by Jarrod Shapiro, DPM Joined practice July 2006 of John K Throckmorton, DPM Lansing, Michigan

Over the past couple of weeks I’ve been receiving a barrage of snail mailings and emails asking me to support either “choice” or “unity.”   There must be podiatric controversy afoot!!  ACFAS has decided to request a vote on an important issue: whether continuing ACFAS members should be required to retain membership in APMA or not. Previously, ACFAS members were required to maintain membership with the APMA in order to keep ACFAS membership. Apparently members of ACFAS are not happy with this arrangement, and ACFAS members have been asked to vote. If accepted, the new bylaws would require new ACFAS members to enroll with APMA, but once renewal time comes the member would have the choice to cancel their APMA membership and remain in ACFAS.

The APMA argues for UNITY.  It would make it more difficult for an already small specialty of physicians to fight for governmental representation without a numerous and unified front.  The APMA sites the ongoing battles regarding scope of practice in various states and the Title XIX issue to amend the definition of podiatrists as physicians with Medicaid as two important issues that require backing by our membership.    These drives require unity (and of course money) from the podiatric community, which can’t happen if membership declines.

On the other hand, ACFAS argues for CHOICE.  Proponents argue we should be able to choose whether we are members or not, instead of being forced to participate in an organization we may or may not want to be part of.

Here’s my opinion on the subject.  First, ACFAS members should vote.  Don’t be complacent.  You’re a member, and your organization is asking you to make a decision.  Be part of the solution, not a bystander.  Vote.  It doesn’t matter whether you’re for choice or unity.  Just vote.

For my part I’ve voted to retain the forced connection between the two organizations.  I personally feel the benefits outweigh the disadvantages.  I think the APMA has done a reasonable job over the past few years with APMAPAC (formerly PPAC) representing my congressional needs.  They have a tough job, representing a smaller group of doctors.  They’re not the AMA for Pete’s sake!

I think of ACFAS as more of the academic arm of podiatry and the APMA as the political.  I’m sure someone will have a criticism of that statement, so write in if you disagree.  For example, ACFAS has the bigger of the yearly conferences, offers their surgical skills courses, and publishes the Journal of Foot and Ankle Surgery (arguably superior to JAPMA).  The APMA is much more involved in the political side.

I’ll simply ask, for those of you who disagree, why did they change PPAC’s name to APMAPAC? I think each of these bodies has a significant and specific role to play in our community, and they should both be supported.  Additionally, we do need numbers and dollars to support the political side of our societies.  What I’d really like is for the APMA to get rid of their requirement to have state membership as a requirement for the APMA.  My state organization doesn’t do much for me.

Here’s my real concern.  Has ACFAS become too strong, and does the APMA not offer enough enticement to keep members on its own?  The fact that this is such a large issue for APMA to maintain a mandatory association with ACFAS worries me.   Shouldn’t they be strong enough on their own that it wouldn’t matter if ACFAS members had a choice to remain with the APMA?  What does it say about the podo-political environment that this is even an issue?  What do you think?  Get involved and write in with your thoughts.

LETTER TO THE EDITOR

***I Don’t Have to Know Everything***

I loved reading your article this morning.  How refreshing to state what all of us have been feeling for years!  Yes, It's true we don't know everything and life is a learning process until the day we die. 

I do remember very well feeling that I had to know EVERYTHING in case an attending asked me a question, just thinking back to that time made me uneasy.

Thank you for speaking the truth that we have all felt and keep on learning!

Lynette Inocente, DPM
[email protected]

Thanks Dr. Incocente for the encouraging feed back. Please keep the responses coming.

At the conclusion of this week's issue we offer a press release regarrding AAPPM Practice Management Mini- Seminar for Podiatric Residents. Please read on. See you next time.

Jarrod Shapiro, DPM
PRESENT New Docs Editor
[email protected]