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President's Message
Diplomates, the ABPM is proud to be your certifying board! First, I want to also express the immense pride I have in our Board staff who have been providing high-quality service to Diplomates and those starting the examination process. The Board values their commitment to excellence in the process our mission to protect the public.
We Have Experienced Tremendous Growth.
The ABPM has been growing. That’s why we truthfully say, we’re “Certifying Today’s Podiatrist.”
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Over the past five years, more new podiatrists have chosen to be certified by ABPM than any other certifying board. New Diplomates join the ranks of 5,863 active Diplomates. | |
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We Are Committed to the CAQ in Podiatric Surgery.
The Certificate of Added Qualification (CAQ) in Podiatric Surgery is the latest in ABPM’s CAQ offerings, adding to the CAQs in Amputation Prevention and Wound Care (est. 2015) and Podiatric Sports Medicine (est. 2019). 108 Diplomates sat for the inaugural exam. Since it’s our first exam, it is currently undergoing psychometric analysis to ensure it is a valid measure of a podiatrist’s surgical acumen. The results will be released soon to those examinees.
It’s no secret that ABPM’s CAQ in Podiatric Surgery is interpreted by some organizations in podiatry to be a threat to their monopoly and elitism. But our Diplomates believe the CAQ is a valuable addition above and beyond their primary board certification and the CAQ is not under the jurisdiction of the CPME. Therefore, we are fully dedicated to the CAQ and we will not yield in our resolve to support and defend it.
About 5 years ago, the ABPM established the Hospital and Surgical Privileging Committee. We created the website www.podiatryprivileges.com with information for Diplomates and Hospitals on the privileging process and best practices for doctors of podiatric medicine. Diplomates who feel like they are the subject of discrimination in hospital or surgical privileges due to their board certification can complete a webform and receive the assistance of the committee’s expertise, which includes our two privileging attorneys. The committee’s response includes the use of outside/local counsel when needed. To date, we’ve successfully resolved privileging disputes for nearly all podiatrists who have requested assistance. Our successes range from small community hospitals to large university hospitals and systems.
We Helped Eliminate Scope of Practice Discrimination.
Oregon was one of four states that discriminated against podiatrists based on their board certification for their licensure. In Oregon, only a podiatrist who was board certified in RRA by a specific board were permitted to perform ankle surgery, regardless of their residency training. Only 15% of Oregon DPMs met this requirement and had the ankle permit. This type of tired license doesn’t exist for MDs or DOs in any state. States don’t require MDs to be board certified in any specialty to have access to the full scope of practice. The ABPM filed a petition in the Oregon Court Appeals to invalidate the Oregon Medical Board's (OMB) rule as an improper delegation of the state’s authority to a private, outside, self-interested certifying board. The Oregon Attorney General’s office advised the OMB that it was unconstitutional and, shortly after, the OMB notified ABPM that it would initiate a change to its rule to remove the RRA certification requirement. The ABPM has put its judicial challenge on hold while the OMB is working on new, fair, and inclusive language based on a podiatrist’s training for the permit to perform ankle surgery.
We are aware of similar restrictions on a podiatrist's license to perform ankle surgery in New York, Connecticut, and South Carolina and we are committed to achieving a similar outcome.
We Are Holding CPME Accountable.
In June, the ABPM filed official complaints with the CPME for continuous noncompliance with their bylaws and policies. The 35 pages of complaints, accompanied by 94 pages of evidence, detail the systemic failure of CPME and its representatives to disclose of conflicts of interest, failure to recuse themselves when required by the bylaws, and the CPME’s failure to enforce these policies. The complaint also provided evidence that the CPME attempted to cover-up the extensive conflicts of Council and committee members. The complaint accuses CPME of giving majority control of the Council and the two committees overseeing specialty boards to those with actual conflicts of interest (i.e. official simultaneous positions) with the board recognized to certify in podiatric surgery. We will keep Diplomates informed of the outcome of the investigation. But rest assured, the ABPM will take any and all actions necessary to ensure the CPME becomes an unbiased, trusted, oversight agency.
We Are Focused on the Future, One Board for All.
The ABPM has led the discussion on what the future of board certification should be for podiatry. We participated in the APMA Board Certification Summit and listened to many podiatrist’s accounts of how the current 2-board system failed them. No MD or DO specialty has 2 approved specialty boards for the same residency program. Nor do they have a tiered certification system for the same residency. Podiatry should be no different. We have one standardized residency program in Podiatric Medicine and Surgery. We need one board in podiatric medicine and surgery. Then podiatrists who complete additional, voluntary training (fellowship), should be given the opportunity for additional subspecialty certification.
We Lead.
Some organizations in our profession struggle with leadership to take actions that improve the profession. The ABPM is not among those. We will not rest until your certificate is recognized in every state, every hospital, for the full scope of your education and training. We remain steadfast in our vision for the future of the board certification in podiatry, one that is inclusive, fair, and transparent. This is the leadership you can expect from ABPM. Thank you for your support!
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Editor's Note
Stephanie Hook, DPM
Greetings All, although we often associate reflection and planning for the future with January and the New Year, as the Editor of this newsletter, I see this semi-annual update as a perfect time to do just that. In this issue, you will see what ABPM has accomplished in the last year, and even in the last six months. As important and impressive as this work has been, I find myself looking back to the Strategic Planning Weekend held in April at Board Headquarters.
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There is an article in this newsletter that sums up the weekend and what took place, but I’d like to share two parts of that time that inspired me.
First, we were lucky enough to have a visit from Dr. Holly Spohn-Gross from the CPMA. She shared a personal story with us. The message she shared really hit the nail on the head for the people gathered in the room. It reminded us all why we were there- to improve this profession and provide opportunities without discrimination for ALL.
Her message and her passion were, to me, the feeling that was in that room for the entire weekend. That is the second aspect that I found inspiring- the passion. These board members, committee leaders, staff, and consultants radiated passion and drive for the entire time. Practices, homes, family time and private time were all left behind to come together, work hard, and lead. It was easy to see that the ABPM truly believes in Podiatry Forward and will fight for our profession every day and in every way.
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Coming Up in Exams
Gina M. Painter, DPM
The last six months have been quite busy for the examinations department here at ABPM!
Spring saw us deliver our inaugural exam for the Certificate of Added Qualification (CAQ) in Podiatric Surgery.
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Results are expected to be released in July of 2023 and we are thrilled be able to confer this added credential upon every Board-Certified podiatrist who passed our exam in March. Additional results for our Amputation Prevention and Wound Care CAQ and Sports Medicine CAQ will also be made available at that time.
Our staff and subcommittee on ITE exams also gathered for several meetings with our communications committee staff on overhauls to the way ITE exams are reported. Starting in the 2023-2024 ITE exams cycle, results reporting will be accompanied by detailed score explanations corresponding to each of the ten subject areas tested in our In-Training exams. These are reflected in our broad overhaul of the ITE page on the site at www.podiatryboard.org.
Finally, our Board Certification Exam offered this October will be the final opportunity for Board Qualified DPMs and DPMs who only passed one section of the certifying exam to sit for a single section of the exam. If this applies to you, take note that applications are now open for Board Certification in October, all details below!
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Treasurer's Report
Brian Lepow, DPM
I am delighted to introduce myself as the incoming Treasurer of the ABPM. I would like to express my gratitude to each one of you for your unwavering support and dedication to the organization. I am hopeful this update finds you all in good health and enjoying your summer plans, whatever they may be.
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Financially, the ABPM continues to thrive in the first half of 2023. Our estimated year-to-date (YTD) income surpasses an impressive $2.5 million, demonstrating our continued success and stability. Furthermore, our investment portfolio, managed by DA Davidson, remains stable and secure.
I am proud to share that our community of Board-certified Diplomates is steadily growing, reaffirming the value and prestige of ABPM board certification. Additionally, I am pleased to announce the successful completion of the construction and renovation of our headquarters. We have accounted for and reconciled all related expenses within our budget, ensuring responsible financial management.
As we transition from virtual events to face-to-face gatherings, we continue to be mindful of the budgetary considerations that come with increased travel in a post-pandemic world. Nonetheless, we strongly believe in the importance of being present at strategic conferences and events throughout the year. These opportunities allow us to emphasize the significant value of ABPM board certification and its certificate of added qualification to the wider community.
Rest assured, our commitment to excellence in administration remains unwavering. We continuously strive to streamline our processes, providing efficient and effective support to our esteemed members.
Once again, thank you for you continued support, and I look forward to serving as your Treasurer. Please do not hesitate to reach out to me or any member of the board if you have any questions or suggestions.
Wishing you a productive and enjoyable summer,
Brian D. Lepow, DPM
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Planning for the Future: ABPM's Next Time
Stephanie Hook, DPM
In April, the American Board of Podiatric Medicine brought together Board of Directors members, committee members and staff along with several crucial contractors, and hashed out a vision for the next nine years of ABPM’s future.
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The Board takes seriously its commitment to a bright future for its diplomates and endeavors to ensure that ABPM continues to be a valuable resource for licensed Doctors of Podiatric Medicine for many years to come.
Of great concern to ABPM is the ongoing crisis in student recruitment to the ten (soon to be 11) schools of podiatric medicine around the country. At current levels, 0.8 students fill each available seat across the ten schools, or a 20% vacancy rate with each academic year. Declines in student applications year over year post comparable numbers and have declined 40% from a ten year high of 1,192 applicants in 2013. The student recruitment crisis represents an existential threat not only to the CPME-recognized certifying boards but to the profession itself.
The stakes are high. The need for expert diabetic foot care, the podiatrist’s specialty, among others, will continue to grow over the next several decades. National Institutes of Health research estimates between 21% and 33% of Americans will have some type of diabetes in 2050. Against these projections, the need for more Doctors of Podiatric Medicine is clear. ABPM remains as strong an advocate as ever for the profession of podiatric medicine, but ABPM cannot solve the student recruitment crisis alone.
To that end, ABPM identified the need to develop a leadership program to amplify our voice and vision for podiatry and groom the next generation of leaders for our profession. Recruitment is actively underway, and we encourage all our diplomates to stay tuned. Additionally, our Communications Committee (recently renamed from “Marketing Committee”) will be working with profession stakeholders to develop and launch a “Why Podiatry” campaign, designed to engage high school and college students to consider podiatry as a career.
Aside from student recruitment into our field, ABPM recognizes additional headwinds to podiatry that will require a strong and united response from the profession. DPMs face pressure from within the medical community itself regarding our existing scope of practice. Encroachment by other specialties into the DPMs practice area from endocrinology, orthopedics, and dermatology should remain a key priority from our national leadership over the next decade. Our profession is stronger when united and ABPM remains dedicated to the vision of a single certifying board for all podiatrists. We will continue to advocate for dialogue with the other Board to make this vision a reality for the overwhelming majority of podiatrists that support it.
While ABPM’s priorities for the future of the profession are numerous, we recognize that we cannot tackle any of this without the support of our diplomates. For us, that means continuous work to deliver better services and higher value from our Board Certification and CAQs, In-Training Exams, and Maintenance of Certification program. An emerging priority for ABPM is our website, podiatryboard.org.
In the coming months and years, diplomates can look forward to expanded functionality from the site. First and foremost, this means more automated processes with regards to keeping our diplomates informed of their MOC and CME status. As our diplomate pool becomes more and more savvy with mobile technology, we’d like to follow this with a revitalized mobile app that will enable the full spectrum of our desktop-based services to be delivered via phone and tablet, so we can provide comprehensive services to our members anytime and anywhere. Additionally, we are working with our web development team to improve and simplify the online experience for applicants.
ABPM has also worked to improve what is already on the public side of the site. This includes a recently completed In-Training Exams page update. The new page contains a myriad of useful information for current and prospective residents and program directors and is comprehensive regarding the registration process, benefits, timeline of delivery and content of the exams. Exam takers can also anticipate far more comprehensive exam reporting from PRR once their ITE results are posted. These changes will take effect for the 2023-2024 exam cycle. Additional comprehensive page updates are forthcoming to our CAQ pages, MOC pages and member portal, in the vein of ensuring our site is the resource for compelling and current information regarding the advantages conferred by Board Certification.
As ABPM looks toward the future, more is in store for our organization and our diplomates. While the challenges ahead are significant, within each lays an opportunity to build a stronger Board, a more resilient specialty, and a verdant future. We will continue to keep you informed of our work and look forward to serving you.
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Congratulations Stephen M. Geller, DPM Graduate Merit Award Winners!
This award is given annually to a single, deserving graduating student from each of the nine podiatric medical colleges. Selections are made with recommendation from the Dean of each college, specified criteria, input from faculty and information provided by the student.
The students below display high standards of professional conduct, probity, academic achievement, and moral rectitude such as, no tardiness in clinic, all assignments turned in on time, no negative write ups, and a GPA of no less than 3.5. They also exhibit aptitude in Podiatric Medicine and Podiatric Orthopedics which includes but is not limited to dermatology, biomechanics, sports medicine, infectious disease, and wound care.
This award was named to honor Steven M. Geller, DPM, who was a former ABPM Exam Chair, member of the Board of Directors, Residency Director, educator, visionary leader, and strong advocate for the podiatry profession. Each recipient of the ABPM Graduate Merit Award received a pecuniary award of $2,000 and a certificate of merit. ABPM Board members present the awards to these outstanding students. Congratulations to each of these deserving recipients.
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ALINA TRAN
Midwestern University Arizona, College of Podiatric Medicine
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KAYLN JONES
Dr. William M. Scholl College of Podiatric Medicine
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ASHISH BIJU
Kent State University College of Podiatric Medicine
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JOSHUA MAGNO
Temple University School of Podiatric Medicine
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CALEB PINCOCK
Barry University School of Podiatric Medicine
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DANIEL SOOHOO
Samuel Merritt University California School of Podiatric Medicine
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MADISON BURANDT
Des Moines University College of Podiatric Medicine and Surgery
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SHANAY FISCHER
New York College of Podiatric Medicine
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FAUSTINE VUONG
Western University of Health Sciences College of Podiatric Medicine
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Maintenance of Certification (MOC) Update
Garrett Moore, DPM
Greetings! Since taking over our Maintenance of Certification program, I'm excited to share news of some updates and opportunities within every diplomate's membership dashboard.
Many of our MOC-enrolled members may not know that there are opportunities to earn MOC points available to our members every month!
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Primarily, these take the form of lectures provided by CFAR or the Complex Foot and Ankle Reconstruction series. These lectures typically occur on the last Thursday of each month and are completely free of charge to ABPM diplomates!
n addition to counting towards your MOC reporting, each of them are also good for 1 to 2 Continuing Medical Education points with your state licensing board.
Additionally, two free MOC points are available on your MOC dashboard in the form of a brief didactic-style online assessment that members can complete once every three years. A couple of things you should keep in mind about this point pathway are:
• You have two attempts to pass with a score of 60% or higher.
• Upon completion of the test, you will be able to see a breakdown of your scores by category type.
• If you pass the test, you will earn two MOC Evidence points in Category 1.
We hope you find the MOC Evidence Assessment informative and challenging, and importantly, convenient as you work to maintain your Board Certification with ABPM.
Finally, always keep in mind that many of the conferences and trade shows out in the podiatry universe can be attended for both Maintenance of Certification and for meeting your state's CME requirements. If you'd like to stay abreast of developments and opportunities within MOC, so that you never miss a point, conference, or opportunity, contact peter@podiatryboard.org to add you to our MOC monthly mailings!
For remaining questions or concerns please visit your member dashboard at our website https://podiatryboard.org/ or contact ABPM Headquarters.
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ABPM Proposal for Single Board
ABPM stands for Clarity, Fairness and Unity for the podiatry profession and all podiatrists. Our commitment to a brighter future for our doctors means we will continue to advocate for the virtue and necessity of our profession in our external affairs efforts. Our profession is a noble one, but without unity amongst our leaders and practitioners, we cannot weather the headwinds our field faces.
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That’s why we want to end the acrimony and division between the two CPME-recognized certifying boards. We want to come together with the other Board and build a better future that includes all podiatrists. We need everyone at the table and facing the same direction if we are going to secure the future of this profession. That’s why we see the only path forward for our profession is a future with a single certifying board. Our vision is to merge with the other board and offer a single Board Certification with additional subspecialty certificates available to qualified practitioners, primarily due to additional post-residency fellowship training.
The benefits of a single unified certifying board certifying CPME-residency trained podiatrists in Podiatric Medicine and Surgery are numerous and include:
• Elimination of harmful inter-board discrimination and circumvention of supporting state legislation that keeps qualified podiatrists from doing the jobs they were trained and educated to do;
• Unification and strength across the profession to more effectively advocate for the priorities of all podiatrists on state and national levels;
• Ultimate career flexibility and specialization opportunities with sub-specialization certificates covering all areas of podiatric medical and surgical practice
• Cost Effectiveness for certified providers with a single board and a wider tent for all podiatrists to get Board Certified, including a pathway for practitioners with proven excellence in practice
A single certifying board for all podiatrists forms one of the pillars of the Podiatry Forward campaign, launched last year. Podiatry Forward is just how it sounds, we want to move our noble profession into the future.
For too long, Podiatry has been hamstrung by the status quo. Stuck in an unwillingness to change, our field has exposed itself to risks of further misunderstanding and ultimate irrelevance. Podiatrists of all stripes cannot allow that to happen.
Key to the importance of a single board is the elimination of board-specific discrimination against Board Certified DPMs. With all boards under one roof, no podiatrist need fear that their future be at risk because of outdated hospital bylaws at best, or irresponsible gate-keeping at worst.
Very rarely, podiatrists experience trouble obtaining practice privileges at certain institutions. Reasons for this vary, but most often the issue simply comes down to making an overdue change in hospital bylaws to include multiple board certifications among the ranks of their physicians. Ninety-nine times out of one hundred, this is not an issue for any podiatrist. However, board-specific discrimination does occur. When it does, the consequences can be serious and unfortunate. These include but are not limited to:
• Federal liability - CMS Conditions of Participation §482.12 which prohibits the use of board certification as the only criteria for qualification for privileges. Failure to comply potentially exposes a hospital to enormous legal liability related to their ability to provide Medicare and Medicaid-based service.
• Decreased Opportunities for Qualified Physicians – All podiatrists, regardless of their specific board certification, undertake almost a decade of education, training, and experience before they practice medicine as board certified doctors, and some take more time than that. By the time they get to the privileging stage of their careers, these practitioners are more than ready. Outdated bylaws or needless gatekeeping creates undue financial, emotional, and psychological hardship that harms these doctors’ relationship to the profession and to the noble mission of certifying boards.
• Dangerously Limits Patient Access – Most egregious is the harm done to patients in need of qualified care. Board-specific discrimination bottlenecks the supply of qualified physicians serving at hospitals, surgical centers, and ambulatory care facilities. America’s physician shortage is well-documented, and short-staffing these facilities further increases patient wait-times, decreases access to high-quality care and puts the health and wellbeing of patients in-need at higher risk.
The idea of a single certifying board for podiatry is not a new idea, but it is a good one. Podiatry faces many challenges, from outstanding issues in podiatric parity compared to our allopathic colleagues to truly existential threats, like the decline in student enrollment at podiatric medical schools across the country. With a single certifying board that empowers all podiatrists, the profession can stop fighting amongst itself and start building a better future. For everyone. That’s Podiatry Forward.
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Partner Report: ABPMi Administers Inaugural Certification Exam
Matthew Garoufalis, DPM
This Spring, after almost four years of development, the American Board of Podiatric Medicine International (ABPMi) administered its inaugural Board Certification exam to a group of 17 podiatrists. These practitioners hail from across ABPMi's service area, which includes Spain, Ireland, Malta, and the United Kingdom.
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Results are expected this summer and we eagerly anticipate sharing them with each of these practitioners. While U.S.- educated podiatrists are referred as a "Doctor", specialists of the foot and ankle carry a variety of titles internationally and post-nominal terms like "DPM" are not shared universally among our international colleagues. Once BoardCertified, international podiatrists may use the post-nominal, DABPMi, as appropriate.
ABPMi endeavors to provide internationally recognized certification in medical care of the foot and ankle for use by practitioners abroad.
Chiropodists and others are beginning to recognize a need in their own countries for professional credentialing analogous to what is accepted much more broadly in the United States across many medical and non-medical fields. Unique to ABPMi's certificate is the availability of pathways for ABPMi-recognized providers to join the ranks of those in the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Glasgow (RCPSG), an organization of international renown and prestige.
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ABPM Publishes 2023 Membership Survey | | |
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ABPM Publishes 2023 Membership Survey As your certifying board, the American Board of Podiatric Medicine is constantly working to better serve our diplomates at every stage of their career. From residency and fellowship training to board certification, certificates of added qualification, private practice, multispecialty and orthopedic group privileging and hospital privileging, to solo and community based practice, we recognize the exceptional diversity of professionals in our diplomate pool. To that end, the Board invites its diplomates to tell us more about themselves. Our 2023 Membership Survey is less than twenty questions and should take no more than five to ten minutes to complete and will help ABPM improve our service to our diplomates.
We encourage you to scan this QR code, or log onto www.podiatryboard.org and take our survey. It can be completed anonymously and personal information collected from the survey will never be shared with the hospitals, insurance companies or members of the public. We look forward to your input and feedback on all things ABPM!
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August 11-13, 2023 | PRESENT Surgery and Advanced Wound Care Summit for Podiatrists and Residents | VIRTUAL
September 19-21, 2023 | American Board of Medical Specialties | Chicago, IL
October 21-22, 2023 | PRESENT Superbones & Superwounds | VIRTUAL
November 2-5, 2023 | Goldfarb Clinical Conference | Valley Forge, Pennsylvania
November 6-7, 2023 | ASPS Annual Surgical Conference | New Orleans, LA
December 6-9, 2023 | Desert Foot | Phoenix, Arizona
Examination Schedule
October 10 & 11, 2023 | Board Certification Exam
February 5-26, 2024 | In-Training Exams Years 1 & 2
February 12-17, 2024 | In-Training Exams Years 3 or 4
March 4-9, 2024 | CAQ Exams in Amputation Prevention and Wound Care; Sports Medicine; Podiatric Surgery
October 8 & 9, 2024 | Board Certification Exam
For more information, please visit our website at www.podiatryboard.org
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