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03/22/2024
RESPONSES/COMMENTS (APMA HOD) - PART 1
RE: APMA Policy Proposition 2-24: One Board in Podiatric Medicine & Surgery (Amol Saxena, DPM, MPH)
From: Bret Ribotsky, DPM, H. David Gottlieb, DPM
Amol’s response is a bull’s-eye of what is needed. I’ve been saying this for over 15 years and I know Barry Block has been saying for over 40 years that the only solution for our profession is to amalgamate into mainstream medicine as our own specialty. The schools should convert to giving an MD degree and we push for our own specialization in the American Board of Medical Specialties. This would facilitate physician extenders easily incorporated into our practices to handle the palliative and routine aspect of our profession, with oversight directly. All issues with credentialing, licensing, and fee disparity would be eliminated.
I join with Amol willing to volunteer and help this transition into the future.
Bret Ribotsky, DPM, Ft. Lauderdale, FL
It has always [since the late '80s] been my opinion that the profession of podiatry should START with one certification board credential [Board Certified Podiatrist] and then have sub-specialties. This is analogous to the MD/DO pathways. This allows all competent practitioners the ability to be credentialed. Some will have one certification, some will opt for two, and others will opt for three. I see this as a win-win for all.
H. David Gottlieb, DPM, Columbia, MD
Other messages in this thread:
03/22/2025
RESPONSES/COMMENTS (APMA HOD) - PART 1C
From: Paul Kesselman, DPM
I could not think of a more deserving person to receive this award than Dr. Barry Block. After
listening to his speech at the APMA HOD after receiving this award, several things are very apparent. Barry made his own luck by getting involved very early in his career and this enabled him to learn many lessons, including paying back. His use of the phrase "paying it forward" absolutely is absolutely correct and it is counter to what I hear too frequently that "Podiatry Eats its Young". Barry is 180 degrees the opposite of that. l am convinced that those lessons learned early in a career made him understand the need to mentor others.
Those of us who have been fortunate enough to have received his friendship and advice and who were taken under his wing, will all tell you without exception, that our careers would not be what they are today without Barry. Certainly our profession has been fortunate enough to...
Editor's note: Dr. Kesselman's extended-length letter can be read here.
03/22/2025
RESPONSES/COMMENTS (APMA HOD) - PART 1B
From: Alan Sherman, DPM, Aaron Ben Pearl, DPM
I just wanted to add my congratulations to all of those that you have already received. It's great to see this very public and official recognition for what you have achieved and the formidable contribution that you have made. You know how I feel about you and how long I have admired your achievements.
You have created an enduring legacy for yourself and such valuable services for the profession. Communication services are the fuel for change and you have facilitated so much of the positive change that podiatry has had in the last 50 years. Long may you run...or at least walk!
Those of us who have had a chance to work on articles with Barry know that he is a stickler for details. To his credit, those revisions end up making a more professional article. Congratulations Barry and keep going!
Aaron Ben Pearl, DPM
03/22/2025
RESPONSES/COMMENTS (APMA HOD) - PART 1A
From: Bruce G. Blank, DPM
I just finished watching the presentation of the APMA Distinguished Service Citation to Dr. Barry Block and his heartfelt acceptance speech. What a well-deserved accolade. Dr. Block has played an extremely important role in our profession for many years and in many ways, as we all know. I’ve particularly appreciated him always being forward thinking concerning our profession. I’ve appreciated his voice at the APMA House of Delegates, through Podiatry Management Magazine and his daily work of love for our profession-PM News; just to name a few of his accomplishments.
Barry has always walked the walk and hasn’t just talked but has promoted improvements to our professional status by being part of the core group of DPMs who work to make things happen. Congratulations, Dr. Block and thank you for your distinguished service to our beloved profession. Also, thank you to Dr. David Armstrong for submitting Dr. Block’s speech to PM News for us all to watch.
Bruce G. Blank, DPM, Past Delegate from Ohio to the APMA HOD
03/21/2025
RESPONSES/COMMENTS (APMA HOD) - PART 1B
From: Rod Tomczak, DPM, MD, EdD
I learned the Yiddish word Mensch in the Jewish hospital where I completed my PSR 24+. The word is used to signify an honorable and diligent person who works for the good of the group. You don't call yourself a Mensch, others call you one. This is certainly the case with Dr. Barry Block and it is quite fitting that he received the Citation for Distinguished Service last weekend. He has been constantly of service to the profession keeping us informed on a daily basis. The profession would be much better if there were more podiatrists like Barry.
Congratulations, Barry, on a well-deserved award.
Rod Tomczak, DPM, MD, EdD
03/21/2025
RESPONSES/COMMENTS (APMA HOD) - PART 1A
From: David G. Armstrong, DPM
I listened to Dr. Block's acceptance speech and, if that doesn't make a mission driven person want to go out and pay it forward, nothing will. Here's to you, Dr. Block, in helping to transform what was once a "profession" into a specialty.
David G. Armstrong, DPM
03/20/2025
RESPONSES/COMMENTS (APMA HOD) - PART 1
RE: Communication is the Key to the Success of APMA
From: Alan Bass, DPM
This past weekend, I had the honor of representing the New Jersey Podiatric Medical Society at the APMA House of Delegates. This yearly meeting among the states, APMA, and its stakeholders, is crucial to success of our profession.
In the last few years, there has been an undertone at the HOD that Council on Podiatric Medical Education (CPME) has not been working as a good “partner” with APMA, the states, its affiliated organizations, residencies, and boards. There have been some, including myself, that have been critical of CPME, stating that they were too secretive and there needs to be more transparency and communication from the accrediting body for our profession.
I would like to say thank you to APMA President Brooke Bisbee, DPM, Meghan McClelland, CEO of APMA and other members of the APMA HOD that have facilitated open and honest dialogue between CPME and all the stakeholders. CPME has committed to be more open and transparent in communication and working with the all the organizations involved. They also committed to sharing conflicts of interest of the members of the CPME and its committees. I want to also thank CPME for this renewed commitment. While there is more work to be done, this was a good first step.
Alan Bass, DPM, Manalapan, NJ
03/27/2024
RESPONSES/COMMENTS (APMA HOD) - PART 1B
From: Ivar E. Roth, DPM, MPH
My knee jerk reaction to Dr. Agostinelli’s post is that I like it. In combination with Dr. Trantalis’ post, we just need to be MDs in the future and be the foot and ankle specialists with something like 2 years of podiatric medicine. This would include the same first year internship as the MDs and then 2 years of pure surgical training with fellowships past that.
This would solve the declining enrollment issues because the schools would just basically be pre-determined MD foot specialists and then enter into the residency pool for podiatry. Brilliant.
Ivar E. Roth, DPM, MPH, Newport Beach, CA
03/27/2024
RESPONSES/COMMENTS (APMA HOD) - PART 1A
From: Kathleen Neuhoff, DPM
I always find it interesting that the arguments for board certification focus around “protecting the public”. I think the training we receive and the abundant malpractice attorneys do a pretty good job in this area.
I am board certified by both ABPS and ABPM and in more than 30 years in practice, I have not had a single patient ask about board certification. We also ask every new patient what brought them to our practice. The most common answers are patient/family or physician referral. NEVER has a single patient listed board certification as a reason to choose me! I do not think the reasons for making board certification difficult to obtain have anything to do with protecting the public.
Kathleen Neuhoff, DPM, South Bend, IN
03/26/2024
RESPONSES/COMMENTS (APMA HOD) - PART 1B
From: Joe Agostinelli, DPM
I write this reply in support of my colleagues, Drs. Amol Saxena and Bret Ribotsky concerning their comments on the recent APMA HOD resolution concerning support for “one certifying board". Drs. Spinner and Zlotoff also have penned cogent and, in my opinion, correct observations on this subject.
My previous experiences of 23 years active duty USAF and 13 years private practice (always as part of a large orthopedic surgery group practice) have colored my take on this situation. Rather than trying to solve a problem with one certifying board, the profession needs to do something more radical - that is having all the podiatric medical colleges, especially those associated with MD and DO schools, discontinue the DPM degree and rather have...
Editor's note: Dr. Agostinelli's extended-length letter can be read here.
03/26/2024
RESPONSES/COMMENTS (APMA HOD) - PART 1A
From: Jeffrey Trantalis, DPM
I would like to comment on podiatry as a MD subspecialty. In the 1980s, while practicing in the Seattle area, a new subspecialty in orthopedics was being developed for MDs: The orthopedic foot and ankle surgeons. There was a highly trained and world respected orthopedic surgeon named Sigvard Hansen, Jr., MD. He was chief at Harborview Medical Center. He saw, appreciated, and acknowledged the skills podiatrists possessed to the chagrin of his colleagues. The goals of this new subspecialty was to put podiatrists out of business.
The irony to all of this is they were taught their surgical skills to operate on the foot and ankle by podiatrists. Gary Dockery, DPM was one of these mentors who provided great knowledge and skills to this new group. What I am saying is that podiatrists belong in this endeavor to be called MDs, and thus simplify the professions.
Jeffrey Trantalis, DPM, Delray Beach, FL
03/20/2024
RESPONSES/COMMENTS (APMA HOD) - PART 1B
RE: APMA Policy Proposition 2-24: One Board in Podiatric Medicine & Surgery
From: Jack Levenson, DPM
Lee Rogers, DPM mentioned at this weekend's APMA House of Delegates that he would stop the issuance of the ABPM CAQ in surgery. I would just like to point out that this would mean that no further surgery CAQs should be issued regardless of whether a candidate has already taken or registered for the exam. I believe this point should be made clear as continuing to issue these certifications would prevent ABFAS's ability to consider ANY negotiation for one unified board.
Jack Levenson, DPM, NYC, NY
03/20/2024
RESPONSES/COMMENTS (APMA HOD) - PART 1A
RE: APMA Policy Proposition 2-24: One Board in Podiatric Medicine & Surgery
From: Richard M. Maleski, DPM, RPh
If there is only one Board for board certification in our profession, and it is going to include both surgery and medicine, then how can non-surgical podiatrists get Board Certified? There are DPMs who don't want to do surgery. There are DPMs who simply do not have an aptitude for surgery. There are DPMs who cannot do surgery due to physical impairment. How could they possibly pass the surgical portion of the new Board if they aren't in the OR, or don't stay current with surgical academic material, or just don't have adequate experience to retain their skill?
I know colleagues who fit into all 3 of those categories, and thankfully, there has been ABPM certification available to them, which has allowed them access to hospital non-surgical staff privileges and inclusion into insurance...
Editor's note: Dr. Maleski's extended-length letter can be read here.
03/19/2024
RESPONSES/COMMENTS (APMA HOD) - PART 1B
From: Philip Radovic, DPM
While Dr. Spinner's insights, along with those of Drs. Tomczak, Oloff, Lombardi, and others, are undeniably respected due to their substantial contributions to podiatry, it's crucial to acknowledge that a profession's advancement can manifest in varied forms. There exist many individuals outside the well-known circle of seasoned podiatrists who have significantly propelled the field forward in perhaps unconventional or less visible ways. Their efforts, whether through innovation, academia, or other professional avenues, merit equal respect and consideration. Disregarding or minimizing these contributions because they diverge from one's perspectives echoes Mark Twain's humorous observation about limiting one's statements to the confines of facts.
As a founder and twenty-year director of a residency program and a podiatric sports medicine fellowship, as well as a member of medical/orthopedic executive committees at several major hospitals and surgery centers, where I have credentialed numerous podiatrists and MDs, and as a contributor to our journals over four decades, I value the importance of diverse contributions. The growth of our profession relies not only on the achievements of a select few but on the varied and unique inputs of many, each bringing distinct perspectives and innovations. Indeed, fresh ideas often hold remarkable potential. I’ll however be very clear that I have no political, or personal agendas. I would desire to have ABFAS diversify its certification into several inclusive components. In my opinion, they have proved themselves to be the podiatric certifying “Gold Standard”.
Philip Radovic, DPM, San Clemente, CA
03/19/2024
RESPONSES/COMMENTS (APMA HOD) - PART 1A
From: Lee C. Rogers, DPM
We did it! Thank you to the almost 1,500 podiatrists and students that requested to co-sponsor the One Board APMA Policy Proposition 2-24. This was a first in APMA history! The proposition passed the House of Delegates (HOD) with 63% of the vote. This proposition sets the table to bring the two CPME-recognized boards together into a single certifying board in Podiatric Medicine AND Surgery, just like our residency programs.
The details will be worked out and presented to the next HOD in 2025. I look forward to working with the ABFAS to make the result an inclusive organization of all those already certified, one that avoids division in the profession, and gives all new candidates an equal and fair opportunity to achieve the status of board certification in podiatric medicine and surgery, while promoting the high testing standard of residency training and fulfilling our obligations to protect the public. I pledge to keep you informed as this develops. We couldn’t have done this without your action!
Lee C. Rogers, DPM, San Antonio, TX
03/15/2024
RESPONSES/COMMENTS (APMA HOD) - PART 1B
From: Philip Radovic, DPM
While the call for unity within our profession is understandable, when it comes to a single board certification, it's important to consider the perspectives and needs of all stakeholders involved. When it comes to consolidating foot surgery and reconstructive rearfoot/ankle surgery, here are some points to consider:
1. Protecting the Public: Board certification serves as an important measure to ensure that we have met specific standards of competence and expertise in our specialty. It provides reassurance to patients that their podiatrist has undergone rigorous training and assessment, thus safeguarding their health and well-being.
2. Credentialing for Medical/Surgery Centers and Hospitals: Most hospitals and medical centers rely on board certification to evaluate the qualifications of...
Editor's note: Dr. Radovic's extended-length letter can be read here.
03/15/2024
RESPONSES/COMMENTS (APMA HOD) - PART 1A
From: Marc, Feder, DPM, Steven Spinner, DPM
As our APMA House of Delegates convenes, I wish to share my excitement about Proposition 2-24. 30 years ago, I campaigned for "One Board, One Profession. I had written Letters to the Editors of APMA News, Podiatry Management, and Podiatry Today. At my meetings with CPME (headed then by Jay Levrio), I spoke of this to then Board Member Jim Christina and ABPS President, Vinny Martorano. No consideration was given. Perhaps the time has come for this dream to come true.
Marc Feder, DPM, Lincolnwood, IL
Driving through Georgia one day, I got stopped for doing 10 miles over the speed limit (Okay…it may have been more) by a Georgia state trooper. When he asked for my license and registration, I discreetly opened my wallet so that he could see I had a Broward sheriff’s office badge and identification card. Although my credentials at the time were legitimate, his comment to me was “you boys from Florida all have those so put it away.”
It became a meaningless credential because the impression was that every car from Florida that was speeding could whip out a police credential and hope to get out of a ticket. We are not a uniform profession with uniform training. We are a diverse profession made up of many talented people practicing different aspects of podiatric medicine and surgery. To confer board certification from one board on everybody in our profession would render that credential as meaningless as a...
Editor's note: Dr. Spinner's extended-length letter can be read here.
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