11/10/2025    

RESPONSES/COMMENTS (SALARIES)

RE: Unequal Salaries

From: Chad Rappaport, DPM

 

I am constantly perusing the different job boards (Hospital employers, private practices, multi-specialty groups, etc.) just to keep a finger on my pulse regarding what’s happening out there. It just seems as time goes on, there are way more employers specifically looking for fellowship- trained orthopedic foot and ankle surgeons and not even considering podiatrists. I have worked for North Orthopedic group for 20 years and it has been great for me. I thought 10 years ago that positions for podiatrists as providers of foot ankle surgery within orthopedic groups would become increasingly more popular, but quite the opposite is what I have found. The starting salaries for our graduates compared to their graduates is not even comparable.

 

I realize that these folks will be taking general orthopedic call, which is not something that our new grads can do for an employer, but the disparity between salaries is embarrassing. What I’m also seeing now way more often is that Nguyen, a large employer like a hospital system or large multi-specialty group, looks to hire a podiatrist, it’s stated right from the outset that it will be a non-operative position. It just seems like the future for a new Ortho foot and ankle grad is so much brighter than for a DPM grad. With that said, the real issue is why are we making it easier for them and harder for us. Why would the American College of Foot and Ankle Surgeons allow employers to post on our website when they clearly state that they will not even entertain hiring a DPM. It just seems and looks ridiculous that whoever pulls the levers over at access would allow that. 

 

Chad Rappaport, DPM, Westwood, NJ

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11/11/2025    

RESPONSES/COMMENTS (SALARIES)

RE: Unequal Salaries (Chad Rappaport, DPM)

From: Ivar E. Roth DPM, MPH

 

First, Dr. Rappaport is correct. ACFAS should either prohibit ads for MD foot and ankle Orthos, or ACFAS should contact the equivalent of ACFAS in the MD world and tell them either establish a quid pro quo or no more ads will be allowed.

 

The solution for your unequal pay is simple. Start your own practice and make as much as you want from your own efforts. Depending on others never really works out anyway.

 

Ivar E. Roth DPM, MPH, Newport Beach, CA