APMA News - January/February 2024 - 17

David Schweibish, DPM
Candidate for Election as
Young Physician Member
of the Board of Trustees
Our century-plus history has proven
that podiatric physicians fill a role
in society of unquestionable value.
Podiatrists today hold privileges and professional
status once only dreamed of by our predecessors.
We share in the ability to pursue a career that affords
personal fulfillment while creating a lasting imprint on
the fabric of our respective communities.
Much has been accomplished, but we continue
to endure " turf " battles, insurance and hospital
discrimination, legislative challenges, and exclusionary
corporate bureaucracy. Our collective
momentum is weakened by intraorganizational
conflicts that are divisive and nonproductive. The
student enrollment crisis, dissociation from private
practice and palliative care, and worsening scope
creep all erode the foundation of our profession
and could eventually render it obsolete.
Hopes and fears of tomorrow yield little unless
appropriate action is taken today. As a (somewhat)
young physician with nearly 15 years of servant
leadership dedication to the American Podiatric
Medical Students' Association, Florida Podiatric
Medical Association, and APMA, I can attest to
Holly Spohn-Gross, DPM
Candidate for Election
to the Board of Trustees
I am running for the APMA Board
of Trustees with the intent to utilize
my knowledge and passion to
move our profession forward.
Born and raised in Michigan, I come from a family
of physicians who instilled in me that health care was
more than a profession; it was a calling of compassion.
I graduated from Michigan State University and
received a Doctor of Podiatric Medicine degree from
the New York College of Podiatric Medicine. My 22
years of rural podiatric experience have taught me
the importance of giving back. In this spirit, I have
traveled to India multiple times to help establish a
school for girls to combat human trafficking. I witnessed
the resiliency of the human spirit and learned
courage and compassion in the face of adversity.
Giving was more than a philanthropic gesture; it is
where I learned the value of standing up for others.
Eight years of service with the California Podiatric
Medical Association provided me with multiple
being a true ally of our entire profession and not
just a select few. I will be a voice that calls for setting
aside individual agendas for the greater good
of our association. And I would continue working
closely with highly dedicated colleagues to ensure
we have an occupation that serves us into our
golden years and provides for an ironclad template
upon which the next generations can thrive.
I do not allege to have all the answers, but the
vision is clear. I foresee a future that can embody
and protect the foundations of our medical specialty
with respect to fundamental care but also
unrelentingly showcases the prowess of American
podiatric physicians as the premier foot and ankle
surgeons of the world. It is a destiny where public
perception and that of our health-care colleagues
are solidified to reflect the realities of our roles
as the preeminent providers of lower extremity
medical and surgical care.
To those who share in my vision and have the
desire to make it a reality, I ask for your support
to earn a seat on the APMA Board of Trustees.
Serving each of you in the years ahead would
be the privilege of a lifetime and a challenge I
promise to undertake bravely, sincerely, and with
unapologetic gusto.
insights and skills, culminating in my service as CPMA
president. My proactive record for CPMA is as follows:
* Championing AB 834 to give DPMs in California
equal partnership with MDs and DOs
* Expanding our social media presence to boost
accessibility and relevance
* Founding a Beginning Practitioners Committee
to provide mentorship and resources to the next
generation of podiatrists
Today, the challenges facing DPMs demand a
professional response to overcome obstacles. I
envision a better tomorrow with goals that include:
* enhanced student recruitment;
* promoting APMA membership across the
nation; and
* advancing parity while respecting each state's
unique needs
It would be an honor and privilege for me to
have your support and vote for the APMA Board of
Trustees. Together, we can create a brighter future
for our profession and the patients we care for.
APMA.ORG
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APMA News - January/February 2024

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