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07/30/2025
RESPONSES/COMMENTS (PODIATRIC MEDICAL EDUCATION)
From: Jon Purdy, DPM
I’m happy to hear government funded loans are being regulated. I frankly feel they should be discontinued. Nowhere else can someone get a loan for almost any amount with bad credit, no credit history, or for educational tracks that historically do not create enough income to repay the loan. Government loans are not low interest loans as they are touted. They are not subject to bankruptcy. If one becomes unable to pay, the interest is compounded and the repayment exponentially increases. If one has to claim bankruptcy, the loan is not discharged and continues accruing compounded interest, becoming a noose around that person’s financial neck.
Educational institutions have figured out, no matter how much of an increase they place on the cost of education, the government will finance it, hence the high cost of education. These institutions have even added degrees that lead nowhere, since the institution bears no liability in the future success of the student.
How does one receive an education without government loans? The institutions themselves can and should back the loan and have some skin in the game. There are private sector loans and scholarships available. Let’s face it, not everyone should attend college. We have a serious deficit in trade school applications, and the reason why plumbers and electricians are making more than doctors. One does not even need to attend school to have a successful business or career. Our education system is so flawed, it’s no wonder a person ends up in their late twenties yet to generate income, all the while creating debt.
Jon Purdy, DPM, New Iberia, LA
Other messages in this thread:
03/30/2026
RESPONSES/COMMENTS (PODIATRIC MEDICAL EDUCATION)
From: Allen M. Jacobs, DPM
Dr. Tomczak opines that our profession is now at the proverbial “fork in the road” with regard to a decision which may impact the very survival and existence of podiatry in the future. Indeed there are important decisions to be made. I am reminded of Art Fern, the Johnny Carson character and host of “the tea time movie” on the tonight show. If you recall, he always had Carol Wayne next to him. He would give driving directions, telling you to drive until you came to the Slauson fork in the road. He told us to “get out of the car, and cut off your Slauson.” Whatever direction the podiatry profession elects to follow at the fork in the road, let’s make certain we do not, as Art Fern would say, “cut off your Slauson.”
Allen M. Jacobs, DPM, St. Louis, MO
03/27/2026
RESPONSES/COMMENTS (PODIATRIC MEDICAL EDUCATION)
RE: With the Stroke of a Pen
From: Rod Tomczak, DPM, MD, EdD
Many years ago, I was asked to evaluate the chiropody program at the Michener Institute in Toronto. The Michener prepares allied health science personnel such as radiology technicians, anesthesia assistants, cardiac stress testing techs, and the like. Chiropody is among other ancillary healthcare support programs.
Specifically, I was asked to determine if the chiropody program could be transitioned into a DPM podiatry program and what would it take to accomplish that educational feat. I spent eight days visiting the school, off-site externships, chiropodists in practice both private and employed by hospitals in Toronto and in other close by Ontario cities. I administered some old student tests to the...
Editor's note: Dr. Tomczak's extended-length letter can be read here.
02/10/2026
RESPONSES/COMMENTS (PODIATRIC MEDICAL EDUCATION)
RE: And ACGME Said, “Be Not Afraid!”
From: Rod Tomczak, DPM, MD, EdD
For the life of me, I’ve been trying to think why any residency director would be afraid to have ACGME visit their program. I would want to know where I stand among others, “Am I good?” “Do I need improvement?” “How is my program compared to other residency programs?” “Where can I improve?” The answer to these questions is exactly why the football game on Sunday evening keeps score and will not end in a boring tie.
There will be those podiatric educators and residency directors who will fire their Derringer, reminding us that these outside, MD, ACGME evaluators are not podiatric content experts. These evaluators are not assessing what gets taught; we have our psychometrician constructed In-Training Exams to do that. Every ACGME residency program already offers that feature so residency faculty can appraise their own educational program for that parameter because they are the content experts, at least on paper.
And if I’m a podiatrist in private practice, I am even more interested in how the residency education process is progressing. Everybody out here in the real world is either thinking about selling their practice, adding an associate, or buying multiple practices. At least 99.9% are curious, so they do have an interest in how things are evolving in those hospitals where residents spend three years. I like to think of myself as an ethical and truthful person, so you can trust me when I tell you ACGME will not be sending evaluators named Pestilence, War, Famine, or Death. More likely they will be Michael, Gabriel, Raphael, and Uriel.
Rod Tomczak, DPM, MD, EdD, Columbus, OH
01/31/2026
RESPONSES/COMMENTS (PODIATRIC MEDICAL EDUCATION)
RE: Earning a Plenary License
From: Rod Tomczak, DPM, MD, EdD
It was my second year at OCPM (1974-75) when Jerry Ferritto, then a third-year student, floated the idea of having a plenary license by us. Evidently, there were several MD internships which went unfilled and there was a movement to have the positions filled by DPM graduates who, upon completion, would be allowed to function as DPMs with a plenary license. That was over 50 years ago, but true to its history, podiatry continues to move at glacier speed apathetic in its complacency.
In order to earn a plenary license in the 21st century, an initial move has to be made through undergraduate matriculation as a DO, and there are enough seats available to totally eradicate podiatry if we allow it. In order to preserve this profession and philosophy, it makes more sense to first approve an ACGME podiatric residency, then begin a slow transition of some DO graduates into that podiatry residency while transitioning the remaining podiatry schools. My fear is that podiatry will cease to exist because college graduates will flock to DO schools, leaving podiatry as a historical footnote.
The other maneuver podiatry excels in is burying our heads in the sand. One does not have to be clairvoyant to see DPMs are headed toward extinction. If we are truly altruistic, as we should be, we must save the profession by safeguarding if for future podiatrists who may be in high school today. None of us will reap the benefits of DO podiatry, but in order to affect the future, we must think past our present insecurities.
Rod Tomczak, DPM, MD, EdD, Columbus, OH
01/28/2026
RESPONSES/COMMENTS (PODIATRIC MEDICAL EDUCATION)
From: Rod Tomszak, DPM, MS, EdD
Brooke Bisbee, DPM has decided, based on which stakeholders she hears, to reject ACGME’s offer to explore accreditation of DPM residencies. PM News’ survey overwhelmingly displayed APMA’s membership would prefer a DO or MD degree to our current DPM degree. Instead, podiatry will focus on student recruitment without ever mentioning that DPMs would prefer a different degree. This maneuver is something I call a serious moral and ethical offense. Let me know when the survey results are included in any information forwarded to potential students. There seems to be uncertainty about ACGME’s involvement. Rather than explore reservations and come up with a solution, we slam the door on ACGME’s toes, generating more trauma for the profession. There is a solution.
A true leader would propose to ACGME that they send a couple of their accreditation team members along with CPME’s re-accreditation of two podiatry programs. One program would be at a university hospital-based podiatry residency, and the other program would be a community hospital-based podiatric residency. The two experienced ACGME accreditors would submit their evaluations for the two programs. These evaluations would have no bearing on the accreditation of the podiatry programs but would be open to all APMA members to see.
As a sign of good faith, ACGME would invite a couple of educationally savvy DPMs on a re-accreditation visit to two of the several ACGME-accredited Foot and Ankle Fellowships, and the DPM evaluation would proceed exactly like the DPM residencies.
Rod Tomszak, DPM, MS, EdD, Columbus, OH
11/14/2025
RESPONSES/COMMENTS (PODIATRIC MEDICAL EDUCATION) - PART 1B
From: Charles M. Lombardi, DPM
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Email to the Editor on Tuesday, November 11, 2025 |
Editor's response: We appreciate reader feedback, but our publication will not be strong-armed or intimidated. This is hardly the first time — and won’t be the last — that someone has threatened to use their influence to dictate who can express their opinions about podiatry. We remain committed to open dialogue and the free exchange of ideas. Our readers are invited to view the full discussion and come to their own conclusions.
This topic is now closed.
11/13/2025
RESPONSES/COMMENTS (PODIATRIC MEDICAL EDUCATION) - PART 1B
From: Steven Spinner, DPM
Parity or Parody…A little boy is standing outside a sandbox where the big kids are playing. He is distressed and wants to play with the big kids but they have not been paying attention to him for a very long time. He thinks that if only they would let him in the sandbox that he will become one of the gang. As we all know, probably not true. He will never become one of the “big kids”….and if he should happen to be invited in, most likely he will be assigned to the corner of the sand box.
At some point, after a lot of whining about his predicament, he turns around and sees a really nice sandbox where all of his friends are having a grand old time. Maybe if he stopped whining about wanting to be in the big kids' sandbox, he would have gained an appreciation for what he already had and found a new appreciation for his...
Editor's note: Dr. Spinner's extended-length letter can be read here.
11/13/2025
RESPONSES/COMMENTS (PODIATRIC MEDICAL EDUCATION) - PART 1A
From: Charles M. Lombardi, DPM
I am writing to address the recent disparaging comments made by Dr. Rod Tomczak regarding me. His experience in podiatry is outdated, as he has not practiced in over 40 years and lost his license due to “personal issues”. One must ask what his relevance is. One must also ask if he has ulterior motives like working for a non-designated board in the hopes of making them become more relevant.
It is clear that Dr. Tomczak is out of touch with the current state of podiatry, a field that has evolved significantly in recent years. He lists his MD degree like it means something when in fact he cannot use it to see patients. His comments do not reflect the advances and practices that podiatrists are actively engaged in. We as a profession have become independent with our own institutions that are...
Editor's note: Dr. Lombardi's extended-length letter can be read here.
11/12/2025
RESPONSES/COMMENTS (PODIATRIC MEDICAL EDUCATION)
RE: Do Real Stakeholders Exist?
From: Rod Tomczak, DPM, MD, EdD
Every few years for the last 30 years or so, the idea of an MD or DO podiatrist has popped up in the profession. There was considerable talk each time pining about how wonderful that would be. Barry Block, DPM has penned editorials in favor of the change, and the profession has mostly voiced the opinion that it would be a great accomplishment, but it is a fictitious aspiration never to be realized. That’s because no one will pull the trigger. So let’s be satisfied wallowing in our mire, complaining and wishing the status quo wasn’t.
And here we are again, same location, but this time we’re staring at a fulminating pneumonitis of fervor by the APMA membership. However, the leadership of APMA, Brooke Bisbee, DPM is worried the “stakeholders” need to be consulted about an offer by ACGME to look at our residencies. ACGME has no authority over podiatry residencies at this point. If anything, they are doing us a favor by...
Editor's note: Dr. Tomczak's extended-length letter can be read here.
10/24/2025
RESPONSES/COMMENTS (PODIATRIC MEDICAL EDUCATION)
From: Robert Scott Steinberg, DPM
Dr. Oloff... Rod Tomczak, DPM, MD, EdD's comments filled the vacuum created by the APMA's knee-jerk reaction to a very friendly offer from the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME) to sit down and talk. You attacked the messenger.
The only reason for this appears to be people wanting to "protect their turf from the unknown." Does anyone actually think podiatric residency directors would no longer be necessary if we sat down with ACGME and talked?
Dr. Tomczak's insights are always enlightening and spot-on, even when painful to some. Thank you, Dr. Tomczak.
Robert Scott Steinberg, DPM, Chicago, IL
10/23/2025
RESPONSES/COMMENTS (PODIATRIC MEDICAL EDUCATION) - PART 1C
From: James F Dancho, DPM
If what Dr. MacGill and Dr. Tomczak say about the COTH survey are true and valid, why is it important for anyone to be part of something (like COTH) in this profession (especially if we are dues-paying members) to simply express their opinions. Time for us to mature and work together. Open your minds to the possibilities.
James F Dancho, DPM, Tucson, AZ
10/23/2025
RESPONSES/COMMENTS (PODIATRIC MEDICAL EDUCATION) - PART 1B
From: Rod Tomczak, DPM, MD, EdD
Larry, I am really happy you replied to my thoughts concerning ACGME and COTH. Larry, not many guys have the same quality program you do. I think we have known each other since the early 1980s and our conversations have almost always been about podiatry, podiatric education, and the way it should be. ACGME could walk into your residency tomorrow for a surprise inspection and you’d pass with flying colors. Your standards are impeccable. If the rest of the profession ran a program like yours, no residency director would have the slightest qualm about letting ACGME have a look see at what type of residents they are preparing for practice.
That’s where I have a problem. Why can’t every podiatric residency be of your program’s caliber? Every director should be proud to show their goods to an outside, overwatch agency composed of strangers, not fellow podiatrists who are residency directors. I still posit most DPM schools will eventually...
Editor's comments: Dr. Tomczak's extended-length letter can be read here.
10/23/2025
RESPONSES/COMMENTS (PODIATRIC MEDICAL EDUCATION) - PART 1A
From: James DiResta, DPM, MPH
I want to respond to the recent discussion and comments made by Larry Oloff and Rod Tomczak. I think it important for PM News readers to understand that both men have made a great contribution towards the advancement of our profession, and although in reading their comments one might think them very much apart, I feel if they sat down together, they would be able to come to some 90% consensus on this issue. I was 2 years behind Larry at Temple (PCPM) and he has done our profession proud, and he is correct when he looks and sees how far our profession has come and the major milestones we have made.
Our present cohort of practicing podiatrists are in a very good place at this point in time, but we can not ignore the present crisis in student recruitment which frankly can lead to our demise as a profession. At this same period, Rod was a resident...
Editor's comments: Dr. DiResta's extended-length letter can be read here.
10/22/2025
RESPONSES/COMMENTS (PODIATRIC MEDICAL EDUCATION)
From: Lawrence Oloff, DPM
Passion is not a bad thing except when it becomes an obsession, lacks reason, and does not have respect for others’ positions. Rod, that is what your passion has become. I apologize if this seems a bit harsh, but when you begin to accuse residency directors who are opposed to ACGME do so because of their wallets is concerning. This is just plain insulting and has no basis in fact. There are three residencies where I am a program director: Orthopedics, medicine, and podiatry. All three PDs get a stipend, whether they are ACGME or CPME. As a PD for many years, I can assure you that the time and commitment is well beyond any stipend.
I cannot imagine anyone who would not make more money if that same time were spent in private practice. Every year, my wife and adult children chastise me for the off-hours time spent educating residents at the expense of...
Editor's note: Dr. Oloff's extended-length letter can be read here.
10/21/2025
RESPONSES/COMMENTS (PODIATRIC MEDICAL EDUCATION)
From: Rod Tomczak, DPM, MD, EdD
Dr. MacGill, thank you for the recent COTH survey you shared with us. I have some questions perhaps you could answer before the profession places credibility in what you shared with us.
1. What is your position within the Council of Teaching Hospitals? I do not see your name listed as a member of the Council.
2. Who commissioned this survey? Did you take up this task by yourself? Did you send out a survey to every podiatric residency director in the U.S.?
3. How many times..
Editor's note: Dr.Tomczak's extended-length letter can be read here.
10/20/2025
RESPONSES/COMMENTS (PODIATRIC MEDICAL EDUCATION)
RE: Recent COTH ACGME Survey Results
From: Alan MacGill, DPM
I wanted to share the results of a recent COTH Program Directors survey on the ACGME issue that has been discussed in the profession. I did not initiate this survey, but did participate in it.
2025 COTH ACGME Survey Results
The Council of Teaching Hospitals (COTH) has conducted a survey of podiatric residency program directors (PDs) given the recent dialogue regarding the possibility of transitioning accreditation of our residency programs away from the CPME and to the ACGME. One hundred and thirty-one PDs completed the survey for a response rate of 59.8% (131/219).
90.1% (118/131) of PDs reported, “I have a generally positive view of the...
Editor's note: Dr. McGill's extended-length letter can be read here.
09/30/2025
RESPONSES/COMMENTS (PODIATRIC MEDICAL EDUCATION) - PART 2
From: Rod Tomczak, DPM, MD, EdD
Dr. Bisbee, there are a few individuals one should never try to mislead. First is your lawyer about your actions, second is your clergyman about the state of your soul, and the third is Rod Tomczak about medical educational matters, especially podiatric medical education.
In 2020, five years ago, AAOS, ACFAS, AOFAS and the APMA endorsed a four point plan in a White Paper titled “Improving the Standardization Process for Assessment of Podiatric Medical Students and Residents by Enabling Them to Take the USMLE.”
Point three of the four reads, CPME approval of podiatric residency programs should meet comparable standards to Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME). APMA agreed to this. I call renege. ACGME cannot testify to the equality of podiatry residencies to say, ...
Editor's note: Dr. Tomczak's extended-length letter can be read here.
09/30/2025
RESPONSES/COMMENTS (PODIATRIC MEDICAL EDUCATION) - PART 1
From: Robert Scott Steinberg, DPM
This is why AI must be carefully fact-checked!
Dr. Rubin omitted the most critical action that propelled our profession forward in Illinois, namely the two-month student strike at the Illinois College of Podiatric Medicine in the early 1970s. Dr. Scholl was not relevant to that action.
Robert Scott Steinberg, DPM, Schaumburg, IL.
09/29/2025
RESPONSES/COMMENTS (PODIATRIC MEDICAL EDUCATION)
RE: Three Cheers for Dr. Scholl?
From: Lawrence Rubin, DPM (AI Augmented)
I think that for most "old timer" DPMs like me, when we hear, the name "Dr. Scholl" mentioned, this evokes memories of pharmacy aisles filled with cushioned insoles and foot care products. But behind this familiar brand was a genuine visionary, William Mathias Scholl, whose contributions to the profession of podiatry extend far beyond simple arch supports. His timeless lessons in education, public awareness, and the marriage of technology with expert care hold a key to podiatry's future, offering a blueprint for navigating a rapidly evolving healthcare landscape.
A Legacy of Learned Care: When William Scholl founded the Illinois College of Chiropody and Orthopedics in 1912 (Later the Illinois College of Chiropody and Foot Surgery, and now the Scholl College of Podiatric Medicine.), foot care was often considered a trade, not a medical science. By creating a curriculum that mirrored allopathic medicine, Scholl elevated the field, mandating that his students receive a rigorous education in...
Editor's note: Dr. Rubin's AI Augmented extended-length letter can be read here.
09/27/2025
RESPONSES/COMMENTS (PODIATRIC MEDICAL EDUCATION)
From: Ivar E. Roth, DPM, MPH
Bret, I could not agree more with your analysis. We, the profession, have to explore this opportunity. I, like you, feel that the possible loss of income and control has limited the thinking of our leaders. This potential affiliation is too important to not pay full attention to.
Ivar E. Roth, DPM, MPH, Newport Beach, CA
09/24/2025
RESPONSES/COMMENTS (PODIATRIC MEDICAL EDUCATION)
From: Kathleen Neuhoff, DPM
I cannot understand how a dialog with ACGME can be bad. It does not commit us to anything. It would allow EVERYONE in our profession to voice their opinion. It would allow the rest of the medical profession the opportunity to learn more about podiatry. Rejecting the offer to dialog makes it appear that we do not have confidence in the value of our profession and are afraid to enter mainstream medicine when we are given the chance. Hopefully, those in power will reconsider.
Kathleen Neuhoff, DPM, South Bend, IN
09/22/2025
RESPONSES/COMMENTS (PODIATRIC MEDICAL EDUCATION) - PART 1B
From: Greg T. Amarantos, DPM
Having followed this subject for the past week, it is encouraging that there are so many passionate members of our profession. I applaud all who have responded. I have some observations from experience as a podiatrist (retired) of 41 years, as a residency director who worked with MD and DO residency directors and programs, and as a past president of the Fund for Podiatric Medical Education.
1. Fifty years ago in Illinois, DOs were almost unheard of with the exception of the state of Michigan, and the public knew little of their scope of practice.
2. Sometime thereafter, DOs sued the AMA and after protracted litigation, they succeeded and with that, their recognition became synonymous with MDs.
3. All leaders have egos, myself included. I recognize it is difficult to swallow one's ego for the better good.
4. Residency directors as a whole, are well...
Editor's note: Dr. Amarantos' extended-length letter can be read here.
09/22/2025
RESPONSES/COMMENTS (PODIATRIC MEDICAL EDUCATION) - PART 1A
From: Bret M. Ribotsky, DPM
A Critical Opportunity: The Case for Exploring ACGME Podiatric Residency Credentialing: An Open Letter to the Podiatric Medicine Community
The recent expression of interest by the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME) in exploring the credentialing of podiatric residency programs presents our profession with a significant opportunity that deserves thorough investigation. However, the apparent reluctance of organized podiatry to fully explore and negotiate the details of this possibility appears premature and potentially detrimental to our profession’s future growth.
The Opportunity Before Us
The ACGME’s inquiry is not merely administrative—it represents a potential pathway toward full integration of podiatric medicine within the broader medical education framework. This could fundamentally alter how our profession is perceived, how our residents are trained, and how our graduates are recognized within the healthcare...
Editor's note: Dr. Ribotsky's extended-length letter can be read here.
09/20/2025
RESPONSES/COMMENTS (PODIATRIC MEDICAL EDUCATION) - PART 1C
From: James Whelan, DPM
The recent decision by the American Podiatric Medical Association (APMA) to decline the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME) invitation is both prudent and necessary. While the prospect of aligning with ACGME may seem appealing on the surface, the risks far outweigh the perceived benefits. Podiatry has fought long and hard to establish its own standards of surgical training, professional autonomy, and pathways to credentialing. Turning oversight of residency education over to an external body with no podiatric expertise jeopardizes this progress. ACGME’s track record is strong for MD and DO training, but its framework does not account for the unique surgical depth and scope of podiatric medicine. Dilution of these standards could undermine the very foundation of our profession.
Equally important, the APMA did not act in isolation. Independent assessments by ABFAS, AACPM, ACFAS, COTH, CPME, and multiple state societies reached the same conclusion: participation in the exploratory process posed more risk than reward. This was not a rash decision, but a unified stance across leadership organizations committed to protecting podiatric integrity.
The path forward is not about chasing parity by adopting external validation; it is about strengthening and elevating our own systems. By investing in residency quality, board certification processes, and continuing to advocate for recognition through established podiatric channels, we preserve the autonomy and excellence that set our profession apart. APMA’s rejection of the ACGME task force is not a missed opportunity—it is a reaffirmation of podiatry’s right to define its own future.
James Whelan, DPM, Beloit, WI
09/20/2025
RESPONSES/COMMENTS (PODIATRIC MEDICAL EDUCATION) - PART 1B
From: Jon Purdy, DPM
I’m again confused by the post from ABFAS. So there is a “unified” position of some of our podiatric dues driven leaders, without so much as engaging in an “exploratory process?” This could be the best or the worst thing for podiatry, but there is a lack of specifics on any discussion, leading me and probably most others to question if this conclusion is self-serving. I expected something of this magnitude to have a special message from our leaders about what was said to whom, and some pertinent details of the conversation that led them to this critical conclusion. Waving off simple due diligence, of what seems a likely path to inclusion into mainstream medicine, with words like concern, risks, and uncertainty is not what I call transparency.
Would the ACGME form a special podiatry oversight committee? I guess we’ll never know. Could the ACGME improve overall residency quality and continuity? I guess we’ll never know. Could this lead to mainstream medicine’s acknowledgement of how special and significant we are? Absolutely.
Am I to believe “autonomy” for autonomy’s sake is always the best path? Why is the phrase “podiatry eats its own” known by literally every podiatrist? Here’s a perfect example. We should expect more from our leaders who we’ve allowed to pull the strings of this profession. Maybe issues like this and the lack of transparency is the reason for declining membership in what should be our support system.
Jon Purdy, DPM, New Iberia, LA
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