APMA News - May 2012 - (Page 42)

APMA by the Decade: 1952–1961 Throughout 2012, APMA’s publications will celebrate the rich heritage of the podiatric medical profession and its professional organization. Each month in APMA News, we will focus on one decade of APMA’s history. T he early 1950s saw the National Association of Chiropodists (NAC), like the rest of the nation, struggling to return to normalcy after the upheaval of World War II. Advocacy continued to be an important function of the association, particularly with the armed forces. During the war, NAC had advocated for podiatrists to be commissioned as officers in the medical corps of all branches of the military, like their allopathic colleagues. In 1953, in a significant win for the 40-year-old association, the Armed Forces Medical Policy Council finally relented and authorized commissions for podiatrists. In 1957, Lieutenant John L. Charlton, DSC, became the first podiatrist to receive an Army commission (the Navy commissioned podiatrists during World War II). NAC, along with podiatric surgery specialty groups, also was lobbying for hospital privileges, through contact with individual institutions, legislators, and other medical organizations including AMA. In 1955, William J. Stickel, DSC, the executive secretary of NAC, passed away. Dr. Stickel had been a driving force in keeping the association afloat during the war years, waging public education campaigns about the role podiatrists played to “Keep America Marching,” advocating for commissions for podiatrists in the military, editing the journal, and maintaining educational standards at the schools. He had purchased a headquarters building for NAC in Washington, DC, and had overseen a staff of around three employees. Dr. Stickel’s influence on the association and the profession had been unsurpassed, and he left behind a job that seemed insurmountable. NAC divided Dr. Stickel’s former role into two positions: Abe Rubin, DSC, became secretary of NAC and editor of the journal, while Seward P. Nyman, DSC, became assistant sec- retary, with responsibility for business affairs and lobbying efforts. Drs. Rubin and Nyman began the process of bringing the association up to modern standards. In 1956, NAC adopted a new constitution and bylaws that established a basic organizational structure including the Board of Trustees serving under the authority of the House of Delegates. The House of Delegates grappled with the identity of the profession. As early as the late 1940s, there had been infighting about the nomenclature for the association and the practitioner. In 1948, the house passed a motion forbidding the use of the term “podiatry” and declaring its allegiance to “chiropody.” By the mid 1950s, however, there was a popular movement toward “podiatry,” spearheaded by Donald W. Field, DSC. Dr. Field believed the profession would never achieve recognition from other medical professionals while it used the chiropodist moniker. He lobbied state presidents and NAC officers, consulted other physicians and hospital administrators, spoke to students, and requested opinions from English professors and the editorial department of Webster’s Dictionary. As a result of Dr. Field’s campaign and its growing popularity with the membership, the 1957 House of Delegates adopted a resolution changing the association’s name to the American Podiatry Association. Though the change remained somewhat controversial within the profession for a few years, by the 1960s, the profession was moving ahead at full steam with new staff leadership and a new name. Watch for APMA by the Decade: 1962–71 in the June issue of APMA News. n Acknowledgment: Lisabeth Holloway. A Fast Pace Forward: Celebrating 75 Years American Podiatric Medical Association. Philadelphia: Center for the History of Foot Care and Footwear, 1987. The 46th American Podiatry Association (APA) annual meeting and 39th annual session of the APA House of Delegates, Shoreham Hotel, Washington, DC, August 1958. 42 APMA News May 2012

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of APMA News - May 2012

APMA News - May 2012
President’s Message
Contents
92nd House of Delegates: Advancing Education and the Profession
Special Section: APMA Educational Foundation
Being a Residency Director: What’s in it for You?
DPM versus MD: Letters to the Editor
JCRSB Update: May 2012
ACO Update: Are Commercial ACOs Getting a Leg Up on their Medicare Brethren?
APMA By the Decade: 1952–1961
Profiles in Progress: Medical Staff Leadership
2011 Podiatric Practice Survey: Determination of Income/Salary for Employed Professionals
Master Your Practice at the National
Annual Scientific Meeting Preliminary Program
Annual Scientific Meeting Registration Form
Annual Scientific Meeting Sponsors
Reimbursement
Federal Advocacy Forum
APMAPAC Chair Report
IT Consultant
Website Wisdom
Technofile
Small Business 101
Awards Nominations
APMA All Stars
In Short
Worthy of Note
Affiliates Corner
New Members
Death Notices
List of Affiliated Organizations
Insurance Advisor
APMAPAC Update
Development Update
Classified Advertising
Dates to Remember
Advertising Index
10 Questions
Your APMA

APMA News - May 2012