One of the things I love most about our profession is its tremendous potential. Podiatry is constantly evolving, improving, progressing. And one of the things I love about APMA is the many ways that it helps its members to realize their potential.
APMA has demonstrated podiatry's potential to industry, and as a result our corporate supporters invest in that potential for the benefit of our members and their patients. I hope you'll thank them when you see them in exhibit halls or your own office.
APMA has shared podiatry's potential with our legislators. Many of them have seen the potential to provide better care for their constituents while saving dollars for our health-care system. As of this writing, the VA Provider Equity Act, APMA's legislation designed to recognize podiatrists as physicians within the Veterans Health Administration, is still in play. I urge you to contact your senators today and underscore podiatry's potential for them. Ask them to cosponsor S2175 and support outstanding foot and ankle care for a most deserving population—America's veterans. The Senate still plans to take action before its recess on its version of a VA reform bill, which at this time does not include the VA Provider Equity Act. However, supporters of our legislation in both houses and on both sides of the aisle have assured us that they plan to include our legislation if the Senate approves the VA bill, bringing the House and Senate versions to conference. Watch for the latest information on the status of the VA Provider Equity Act at
www.apma.org, and be sure to download APMA's app to your iOS device for immediate updates should there be a change in the status of the legislation.
APMA is showcasing podiatry's potential for other health-care providers, as well. That much was evident when I attended the Lower Extremity Arterial Revascularization (LEARN) meeting of the Society of Interventional Radiologists (SIR) last month in Orlando. Interventional radiologists are a perfect complement to those podiatric physicians practicing wound care and treating patients with peripheral vascular disease. I believe the relationship APMA is building with SIR will be hugely beneficial to our patients and our profession. APMA is hopeful that we will be able to collaborate with SIR on exciting joint educational opportunities for our members in the near future.
We're making great strides in demonstrating the potential of this wonderful profession. One place we need to do better is in sharing our potential with prospective students. In the latest issue of APMA News, read about a new plan APMA has put in place to help promote careers in podiatry. This plan comes as a result of much discussion with the American Association of Colleges of Podiatric Medicine and other stakeholders, particularly at the student recruitment forum APMA hosted in June. I urge you to be a part of this effort and get in touch with AACPM about ways you can help. This is a great opportunity to share our potential with tomorrow's podiatrists!
Thank you for being a part of our profession's great potential. Together, we can make that potential a reality. I wish you a joyous and peaceful holiday season and look forward to what 2017 will bring.
