APMA News - January/February 2025 - 10

Dr. Bisbee and her husband Steven Ribar.
Meghan is working in conjunction with the board
and staff, helping to revamp and modernize how
business is done at APMA, bringing new and
updated processes and ideas to APMA, so that
APMA is seen as relevant to every podiatrist. With a
transition such as this, I see it as a time to really dig
deep, take a hard look at how we try to offer value
and where we can make changes that will resonate
with members and potential members. Not that
many offerings from the past are bad, but it is time
to renew and freshen up APMA.
I would be remiss if I did not give credit to Denis
Russell [CPA, CAE], who served as interim CEO
from April through August [2024]. Denis devoted
many years to APMA and put his heart and soul
into our association. During his time as interim
CEO, he worked with the board and some states
on a handful of pivotal issues/concerns that, as
we continue to address [them], will likely provide a
springboard to real changes for our profession. His
service during his five-month interim-CEO tenure
was very much appreciated, and he graciously
welcomed Meghan and helped her get started on
such a positive note.
How do you see the organization
evolving to better serve its members
and address emerging challenges in
podiatric medicine?
While we have a strategic plan and need to keep
our efforts focused, we must also be more nimble
and be able to pivot on a dime as needed when
opportunities and challenges arise. The revamping
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of APMA that the board and Meghan have started
will allow us to be more responsive and more
proactive rather than reactive. How medicine is
practiced has changed-the way we deliver care, the
types of practices podiatrists have the opportunity to
go into-and now APMA must change to meet the
members and their needs where they are today. No
longer does one-size-fits-all work for an association.
Not only do the board and staff realize this; members
need to realize this and understand that there
may be different offerings for different practice
settings for a valid reason. Not all members have
the need for certain services, while other members
need far more services due to their practice
situation. We are a small profession overall in the
world of medicine; yet there are a large number of
podiatry-related associations, with podiatrists trying
to determine the best place to put their dues dollars.
There is a good deal of duplication of services and
offerings between all of these groups. I know that
the current board and CEO want to partner much
more and play to each association's strengths and
reduce the number of directions members of our
profession are being pulled.
We talk a lot about how we offer value
for our members. How has APMA created
value for you in your career?
Certainly as a private practice owner and very
involved member, I have seen the value up close
and personally: the discounts, the coding and billing
resources, the education resources, and so much
more. But hands down, the value for every podiatrist
is the advocacy efforts that APMA puts forth. There
is no other organization that protects podiatrists like
APMA. No one else lobbies legislators and meets
with CMS and other insurers on your behalf; APMA
is the only organization doing this for the entire profession.
Regardless of how you practice, whether it
is in private practice, or being employed by a large
hospital system, the decades of advocacy by APMA
volunteers and staff are what allows you to have the
many opportunities that we do today.
What would you ask of your fellow
members as you assume the
presidency?
A couple of things, actually. 1) Patience.
Revamping APMA won't happen overnight (as
much as I want to wave my magic wand and
make it so!), so I do ask for members to be
patient and aid your state and national volunteers
during the process. Positivity is always
better than negativity, so please be patient and
APMA News - January/February 2025

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