APMA News - January/February 2018 - 66

Development Update
EDITOR'S NOTE: The following is promotional content furnished by the organization featured.

The Rhett Foundation for the
Advancement of Podiatric Medical Education
The Rhett Foundation
is a nonprofit organization
dedicated to the advancement of podiatric medical
education, with an emphasis on podiatric dermatology. The foundation was established by Bradley W.
Bakotic, DPM, DO, and
Joseph "Jody" Hackel, MD,
previously dermatopathologists at Bako Integrated
Bradley W. Bakotic, DPM, DO
Physicians Solutions, now
Bako Diagnostics.
When presented with
the opportunity to use his
professional skills to give
back to the profession, Dr.
Bakotic created a self-funded charity, the purpose of
which is to help students,
residents, and practicing clinicians better manage their
patients and save lives. Why "Rhett"? Dr. Bakotic's dog, a Hungarian Vizsla, is named Rhett. Drs. Bakotic and Hackel thought
that naming the foundation after a loyal pet would beautifully
illustrate their intent to demonstrate their own loyalty to the
podiatric profession, which has been overwhelmingly supportive of them for more than a decade.
To get the Rhett Foundation ready to ﬂourish, the founders
committed $2 million of their own funds up front. To ensure
its longevity, they have dedicated the proceeds from various
investments to the Rhett Foundation for as long as necessary. In
addition, they are partnering with other entities that share an
altruistic vision and, in some instances, plan to acquire for-profit companies and subsequently turn them non-profit for the
benefit of the Rhett Foundation, and thus, the benefit of podiatric medical education. Regardless of the future success of the
Rhett Foundation, Dr. Bakotic has pledged to return any future
salary directly to the foundation.
The principal wing of the Rhett Foundation is the "Rhett Educational Initiatives Projects," which include publishing a comprehensive textbook about lower extremity dermatology, participating in and funding scientific research to help further validate
the benefits of podiatric care, providing educational grants to
support university and continuing education lectures, sponsoring dinner symposia to educate and support podiatrists, providing financial support to nonprofit podiatric associations and
66 APMA News January/February 2018

Drs. Bakotic and Hackel thought
that naming the foundation after a
loyal pet would beautifully illustrate
their intent to demonstrate their own
loyalty to the podiatric profession, which
has been overwhelmingly supportive
of them for more than a decade.
schools, sponsoring and working with podiatric organizations
to develop better podiatric dermatology content, and eventually
developing a podiatric dermatology learning center that will
welcome residents and practicing clinicians. The foundation has
named Dock Dockery, DPM, as a contributing founder, and other distinguished clinicians will be joining him soon.
Drs. Bakotic and Hackel have made a career out of showing
their loyalty to this wonderful profession. Please follow the
things the Rhett Foundation does; its founders sincerely believe that you'll nod your head in pride!
n

2018 APMA Educational
Foundation Annual
Giving Campaign
A contribution to the APMA
Educational Foundation is
one of the most important
investments you can make
for the future of our students
and the podiatric medical
profession. We invite you
to make a tax-deductible
contribution, and your name
will be included as a 2018 donor.
Please fax or mail the donor form
on page 69 or donate online at
www.apma.org/donate.

http://www.apma.org/donate

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of APMA News - January/February 2018