APMA News - January/February 2018 - 13

Dennis R. Frisch, DPM

else. I want us all to work to the betterment of the profession first and then our own personal benefits next.
I also want to be in more places explaining the value of
membership and the need to be involved in the profession. With membership comes responsibility, and even if a
podiatrist is not a member of APMA, he or she is a member of the profession and has a duty to that profession.

going to do nothing unless we can demonstrate that we're
worth the dues dollars.
And we can. We have become incredibly transparent,
and my personal mantra when the board votes on something
is, I'm spending someone's dues dollars. I can say that we are
very responsible stewards of those dollars and are delivering
value for them.

APMA News:
What do you think will be a challenge for you as incoming
president?
Dr. Frisch:
I think it's a challenge to convince our members that
the commitment of time and resources to membership is
not a forced obligation. Instead, again, it should be part of
your commitment and obligation to our profession.

APMA News:
What would you ask of APMA members? How can they be
a part of the effort and make those dues dollars go further?
Dr. Frisch:
I would ask them to start very simply. Open and read
what APMA sends you. Spend some time on our website
and see what's there. Respond to surveys. Try the Annual
Scientific Meeting.
And make decisions for yourself, not based on what an
associate or a residency director says. Don't ride on the
coattails of others or assume others will do something you
can do.

APMA News:
APMA is always working to deliver value to members at every stage of their careers. How do you see the organization accomplishing that goal?
Dr. Frisch:
We are attentive to the needs of every generation of members. I certainly saw that as chair of the Annual Meeting
Committee as we built programming designed for differing
educational needs. We are offering more and more material as needs are identified. We've placed a significant focus on young physicians, and we're also realizing, for example, that there needs to be more material about retirement in
an age of decreasing solo practices.
We have to program for three different generations and
provide economic value and incentive to each of those
three generations. I would like to see every podiatrist belong to APMA and then whatever specialty organization
suits his or her interest. Belong to the American Society of
Podiatric Surgeons or American College of Foot and Ankle
Surgery if you do more surgery; belong to the American
Academy of Podiatric Practice Management or any of the
affiliated and related organizations that match your professional interests. But your first membership should be in
the association that represents the interests of every podiatrist. That's APMA.
APMA News:
APMA is in the process of implementing the recommendations from its brand audit. Tell us how you envision that process
making the organization even more relevant to its members.
Dr. Frisch:
When the question of a name change for APMA originally came up, I was pretty adamant that changing our name is

APMA News:
Let's shift gears. Tell us a little about your life outside podiatry.
Dr. Frisch:
I have a wife of 40 years and two adult children. Both
my kids are happily married. I have two grandchildren
who are three and one, and my son promises me more!
My mom is still around, and my brother and sister both
live in Florida. I lost another brother in a car accident very
early in my term on the APMA Board of Trustees and lost
my dad during that time, too. My APMA family stood by
me during a tough time.
When I'm not working in my practice or for APMA, I
like to play a little rugby, and I practice karate. I spend a lot
of time doing community service; I'm very active in Rotary
and serve on the local Parks and Rec advisory board.
APMA News:
What else should APMA members know?
Dr. Frisch:
I would like them to know that I and all the APMA trustees and staff want to do the best we possibly can for you individually and for our profession in general. My easygoing
attitude does not translate to the intensity of my work.
I'd also like to thank everyone who has helped me along
the way, especially my family for understanding that I
sometimes have to miss activities. I am grateful for their
support and for the trust the APMA membership has
placed in me.
n

APMA News January/February 2018

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