F
R
O
M
T
H
E
PRESIDENT
Rob Sobel, C. Ped.,
PFA President
[email protected]
ABOUT PFA
The Pedorthic Footcare Association
(PFA), founded in 1958, is the not-forprofit professional association which
represents the interests of the certified
and/or licensed pedorthist and
supports the pedorthic profession
at large.
Through PFA’s efforts, pedorthics –
the management and treatment of
conditions of the foot, ankle, and lower
extremities requiring fitting,
fabricating, and adjusting of pedorthic
Change is a difficult thing for most of us. We find comfort in our routines
and as the stresses of the economy and our schedules (both personal and
professional) increase, we have a greater tendency to resist change even more.
Sometimes that change is inescapable, and although no one wants something
forced upon them, the end result can be positive. Current Pedorthics magazine
is an example of that. For years I fought the idea of an online version of the
magazine, but when our financial situation forced us to go digital, I quickly
realized that it is probably something we should have done years ago. The team
that puts the magazine together is doing an amazing job, and the convenience
of having Current Pedorthics at my fingertips from any computer or tablet is
actually more convenient. The articles are just as easy to read digitally as they
were in print, and the ads seem to have more “pop”. Change in what we do
and how we do it may be difficult for us to embrace, but necessary if we are to
continue to learn and grow.
devices – is a well-established allied
This is our Sport issue of Current Pedorthics magazine, and if you are not
treating athletes in your store or office you should consider it. According to the
SFIA (Sports & Fitness Industry Association), in 2009 sports equipment was a
$66 billion industry. Now this is not to suggest that you all run out and open
a sporting goods store or replace your comfort footwear with running shoes.
What it does suggest is there is a place for you as a pedorthist to take care of
this segment of the population, and you will find that working with athletes is
a good change. First, there is no chasing physicians for certifying letters and
chart notes. No RAC auditors to deal with. We all have those patients (usually
diabetics) whose illness has led to their limiting their life, and who are noncompliant with treatment from a multitude of their healthcare providers. With
the athlete, compliance is not an issue, because they are coming to you to
enhance their performance and or help them heal; they want to be better.
promote the right to practice through
Athletes are also good for business, whether it is the high school basketball
player, the forty-year-old playing in a softball league, or the seventy-year-old
6
Pedorthic Footcare Association www.pedorthics.org
health profession which makes an
invaluable contribution to public
health.
MISSION
PFA’s mission is to enhance the
effectiveness and efficiency of
credentialed providers of lower
extremity pedorthic modalities through
education; increase the demand for
services through marketing; and
government affairs activities.
Pedorthic Footcare Association
1610 East Forsyth St. Suite D
Americus, GA 31709
phone (229) 389-3440
fax (888) 563-0945
email [email protected]
website www.pedorthics.org
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