is what I will always remember him for. His generous nature touched his students and his patients. I am forever grateful for his example of human compassion and dignity.
Daniel Jones, DPM, Casper, WY
02/19/2026
RESPONSES/COMMENTS (OBITUARIES) - PART 2
Fran was one of my legendary attendings and I remember how the residents would contend with one another to cover his surgeries. It was never dull! The first case I scrubbed with him, it was just the two of us. It was a tibial nail, something not in the common cases we were used to back then. But for him it was just another day in the OR.
I remember that we had a great discussion about the literature that day. He taught me to have confidence if it was backed up by skill and knowledge. Wise words from a man who had all these qualities.
V. Kathleen Satterfield, DPM
02/19/2026
RESPONSES/COMMENTS (OBITUARIES) - PART 1
Tom was a classmate of mine at the Illinois College of Podiatric Medicine, along with his brother George and my brother Gary. You couldn't find a nicer guy than Tom. He will be missed. May his memory be a blessing.
Robert Scott Steinberg, DPM, Schaumburg, IL
02/18/2026
RESPONSES/COMMENTS (OBITUARIES) - PART 3
The passing of Ben Zier brought back incredible memories of working with him for 39 years until I retired. Ben came to the California college of Podiatric Medicine following his residency in primary care at UCSF to assume the role of Chaiman of the Department of Medicine. He was dedicated to the medical education of podiatric students so they could hold their own when practicing our profession.
He was a role model as a medical educator and our profession is the beneficiary of his relentless role of providing the necessary medical knowledge we needed to succeed in practice. He was a friend as well as being the primary care provider for me and my wife until we retired. Our condolences to his wife Cindy and their family.
Joshua Gerbert, DPM, Kamuela, HI
02/18/2026
RESPONSES/COMMENTS (OBITUARIES) - PART 2
Fran Lynch was a good guy, a very capable surgeon, a thought leader in his day, and a person with a great sense of humor. He trained under James Ganley, DPM. When he left podiatry to follow other career options, it was a loss to the profession.
Allen M. Jacobs, DPM
02/18/2026
RESPONSES/COMMENTS (OBITUARIES) - PART 1B
RE: The Passing of Arnold Signer, DPM, The Passing of Stuart Alan Courtney, DPM
It’s a sad day to see two friends and colleagues listed in the obituaries. Arnie Signer served in the APMA delegates with me for many years. He was a friend and trusted individual. It was always fun to reunite at the HOD and elsewhere.
Stu Courtney was a classmate at NYCPM 1974. When I needed emergency orthopedic surgery, his son arrived. We chatted a bit and established my connection. Stu and I talked several times thereafter. His son is still my orthopedist.
May they both rest in peace.
Lloyd Smith, DPM
02/18/2026
RESPONSES/COMMENTS (OBITUARIES) - PART 1A
This most recent publication of PM News was very disturbing to see so many very active podiatrists I have been familiar with pass away. I have regularly spoken to and emailed Dr. Arnold Signer who I have been good friends with for 50 years. He was a genuine individual and an excellent podiatrist. He will be greatly missed by the Florida Podiatry Association. I would like to send my deepest sympathy to his wife and family.
Steven J Berlin, DPM
I was very sad that my dear friend Arnie Signer passed away last week. I have known Arnie for over 63 years when we started college together at Emory University in 1963 in Atlanta. We became close friends and fraternity brothers. After College, Arnie went to OCPM in Cleveland and I went to PCPM in Philly. Arnie ended up practicing in Jackson for many years and I in DC.
In 1996, Arnie and his good friend Biff Kramer helped me get elected to the APMA Board of Trustees. He was a dear friend and colleague. We kept in touch all these years. Arnie was active in Florida PMA and a Delegate to the APMA House of Delegates for over 20 years. I will miss him very much. May you Rest in Peace my dear friend, rest in peace.
Harold B. Glickman, DPM
02/17/2026
RESPONSES/COMMENTS (PODIATRY AND AI)
From: Lawrence Kosova, DPM
Dr. Laurino, an interesting assessment on AI... For those that still question to start something as simple as an AI scribe in their office, take note. Kaiser Permanente did a rollout of AI assists across 40 hospitals and 600 medical offices. They have 24,000 physicians using AI for patient encounter scribing. This should be eye-opening. Increasing efficiency, decreasing burden, and increasing ROI should be a goal of every office. AI call centers are being integrated as we speak, and platform integration is being synced. They will do all the scheduling, handle patient calls, and put those notes into the chart. You just write a script of questions/answers and it will handle the rest. Probably not a great time to be a radiologist. AI is getting really good at that.
In the AI world, we get asked about physician replacement. But with around 40 million people using a...
Editor's note: Dr. Kosova's extended-length letter can be read here.
02/17/2026
RESPONSES/COMMENTS (OBITUARIES)
From: John Mozena, DPM, Ira R. Cohen, DPM
My wife was Dr. Zier’s office manager and she said that he was a great boss at CCPM. He was always so hospitable, inviting us to meals at Dr. Boyce Smith’s home. I used to play and get obliterated by him in basketball. He was always smiling like the photo shown. I wish I could thank him now for all the great things he did for us and the profession! RIP to a truly good man!
John Mozena, DPM
What an amazing individual. I learned a lot from him. He was kind, humorous, and dedicated to the students. So young. Such a loss.
Ira R. Cohen, DPM, Boca Raton, FL
02/16/2026
RESPONSES/COMMENTS (OBITUARIES)
RE: The Passing of Michael Lee Simons, DPM
It is with heartfelt sadness that I share the loss of a beloved colleague on Sept. 28, 2025. Dr. Michael Simons, a graduate of the California College of Podiatric Medicine, practiced in Orange County, California for over 50 years. He was a mentor to many and a friend to all. He was considered by many to be the godfather of podiatry in Orange County due to his hospital and podiatry political activism.
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Dr. Michael Simons |
He was a man of great character and wit who was loved and respected by his patients. He is survived by his wife, Judy Simons, children and grandchildren. His legacy lives on in the lives he touched and he will be missed by all who knew him. May his memory be a blessing.
Richard Jaffe, DPM
02/13/2026
RESPONSES/COMMENTS (THE FUTURE OF PODIATRY) - PART 1B
From: Andrew Carver, DPM
The directive of adding an MD to the rear of our names may not lift up our profession to a level much greater than it already is. What about improving the "product" to our present four years study, the student, in ALL eleven podiatric colleges. Developing a student "product" that can compete intellectually AMONG our MD Associates.
What about the idea of sending teaching teams of the best of our educators, nationally, to teach electronically into all schools for a large portion of the lecture yearly material? Individuals like: E. Dalton McGlamry DPM, Lowell Scott Weil Sr, DPM, John Ruch, DPM, John Schuberth, DPM, Harvey Lamont, DPM, Allen Jacobs, DPM, John Steven Steinberg, DPM, David G Armstrong, DPM, MD, Lawrence Harkless, DPM, etc. These great minds and instructors in the profession would function directly with electronic student interactive teaching for a large segment of podiatric education. This might lift the profession higher than adding two nice letters following the DPM.
Andrew Carver, DPM, Ko Olina, HI
Editor's note: This topic is temporarily closed.
02/13/2026
RESPONSES/COMMENTS (THE FUTURE OF PODIATRY) - PART 1A
From: Amol Saxena, DPM, MPH
I have been reading the responses to Dr. Hrywnak's recent letter. I thought about what got me to "achieve" what I have, and it makes me sad that many of our younger members, despite apparently better training, will not achieve RRA credentials (required by Operation Footprint) and be blocked from working within the governing bodies of many Olympic sports (US Track & Field says specifically they will not take podiatrists on the medical team. They will take psychologists: only one brain, and we can treat at least two feet!).
My classmate Joe Borreggine wrote a very cogent analysis of Dr. Hrywnak's concerns. Both are SCPM/ICPM grads, which is within a medical institution with no orthopedic department. Joe was in the audience when I gave the lecture at the 2023 Midwest Conference on "Podiatry, Prejudice & Possible Solutions". He concurred with my findings as did many of my classmates who are not RRA certified and/or no longer perform surgery. Drs. Tomczak and DiResta continue to point out reasons to change. PM News polls, albeit not scientific, give signs the profession wants to change.
Amol Saxena, DPM, MPH, Palo Alto, CA
02/13/2026
RESPONSES/COMMENTS (PODIATRY AND AI)
From: David Laurino, DPM
The largest merger in history just happened. And it has everything to do with how you'll run your medical practice in 2026. Two days ago, SpaceX acquired xAI for $1.25 trillion. Most people see a valuation story. I see a playbook:
• Vertical integration (own the infrastructure, don't rent it)
• Cost collapse (do it cheaper than everyone else)
• Market dominance (move faster than regulators can respond)
Here's what just combined:
• SpaceX (90% of global payload to orbit)
• xAI (200K+ GPUs, largest AI cluster on Earth)
• Starlink (9M subscribers, global satellite coverage)
• X (billions of data points training Grok AI)
Now connect the dots for healthcare: When Starlink's direct-to-cell V3 satellites deploy, Grok will be...
Editor's note: Dr. Laurino's extended-length letter can be read here.
02/13/2026
RESPONSES/COMMENTS (IN THE COURTS)
From: Michael S. Nirenberg, DPM
I am writing to provide an update on a ruling in Maine that involved my forensic podiatry testimony. This ruling is limited to Maine, is non-binding everywhere else, and does not reflect the standing of forensic podiatry as a discipline. In State v. Brackett (2026 ME 9), the Maine Supreme Judicial Court vacated a murder conviction, ruling that my testimony regarding sock-clad footprint comparison should not have been admitted. In brief, I testified to "moderate" evidential support using a recognized forensic verbal scale. I never called it a "match." Those words were the prosecutor's, not mine. I was not consulted during the appeal, so these distinctions were never presented to the justices.
The court's suggestion that forensic podiatry lacks recognition is incorrect. The discipline is recognized by the International Association for Identification—the world's largest forensic organization—along with other forensic bodies and scientific publications. Moreover, the UK's Forensic Podology Code of Practice, developed with the UK Forensic Science Regulator, mandates the methodology I employed. I drafted a Petition for Rehearing refuting every point in the ruling, however, as a non-party expert witness, I am unable to file it with the court.
In a Wisconsin homicide case, also involving bloody sock-clad footprints, the defense raised the same challenges. In this case, the conviction was affirmed on appeal, with the Court of Appeals finding the forensic podiatry testimony "relevant and the product of reliable principles and methods" and concluding that challenging its admission "would be wholly frivolous." As President of the American Society of Forensic Podiatry, I remain committed to growing this field through research, education, and training. This ruling reinforces why this work matters.
Michael S. Nirenberg, DPM, Crown Point, IN
02/13/2026
RESPONSES/COMMENTS (FINANCIAL TIP OF THE DAY)
From: Steven Finer, DPM
That’s correct. Never do your own taxes. First of all, you increase your chance of being audited. An audit is an uncomfortable situation and a tremendous time waster. Gathering those receipts will take hours for most. Secondly, your CPA will find some deductions that will cover the costs of the tax preparation.
Steven Finer, DPM, Philadelphia, PA
02/12/2026
RESPONSES/COMMENTS (THE FUTURE OF PODIATRY) - PART 1B
From: Rod Tomczak, DPM, MD, EdD
Larry, let me thank you again for again sharing your impressive CV with me and the other 21,000 readers of PM News. The thing is, Larry, not many of us have a resume as long or inspiring as yours. When we graduated, many graduates did not match to a residency. Even those who matched were not assured of a surgical program and only a few attained a PSR 24+, a real rarity. Very few podiatrists eventually secured an academic appointment, a full professorship, and yet enjoyed the thrills of private practice. A limited number became residency directors, fewer podiatrists regularly published, and a smaller minority became lecturers. Yes, Larry, we were the lucky soldiers of the 1980s and ‘90s and were truly fulfilled in our profession, but we were the far and few between podiatrists. I hear from classmates who are now hanging up their Dremels and nail nippers with the catch phrase, “If I knew then what I know now, I would have done it differently and not gone into podiatry.”
Just because every current graduate gets a three-year residency does not mean they all finish training with...
Editor's note: Dr. Tomczak's extended-length letter can be read here.
02/12/2026
RESPONSES/COMMENTS (THE FUTURE OF PODIATRY) - PART 1A
From: James DiResta, DPM
It is beyond frustrating in reading recent comments regarding a plenary license for podiatrists. Dr. Olaf remarks how far we have come as a profession and we should be satisfied. He states the reality is orthopedists and others never pick up a stethoscope and frankly they know, like most specialists, to stay in their lane. I would agree but as time has gone on, we in completing our single track medical education have found ourselves stuck in our own lane; but it is not a lane in the same bowling alley as other medical and surgical specialists as we are left inferior to our peers and unable to play on the same field. The big picture has left us not being a full member as we lack a full general medical education before pursuing residency.
Trying to make this deficit up during our post-graduate time to get us to play on the same field as the big boys and girls is not working as no organization or licensing board will grant us an equal plenary license. We need to fix this issue and time is of the essence and the DO route as proposed by Dr. Tomczak is the most doable I have heard to date!
James DiResta, DPM, Newbury, MA
02/12/2026
RESPONSES/COMMENTS (FINANCIAL TIP OF THE DAY)
From: Joel Lang, DPM
I hope no one is taking the recurring tax advice to heart and doing their taxes themselves. I think you would mostly all agree that foot problems should be left to the experts; namely DPMs. You similarly should leave tax filings to the experts as well; namely CPAs.
Even after I completed my (CFP) financial planning course, which included an entire section on taxes, I knew that I would never do taxes either for myself or any clients. The system is too complex and the rules change all the time with changing deductibles, new tables, different minimums and maximums, etc. Being in practice makes your tax return infinitely more complicated than the simple 1040 form. So do family issues such as divorce, child support, alimony and financial issues such as long and short term capital gains and losses, depreciation tables, purchases and sales of property, etc.
I personally have never done my own taxes, even though I was "theoretically" trained. Only persons who do taxes full-time should be entrusted with your return. Then, if there is a subsequent question or problem, you have someone to rely upon. The cost of having someone else do taxes is about what you might charge for one or two office visits. Why would you spend hours doing your own taxes when you would not spend hours with a patient for that same amount of money? Better to let an accountant do it and spend that time with your family.
Joel Lang, DPM, Retired, Cheverly, MD
02/11/2026
RESPONSES/COMMENTS (THE FUTURE OF PODIATRY) - PART 1C
From: Lawrence Oloff, DPM
Having healthy dialogues is always worthwhile, as long as it is done in a respectful manner. I appreciate the posts by Drs. Hrywnak and Tomczak about a plenary degree. I respect their comments but I do not agree with them. I used to agree with these thoughts early in my career. However, I feel such thoughts are no longer in the best interests of our profession. I am in the tail end of my professional life. I have been blessed by the many positions that fell my way. I have been on podiatry faculty at a college, Academic Dean, managed a podiatry program in a top tier medical university, member/partner in a prominent orthopedic sports medicine group, podiatry residency director, and now my last job as full-time faculty in a medical school. Equally important is that I have been a private practitioner. I feel qualified to a give an opinion on these issues.
First a few facts. Podiatry now is not what I first started in. Those days were fighting tooth and nail for...
Editor's note: Dr. Oloff's extended-length letter can be read here.
02/11/2026
RESPONSES/COMMENTS (THE FUTURE OF PODIATRY) - PART 1A
From: Jon Purdy, DPM
For anyone that can see the writing on the wall, Dr. Hrywnak has spelled out exactly what needs to happen to keep podiatric practices viable. Being small in number, the podiatric profession does not have the political clout to fight battles on its own. Larger medical entities such as nurse practitioners and physician assistants do, and that is the reason they are able to do more than a podiatrist with less than half the training. We cannot employ ancillary healthcare workers without MD/DO oversight. We can’t even prescribe a cream for dermatitis on an arm.
What doesn’t hold water are the statements concerning “run away” practices. Could an orthopedist perform brain surgery or an internist perform sinus surgery? Technically with full scope they could, but why don’t they? Could a podiatrist with full scope do this?
Jon Purdy, DPM, Iberia, LA
02/11/2026
RESPONSES/COMMENTS (PM'S ANNUAL SURVEY)
RE: PM’s 43rd Annual Survey 2026, Oral Analgesic Responses
From: Robert G. Smith DPM, MSc, RPh
As I read, studied, and performed comparative analyses on the responses provided by the 504 participants of the Podiatry Management’s (PM’s) 43rd Annual Survey 2026, I noticed an interesting discovery. I began this process in 2010 and continued over these years comparing and analyzing the presenting data with known published references as well as foundational citations. My initial acknowledge is that over the years a few readers of PM News have offered criticism that the annual data is not as robust statistically as portrayed in meta-analysis studies as well as citing bias that may creep into data interpretation.
I do respectfully disagree and believe valuable data is found in PM’s Annual Survey. Of course, every investigator would love data that would withstand rigorous scrutiny, to include myself. From 2009 to the present, I have collected the prescribing and dispensing data from PM’s 43rd Annual Survey and performed arithmetic and comparative analysis on...
Editor's note: Dr. Smith's extended-length letter can be read here.
02/11/2026
RESPONSES/COMMENTS (THE FUTURE OF PODIATRY) - PART 1B
From: Evan Meltzer, DPM
I have been following the discussion of the possibility of granting a plenary degree for podiatrists. This has caused me to think about a number of issues. A podiatry program director might ask a third-year podiatry resident if they feel that they have enough extra time in their three years to also study internal medicine, family medicine, etc. And if not, how many more years of residency do they think it would take to become proficient in an additional medical specialty? What might the MD/DO program directors of these specialties think?
Another major issue is how each state would handle the licensing process. New York State was one of the last states to expand the current scope of practice to include ankle surgery. I can’t imagine how many years it would take New York, for example, to approve a plenary scope of practice for podiatrists.
Evan Meltzer, DPM (retired), Rio Rancho, NM
02/10/2026
RESPONSES/COMMENTS (THE FUTURE OF PODIATRY) - PART 1B
From: Robert Scott Steinberg, DPM
I have been in practice for nearly 50 years, and in all that time, I have never heard anyone say that if we became MDs or DOs, we would leave podiatry behind. MDs and DOs have plenary licenses, and then choose specialties. We have MDs who are now focusing on the narrow field of foot surgery. If you do not think they have a distinct advantage over us, you are very out of touch.
Dr. Udell, Dr. Hrywnak's arguments were very well presented. You did not make any specific comments about any of his arguments. You are completely ignoring the disparity we face, as DPMs by insurance companies and other healthcare professionals. Shoe store salespeople present themselves as experts, as do DCs, PTs, and NPs. I am sure you're not alone in your opinions, as they seem to be pervasive in the APMA, as well.
I want to thank Dr. Hrywnak for his clear insights into the reality we face.
Robert Scott Steinberg, DPM, Schaumburg, IL
02/10/2026
RESPONSES/COMMENTS (THE FUTURE OF PODIATRY) - PART 1A
From: Joseph Borreggine, DPM
Dr. Hrywnak has presented a compelling case, substantiated by incontrovertible facts. The podiatric medical profession must address its shortcomings in the educational path it has pursued for years. Podiatry has undergone significant evolution over the decades, surpassing the expectations of its practitioners. However, this advancement has not yet resulted in the parity that podiatrists rightfully deserve as physicians. The debate surrounding MD/DPM has persisted for years, yet it has remained unaddressed. The reasons for this stagnation are unclear. Is it the podiatry schools, the Council on Podiatric Medical Education (CPME), or the American Podiatric Medical Association (APMA)? Or is it a combination of all three?
Dr. Hrywnak’s unwavering dedication to advocating for full licensure in our profession over the past decade has faced significant challenges, seemingly impeded by podiatry schools and the American Podiatric Medical Association (APMA). Given the current low admission pool for all eleven podiatry schools, it is reasonable to assume that there is a disconnect between the number of college graduates interested in entering the profession and the demand for podiatrists.
Dr. Hrywnak’s assertions appear to be accurate, but the APMA’s response has been lacking regarding his opinion on the matter. The future of our profession may be uncertain due to the inability to obtain full licensure, but the contrary view that the future of podiatric practice is promising contradicts reality. The future direction of our profession will be determined by the prevailing winds, and it is crucial that we address the challenges we face to ensure its continued success.
Joseph Borreggine, DPM, Fort Myers, FL
02/10/2026
RESPONSES/COMMENTS (OBITUARIES) - PART 2B
RE: The Passing of Bennett Zier, MD
I am sorry to hear about Dr. Bennett Zier’s passing. As a student in San Francisco, I had the chance to learn from him and also saw his care firsthand as a patient. He was a steady, thoughtful physician and a dedicated teacher who had a real impact on many of us in podiatric medicine. I’m grateful for what he taught and the example he set. My condolences to his family, colleagues, and all who knew him.
Philip Radovic, DPM
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