APMA News - November/December 2011 - (Page 64)

APMA All Stars Dr. Vakil on Opportunity and Unity In practice since 1993, Samir Vakil, DPM, has never been afraid to face a challenge. Dr. Vakil is forging new paths for podiatrists in Florida’s medical establishment. During his two-year podiatric surgical residency in Pittsburgh, Dr. Vakil spent 14 months working with orthopedic surgeons. He performed ankle surgery in addition to surgery on hips and knees, all while completing more than 1,300 podiatric procedures with the attending podiatrists at the hospital. When he later moved to Charlotte County in South Florida, he was surprised to find that podiatrists were not allowed to perform ankle surgery. Two of the three area hospitals had orthopedists as chiefs of staff. After reviewing Dr. Vakil’s logs, one of the chiefs said that while Dr. Vakil had appropriate credentials, he shouldn’t expect to get ankle privileges in Charlotte County. “You have to prove yourself before they let you do something,” Dr. Vakil said. After providing two three-inch binders filled with the adequate number of cases, he still was denied. At this point, Dr. Vakil turned to Harold Vogler, DPM, a prominent podiatrist in Sarasota, FL, for advice. Dr. Vogler recommended that Dr. Vakil have the hospitals form committees to review his credentials. After multiple meetings, Dr. Vakil was finally allowed to perform ankle surgery on patients in Charlotte County. His efforts opened the opportunity for future podiatrists to perform ankle surgery and apply lower-leg external frames in local hospitals. This victory inspired Dr. Vakil to become more involved in local medical associations and political activity that affects the health-care industry. In 2003, allopathic and osteopathic physicians in Florida started promoting Amendment Three, which would limit punitive damages for malpractice cases to $250,000. Physicians in the Charlotte County area began collecting patient signatures on petitions, and when Dr. Vakil’s office collected the most signatures in the entire county, fellow physicians began to take notice. Not only did his efforts help secure passage of the amendment, but they also helped raise the profile of podiatrists in the area. Dr. Vakil demonstrated to other physicians that most medical issues have the same effect on all physicians, including podiatrists. After that experience, Dr. Vakil made the decision to venture into uncharted territory for a podiatrist: He sought a seat on the Charlotte County Medical Society (CCMS), a component of the Florida Medical Association. Until 2004, podiatrists were not allowed to be members of the society. A general surgeon pushed for podiatrists to be accepted, and Dr. Vakil remembers widespread support from colleagues in allopathic and osteopathic medicine. “I don’t think people see me as a podiatrist but more as a colleague,” Dr. Vakil said. “In our area, we have a lot of high64 APMA News November/December 2011 risk vascular patients and high-risk diabetic patients. We work together to solve cases.” Dr. Vakil has served as a board member, secretary, treasurer, and vice president, and he is now the president of CCMS—the first DPM to hold the position. He also is the only podiatrist currently on its board. On the CCMS website, Dr. Vakil and other podiatrists are listed under the “Find a Physician” tab. By gaining recognition from CCMS, Dr. Vakil set an outstanding example of what podiatrists can accomplish. While Dr. Vakil is working tirelessly in Charlotte County to foster unity among the medical professions, APMA is at work on the same goals at a national level. With the Today’s Podiatrist campaign, which supports Vision 2015, APMA is continuing to raise the profile of the podiatric medical profes- Samir Vakil, DPM, applies an ankle brace for the treatment of tenosynovitis. sion and promote podiatrists as physicians, surgeons, and specialists. “We need to stop seeing ourselves as only foot and ankle doctors,” Dr. Vakil said. “We need to start seeing ourselves as doctors who work on a part of the body. Let’s learn to see the patient as a whole.” Dr. Vakil says that current podiatric medical students are faced with different challenges than he faced decades ago in school. With initiatives like Vision 2015, additional funding for residencies is a step in the right direction, he said. As the incoming Florida Podiatric Medical Association president, Dr. Vakil plans on creating bridges between younger physicians and more seasoned podiatrists in the Sunshine State. While some DPMs may have reservations about inviting shadowing students, residents, and younger podiatric physicians into their practice, Dr. Vakil believes podiatrists must stop seeing newer graduates as a threat. “We have to view them as colleagues and future referral sources.” For more information about Vision 2015, visit www. apma.org/V2015. n http://www.apma.org/files/secure/index.cfm?FileID=5097 http://www.apma.org/files/secure/index.cfm?FileID=5097

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of APMA News - November/December 2011

APMA News - November/December 2011
Help Your Patients Get Up and Dance with APMA’s Diabetes Awareness Campaign
President’s Message
Contents
Special Section: Corporate Partners and Members Make a Difference
State Advocacy Case Study: NYSPMA Puts Thomson Reuters Data in the Spotlight
Reimbursement
Federal Advocacy Forum
APMAPAC Chair Report
IT Consultant
Can They Really Do That?
Members Who Know Media
Technofile
Young Voices
Small Business 101
APMA All Stars
In Short
APMA Out and About
Worthy of Note
Affiliates Corner
List of Affiliated Organizations
Insurance Advisor
New Members
Death Notices
APMAPAC Update
Annual Scientific Meeting Registration Form
Resolutions Submissions
Classified Advertising
Dates to Remember
Advertising Index
10 Questions

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