05/13/2026    Allen M. Jacobs, DPM

The Case for a Plenary License (Robert Kornfeld, DPM)

Dr. Kornfield, in my opinion, is correct in his
conclusion that much of what constitutes the daily
practice of podiatry involves treatment decisions
which have systemic implications, such as the
prescription of anti-inflammatories, antibiotics,
or analgesics. The legal ability to prescribe such
medications is an acknowledgement of the
capability and competence of the DPM degree.
The DPM degree is a privilege which carries major
responsibility. The DPM degree is also trusted to
provide self-regulation. The DPM degree is a trust
by the state in which he or she practices that the
individual acquiring that degree is a qualified
individual by virtue of education. Four years of
podiatric medical school and three years of
residency. For some, an additional fellowship
year.

The DPM degree is a powerful medical degree. With
the DPM degree, you will determine the need for
treatment, including the use of medications which
can result in harm or adverse sequela. The DPM
degree awards you the ability to determine the
need for surgery, the candidacy of that patient
for surgery, and the nature and extent of that
surgery. The DPM degree allows you to determine
the need for consultation, the need and specifics
for diagnostic testing.

You are trusted to determine the need for
amputation, to perform an ORIF of fractures, for
reconstruction or stabilization of Charcot’s joint
deformities, or ankle joint arthroplasty.

The DPM degree provides you with the authority to
determine college admission standards, the
curriculum to obtain a DPM degree, and to
formulate the national boards. With the DPM
degree, society places a trust in you to determine
the expertise required for licensure, the
expertise to achieve certification and re-
certification. The DPM degree allows the
definition of requirements for residency training
and fellowship training. The attainment of a DPM
degree allows you to perform surgery, admit or co-
admit patients to hospitals. DPM’s are providing
health care services in the armed forces, VA and
other federal health care facilities, as a
provider with medical and orthopedic and hospital-
based systems, and on faculty at medical and
osteopathic colleges.

The academic growth of this profession, and the
recognition of this growth by the medical
community, society at large, and the insurance
industry since the time of my graduation from PCPM
in 1973 has been remarkable, and a tribute to
those who worked so hard to advance our profession
to its current status.

I am not insightful enough to know whether we need
to advance to an MD or DO degree. I do know that
process is likely not a simplistic as adding a
course or two. The means by which the DPM degree
is made a “plenary degree” is well beyond me. What
I do know is what I have witnessed. And what I
have witnessed in a trust by the medical community
and society in what the DPM degree represents, and
offers to health care in this country.

Allen M. Jacobs, DPM, St. Louis, MO

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