10/14/2025 Rod Tomczak, DPM, MD, EdD
Obituary for the DPM Degree
The obituary can now be completed and a necrology
constructed. It’s time to sit Shiva,
recite the Kaddish and assemble the musicians for
Mozart’s Requiem. The mourning is
not for podiatry, it is too strong, stronger than
the 70 or 80 years of Psalm 90. The
mourning is for the DPM degree. Podiatry is a
philosophy much stronger than three
initials and will continue to be with us for a
long time.
But what we have learned in the last months is
that the youth opting for our profession
want a plenary license, not the parochial one we
have possessed and have thrived under. They want a
seat at the adult medical table. How do we know
this? Eighty-seven percent (87%) of the
podiatrists who answered the survey in PM News
stated concerning a professional degree they
wanted the option of having a DO degree to
practice podiatry or at least have the option of
choosing podiatry as physicians with a DO degree.
Only 13% of the responding podiatrists said they
were happy with a DPM degree and a limited
license. Thirty percent (30%) of the respondents
wanted to complete a one-year DO internship then a
two year residency in podiatry and practice
podiatry as a profession.
Implicit in this plan would be passing all
sections of USMLE and having a new residency
program approved by ACGME, the accreditation
organization for the rest of the MD/DO residencies
in this country. CPME would cease to exist unless
there were enough students who still wanted a DPM
degree to have a DPM school or two remain open and
the residency programs we have now continue.
Those folks obtaining a DO degree would have
nothing to do with CPME which also accredits DPM
schools, creating a possible conflict of interest
which we have now.
And how do we know this? Dr. Bisbee recently
stated that certain important stakeholders did not
want to respond to the invitation from ACGME to
become involved with podiatry residencies even
though this plan to accredit podiatry residencies
was set in motion more than 10 years ago. Part of
any plan to parity with the MD/DO community
would involve approval of our residency programs
by an outside agency, not like CPME which now
accredits all DPM residencies. Dr. Bisbee uses the
term “stakeholders,” making it sound like a huge
part of the profession doesn’t want ACGME looking
at our post-graduate programs, like they are going
to steal some of our training ideas and methods.
The real stakeholders have just responded to
another survey posted by PM News. Eighty-eight
percent (88%) of the over 600 respondents wanted
ACGME to discuss accreditation of podiatric
residencies by ACGME. Only 7% of the over 600
respondents or about 43 podiatrists did not want
ACGME to review the DPM residency programs.
This is an extremely important finding. First, why
would any residency directors not want to show off
what they have built? When I started the three-
year residency program at the Ohio State
University over 25 years ago I wanted everyone to
see what we had done, how our three years
consisted of a first year medicine/surgery
internship to fill in any gaps that might have
existed after podiatry school. If our residents
had to speak allopathic or osteopathic medicine,
they knew the language.
Secondly, residency directors and chairs of the
departments our podiatry residents rotated through
were impressed with the knowledge and work ethic
of our podiatry graduates. We had absolutely
nothing to hide but rather these chairs and other
department residency directors and the chief of
graduate medical education told me they were
pleasantly surprised at the quality of the
podiatry residents. For many years they had heard
spurious rumors about podiatrists knowing little
else except feet. Our residents now educate the
MD/DO community about their capabilities.
If podiatry moves to a DO degree and a one-year
general internship followed by two years of
podiatry it will happen slowly. There will still
be a need for the podiatry residencies we have now
before a complete transition takes place. During
this period, it will be an absolute necessity for
the podiatry residencies to have dual approval. We
can not let the 7% who do not want the ACGME to
see their programs ruin the post-graduate
education for the entire profession as it moves to
a plenary license and the residency that is part
of the process.
Two documents, one from AACPM and the other from
CPME add credence to what should inevitably happen
if the profession is to continue to exist, not as
DPM physicians, but as DO physicians. We now have
11 DPM granting colleges. Chicago and New York
have the largest incoming freshman classes with 86
and 85 students respectively. The other nine DPM
freshman classes have a total of 348 students.
This year’s freshman class has more students than
any since 2022. This data along with the percent
of students who graduate in four years has been
published in PM News.
What has not been widely publicized is the cap on
federal loans for all medical students. The total
amount that can be borrowed for medical schools is
$250,000, Many students surpass this amount when
cost of living is added to the tuition. The total
that can be borrowed for undergraduate school is
$31,000 which would be subtracted from the total
of $250,000 lowering the maximum that can be
borrowed for medical schools to $219,000. Of
course, who can be sure of these figures tomorrow?
Many of the 37 DO schools have a large war chest
to help subsidize student education. This is not
the case with private DPM colleges which have a
more difficult time subsidizing students because
of lower endowments.
Many of you remember that first day of school when
the dean or president addressed the class and
said, “Look to your left, look to your right. All
three of you will be here graduation day.” That’s
not the case anymore. CPME releases graduation
rates. New York, which admits the most students,
85, has the lowest graduation rate, 68%. Ohio
has the second lowest graduation rate at 70%.
Philadelphia has the highest graduation rate at
94%. The overall graduation rate for all the
schools is 80%. What we don’t know is when during
the four years does someone fail out or decide to
leave on their own. What we do know, is there is
no money back guarantee for tuition already paid
through loans. Mom and dad’s second mortgage has
come due.
More importantly is the answer to the question,”
Why aren’t graduation rates close to 100%?” What
happens to students from the time of acceptance to
graduation day? If students are failing out, it
can only be because the students are not
academically or intellectually equipped to
withstand the rigors of medical school or the
delivery is lacking in methodology or student
expectations. Regardless of whatever pumped up and
inspiring verbiage is used, the one universal
mission of every podiatry school is to prepare
students for the next level of training. Preparing
students for practice is no longer a requirement
for graduation.
In Dr. Bisbee’s comments about declining the offer
of ACGME to begin conversations with APMA to
review residencies, was something that was
initially brought up years ago. To suddenly
require the HOD to vet the process seems like a
stalling technique. To squelch this step forward
can do nothing but force ACGME to wonder if we are
hiding something. What are the real concerns? Are
we afraid of giving a bad impression and if so,
it's time to do something about these
programs?
Admissions since 2022 have been low, ranging from
a total of 465 to this year’s 519. If only 80% of
matriculating students are graduating, 415 not 465
students will be filling residency positions and
some resident positions will remain empty meaning
a loss of federal funding. It’s time to trim the
chicken fat and make sure the residencies that
survive are the quality that will endure as
podiatry transitions to a DO podiatry program.
Jejune podiatry residencies must be closed to gain
and maintain credibility with ACGME.
If podiatry does not respond to this invitation by
ACGME, we will eventually fall victim to the
soothsayer’s prophecy, “Beware the Ides of March.”
We will become exactly like Caesar did in the
Shakespeare play Julius Caesar. Caesar shunned the
advice in a fit of hubris. Caesar felt
untouchable, above the fate that awaited him. We
can proceed feeling we don’t need ACGME but we
would be proceeding, perilously, without the
protection of the real certifying organization,
ACGME. We place ourselves outside their protection
and at risk and could lose government recognition
and funding.
Towards the end of the same play, Marc Antony
delivers another famous quote, “I come to bury
Caesar, not to praise him.” The “bury” Shakespeare
refers to here shouldn’t be confused with the
colloquial meaning of bury, which is to get rid
of, usually under the cloud of disgrace. I think
Shakespeare wants the infinitive “to bury” to
assume a different meaning. Antony wants to put
Caesar to rest, to grant him peace and to move
on from the onus of “dictator for life.”
As we sit here, we have to wonder if some
organizations in podiatry are making a push
to become “dictators for life” at the expense of
the hoi polloi of the entire profession, the
dues paying individuals who make up the
profession. Ultimately we are proud to be members
of; the folks who are just as good as, the
practitioners who are just as qualified as, and
doctors who are just as capable as, but can’t get
a seat at our own certification table,
podiatrists.
The next generation of the profession has spoken,
not as soothsayers, but as the authentic future.
We can listen to what they are saying or we can
dismiss them as prideful, arrogant upstarts who
just won’t listen to our infallible wisdom.
Remember when we were in their shoes; when we
never trusted anyone over 30? We had a solution
for then, now we need to Beware the Ides of March!
Rod Tomczak, DPM, MD, EdD, Columbus, OH
06/04/2019
RESPONSES/COMMENTS (OBITUARY)
RE: The Passing of Daniel Richard Nenad, DPM
Dr. Daniel Richard Nenad, age 94, died at home on May 16, 2019. Dan attended podiatric medical school in Cleveland, Ohio and settled in Arizona, where he practiced as a podiatrist for almost 50 years.
 |
Dr. Daniel Nenad |
He treated patients from every walk of life, who loved his easy-going nature and jovial personality. He served as president of The Arizona Podiatry Association and the Arizona Diabetes Association, and was highly respected in the medical community.
Source: The Arizona Republic [6/2/19]
03/31/2006
Obituary - Gary Fetgatter Visionary Executive Director
Gary Fetgatter Visionary Executive Director
Wednesday March 29, 2006 was a sad day for the
profession of
podiatric medicine. We lost a true visionary
leader with a heart of
gold. Gary assumed the position of Executive
Director of the Ohio
Podiatric Medical Association in 1989 after
serving many years with
the American Medical Association.
It didn't take long for Gary to assert himself
and begin to
effectuate changes in the profession. He had the
courage to ruffle
the feathers of some APMA leaders by demanding a
transparency in the
political process. Ultimately, APMA responded
with a new level of
accountability that now matches any professional
association in
world.
On a personal note, Gary shared a common vision
with Podiatry
Management on the future of podiatric medicine.
We worked together
in drafting and lobbying for APMA Resolution 2-
05 which was
ultimately passed as "Vision 2015." His loss
leaves a huge void in
this profession.
Gary's favorite catch phrase was "I'm having the
best day in my
life" and he made it perfectly clear that his
message was his life.
PM News policy is to encourage memorial
donations to the APMA
Educational Foundation, 9312 Old Georgetown Rd,
Bethesda, MD 20814.
03/26/2006 Marion Star
Obituary - Michael J. Brown, DPM
Michael J. Brown, DPM, age 62
Dr. Brown was a 1967 graduate of the Ohio
College of Podiatric
Medicine and a member of the Ohio Podiatric
Medical Association
(OPMA), The American Podiatric Medical
Association (APMA), and
previously served as Chairman of OPMA Delegation
to the APMA House
of Delegates.
PM News policy is to encourage memorial
donations to the APMA
Educational Foundation, 9312 Old Georgetown Rd,
Bethesda, MD 20814.
Source: Marion Star [3/24/06]
03/21/2006 Daily Record
OBITUARY - DR. JOHN P. BERONIO
DR. JOHN P. BERONIO died Friday, March 17, 2006,
at Atlantic
Inpatient Hospice Unit in Morristown. He was 66.
He attended St.
Michael's High School in Union City and Case
Western Reserve, as
well as the Ohio College of Podiatric Medicine.
He served his
internship at St. Lukes Hospital in
Philadelphia.
He began his practice in Harrison, NJ. He owned
his own podiatric
practice in Parsippany for 15 years before
retiring in 1985 due to
an illness. He was president of the Hudson
County Podiatry Society,
a member of the staff at Columbus Hospital in
Newark, West Essex
Hospital in Livingston, St. Clare's
Hospital/Denville, and
Morristown Memorial Hospital.
PM News policy is to request that memorial
donations be made to the
APMA Educational Foundation, 9312 Old Georgetown
Rd., Bethesda, MD
20814.
Source: Daily Record [3/19/06]
02/02/2006 Joseph Addante, DPM
obituary - Kenneth Brum, DPM, JD
Kenneth Brum, DPM, JD
We regret to report the sudden death Jan 30,
2006 (massive coronary)
of Kenneth Brum, DPM, JD Brum was an alumnus of
Univ Massachusetts
at Dartmouth earned his B.S. in Biology 1973. In
1977 he graduated
from NYCPM and served his residency at the
Central New England
Podiatry Residency Program and established a
practice at Somerset,
MA.
Brum received his J.D. from the New England
School of Law 1992 and
was admitted to the Bar. He was a member of the
Massachusetts
Podiatric Medical Society and was most helpful
in a quiet manner
guiding the activities of the Society with his
legal viewpoint.
Although he maintained a low profile, his
support was valued and
loyal assistance much appreciated by his
colleagues. He was
compassionate as a practitioner and truly a
credit to both his
professions.
PM News policy is to request that donations in
Dr Brum's memory be
made to the APME Educational Foundation, 9312
Old Georgetown Rd.,
Bethesda, MD 20814.
Source: Joseph Addante, DPM
01/12/2006 Hometownannapolis.com
Obituary - Timothy Michael Lynch, 43
Dr. Timothy Michael Lynch, 43, a podiatrist
affiliated with Anne
Arundel Medical Center who had a practice in
Odenton, died of brain
cancer Jan. 8 at his home in Crofton after a
long illness.
Dr. Lynch, who was known as "Tim," graduated
from the University of
Maryland in 1984 and the Pennsylvania School of
Podiatric Medicine
in 1988 where he received his doctor of
podiatric medicine degree.
PM News policy is to recommend that memorial
donations in Dr.
Lynch's name be made to the APMA Educational
Foundation, 9312 Old
Georgetown Rd., Bethesda, MD 20814.
Source: Hometownannapolis.com [1/10/06]
01/05/2006 Tulsa World
Obituary - Howard Richard, Jr., DPM, 84
Howard Richard, Jr., DPM, 84
Dr. Howard Richard, Jr., age 84, of Plano, TX,
passed away on Sunday, January 1, 2006, He
served in the U.S. Army Air Corps during World
War II. Dr. Johnson was a retired podiatrist and
a member of the McDermott Road Church of Christ.
He was a Deacon, at the Park Road Church of
Christ, in Tulsa, OK, for many years and was
dedicated in his support of Christian education
and missions.
Dr. Johnson graduated from Illinois College of
Podiatry in 1950. He practiced in Shawnee, Ada,
and Tulsa, OK, for almost 50 years. He was a
past President of the Oklahoma Podiatry
Association and a Fellow in the American College
of Foot Surgeons.
Source: Tulsa World [1/4/06}
12/17/2005 Andrea Boyarsky, Staten Island Advance
Obituary - HERMIA PUROW, DPM
Former Staten Islander DR. HERMIA PUROW, one of
Staten Island's first female podiatrists, died
Sunday at her Englishtown, N.J., home. She was
91. Dr. Purow worked as a radiology technician
in Brooklyn for several years before attending
and graduating from the New York School for
Podiatric Medicine in1936– she was the only
woman in a class of 78.
Source: Andrea Boyarsky, Staten Island Advance
[12/25/05]
12/15/2005 Philadelphia Inquirer
Obituary - Stanley E. Bock, DPM
Stanley E. Boc, DPM 61, of Huntingdon Valley, a
podiatrist in Northeast Philadelphia for 30
years, died of an apparent heart attack Sunday
at home. Dr. Boc earned a bachelor's degree in
biology from Alliance College in Erie and then
earned a degree from Pennsylvania College of
Podiatric Medicine, now Temple University School
of Podiatric Medicine. He completed a residency
at the former St. Luke's & Children's Medical
Center in Philadelphia before opening his
practice in Parkwood Manor.
Dr. Boc served on the staff and trained future
podiatrists at Albert Einstein Medical Center at
Elkins Park, Frankford Hospital, and the former
Parkview and Oxford Hospitals. He was past
president of the Philadelphia County Podiatric
Medical Association; past chairman of the State
Board of Podiatry Examiners; and was president
of the alumni board and director of community
development for Temple University School of
Podiatric Medicine. Dr. Boc was a Republican
committeeman in Northeast Philadelphia and had
been a delegate to Republican National
Conventions since 1984.
PM News policy is to recommend that memorial
donations be made to the APMA Educational
Foundation in Dr. Boc’s name. APMA Educational
Foundation, 9312 Old Georgetown Rd., Bethesda,
MD 20814.
Source: Philadelphia Inquirer [12/14/05]
12/08/2005 Howard Zlotoff, DPM,
Obituary - Douglas Bream, DPM
RE: Obituary - Douglas Bream, DPM
I was just made aware of the sudden and
unexpected death of our colleague, Douglas
Bream, DPM. Douglas was practicing in the
Lancaster and Mechanicsburg, PA areas for
several years. Those of us that knew him had the
utmost respect for his competency and compassion
provided to his patients. The family has not
announced their wishes for memorial
contributions or funeral arrangements yet, but I
will pass them along as they become available.
Howard Zlotoff, DPM, howardz@prodigy.net
11/22/2005 Nevada Daily Mail (MO)
Obituary -Robert F. Triplett, DPM
Robert F. Triplett, DPM, 80, of Pittsburg, KS
attended the Illinois College of Podiatric
Medicine in Chicago, graduating in 1950. Dr.
Triplett served in World War II in the U.S.
Navy. He also served in the Civil Air Patrol in
Pittsburg, from 1968 to 1971, where he served as
a captain.
Dr. Triplett practiced podiatry in Joplin,
Nevada, and since 1966 in Pittsburg, Kan. While
in Nevada, he established the first foot clinic
in a state institution in Missouri. He developed
a casting technique for treating infant
clubfoot, which was published in 1957 and now is
an accepted technique for the problem. During
this time, he held all of the offices in the
Missouri Podiatric Medical Associations,
finishing as president, and then he assumed the
job of editor of the Missouri Bulletin, the
state publication.
Source: Nevada Daily Mail (MO) [11/20/05]
PM News policy is to recommend that memorial
contributions be made to the American Podiatric
Medical Association Educational Foundation, 9312
Old Georgetown Rd., Bethesda, MD 20814.
11/16/2005 Alana Baranick, Cleveland Plain Dealer
Obituary - John N. Kane, DPM , 85
John N. Kane, DPM , 85
John N. Kane, a podiatrist who joined with a
dentist to build a medical-arts building in
Garfield Heights, OH died Thursday at his Berea
home. During World War II, he served in the Army
in the Pacific, including duty at Guam, Leyte
and Okinawa. He received a battle field
commission as a first lieutenant and wounds that
earned him a Purple Heart.
Kane attended Seton Hall University in South
Orange, N.J., before moving to Cleveland in 1951
to study at the Ohio College of Podiatric
Medicine. He later taught classes there on how
to manage a podiatry practice. In 1970, he
received the school's distinguished service
award. He was a past president of the American
Academy of Podiatry Administration and the
Garfield Heights Rotary Club.
Source: Alana Baranick, Cleveland Plain Dealer,
[11/ 15/ 05]
10/23/2005 Home News Tribune
Obituary - Lenard Lewis, DPM
Leonard Lewis, 87, died Tuesday, Oct. 18, 2005,
Dr. Lewis was a podiatrist for 40 years. He was
an Army veteran of World War II. He was a 1940
graduate of Ohio College of Podiatric Medicine
and served his internship at Ohio Foot Clinics.
Dr. Lewis was president of the New Jersey
Podiatric Medical Society from 1970-1971. In
1947, he established the first official podiatry
service with the Veterans Administration
Hospital in Lyons. He published papers on the
physiology of the foot and the etiology of
varicose veins, and lectured on the local, state
and national levels..
Source: Home News Tribune [10/20/05]
04/14/2005
Obituary - Robert E. Weinstock, D.P.M.
Robert E. Weinstock, D.P.M.
PM News is sad to announce that Robert E.
Weinstock, D.P.M. has
passed away. He had been sick for several years,
and passed away
this past weekend.
Dr. Weinstock was very active in the American
College of Foot and
Ankle Surgeons, having served as a president and
a founder. He was
also a former member of the Michigan Board of
Podiatric Physicians
and Surgeons and was also very active in
teaching residents at Civic
and Grand Community, as well as Kern Hospital
for Special Services.
PM News policy is to request that memorial
donations by made to the
APMA Education Foundation Student Scholarship
Program (Formerly
the Fund For Podiatric Medical Education, 9312
Old Georgetown Rd.
Bethesda, MD 20814.
12/13/2004 Marilyn Miller, Beacon Journal
Obituary - Nicholas Bianco, D.P.M.,
Nicholas Bianco, D.P.M., 89
Picture this: an elderly gentleman walking down
the halls of an apartment complex, leaning on
his cane for support. Alongside him is his wife,
carrying his medical bag because it's too much
for him.That's the image of Akron podiatrist Dr.
Nicholas C. Bianco, who at age 89 was still
making house calls until four months ago. He
died Tuesday.
He took care of people and was a pillar and
pioneer in his profession. It's why his awards
include one from his peers for Lifetime
Achievement in 2002, Man of the Year in 1959 and
the Meritorious Service Award in 1995. He served
as a president, director or trustee of both the
state and local podiatric medical associations
and was a national delegate.
The Akron podiatrist is noted for negotiating
the first major industry and union podiatric
medical-benefits contract and setting a new
pattern for nationwide recognition of podiatric
medicine in all major industries. He also was
instrumental in getting Blue Cross and Blue
Shield to recognize podiatric services in Ohio.
Dr. Bianco was also a man of vision. “He was the
Tiger Woods of podiatry," said colleague and
former student Dr. Richard Hofacker. If it
wasn't for him, podiatrists wouldn't be what we
are today or have the privileges and plans we
have -- that's the legacy he left behind --for
his profession."
PM News policy is to request that memorial
donations by made to the
Fund For Podiatric Medical Education.
http://www.apma.org/fpmh.htm
Source: Marilyn Miller, Beacon Journal
[12/10/04]
09/17/2004
Obituary - Sheldon Langer, D.P.M.
Sheldon Langer, D.P.M., Biomechanics Pioneer,
Dead at Age 80
The podiatric community mourns the loss of
Sheldon Langer, D.P.M., widely considered
the “father of the modern orthotics industry.”
Dr. Langer graduated in 1950 from the New York
College of Podiatric Medicine and was a
Professor at NYCPM for many years. He taught
biomechanics to the faculties of all 12 schools
of chiropody (podiatry) in the United Kingdom.
He authored over 50 articles in various
publications and lectured widely.
Dr. Langer was a pioneer in podiatric
biomechanics become the Founder and Chairman of
The Langer Biomechanics Group. He developed the
Electrodynagram™, the first untethered, in-shoe,
time/pressure system.
Dr. Langer previously served as a Trustee for
the Fund For Podiatric Medical (FPME) Education
and was the first to donate $100,000 to FPME
through the Langer Foundation.
Dr. Langer served as a Senior Consultant at the
Northport Veterans Administration Medical Center
and was elected a Distinguished Practitioner by
the National Academies of Practice.
A memorial service for Dr. Langer will be held
3:30pm on Sunday, September 19th, 2004 at:
Guttermans Funeral Home, 8000 Jericho Turnpike,
Woodbury, NY 516.921.5757, with the burial
immediately following.
PM News policy is to recommend that memorial
donations be made to the Fund For Podiatric
Medical Education http://www.apma.org/fpmh.htm
08/26/2004
Obituary William Olson, D.P.M.
William Olson, D.P.M.
We mourn the passing of William Olson, D.P.M. of
San Francisco, CA,
who died on August 24, 2004 after a courageous 2½
year battle
against cancer. Dr. Olson graduated CCPM in 1979
and was a former
president of the American Academy of Podiatric
Sports Medicine and a
clinical professor at CCPM. Olson served as team
podiatrist at UC
Berkeley and was a Distinguished Practitioner in
the National
Academies of Practice.
Dr. Olson was an author and innovator, who was
responsible for the
introduction of many high-tech materials to the
orthotics industry.
In 2001, Podiatry Management Magazine named him
as one of the
profession's 150 most influential practitioners.
Those who had the pleasure of knowing Bill can
attest to his
generosity in freely sharing his knowledge with
others. He will be
sorely missed.
PM News policy is to recommend that memorial
donations be made to
the Fund For Podiatric Medical Education
http://www.apma.org/fpmh.htm
08/09/2004 The Kentucky Post
Obituary - Michael Stone, D.P.M.
DR. MICHAEL STONE, enjoyed family, travel and
the outdoors. He tried to live life to the
fullest and was passionate about his podiatric
practice in Fargo, N.D., and studied innovative
treatment methods in Russia and Switzerland. He
enjoyed skydiving and was part owner of two
custom rods and motorcycles restoration
businesses. "He had a very full life," said his
mother, Bobbye Stone, of Fort Thomas.
Dr. Stone, 52, died in Harrison, OH, as he was
returning to North Dakota after his father's
funeral. Bobbye Stone said her son was inspired
to become a doctor because one of his brothers
had Down Syndrome. "He was very active in his
practice," she said.
Dr. Stone was president of the National Board of
Podiatric Medical Examiners, the North Dakota
Board of Podiatric Examiners and the American
Board of Podiatric Surgery. He was certified in
the treatment of chronic wounds and co-founder
of the Meritcare Wound Clinic.
In his free time, Stone enjoyed spending time
with his wife, Wendy Hendrickson, and five
children, his mother said. He enjoyed skydiving
and owned his own airplane for a short time, she
said. He also enjoyed traveling all over the
country and the world.
PM News policy is to recommend that memorial
donations be made to
the Fund For Podiatric Medical Education
http://www.apma.org/fpmh.htm
Source: The Kentucky Post [8/5/04]
04/07/2004 Wyoming Tribune-Eagle (Cheyenne, WY)
Obituary - Alan H. Berman, D.P.M.
Alan H. Berman, D.P.M. has died at age 61. Dr.
Berman graduated CCPM in 1971 and completed his
residency in Warren, MI. He practiced in
Northern CA from 1972 to 1984 and in Cheyenne,
WY from 1984 until his death. He was an officer
in the Wyoming Podiatric Medical Association
and was a member of the Wyoming State Board of
Podiatry for several years. He is survived by
his wife, Joyce, and son, Greg.
PM News policy is to recommend that memorial
donations be made to the Fund For Podiatric
Medical Education see
http://www.apma.org/fpmh.htm
Source: Wyoming Tribune-Eagle (Cheyenne, WY)
03/26/2004 The Washington Post
Obituary Maurice B. Silverman
---------------OBITUARIES--------------
Maurice B. Silverman, 87, a podiatrist who
practiced for 51 years in Washington, died of
pneumonia March 1. He had cancer. Dr. Silverman,
a native Washingtonian enlisted in the Army and
was assigned to a mobile evacuation hospital on
D-Day. In Czechoslovakia, Dr. Silverman was in
charge of medical supplies for a 400-bed
hospital and was instrumental in rescuing and
caring for seven survivors of the Gunskirchen
Lager concentration camp.
Dr. Silverman graduated from Temple University's
School of Podiatry in 1950 and was a founding
member of the Academy of Ambulatory Foot
Surgery. He volunteered for 20 years with the
podiatry team at the Hebrew Home and for 30
years at the Henry and Annie Hurt Home for the
Blind.
Source: The Washington Post [3/24/04]
PM News policy is to recommend that memorial
donations be made to the
Fund For Podiatric Medical Education see
http://www.apma.org/fpmh.htm
03/04/2004
Obituary - Herman R. Tax, DPM
Herman R. Tax, DPM, died in Philadelphia on
February 2, 2004. He was 88.
Dr. Tax is best known as the dominant force in
the development of the specialty of
podopediatrics. He spent his entire 66 year
career championing the podiatrist's role in the
early recognition and treatment of foot and gait
disorders in children. Tax believed that the
study of podopediatrics was especially important
because children are not born with perfect feet.
The foot of the newborn infant contains within
its structure all the inherited and evolutionary
features which may produce disability
in the adult foot. Proper care of the feet
initiated in childhood can prevent many of the
problems seen in the adult.
To this end, he became a most proliferate author
and tireless educator. His first major work was
his 1947 self published book Podopediatrics,
inarguably one of the most unique works of its
time. It introduced an interdisciplinary
approach not seen before in the podiatric
literature for the evaluation and treatment
of children's foot problems. This was followed
by numerous published articles and two major
podopediatric textbooks published in 1980 and
1985 by The Williams & Wilkins Company. These
classic textbooks were used in most of the
podiatry schools in the United States. An avid
student of human evolution, he brought his
knowledge in this science to many of his
discussions of the structural problems
encountered in the pediatric patient. Dr. Tax
served on the faculty of two of our podiatry
schools and was invited to lecture all over the
world.
Herman Tax was born in Brooklyn, New York in
1915. He graduated with honors from the City
College of New York at age 20 and completed his
education at the M.J. Lewi College of Podiatry
(currently the New York College of Podiatry
Medicine) graduating in 1938. He began his
podiatry practice in Sunnyside Queens that same
year, opening a second office in Westbury, Long
Island in 1950. During this time he served on
the faculty of the New York College of Podiatric
Medicine, eventually developing the
college's pediatric curriculum and establishing
the children's clinic at NYCPM. The clinic was
designed by Tax to create a unique environment
for the evaluation and treatment of children's
foot disorders. In 1974 he was recruited to
serve on the faculty of the short lived podiatry
school at the State University of New York at
Stonybrook. From there he joined the faculty of
the Ohio College of Podiatric Medicine, becoming
Dean of Clinical Sciences and Director of the
Cleveland Foot Clinics.
While at OCPM, he designed a second
podopediatric clinic. Dr. Tax returned
to the New York metropolitan area and served as
Chief, Podiatric Section, Veterans
Administration Medical Center, East Orange, New
Jersey from 1981 until his retirement in 1996.
During all this time, he continued to write
articles and lecture on children's foot care.
Dr. Tax's numerous other professional
accomplishments include being Founding President
and Fellow of the American College of
Podopediatrics, Dean Emeritus of the Ohio
College of Podiatric Medicine, Chairman of the
Crippled Children's Program of the Ohio Podiatry
Society, Honorary Fellow of the American College
of Continuing Education, Professor of Orthopedic
Sciences at both NYCPM and OCPM, and Life
Member, APMA. But for those who have had the
privilege to have known him, he will always be
remembered as the tireless educator and mentor
to young podiatrists who was always
willing to give 100 percent of his knowledge and
wisdom.
Dr. Tax is survived by his wife of 65 years,
Ruth Kufeld Tax, a son, Richard Tax, M.D., and
two grandsons, Jason and Aaron.
A memorial fund has been established to carry on
Dr. Tax's legacy with the creation of The Herman
R. Tax Award for writing excellence in pediatric
podiatry. Donations would be greatly appreciated
and may be sent to: American Podiatric Medical
Writers Association Herman R. Tax Memorial Fund
P.O. Box 750129 Forest Hills, N.Y. 11375
12/22/2003 Michael King, DPM
Obituary- Timothy Cleary, DPM
It is with deep sadness that I announce the
passing of my first partner and friend, Timothy
Cleary, DPM. Tim and I were clinical partners at
OCPM and graduated together in 1983. After a
brief separation, we became partners in 1987 in
Fall River MA. Tim was my earliest supporter in
pursuing a spot on the APMA BOT.
Tim Cleary DPM was a 1983 graduate of OCPM and a
1984 graduate of the OCPM residency program. He
was in private practice in Fall River MA from
1985 until 1996, when he was forced to retire
due to health problems. Tim leaves behind three
children, Thomas, Patrick and Bridget. May God
rest your soul, my friend.
Michael King, DPM
APMA BOT
Fall River, MA
12/18/2003
OBITUARY- Charles John Joseph Kilczewski, III
OBITUARY
Charles John Joseph Kilczewski, III, 68, died of
cancer on December 16 at his home in Potomac.
Mr. Kilczewski had an active executive career as
a life coach, counselor, businessman, and non-
profit and government administrator. Before
starting his coaching and strategic planning
business in January, 2001, he was an executive
with the American Podiatric Medical Association
and prior to that, an administrator with the
U.S. Department of Labor’s Office of Workers’
Compensation Programs.
Mr. Kilczewski was born in Philadelphia,
Pennsylvania, graduated from Valley Forge
Military Academy and the Wharton School of
Business at the University of Pennsylvania,
served in U.S. Army in Korea from 1958-1960, and
then obtained a Master of Science in
Rehabilitation Counseling from the Richmond
Professional Institute of the Colleges of
William and Mary.
Charlie was a world traveler, an avid gardener,
a great dancer, and loved his family. He was a
man who embraced life with passion and
creativity.
Editor’s Note: PM News mourns the loss
of “Charlie.” One of his projects with APMA we
worked with him on was following up a HOD
Resolution calling for national recognition of
CPME as a standard for CME. We regret he did
live to see this project, nearly complete, come
to fruition. As is PM News policy, we suggest
that memorial contributions in his name be sent
to the Fund For Podiatric Medical Education,
9312 Old Georgetown Rd., Bethesda, MD 20814.
11/20/2003 Lee Ann Welch - The Herald-Dispatch (WV), APMA
OBITUARY- H. Darrel Darby, Podiatric Legend Dead at 75
OBITUARY- H. Darrel Darby, Podiatric Legend Dead
at 75
H. Darrel Darby, D.P.M., died Tuesday in St.
Mary’s Medical Center from what began as
esophageal cancer, which spread through his
body.
Darby won a seat in the West Virginia Senate in
1972 and spent one term at the capitol. He
backed bills regarding reduction of smoking in
public places, controlling pornography, and
curbing costs in Medicare and Medicaid programs.
In Charleston, he also helped change laws to
allow the term podiatry to be expanded to
include the ankle, not strictly the foot, said
Dr. Jeffrey Shook of Scott Orthopedic in
Huntington.
Dr. Darby practiced podiatric medicine in
Huntington from 1956 to 1996. He won a seat on
the APMA Board of Trustees in 1970, and became
President of APMA in 1976. He also served on the
Board of the Podiatry Political Action Committee
(PPAC)
Darco International, the company Darby founded
in 1985, is headquartered in Huntington, has a
production factory near Shanghai, China, and a
European distribution office at Diessen,
Germany, near Munich. Approximately 250 people
are employed worldwide. For Darby’s work in
making the shoes and finding a way to
manufacture and distribute them globally, he was
named The Herald-Dispatch Business Innovator of
the Year for 2002.
PM-News Policy is to recommend that donations in
Dr. Darby’s name be made to the Fund For
Podiatric Medical Education, 9312 Old Georgetown
Road, Bethesda, MD 20814.
Source: Lee Ann Welch - The Herald-Dispatch
(WV), APMA [11/19/03]
