APMA News - January/February 2021 - 14

many ways. We realize we won't agree on everything, but we
have worked together on several projects that affect all foot
and ankle surgeons. Our larger goal-and what APMA has
been working on over the past decade-is for podiatric medical students to be able to take the US Medical Licensing Examination [USMLE]. Many of you know there has been a pilot project at Western University of Health Sciences College
of Podiatric Medicine.
In my opinion, this is the final piece in a journey to being
fully recognized as physicians.
APMA News: Where do you believe the profession stands in
terms of parity?
Dr. DeSantis: On a local level, I believe in many cases we
have achieved it. So many of our MD or DO colleagues trust
us and refer their family members to us for foot or ankle surgery. Think of the respect we have at our institutions and in
our communities and the relationships we have forged with
other physicians.
In terms of the state licensing boards, I still believe we have
work to be done. We cannot and will not accept any states not
having ankle surgery in their practice acts! That will be one of
my overriding priorities as president. I believe in it, and we
need to make it known to all the political leaders across
America that DPM=MD=DO.
APMA News: What do you think will be a challenge for you as
incoming president?
Dr. DeSantis: I think the challenge this year, not only for
me but for everyone reading this, is COVID-19 and how it
has affected our personal lives and our practices. I want
members to know that the APMA Board of Trustees takes its
responsibility to serve as good stewards of your dues dollars
very seriously. We know you make a choice to continue your
membership in APMA, and we are looking at every penny
spent. As we reported in July, DPMs initially were left out of
14 APMA News January/February 2021

the Department of Homeland Security Cybersecurity & Infrastructure Security Agency's listing of essential service providers during the COVID-19 public health emergency. APMA
caught this error and worked hard and fast to remedy the
situation. Our advocacy efforts paid off, and podiatric physicians were added retroactively this summer!
That's just one example of the many incredible things
APMA has accomplished for its members during the pandemic. We've launched an online hub of information, resources,
and guidance for dealing with the pandemic in practice, and
we've lobbied for podiatric physicians in relief plans and now
in the vaccine rollout. We created an award-winning online
continuing education event in just six weeks to meet members' educational needs. And we've promoted the value of
podiatric medicine and surgery to patients who may be wary
of seeking regular medical care. APMA is the organization advocating for you on Capitol Hill, at CMS, and with the public.
I want to thank my colleagues on the Board of Trustees, as
well as the staff of APMA, for the work they have done for all
podiatric physicians while also grappling with the changes in
their own personal and professional lives.
During my presidency, the Board of Trustees will be front
and center, as I want DPMs across the nation to get to know
the physicians you have elected-stay tuned!
APMA News: What do you believe the profession needs to
accomplish in the year ahead?
Dr. DeSantis: We need to continually look at the blueprint
of Vision 21st Century and push more of those objectives
across the goal line. I think as a specialty in medicine, we are so
much stronger together, and we all have to work together and
support each other. We lose strength when we do not speak as
a unified voice. As a fellow of ACFAS my whole career, I am
excited to see us working together on the national task force.
Our training has changed so significantly since the inception of
our PMSR programs, and I am so proud of these standardized
residency programs as well as the American Board of Foot and
Ankle Surgery and the American Board of Podiatric Medicine.
Finally, we want our deans and colleges to believe in this path
for our future and to prepare our students to pass the USMLE.
APMA News: What would you ask members to do?
Dr. DeSantis: APMA members should interact with us.
Open publications, attend webinars, listen to our podcast,
watch our Monday Minute video, answer our eAdvocacy calls
to action. This is how you become a part of our mission to
advance foot and ankle medicine and surgery-and it's also
how you get the full value of your dues dollars. Use the member benefits and call us if you are unsure of what they are.
I hope members will also find time to share their story of
practicing podiatric medicine and surgery, whether that's
with prospective students, local legislators, or another healthcare provider. I personally want to tell the story of a surgical
specialty. We have all had a scalpel put in our hand and felt
the nerves before our first case. Whether you are performing

APMA News - January/February 2021

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