APMA News - March 2012 - (Page 22)

APMA by the Decade: 1932–1941 Throughout 2012, APMA’s publications will celebrate the rich heritage of the podiatric medical profession and its professional organization. Each month in APMA News, we will focus on one decade of APMA’s history. A s the National Association of Chiropodists (NAC) entered the 1930s, chiropodists and students nationwide were facing the grim reality of the Great Depression. More than 400 members (out of a total membership of fewer than 3,000) were in arrears for dues. In order to combat the effects of the Depression, the NAC began actively promoting the profession to consumers, seeking to drive more patients to chiropodists’ offices. A Public Information Committee formed to seek newspaper and radio coverage of chiropody, and the committee even developed educational films for the public. Advances in the educational arena carried on, as well. In 1932, the Association of Colleges of Chiropody formed in Washington, DC. The new association would work to standardize the curriculum and coordinate with the Council on An ad from The Journal of the NAC, July 1935. The 1935 faculty of the Research Shoe Fitting School, Milwaukee. Education and state boards. A three-year course at the chiropody schools required completion of 3,360 instructional hours (although that number would drop to 3,120 hours later in the 1930s due to Depression-era reduced enrollment and financial difficulties). NAC leaders also were pushing for a greater focus on research at the schools; the colleges reported 38 research projects in 1940. 22 APMA News March 2012 The focus on science also was important at the association level. The NAC had tasked a new Scientific Committee with planning its annual conventions and the professional sessions that took place at those meetings. With tensions in Europe running high and China and Japan already at war, the NAC also was flexing its advocacy muscles in anticipation of American involvement in World War II. Chiropodists in the late 1930s were actively lobbying for military podiatry corps. The War Department opposed these efforts, but in 1938, a bill proposing an Army Podiatry Corps and another proposing a Navy Podiatry Corps were introduced in Congress. Neither passed, but they received strong support from lawmakers and gained greater recognition for chiropodists. The association’s increasing involvement in policy-related issues necessitated some changes in its infrastructure. By the late 1930s, members were calling for an executive secretary to bring focus to the organization, as well as a permanent national headquarters. The 1940s would see massive change for the NAC as William J. Stickel, DSC, assumed the post of executive secretary and the United States entered World War II. Chiropodists would help “Keep America Marching” through the war years and emerge to face new post-war challenges. Read APMA by the Decade: 1942–1951 in the April issue of APMA News. n

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of APMA News - March 2012

APMA News - March 2012
President’s Message
Contents
Joseph M. Caporusso, DPM: The Anything-is-Possible President
Meet the Candidates for the Board of Trustees
APMA By the Decade: 1932–1941
Profiles in Progress: Hospital Privileges
2011 Podiatric Practice Survey: First Year Associate Salary
Guest Editorial: Why I Want to Be a Podiatrist When I Grow Up
Federal Advocacy Forum
APMAPAC Chair Report
IT Consultant
Website Wisdom
Small Business 101
CPME Update
Sheer Scope: No Meeting Can Match The National
Annual Scientific Meeting Preliminary Program
Annual Scientific Meeting Registration Form
Annual Scientific Meeting Sponsors
APMA All Stars
In Short
Worthy of Note
Affiliates Corner
List of Affiliated Organizations
Insurance Advisor
New Members
Death Notices
APMAPAC Update
Development Update
Resolutions Submissions
Awards Nominations
Classified Advertising
Dates to Remember
Advertising Index
10 Questions
Your APMA

APMA News - March 2012