APMA creates replacement for ACFAS

[diabeticfootdr]

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Members don't see this ad.

"American Society of Podiatric Surgeons Established as New Surgical Affiliate"

"The APMA Board of Trustees is proud to announce the formation of a new APMA-recognized surgical affiliate--the American Society of Podiatric Surgeons, Inc. (ASPS). ASPS is a separate 501(c)(3)surgical society. The Society's mission will be to promote the advancement of podiatric surgery through education and research.

The new society will function under its own bylaws and will be directed by an interim governing body to be named in the near future. The new organization has been incorporated in the State of Maryland, and a trademark application has been filed with the US Patent and Trademark Office. Ratification of ASPS as the new surgical affiliate will need to occur at the March 2009 House of Delegates

The 2008 APMA House of Delegates authorized the APMA Board to take interim action in granting recognition to a new affiliated organization that may elect to seek recognition for an area previously covered by a recognized organization. When the American College of Foot and Ankle Surgeons chose to no longer comply with the APMA Bylaws, it was no longer eligible to be considered as the APMA surgical affiliated organization.

In August, the APMA Board of Trustees opened the application process to recognize a new surgical affiliated organization. Following extensive discussions, the APMA Board determined that the best path to take in establishing a new surgical affiliate would be to begin within APMA. The Board decided that a collaborative internal APMA effort would be the most effective approach to creating a new surgical organization that best meets the needs of the APMA membership and the profession. At its October meeting, the Board voted unanimously to discontinue the process for considering petitions from outside organizations seeking to be recognized as the APMA surgical affiliate and, instead, voted to establish a new, separate 501(c)(3)surgical society from within APMA.

The Board believes that ASPS will operate in a very cost-effective and efficient way through an administrative service agreement with APMA. This collaborative relationship with APMA will allow for economies of scale that translate to enhanced services at reduced cost for ASPS members.The Board sees this as a win-win situation, adding further value to APMA membership.

Current efforts are focused on establishing the governance and structural foundation for the new organization, but it is anticipated that within the next several weeks ASPS will be ready to begin inviting eligible APMA members (those who are certified and qualified by the American Board of Podiatric Surgery) to apply to ASPS. Initial plans also call for the creation of three membership categories (Fellows, Associates, and Members).

"The Board also based its rationale on creating ASPS on the great potential to ensure the highest level of communication among leaders of the profession on key issues affecting the future of podiatric medicine and surgery," said APMA President Ross Taubman. "In addition, with the surgical expertise within an organization in such close nexus to APMA, expert testimony can be easily coordinated on issues of mutual interest to ASPS and APMA."

Further information will be disseminated as ASPS progresses in its development."

Source APMA eNews 2704

 

[JEWmongous]

"American Society of Podiatric Surgeons Established as New Surgical Affiliate"

"The APMA Board of Trustees is proud to announce the formation of a new APMA-recognized surgical affiliate--the American Society of Podiatric Surgeons, Inc. (ASPS). ASPS is a separate 501(c)(3)surgical society. The Society's mission will be to promote the advancement of podiatric surgery through education and research.

The new society will function under its own bylaws and will be directed by an interim governing body to be named in the near future. The new organization has been incorporated in the State of Maryland, and a trademark application has been filed with the US Patent and Trademark Office. Ratification of ASPS as the new surgical affiliate will need to occur at the March 2009 House of Delegates

The 2008 APMA House of Delegates authorized the APMA Board to take interim action in granting recognition to a new affiliated organization that may elect to seek recognition for an area previously covered by a recognized organization. When the American College of Foot and Ankle Surgeons chose to no longer comply with the APMA Bylaws, it was no longer eligible to be considered as the APMA surgical affiliated organization.

In August, the APMA Board of Trustees opened the application process to recognize a new surgical affiliated organization. Following extensive discussions, the APMA Board determined that the best path to take in establishing a new surgical affiliate would be to begin within APMA. The Board decided that a collaborative internal APMA effort would be the most effective approach to creating a new surgical organization that best meets the needs of the APMA membership and the profession. At its October meeting, the Board voted unanimously to discontinue the process for considering petitions from outside organizations seeking to be recognized as the APMA surgical affiliate and, instead, voted to establish a new, separate 501(c)(3)surgical society from within APMA.

The Board believes that ASPS will operate in a very cost-effective and efficient way through an administrative service agreement with APMA. This collaborative relationship with APMA will allow for economies of scale that translate to enhanced services at reduced cost for ASPS members.The Board sees this as a win-win situation, adding further value to APMA membership.

Current efforts are focused on establishing the governance and structural foundation for the new organization, but it is anticipated that within the next several weeks ASPS will be ready to begin inviting eligible APMA members (those who are certified and qualified by the American Board of Podiatric Surgery) to apply to ASPS. Initial plans also call for the creation of three membership categories (Fellows, Associates, and Members).

"The Board also based its rationale on creating ASPS on the great potential to ensure the highest level of communication among leaders of the profession on key issues affecting the future of podiatric medicine and surgery," said APMA President Ross Taubman. "In addition, with the surgical expertise within an organization in such close nexus to APMA, expert testimony can be easily coordinated on issues of mutual interest to ASPS and APMA."

Further information will be disseminated as ASPS progresses in its development."

Source APMA eNews 2704

What are your thoughts on this? And, what will happen to ACFAS??????

 

[Feli]

...three membership categories (Fellows, Associates, and Members)...

Novel thinking. 😀

...what will happen to ACFAS??????

ACFAS will probably not change one bit... they'll just continue to publish the best F&A surgery journal and have great workshops and meetings.

...I could imagine possible rate increases on those services for non-ACFAS members if it became necessary.

 

[sguiliana]

What are your thoughts on this? And, what will happen to ACFAS??????

I searched and couldnt find any information on this. The only thing that came up was the american society of plastic surgeons. I don't know, but I'm guessing the ASPS wont "replace" ACFAS but be another APMA surgical-affiliate?

 

[diabeticfootdr]

What are your thoughts on this? And, what will happen to ACFAS??????

I applaud the APMA for adhering to their bylaws and recognizing the needs for continued surgical education in podiatry. Also, I am happy the APMA is using the "p" word (podiatry) which ACFAS is embarrassed by and refuses to use in their advertising, etc.

Unfortunately, this is ACFAS's own doing. The ACFAS board decided to place their own bylaws in conflict with APMA's bylaws, forcing APMA to take action.

The ASPS will be cheaper (I assume) than ACFAS, causing many more doctors to "jump ship". This organization which will initially be run by the APMA, will offer surgical continuing education (replacing the ACFAS for the APMA). They probably should start a journal, but APMA already has a journal (JAPMA), so perhaps they will increase the frequency of JAPMA to monthly instead of every 2 months???

This will not affect board certification by the ABPS.

The ACFAS Board has essentially made the organization, irrelevant. Some of the leadership has been plagued by this elitist attitude that "we are surgeons" chest thumping. It is time for unity of the profession. We don't need to fractionate the profession into non-surgeons, forefoot surgeons, and rearfoot ankle surgeons. We are all podiatrists. Refusing to acknowledge that is refusing our degree (D.P.M.s). We are moving forward with standardized 2-3 year residencies, which I assume will all by 3 years in the near future. What is the goal of APMA is to have equivalent/standard training for all DPMs. When a patient presents to the ER with a calcaneal fracture and the ER doctor is deciding who to call, they don't have the time or the desire to think - is this podiatrist a PPMR, POR, RPR, PSR-12, PSR-24, PM&S-24, or PM&S-36 --- they'll say -screw this, just send him/her to an ortho. If all podiatrists have equivalent training, just send them to a podiatrist. Now, don't get me wrong, everyone has their own interest or area of expertise - and that won't change.

All in all, a very positive move for the APMA and the profession.

 

[diabeticfootdr]

I searched and couldnt find any information on this. The only thing that came up was the american society of plastic surgeons. I don't know, but I'm guessing the ASPS wont "replace" ACFAS but be another APMA surgical-affiliate?

ACFAS is no longer an affiliate. ASPS will replace ACFAS in APMA.

 

[sguiliana]

ACFAS is no longer an affiliate. ASPS will replace ACFAS in APMA.

oh, ok.

 

[krabmas]

ACFAS is no longer an affiliate. ASPS will replace ACFAS in APMA.

Do you really think this was the best idea and the least fragmenting to the profession?

I am curious why the APMA decided against adding an S to ACFAOM? (American College of Foot and Ankle Orthopedics Medicine and Surgery)

One all encompassing organization for one profession?

 

[hyperpodia]

Do you really think this was the best idea and the least fragmenting to the profession?

I am curious why the APMA decided against adding an S to ACFAOM? (American College of Foot and Ankle Orthopedics Medicine and Surgery)

One all encompassing organization for one profession?

Currently what organization certifies that one is a board approved rear foot surgeon?

 

[diabeticfootdr]

Do you really think this was the best idea and the least fragmenting to the profession?

I am curious why the APMA decided against adding an S to ACFAOM? (American College of Foot and Ankle Orthopedics Medicine and Surgery)

One all encompassing organization for one profession?

no, obviously the least divisive route would have been for ACFAS board to follow the APMA bylaws. But they didn't, so they excluded themselves.

APMA doesn't control ACFAOM. It has it's own board and membership, which has remained in compliance with APMA bylaws. That is a good idea for them to merge, but would require some type of vote, I imagine.

 

[Feli]

Currently what organization certifies that one is a board approved rear foot surgeon?

ABPS... the American Board of Podiatric Surgery. www.abps.org
The interesting part to this move is that most ABPS examiners and test designers are also current ACFAS members - many of them are probably former officers. We'll see how the whole ASPS thing plays itself out.

There are other certifying boards for pod surgery, but they are pretty much a joke, and generally only utilized by DPMs who can't pass ABPS (due to lack of training and/or knowledge). The ABPS is the one you want, the one you need for ACFAS, and the certification you should look for if you ever go for your friend/family/own foot surgery.

 

[215512]

The ACFAS Board has essentially made the organization, irrelevant. Some of the leadership has been plagued by this elitist attitude that "we are surgeons" chest thumping. It is time for unity of the profession. We don't need to fractionate the profession into non-surgeons, forefoot surgeons, and rearfoot ankle surgeons. We are all podiatrists. Refusing to acknowledge that is refusing our degree (D.P.M.s). We are moving forward with standardized 2-3 year residencies, which I assume will all by 3 years in the near future. What is the goal of APMA is to have equivalent/standard training for all DPMs. When a patient presents to the ER with a calcaneal fracture and the ER doctor is deciding who to call, they don't have the time or the desire to think - is this podiatrist a PPMR, POR, RPR, PSR-12, PSR-24, PM&S-24, or PM&S-36 --- they'll say -screw this, just send him/her to an ortho. If all podiatrists have equivalent training, just send them to a podiatrist. Now, don't get me wrong, everyone has their own interest or area of expertise - and that won't change.

All in all, a very positive move for the APMA and the profession.

Do they do this now?

 

[JEWmongous]

Do they do this now?

I'm sure it depends on the hospital and ER doc, monkey

 

[sguiliana]

I'm sure it depends on the hospital and ER doc, monkey

 

[krabmas]

Do they do this now?

Yes this happens. I have seen it.

 

[215512]

Yes this happens. I have seen it.

That is going to be changed tho with vision 2015 right?

 

[JEWmongous]

That is going to be changed tho with vision 2015 right?

It's hospital and ER doctor related, dingus.

People are not going to change their opinions/actions overnight, even if Vision 2015 does COMPLETELY happen. If the ER at a particular hospital always refers to ortho for a F & A case, they will prob keep doing so. If the ER always refers to pod for a F & A case, they will prob keep doing so as well.

Just remember, even if the state scope of practice allows ankle surgery, it is up to the hospital itself to determine what can be done by pods in their OR's. So in a place that doesn't allow pods to do ankle work, you cannot expect a DPM to be called if a dude shatters his ankle.

 

[215512]

It's hospital and ER doctor related, dingus.

People are not going to change their opinions/actions overnight, even if Vision 2015 does COMPLETELY happen. If the ER at a particular hospital always refers to ortho for a F & A case, they will prob keep doing so. If the ER always refers to pod for a F & A case, they will prob keep doing so as well.

Just remember, even if the state scope of practice allows ankle surgery, it is up to the hospital itself to determine what can be done by pods in their OR's. So in a place that doesn't allow pods to do ankle work, you cannot expect a DPM to be called if a dude shatters his ankle.

really? are you kidding me? i didnt know "dingus" hence the question should i spell out my intentions for you next time? or would even that make my curiousity still be confusing to you?

 

[sguiliana]

really? are you kidding me? i didnt know "dingus" hence the question should i spell out my intentions for you next time? or would even that make my curiousity still be confusing to you?

 

[NatCh]

When a patient presents to the ER with a calcaneal fracture and the ER doctor is deciding who to call, they don't have the time or the desire to think - is this podiatrist a PPMR, POR, RPR, PSR-12, PSR-24, PM&S-24, or PM&S-36 --- they'll say -screw this, just send him/her to an ortho.

I absolutely haaaate it that the ER leaves me alone and doesn't call me in to work after hours.

Haw haw.

 

[NyMets85]

This is absolutely the best thing for the profession. With APMA membership among practicing podiatric physicians upwards of 80%, providing those physicians with a suitable surgical replacement is a terrific move to keep the solidarity of the profession. What ACFAS did was unfortunate: they disagreed with the APMA bylaws and decided to split from the organization. APMA's quick production of a replacement should be applauded. At my particular school we are currently discussing the possibility of the ACFAS surgical group here on campus at Scholl to change their organization from ACFAS to the new APMA surgical group to stand by the APMA. Although we have yet heard a final determination from the group (it would be solely up to them), I would recommend that other schools try a similar approach.

 

[kelp]

Been done before. Another flavor of surgical wanna-be's having too much time on their hands.

Cut the confusion, get the best education, real certification, pay the money. Then if you want to complain you can do it from a position of success.

 

[jonwill]

Been done before. Another flavor of surgical wanna-be's having too much time on their hands.

Cut the confusion, get the best education, real certification, pay the money. Then if you want to complain you can do it from a position of success.

Surgical wanna-be's??? This coming from an organization (ACFAS) where a large portion of the members have little to no surgical training and were simply grandfathered in? And then these "fellows" write exams for us that they are not capable of passing and question us on surgical cases that they are not capable of doing. A bit ironic, don't you think?

Don't get me wrong. ACFAS is a good organization and I plan on certifying. I have great respect for a lot of the ACFAS leadership and know some phenominal surgeons. On the other hand, the organization does have it's problems. I speak for a lot of docs when I say things need to change. Keep in mind that most docs from other surgical specialties are "board certified" within a year of graduation from residency.

Especially with the standardization of surgical residencies, new grads should no longer be forced to jump through so many hoops.

 

[krabmas]

Surgical wanna-be's??? This coming from an organization (ACFAS) where a large portion of the members have little to no surgical training and were simply grandfathered in? And then these "fellows" write exams for us that they are not capable of passing and question us on surgical cases that they are not capable of doing. A bit ironic, don't you think?

Don't get me wrong. ACFAS is a good organization and I plan on certifying. I have great respect for a lot of the ACFAS leadership and know some phenominal surgeons. On the other hand, the organization does have it's problems. I speak for a lot of docs when I say things need to change. Keep in mind that most docs from other surgical specialties are "board certified" within a year of graduation from residency.

Especially with the standardization of surgical residencies, new grads should no longer be forced to jump through so many hoops.

Aren't you talking about ABPS when you speak of certifying and board qualification...

 

[jonwill]

Aren't you talking about ABPS when you speak of certifying and board qualification...

Yea, board certification through ABPS therby becoming an ACFAS fellow. Sorry for any confusion.

 

[diabeticfootdr]

From APMA eNews 2724

"American Society of Podiatric Surgeons Frequently Asked Questions

APMA is providing answers to frequently asked questions regarding its new surgical society, the American Society of Podiatric Surgeons, Inc. (ASPS) (eNews 2,721; 2,722; 2,723) as part of a special section of the Daily eNews. Questions and responses appear below.

Will students and residents have access to ASPS?
Absolutely. There will be a student and resident membership category. Also, students and residents will likely receive complimentary membership.

What will be the benefits of ASPS membership?
A comprehensive list of ASPS member benefits is under development. This will grow with time.

Is membership in ASPS a substitute for board certification?
No. ASPS will be an affiliate organization that is designed to be a resource to APMA to promote education and research in podiatric surgery. It is not a credential that demonstrates competency or proficiency of its members in podiatric surgery. Conversely, board certification is a credential through which candidates, by completion of education, training, case presentation, and examination, demonstrate certain competencies. The two APMA-recognized certifying boards are the American Board of Podiatric Surgery and the American Board of Podiatric Orthopedics and Primary Podiatric Medicine.

Can I be a member of both ASPS and ACFAS?
Absolutely. One may be a member of any group or groups that meet their personal and professional needs.

What is the relationship between Board certification or qualification and membership in a specialty affiliated organization?
Board certification or qualification may be used as a criterion to become a member of a specialty affiliate organization, but there is absolutely no requirement that a Board-certified or -qualified podiatric physician or surgeon must be a member of any specialty organization--or for that matter, APMA--to maintain their Board status."