APMA News - January/February 2024 - A1

Young Physicians
January/February 2024 | Issue 86
Trusted News and Information
for Young Physicians and Students
YP Trustee
Candidates
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Since 2020, the APMA Board of Trustees (BOT) has included a designated
position for young physician members to serve as a full, voting member of
the BOT. This Young Physician (YP) Trustee serves a two-year term and is
elected at the APMA House of Delegates (HOD). This year, David Schweibish,
DPM, and Lauren Wurster, DPM, are running for the open position. In
addition to their candidate statements (available on page 14 of APMA News),
we are excited to share some words of wisdom from these young physician
leaders in Your APMA.
What is one piece of advice you would give
to a student or young physician wanting to
get involved in the profession?
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EDITOR:
Tiffany Kildale, tkildale@apma.org
CONTRIBUTING EDITOR:
Julia Jacobson, jjacobson@apma.org
DESIGN: Suzanne Kleinwaks Design
APMA gratefully acknowledges
the support of PICA, a
ProAssurance Company,
founding sponsor of the
Young Physicians' Program.
Dr. Schweibish: Ours is a small profession
relative to many other medical
specialties and within the greater spectrum
of health-care providers. Despite
our size, we are no less vulnerable to the
effects of legislative action, insurance
regulation, economic fluctuation, and
workplace politics.
The collective voice of podiatric physicians
is powerful. It has yielded decades
worth of advancement, innovation, and
solutions to contend with the inevitable
hurdles. But its growth and momentum
are entirely dependent on new ideas,
fresh perspectives, and a keen awareness
of the needs and wants of all stakeholders.
Students and young physicians alike
are uniquely positioned to be among
the most influential leaders driving us
forward. Their enthusiasm, hunger for
knowledge, and connectedness with
technology and trends are what give
them such amazing potential.
The reality, however, is that few podiatrists
engage in professional advocacy
during the earliest stage of their career.
As it is, so few at any stage of their career
choose to contribute. I hear the same
questions and concerns over and over:
Would my participation be of any real
value? Do I have time to get involved as a
student/resident/fellow/associate? Does
professional advocacy even matter?
Should I join XYZ organization now
instead of waiting a few years?
The answer to each question is always
a resounding " YES! " Start small. Join and
attend meetings of your local and/or
state APMA component. Let your interests
or talents guide you. Volunteer to serve
on a committee of interest. Tell others of
your desire to help. Leaders of today are
looking for the leaders of tomorrow.
And most importantly...
Now is the best time to start. The
future of our profession needs you.
Dr. Wurster: Just do it! Start somewhere,
anywhere-you will not regret it! Even
if it isn't the exact type of involvement
you are looking for, people will see your
interest and passion, and it will open
up doors for you. Sometimes volunteer
assignments may unveil interests you
didn't know you had, and at the very
least,
podiatry that you weren't as familiar
with. You will begin to learn how the
organization functions and meet wonderful
people who want to help you
succeed. After graduating residency,
Continued on Page 4
YOUR APMA / PAGE 1
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APMA News - January/February 2024

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