APMA News - January/February 2018 - 58

Worthy of Note
Drs. Armstrong, Najafi Provide Keynote Lectures to Algerian Diabetes Congress
David G. Armstrong, DPM, MD, PhD, professor of Surgery at Keck School of Medicine at University of Southern
California, and Bijan Najafi, PhD, MSc, professor of Surgery and director of clinical research at Baylor College of
Medicine, provided keynote lectures at the Third Congress
on Medical and Surgical Treatment of Diabetes in Algiers.
The symposium, which attracted some 400 physicians,
surgeons, and scientists from around the world, featured a
diverse series of topics ranging from care of people in resource-poor regions to next-generation cybersecurity and
wearable technologies. Dr. Armstrong reported on recent
data to support the role of podiatric surgeons in screening,
treatment, and prevention, while Dr. Najafi followed up with
new research showing the role of low-cost, next-generation
activity monitoring by clinicians to prevent complications.
"It was an honor to participate in this symposium," said
Dr. Armstrong. "To see efforts being taken throughout the
region to combat the scourge of this silent and sinister syndrome is not only exciting, it is inspiring." Dr. Najafi was
equally enthusiastic: "I think the combination of technology
and practicality seen at this meeting was surprising and

unique. I think I speak for my long-time friend and research
collaborator, Dr. Armstrong, when I say we can learn a lot
from our colleagues here and work to spread the message."

From left: David G. Armstrong, DPM, MD, PhD; Conference Co-chair
Dr. Nadia Boudjenah; and Bijan Najafi, PhD, MSc, at the Third Congress on Medical and Surgical Treatment of Diabetes.

Dr. Gerst Elected Medical Staff President
APMA member David A. Gerst, DPM, has been elected
medical staff president at Advocate Trinity Hospital in Chicago. His two-year term begins in 2018. He is the first podiatrist to be elected medical staff president within Advocate Health Care, the largest hospital system in Illinois.
"I am honored to lead the medical staff at one of the hospitals in the Advocate Health system. The presence of podiatry is at the forefront and part of the integral health-care
team providing great care, knowledge, and education to our
patients in a collaborative effort," said Dr. Gerst.
Dr. Gerst earned his bachelor's degree at Indiana Univer-

sity in Bloomington, IN, and his
DPM degree from Dr. William M.
Scholl College of Podiatric Medicine at Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine and Science.
Dr. Gerst has been treating
Chicago patients since 1990. He
is board certified in foot surgery
by the American Board of Foot
and Ankle Surgery.
David A. Gerst, DPM

Dr. Hoyal Promoted to Chief of Staff at Hospital
APMA member Rachel Hoyal, DPM, has been promoted
to chief of staff for 2018-19 at Healdsburg District Hospital
in Healdsburg, CA.
Are you an APMA member who holds a similar lead-

58 APMA News January/February 2018

ership position on the medical staff of your institution?
We encourage you to contact Legislative Advocacy Director Benjamin J. Wallner at bjwallner@apma.org.

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