The Publications of APMA

In my series of columns on accomplishments of the profession of podiatric medicine, I have focused on a variety of activities. This column is devoted to the publications of the American Podiatric Medical Association.

The National Association of Chiropodists, a relatively small and simple group, has grown and evolved into the American Podiatric Medical Association, a multifaceted organization that serves the many needs of its diverse membership. Since the inception of APMA in 1912, our program of publications has continually improved in terms of both quantity and quality of information. As the demands of modern podiatric medicine have increased, causing this organization to become ever more complex, the staff and Board of Trustees have sought to keep the membership informed of accomplishments, challenges, and concerns. The primary method of communication is a group of print and electronic publications that have evolved into award-winning membership benefits.

APMA’s Department of Publications is responsible for print and electronic production of the major publications of the Association.

The Journal of the American Podiatric Medical Association (JAPMA) is the APMA’s publication of record. It began life as a descendant of the Pedic Items, a publication started by the Association’s first president, Alfred Joseph. Now published six times a year, JAPMA is a critically important vehicle for disseminating research, treatment techniques, and clinical information for members of our Association—and for researchers around the world through JAPMA Online. The editorial staff of JAPMA, a team headed by editor Warren S. Joseph, DPM, has maintained the highest standards of editorial quality. Last year, JAPMA received a national Apex Award for publication excellence.

APMA NEWS has evolved from a current-events insert in JAPMA into a small tabloid newspaper, and finally into a respected magazine. It contains educational articles, member profiles, committee news, and much more. Published ten times a year, it received two awards last year: the Crystal Award of Excellence and the Apex Award.

Perhaps no APMA publication is read as thoroughly as the APMA Alert, a twice-monthly newsletter that offers a quick read of important news and activities of the profession and the Association. It arrives by first-class mail and will soon be available electronically. Complementing the Alert is APMA’s Daily eNews, which reaches members with news bulletins of immediate interest via e-mail every workday. The value of this member benefit is shown by the fact that its circulation has doubled, to more than 5,000, during 2002.

Under the guiding hand of David Zych, director of the Department of Publications, these efforts have achieved worldwide recognition as the voice of podiatric medicine. Zych has been a long-term director at APMA and has brought credibility and sophistication to APMA’s publications and to the profession of podiatric medicine. The publications speak for the profession and are the permanent record of our activities. The public and the profession are kept up to date on APMA by all of these publications, as well as with patient-information brochures.

Other departments also make significant contributions to APMA’s communications program. Our young members have their own excellent publication, the Young Members Exchange, with informative articles aimed at the new practitioner.

Specialized publications, such as the just-released Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) Privacy Manual, are truly membership benefits of the first order. Other publications on Medicare compliance, the Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments (CLIA), the Occupational Safety and Health Administration, the Correct Coding Initiative, and so many others represent a rich source of information and practice-enhancement tools for APMA members.

These high-quality publications knit us together as a well-informed team of colleagues.

We have arrived.

RICHARD B. VIEHE, DPM

President