APMA News - January/February 2024 - 62

10 questions
Featuring Robert Sage,
DPM, of Beloit, WI
In this feature, APMA News asks one member 10 questions and gets
all the answers about their passions, ambitions, and priorities. Would
you like to answer our questions? Contact Aimee Condayan at
acondayan@apma.org.
1. When you were a kid, what did
you want to be when you grew up?
From about the age of 5, I decided that I wanted to
be a doctor. When I was 3, my younger brother
[was diagnosed with] leukemia. He was entered as
Patient No. 1 in a study to try to change [survival
rates], and was the first patient to ever live past a
week, first to go into remission, and lived for
another year and a half. Seeing the miracles his
physicians performed inspired me to be part of the
health-care team.
2. What do you do for fun during
your time off?
I love to play basketball, run, and play golf. For
more than 20 years, I coached at least one of [my
children] in cross county, basketball, track, football,
or baseball. Coaching helped me to continue to
enjoy the sports I love, quenched my desire for
competition, and has been truly a joy.
3. If you could meet any famous
person, who would it be?
Nelly Korda, LPGA golfer and former World No. 1.
Nelly has such a pure golf swing, is so fundamentally
sound, unbelievably accurate, great under
pressure, super competitive, and yet still kind,
humble, and down to earth.
4. Why is podiatry the best career
for you?
Podiatry is the best career for me because I am able
to do " everything. " Podiatry is part carpentry, part
artwork, part dermatology, part orthopedics, part
internal medicine, part rheumatology, and part
vascular medicine. I really love the opportunity to
get to know my patients and help them get better.
5.Who's the most memorable professor
you've ever had, and why?
Dr. Scott Spencer at the then-Ohio College of
Podiatric Medicine. I loved the subject he taught
(biomechanics), and he had a way of bringing it to life.
6. What's the best meal you've
ever had?
The first Thanksgiving after my wife and I were
married, I had to work. My wife Kelly was at home
preparing our Thanksgiving spread as we were
expecting friends. A blizzard hit, and she and I were
the only ones there. Eating the turkey, sides, and
pie she so lovingly had prepared was the best meal
I have ever had.
7. Where would you go if you could
visit anywhere in the world?
Vatican City. The beautiful architecture, historical,
and religious significance would be amazing to see.
8. What are some " soft skills " that
are important for medical
professionals to have?
The ability to relate to patients and to understand the
unique situations they are in. If we can understand
[what] they are experiencing, we can tailor treatment
plans to allow them to be successful, and we will get
better results. Also, the ability to break things down
[to be] as simple as possible so that patients are able
to understand the " why " behind the individual
portions of the treatment plan helps to ensure that
they will follow through with the entire plan.
9. What mistake have you made that
taught you a great lesson?
When I first started in practice, I sometimes
would get tunnel vision. I am now looking at a
more complete picture of the patient to help me
to treat the patient more appropriately and refer
to specialists who can help to get to the root of
the problem.
10. What is your favorite movie?
I don't know that I have a favorite movie. I love Disney
Pixar movies, Marvel movies, Star Wars movies, and
the Harry Potter series. I guess that is like asking if I
have a favorite child. I love them all differently, but I
don't feel that I could pick a favorite.
62
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JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2024
APMA News - January/February 2024

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