RE: Unmatched Residency Placements Currently Stand at 80
From: Ron Raducanu, DPM
I wrote a blog about this which was largely ignored. What I proposed was that we re-instate the one-year residencies run by those in practice who can offer a "real" podiatry experience (including office and hospital work, as well as surgical exposure) and have it initially funded by the APMA. The APMA has a $10M "emergency fund", and I believe this would qualify.
Yes, graduates can practice in select states without a residency, but that's not really the point. Make these one-year "programs" only available to those who didn't match. This will give them the one year needed to attain a license and earn money in most states.
They got through the curriculum. They deserve to at least make a living, pay back their student loans, and feed their families, maybe even prosper beyond what some of us can imagine. Give them the chance at least.
Ron Raducanu, DPM, Philadelphia, PA, kidsfeet@gmail.com
RE: Podiatric Residency Conclave
From: Bryan Markinson, DPM
Bret Ribotsky, DPM, who brings us Meet the Masters every Tuesday night has called for and is willing to organize a CONCLAVE of absolutely all podiatric stakeholders to meet and come to a resolution offering options to solve the current residency shortage. He has invited APMA, ABPS, ABPM, ACFAOM, AACPM, CPME, COTH, FPMB, NBPME, the VAs, state executive directors, unmatched graduates, and any person willing to work to save our profession. This is important way beyond the scope of the immediate crisis, which endangers the profession. The eventual event will probably be in Philadelphia. Please e-mail to PodiatryConclave@gmail.com for information.
Bryan Markinson, DPM, NY, NY, Bryan.Markinson@mountsinai.org