APMA News - November/December 2011 - (Page 58)

Young Voices By Erin Klein, DPM Sitting at the Grown-ups’ Table During the big holiday meals, our family had a kids’ table. It was a fun table—sitting with others your age, laughing at cousin Eddy’s latest misadventure, not eating much (except dessert), and wondering what the boring grown-ups were doing at the other table. Medicine also has a kids’ table. Generally composed of residents and/or students, this table can be as frustrating as it is fun. The joking, debating, and academic discussions are great, but you may not get to play as much of a role in the decision-making process as the grown-ups do. Over the past couple of months, it has become increasingly obvious that at some point I moved to the grown-ups’ table. I have no idea who made this decision or if it just happened as a part of fellowship. At first, I wanted nothing more than to be back at the kids’ table—debating the academics of the matter for a young fellow or attending physician. Many eyes are fixed on you, and students are absorbing every word you say (you hope so, anyway). On one hand, you want to be as encouraging as possible, but on the other hand, you are afraid a student may get hurt with all of those sharps, or a patient who requires more treatment than you can give in a tent will come in. In the end, however, you realize that students are excited about getting to treat patients and even more excited about anything they can learn in a medical tent on a Sunday morning. Arriving at the grown-ups’ table is scary and brings with it new challenges. I’m still trying to figure out how I arrived at this table. But now that I am here, I am excited about the potential for good that is possible with this new position. n Contact Dr. Klein at eek@weil4feet.com. 2011 Bank of America Chicago Marathon podiatry tent volunteers. Connected yet? If you haven't yet registered on the FIP site www. pnet.org take a moment to do so now. If you have already registered, be sure to check back often for updates, contest announcements and more. and maybe having some input into the decision, but rarely having to make an actual decision. Now, I realize there is great potential and opportunity for doing good while sitting where I am. So what happened? The Bank of America Chicago Marathon takes place every October. I worked in the podiatry tent at this event as a student and helped with coordinating student volunteers while a member of the American Academy of Podiatric Sports Medicine student organization at Dr. William M. Scholl College of Podiatric Medicine at Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine and Science. This year, I was considered an attending physician for this event. Really? I didn’t feel like an attending physician. The event day arrived with unpredictable weather and the excitement that only marathon day brings. After morning meetings, a student approached me looking anxious and asked, “Dr. Klein, I feel bad asking this, but how do you pop a blister? I’ve never done that.” The honesty and humility in this question made me smile. I remember feeling like that. As I patiently explained the process to this student (and several others), I realized that situations like this can be scary 58 APMA News November/December 2011 www. pnet.org Your primary source for podiatry information around the world! http://www.fipnet.org http://www.fipnet.org http://www.fipnet.org

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

APMA News - November/December 2011