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American Podiatric Medical Association visits Barry

Nov. 21, 2008
Contact: Gladys Amador
(305)899-4919

Miami Shores, Fla. – “Now is the best time to become a podiatric physician,” said Dr. Ira Kraus, member of the American Podiatric Medical Association (APMA). Dr. Kraus, a board of trustees’ member, was part of a team of representatives from the APMA visiting the campus to discuss how they can help students with issues such as coping with the pressures of medical school and how to prepare for clerkship and post-graduate residency.

Dr. Amber Shane, a Barry graduate and member of the APMA’s Young Members Committee emphasized how the group helps close the gap between student and podiatric practitioner.
“The next ten years will be the most exciting ten years of your life,” Shane said. “The young members committee will be there to help you during your student years, residency and first five years of practice.”
Shane added how the American Podiatric Medical Student Association (APMSA) is a significant part of every student’s career.

“With the aging of the baby boomers there will be a dramatic increase in the elderly patient population,” Dr. Kraus said. An occupational survey conducted for APMA indicates that podiatric physicians will be in the greatest demand among medical professionals. Many older podiatric physicians will be retiring, so podiatric medicine will continue to be a great career choice, Kraus explained to the students.

Dr. Barney Greenberg, APMA and political action committee, secretary-treasurer, discussed how the organization is the largest and strongest representing the podiatric physician. More than 80 percent of practicing doctors of podiatric medicine are members. Greenberg noted the APMA is a strong advocate for podiatric medicine and surgery through the political action committee by supporting political candidates who favor legislation supporting podiatric medicine and encouraged “give back to the profession that will give them a living.”

APMA board of trustee’s member, Dr. Dennis Frisch, counseled the students to “find a balance in your lives between your studies and your life which happens outside the classroom.”

The APMA has made tremendous strides for the profession through “Vision 2015” a national initiative to bring the education, training and experience of the podiatric physician on an even level with allopathic and osteopathic physicians. The goal of the initiative is to mandate core competencies and have three-year-long residency programs at all schools of podiatric medicine by the year 2015.

“Today’s students are the future of podiatric medicine,” said Dr. Bradley Haves, and president-elect of the Florida Podiatric Medical Association. “I have been involved as a mentor, making fundraising calls for scholarships among my fellow alumni, serving as alumni president for the Barry University Podiatric Alumni Chapter and teaching in courses at the school,” he said. “Make the profession grow from the bottom up by being involved with student clubs, community health fairs, and any other way you can contribute.”