Partner Organization Spotlight: APMA

Posted on August 10, 2007
Filed Under Podiatry (DPM)

Provided by APMA
Adapted by Sarah M. Lawrence

The Student Doctor Network partner site program brings together Web sites that serve pre-health, professional health students and practitioners to advance the work of SDN and the partner organizations. Partner sites are selected based on usefulness, presentation, and frequency of updates. SDN partners must provide students with unique resources that will benefit their academic and professional careers. Today, SDN is pleased to announce a new partnership with the American Podiatric Medical Association, the nation’s largest professional organization representing Doctors of Podiatric Medicine (podiatrists).

Established in 1912, the American Podiatric Medical Association is the premier professional organization representing the nation’s Doctors of Podiatric Medicine (podiatrists). The APMA represents a vast majority of the estimated 15,000 podiatrists in the country. Within APMA’s umbrella of organizations are 53 component societies in states and other jurisdictions, as well as 22 affiliated and related societies. APMA’s national headquarters is in Bethesda, Maryland. APMA has a staff of approximately 60 professionals who are dedicated to promoting foot and ankle health, to member service, and to professional excellence.

The direct ancestor of the American Podiatric Medical Association (APMA), the National Association of Chiropodists (NAC), was established in 1912 with 225 chiropodist members. Prior to 1912, professional organizations of chiropodists existed in five states, beginning with the world’s first organization of chiropodists in 1895, the Pedic Society of New York.

The earliest years of the NAC were focused on education. Between 1912 and 1916, seven schools were founded, and the Council on Education (predecessor of the Council on Podiatric Medical Education) was established in 1918.

In 1920, the NAC reorganized its annual meeting as a national convention of state delegates, based upon dues-paying members in the state societies. Following World War II, the NAC focused on profession-wide concerns such as standardization, public relations and recruitment, research and practice-building.

The NAC experienced growing pains in the 1950s, caused in part by inadequate staffing and a drop in college enrollments once returning veterans graduated. The NAC undertook a significant reorganization in 1956 with a new constitution, bylaws, and governance structure. In 1957, the NAC was renamed the American Podiatry Association (APA). “Chiropody” was often confused by the public, and the Greek roots of “podiatry” mean “foot doctor,” which was viewed to be a better professional rubric.

In the early 1960s, education again dominated APA concerns. APA called for review and reform of the schools’ educational processes. APA also identified needs for definition of the profession, inter-professional cooperation, and enhanced public relations. These efforts placed the profession in a stronger position by the late 1960s. In 1969, the APA staff of 15 moved to a new headquarters building on Chevy Chase Circle in Washington, D.C.

In 1984, APA was renamed the American Podiatric Medical Association to emphasize the profession as part of mainstream medical practice. In 1987, APMA moved to its current headquarters building in Bethesda, MD. The history of APMA has been one of steady, determined growth marked by the recognition that the integrity of the educational process and the contributions of individual practitioners are paramount to the strength and success of the profession.

Podiatric medicine is the field of medicine that strives to improve the overall health and well-being of patients by focusing on preventing, diagnosing, and treating conditions associated with the foot and ankle. Doctors of Podiatric Medicine (DPMs) are physicians and surgeons who practice on the lower extremities, primarily on feet and ankles. The preparatory education of most DPMs includes four years of undergraduate work, followed by four years in an accredited podiatric medical school, followed by a hospital-based residency. DPMs are licensed in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico to diagnose and treat the foot and its related or governing structures by medical, surgical, or other means. The vast majority of states also include ankle care as part of the podiatric physician’s scope of practice.

In addition to private practice, podiatrists serve on the staffs of hospitals and long-term care facilities, on the faculties of schools of medicine, as commissioned officers in the Armed Forces and the U.S. Public Health Service, in the Department of Veterans Affairs, and in municipal health departments. Many podiatrists today are also members of group medical practices.

The skills of podiatric physicians are in increasing demand because disorders of the foot and ankle are among the most widespread and neglected health problems. The Student Doctor Network is fortunate to count the APMA among its partner sites as we work together to advance the podiatric medical profession and serve students, residents and physicians.

To visit the APMA Web site please go to www.APMA.org
To visit the Podiatric Residents & Physicians Forum - cohosted by APMA Click here
To discuss this article on the forums please visit this link: Article Discussion

Comments

2 Responses to “Partner Organization Spotlight: APMA”

  1. Seth Felice on August 11th, 2007 9:15 am

    Good read. It seems that the APMA’s comprehensive approach to all things podiatry is what helps to keep DPMs highly unified in a central organization.

  2. Christopher Matoske on January 9th, 2008 7:24 am

    I represent a medical distribution company that is looking to find qualified Podiatrists / individuals to assist in servicing our patients in Puerto Rico with diabetic shoes.

    We currently have over 10,000 Medicare customers and would appreciate any guidance that you could offer.

    Regards

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