Any APMSA reps/ members...opinion appreciated :)

[artse]

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Hey,

I was wondering if you guys can let me know little more about the functionality of APMSA and its class reps. The club and bein able to represent the podiatry field nationally is very honoring. I would love to hear from you guys and if you are holding the 4 year position how is it like. What is the time commitment like?

I really appreciate your help 🙂

 

[densmore22]

Hey,

I was wondering if you guys can let me know little more about the functionality of APMSA and its class reps. The club and bein able to represent the podiatry field nationally is very honoring. I would love to hear from you guys and if you are holding the 4 year position how is it like. What is the time commitment like?

I really appreciate your help 🙂

The APMSA functions as a recommendation board. By that, it basically takes the views and opinions of the students from the colleges to the national level and expresses their wishes for what they want to see out of Podiatric Medicine and its progression at the school. Within the APMSA there's liason positions to various boards (NBPME, COTH, Council of Deans, etc) that various delegates run and are elected for that serve as APMSA liasons.

I love being a delegate. You get to travel a lot, meet very interesting people, hear about the latest in Podiatric Medicine. It's a lot of fun.

As far as time consumption, you just have to realize that as a delegate, you're probably not going to be number 1 in your class, it's just a lot of extra duties you have to do that takes away from some study time. I'd say 2nd year is your busiest year as a delegate because you're trying to organize all these events and if you're a host school (like DMU is this winter) for the midwinter meeting, then it just adds to it.

 

[krabmas]

Hey,

I was wondering if you guys can let me know little more about the functionality of APMSA and its class reps. The club and bein able to represent the podiatry field nationally is very honoring. I would love to hear from you guys and if you are holding the 4 year position how is it like. What is the time commitment like?

I really appreciate your help 🙂

I was not a delegate, but I went to the meetings as Student Council President. If you are gung ho about podiatry and advancing the field thru the student's point of view then go for it. But like Densmore said it is a huge time commitment. It is very interesting to see the politics involved in the profession. You will meet people from other schools and important people in the profession.

If you run your main goal should be to represent the what is best for students in the long run and what is best for the profession.

 

[jonwill]

I was not a delegate, but I went to the meetings as Student Council President. If you are gung ho about podiatry and advancing the field thru the student's point of view then go for it. But like Densmore said it is a huge time commitment. It is very interesting to see the politics involved in the profession. You will meet people from other schools and important people in the profession.

If you run your main goal should be to represent the what is best for students in the long run and what is best for the profession.

Well, the APMSA is OK now that the reign of terror of the supreme dictator Mineo is over!!!

 

[APMAHelp]

APMSA has their own website at www.apmsa.org
Check it out; you may get some of your questions answered there.

 

[densmore22]

Well, the APMSA is OK now that the reign of terror of the supreme dictator Mineo is over!!!

Mineo was a terror. I think I saw him "white boy" dance one too many times.

 

[Feli]

...As far as time consumption, you just have to realize that as a delegate, you're probably not going to be number 1 in your class, it's just a lot of extra duties you have to do that takes away from some study time. I'd say 2nd year is your busiest year as a delegate because you're trying to organize all these events and if you're a host school (like DMU is this winter) for the midwinter meeting, then it just adds to it.

This is very well stated. It's not for everyone. A lot of people will bite off more than they can chew with EC activities (or at least try), and that is especially easy to do as a 1st year new student when you don't grasp how much of a challenge pod school will be yet. Be aware that APMSA rep is arguably the most time consuming of all EC positions...

If you are doing it just to have something on your resume, you should definitely avoid it because it takes a ton of time and efforts. There are other jobs like class/club officer positions which can be as busy or relaxed as your schedule/motivation permits. However, APMSA delegate will have outlined meetings, tasks, etc for you, and they are non-flexible. You will have to miss classes, miss and reschedule exams, etc. Some APMSA reps still manage to be ranked high in their class, etc, but some others really struggle with all of the added responsibility. I doubt a good residency will say, "well, you only have a 2.8, but wow... you were an APMSA delegate so that's fine."

If you are considering candidacy, the posts above told you exactly what you need: very strong study habits and the knowledge that you might be sacraficing a bit of rank/gpa at the expense of gaining unique insight into the podiatry profession's political side and national issues.

Quite honestly, when you have your APMSA delegate elections, I'd advise you to just vote for the best academic candidate (assuming they have fair or better social skills and personality). It sounds simplistic, but that is ultimately for the candidates' own good as well as repping your school well. Some people may diagree, but that's just my stance on it...

 

[Ski Bum]

i think i will come back to rule the house again someday...

 

[krabmas]

.

Quite honestly, when you have your APMSA delegate elections, I'd advise you to just vote for the best academic candidate (assuming they have fair or better social skills and personality). It sounds simplistic, but that is ultimately for the candidates' own good as well as repping your school well. Some people may diagree, but that's just my stance on it...

You want the rep that will best represent your school and take the position seriously. You do not want someone who will miss meetings due to personal problems or academic problems either. This is hard to predict from people that you have just met. It is very difficult to tell the people out for themselves apart from the ones that want to advance the profession. Do your best though. Run for the position if you really want to spend lost of time advocating for the profession and doing projects for your classmates and the next generation of students.

 

[cool_vkb]

This is hard to predict from people that you have just met. It is very difficult to tell the people out for themselves apart from the ones that want to advance the profession.

I think along with your points, the AAPSM should also make it mandatory for all contestants to have fair knowledge of current issues. Its so bad that some pod students dont even know that knee is out of our scope. When they hear Pods can go upto Hip. they think we can do knee surgery. I was speaking to some student and he had no clue of Vision 2015 or scope of practice or demand for national scope,etc. Many times people just run for the sake of running. This position is not like school positions where we can change every year. If we choose the wrong person then he/she goes there for next 4 yrs. So i think anyone whom we choose should be thorough abt podiatry issues right from 1st year. then only we can bank on him/her that they can bring changes. Especially with so many resolutions and issues surrounding Podiatry in coming years. i think we need the best of the best one can get.

 

[densmore22]

I think along with your points, the AAPSM should also make it mandatory for all contestants to have fair knowledge of current issues. Its so bad that some pod students dont even know that knee is out of our scope. When they hear Pods can go upto Hip. they think we can do knee surgery. I was speaking to some student and he had no clue of Vision 2015 or scope of practice or demand for national scope,etc. Many times people just run for the sake of running. This position is not like school positions where we can change every year. If we choose the wrong person then he/she goes there for next 4 yrs. So i think anyone whom we choose should be thorough abt podiatry issues right from 1st year. then only we can bank on him/her that they can bring changes. Especially with so many resolutions and issues surrounding Podiatry in coming years. i think we need the best of the best one can get.

This is true, however, as Krabmas stated earlier, it is so hard to determine who truely grasps the issues and who merely rereads what is already out there. You have to base who's going to represent your class and school based on a 3-5 minutes speech. One of the guys that ran for the 2011 class, who I thought did a great speech, basically just reread from my report on vision 2015 from the summer meeting. It sounded good, but I don't know if he had a real grasping of the job or if he was just reiterating what we (I'm the alternate) said.

Regarding Feli's comments, yeah, I think in general that being an APMSA delegate won't get you anything more from a residency, but like all EC's it's a resume builder, but PLEASE don't run for it unless you want to make a change or at least you have a real interest in the politics behind podiatric medicine because you'll hate it and you'll do a crappy job.

You can also have a vote of no confidence from the House of Delegates (all the APMSA delegates from all the respective schools) or from your own class, so don't think that just because you're voted in, you're in for the 4 years. You'll still have produce and not just coast through.

Also, the thing about the APMSA is that it's such a long learning curve. Your first year, you have no real idea what's going on. Better to be seen and not heard. This is frustrating because you want to do stuff, but it's tough because you just don't have the appropriate knowledge at times (not to say you can't obtain the knowledge needed in your 1st year). So these are all things, IMO, you must take into consideration when running for the delegate position at your school.

 

[Ski Bum]

i have been practicing my "white boy" dances moves...got a video camera to perfect some of the complex parts. I will teach anyone but caution yourself...the ladies go crazy

 

[OSUDDS]

i spit hot rhymes like karl rove

 

[artse]

Thx everyone for your input. It is very much appreciated. 👍

 

[crhoody12]

once you get in to school and the semester starts, how does one become a APMSA member/rep and do all the work included and go to the meetings, etc?

 

[densmore22]

once you get in to school and the semester starts, how does one become a APMSA member/rep and do all the work included and go to the meetings, etc?

You sign up for the position and if others run against you, you give a speech and then you're class (your year, not all 4 years) votes for who they they want. If you're elected, then you go to everything that is involved with it.

 

[krabmas]

once you get in to school and the semester starts, how does one become a APMSA member/rep and do all the work included and go to the meetings, etc?

In addition to what Densmore said...

everyone is an APMSA member as long as you are a podiatry student.

The APMSA rep and alternate are elected positions. Elections are usually in october/novemeber then there is a meeting in DC to initiate/teach all the new reps about the bylaws and meeting protocols in December(ish).

The winter meeting is typically in January/Febuary and the Summer meeting in July(ish). The summer meeting is usually at the APMA yearly meeting/conference except for the year that APMA is in Hawaii APMSA will not be going to Hawaii. The winter meeting is at one of the schools on a rotating basis.

Almost all of the reps sign up to do extra stuff such as liasons to other organizations within the APMA, CASPR/CRIPS, NBPME, CPME, AACPM...

The reps are paid for to go to most meetings thru the student government or the APMSA.

If the APMSA has a bunch of highly motivated dedicated people a lot can get accomplished.

One thing to think about bringing up (if you are an APMSA rep reading this) is the time allowed in between interviewing and requiring a deposit for pre-pods. There should be a mandatory time period of more than 2 weeks. Many pre-pods do not have time to interview with more than one school without paying $1000 deposits to hold their spots. This leads to schools taking advantage of pre-pods. The AACPM should regulate this, and would look into it if APMSA recommended it.

 

[Dr. Gangrene]

I was just elected here at Azpod. We go in november to get trained.
Everything else in your post looks gravy.
I just wish they'd send me to hawaii

In addition to what Densmore said...

everyone is an APMSA member as long as you are a podiatry student.

The APMSA rep and alternate are elected positions. Elections are usually in october/novemeber then there is a meeting in DC to initiate/teach all the new reps about the bylaws and meeting protocols in December(ish).

The winter meeting is typically in January/Febuary and the Summer meeting in July(ish). The summer meeting is usually at the APMA yearly meeting/conference except for the year that APMA is in Hawaii APMSA will not be going to Hawaii. The winter meeting is at one of the schools on a rotating basis.

Almost all of the reps sign up to do extra stuff such as liasons to other organizations within the APMA, CASPR/CRIPS, NBPME, CPME, AACPM...

The reps are paid for to go to most meetings thru the student government or the APMSA.

If the APMSA has a bunch of highly motivated dedicated people a lot can get accomplished.

One thing to think about bringing up (if you are an APMSA rep reading this) is the time allowed in between interviewing and requiring a deposit for pre-pods. There should be a mandatory time period of more than 2 weeks. Many pre-pods do not have time to interview with more than one school without paying $1000 deposits to hold their spots. This leads to schools taking advantage of pre-pods. The AACPM should regulate this, and would look into it if APMSA recommended it.

 

[NateDPM]

Hello Everyone, I am Nathan,I am the current president of the Florida Podiatric Medical Students Association (aka- Barry). I do not come on SDN very much, but I was reading what Feli had written about voting for delegates, and I wanted to make a comment. Mr. Felice is the president of our ACFAS Surgery Club and has done a great job so far during his tenure. As for voting for delegates, I have to slightly disagree with what he said. When voting for a delegate, in my opinion, it is important for that individual to be sound grade-wise, however, it also takes a well qualified individual to fill that position. If a person feels that their grades will not suffer due to this EC activity and they are qualified, then they should do the job. Many times the people with the best grades do not make the best delegate, much like those who make the highest grades do not necessarily make the best doctors. That is the nature of the beast. If anyone has any questions about Barry or in general about Podiatry or the APMSA please do not hesitate to contact me at [email protected]. I will be more than happy to answer questions. Have a nice day everyone.

 

[Stafocker]

Hello Everyone, I am ****,I am the current president of the Florida Podiatric Medical Students Association (aka- Barry). I do not come on SDN very much, but I was reading what **** had written about voting for delegates, and I wanted to make a comment. Mr. *** is the president of our ACFAS Surgery Club and has done a great job so far during his tenure. As for voting for delegates, I have to slightly disagree with what he said. When voting for a delegate, in my opinion, it is important for that individual to be sound grade-wise, however, it also takes a well qualified individual to fill that position. If a person feels that their grades will not suffer due to this EC activity and they are qualified, then they should do the job. Many times the people with the best grades do not make the best delegate, much like those who make the highest grades do not necessarily make the best doctors. That is the nature of the beast. If anyone has any questions about Barry or in general about Podiatry or the APMSA please do not hesitate to contact me at ****. I will be more than happy to answer questions. Have a nice day everyone.

hey dude, some advice. Don't use ppl's names here. it's an anonymous forum. You can announce yours, but to "out" someone isn't kosher. I was corrected on that before as well, so I'm just letting you know esp as the current president of Barry. Just edit your comments, without the names. Thanks for helping out, i'm sure a lot of ppl are interested in Barry.

 

[Ski Bum]

just vote for who you and your school think will do the best job. Generally people with higher grades do tend to fair better with the APMSA due to the time commitents, etc. The APMSA has had many problems with losing delegate due to the inability to keep there grades up and participate in the APMSA. And generally people with higher grades do end up being better doctors, i personally hate hearing that previous statement that "people with the high grades dont necessarily make good doctors". To me it sounds like an excuse not to work hard in school. There is always exceptions to all rules but be honest with yourselves. The majority of the top students in my class are the best doctors who graduated in my opinion. Just my 2 cents....hard work does pay off in the end.

 

[Feli]

... i personally hate hearing that previous statement that "people with the high grades dont necessarily make good doctors". To me it sounds like an excuse not to work hard in school. There is always exceptions to all rules but be honest with yourselves. The majority of the top students in my class are the best doctors who graduated in my opinion. Just my 2 cents....hard work does pay off in the end.

👍

I think diagnostics and patient education are the bread and butter in medicine. Those are pretty hard without rock solid book knowledge. People skills matter, but there's really no getting around the fundamentals. If I were the patient on the OR table or suffering from a disease, I'd pick a highly intelligent and well read doc over a people pleaser every day of the week.

This is especially important for incoming and 1st year students. If they're getting Cs early on and think that's ok, they may get Fs later on when classes and semesters get more demanding. Even assuming the student who gets all Cs graduates, chances are that they'll have a very tough time in residency match. The "Cs make degrees" or "guy who graduates last in the class is still a doctor" way of thinking can be dangerous. Everyone should always do the best they can...