Heads Up: ABPM Annual Meeting of Members to be Held at Desert Foot!

Thursday, December 6th, 6:00pm.-7:00.m. in the "Desert Sky Room" at Sheraton Phoenix Downtown. P.S. You can still register for that conference today at a discounted rate! Use code ABPM50!

Stephanie Hook, DPM

Vice President, ABPM

Greetings!

As I wrote this, I am gearing up for the second half of an ABPM Board meeting. This seemed like the perfect time to write this message. What I would like to share with all of you is how hard your Board is working for YOU. Every Diplomate matters to this Board.  We work for the best interests of our individual members at all times, while still taking into account the best interests of the ABPM as a whole. In that same vein, please watch for a survey in the coming months. We want to continue to serve each of you in the ways you need to the best of our abilities. Please also know we would like to hear from you at any time- not just with the upcoming survey!

In this issue of the newsletter, you will find an update on where ABPM can be found next, one of our Diplomate’s perspectives on her CAQ, and a spotlight on an ACPM Fellow. I hope you enjoy this newsletter and have a safe and healthy Autumn season.

Cordially,

Stephanie Hook, DPM

How CAQs Have Helped Me in My Career

Kiana R. Trent, DPM

A certificate of Added Qualification is a voluntary step beyond Board Certification that recognizes knowledge, expertise, and experience in a subspecialty of podiatry. I obtained the CAQ in Amputation Prevention and Wound Care because wound care and limb salvage is my passion. I want my patients to feel comfortable in knowing that I possess the skill and credentials to provide them with the upmost care. 

Seeing the smiles on my patients faces, when I have healed their wounds or prevented an amputation ignites my passion to serve, to research and to continually educate myself in the field of wound care.



I serve as the PAVE Coordinator at my hospital (Prevention of Amputation in Veterans Everywhere). I see a high volume of ulcers, diabetic patients, vasculopaths and patients with renal disease. My primary goal is that of limb salvage, reconstruction, advanced wound care, and restoring and improving function in my patients which helps to facilitate them to returning to a normal life.

As a physician you should be continually learning and developing your skills. The CAQ enhances my primary ABPM board certification and keeps me up to date with the latest techniques and education.

I believe a CAQ displays my initiative in taking the next step in furthering my podiatric career.  In addition, a CAQ is a benefit when doing credentialing and may be a bargaining chip in salary negotiation.

Most importantly, obtaining he CAQ in Amputation Prevention and Wound Care has allowed me to narrow my focus to an area that I am passionate about. Wound care is a complicated and challenging puzzle at times, but it is my job to not only heal these patients but to educate them on the importance of amputation prevention and wound care.

Dr. Gary Rothenberg is a Board Certified Podiatrist, a Certified Diabetes Care and Education Specialist and Certified Wound Specialist who currently holds an Adjunct Clinical Faculty Appointment within the Endocrinology Division at the University of Michigan School of Medicine in Ann Arbor, Michigan.

Recently, he has been named as the Director of Medical Affairs for Podimetrics, a rising company in the diabetes-related foot complication prevention space.

Previously, he served as Director of Resident Training and Attending Podiatrist at the Department of Veteran Affairs Medical Center in Miami, Florida.

Gary Rothenberg, DPM

A graduate of the Ohio College of Podiatric Medicine, he completed 3 years of residency training at the University of Texas Health Science Center in San Antonio followed by 4 years of private practice in Atlanta, Georgia.

His previous private practice experience and academic practices within the VA and university settings have focused on conservative and surgical management of the diabetic foot. His current role within industry is aimed at fostering a paradigm shift away from treating complications towards prevention of them.

Education has always been his passion -- whether working with students, residents, colleagues, or most importantly, patients, Dr. Rothenberg believes education is the key to successful avoidance of diabetes-related lower extremity complications.

ACPM Contributions

Dr. Rothenberg serves on the ACPM BOD and is currently the Chair for the quarterly online Practical Pearls seminar series. He was a faculty member for two previous Practical Pearls seminars:

ACPM Presents... Updates in Diabetes & Wounds: Practical Pearls

ACPM Presents... Updates in Perioperative Medicine: Practical Pearls

• Racial and Ethnic Disparities in Diabetes Related Lower Extremity Complications

• Medical and Nutritional Considerations in Wound Care

• Perioperative Emergencies

Looking Forward: Thoughts from Dr. Rothenberg

What are your hopes for the podiatric profession moving forward and what role do you feel the ACPM should play to enhance the profession?

I certainly have my own opinions about many of the controversial topics commonly debated within our profession. We need to remove all stigma and respect one another for the particular passion and talents that we individually choose to focus on under the title of "podiatrist." Trimming toenails in a nursing home is equally important as surgically fixing an ankle fracture. I believe that we will never completely gain parity among our colleagues outside of podiatry until we successfully resolve our own internal struggles.

A significant part of that involves unifying to one board representing all podiatrists. Additionally, we should continue to integrate our training programs into large academic health centers like Michigan Medicine, where I have practiced for the past 8 years. Training side-by-side with our MD/DO colleagues will also foster relationships that will serve the next generation well.

The mission of ACPM is really important. We should serve as a premier source for all podiatrists to come together in the pursuit of continuing education. We are working hard towards that goal with a hyper-focus on providing our members with excellent CME opportunities in a variety of settings. Between casual case reviews online, the ePod Series and quarterly mini symposia, ACPM is delivering many options for continuing education.

We also believe strongly in the investment of education for the next generation of colleagues. Opportunities abound for the newest members of our profession including students and trainees.

Have You Experienced Privileging Issues Since Getting Board Certified?