Jarrod Shapiro, DPM
Practice Perfect Editor
Mountain View
Medical &
Surgical Associates,
Madras, Oregon
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2009: A Year in Review
My wife constantly reminds me that we are living in historic times, and 2009 has been a year to remember. This past year has seen the inauguration of the United State’s first black President, who subsequently won the Nobel Peace Prize. We’ve seen the turnaround beginnings of the worst economic downturn since the Great Depression with unemployment topping 10%. We were scared by the potentially deadly H1N1 influenza pandemic. We’re in the middle of a potentially landmark healthcare reform bill debate, the likes of which have not been seen in this country since FDR was President.
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We’ve seen a troop surge and increasing hostilities in Afghanistan, the deaths of Michael Jackson, Senator Edward Kennedy and 13 people at the Fort Hood incident, the confirmation of Sonja Sotomayor as the first Hispanic Justice to the US Supreme Court, and the heroic saving of a US Airways flight in a safely executed emergency landed in the Hudson River.
In the podiatric community, we’ve seen noteworthy events over this past year. Congressman John Shadegg made podiatric history (and earned our anger) when he said podiatry is an “esoteric demand that most people don’t have or don’t need.” The uproar was evident by any who read PRESENT Podiatry’s discussion forum. Congressman Shadegg also felt the uproar when APMA’s President-elect Katherine Stone, DPM, a constituent of Shadegg’s, educated him on the benefits of podiatry. Shadegg retracted his statements and is now a podiatry supporter. Lemonade from lemons!
Another lemon of 2009 was the unfortunate comment of President Obama’s that a surgeon makes $30,000 to $50,000 to amputate the leg of a diabetic. This foolish remark opened President Obama to much criticism coming from all members of the medical community, including the APMA. Is there such a thing as “foot in the mouth disease?”
On the technology front, PRESENT Podiatry launched its new website in 2009, ushering in the future of online education and communication in podiatry. The site upgrade introduced the finest on demand CME education program in all of medicine and Facebook style social networking that is now receiving active use by the profession. When we look into the future of CME, interphysician communication, and the future, PRESENT Podiatry is on the forefront. Also increasing in popularity and utilization are open source journals such as the Foot and Ankle Online Journal (FAOJ) and the Journal of Diabetic Foot Complications.
What does 2010 hold for podiatry? We’re likely to see further debate and changes with healthcare reform and Medicare reimbursement adjustment (hopefully in our favor), the ever-growing baby boomer population. We’ll see more new podiatric graduates entering the workforce. We’ll each have our own new challenges and successes.
For me, I’ll continue writing as long as the podiatric community keeps reading. I wish all a most successful, profitable, and uplifting 2010. Best wishes!
Keep writing in with your thoughts and comments or visit eTalk on PRESENT Podiatry and start or get in on the discussion. We'll see you next week. Best wishes!
Jarrod Shapiro, DPM
PRESENT Practice Perfect Editor
[email protected]
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