AAPSM (American Academy of Podiatric Sports Medicine)
AAPSM typically invites guest speakers to present case presentations on topics like common athletic injuries, proper shoe gear, and injury prevention. AAPSM members also volunteer at first-aid tents at local sporting events, and have the opportunity to participate in hands-on workshops like ankle taping and slipper casting. Every year they host a campus-wide dodgeball tournament and donate all proceeds to Special Olympics Iowa.
AAWP (American Association for Women Podiatrists and Friends)
AAWP exists as a supportive resource for female podiatrists, but membership is open to anybody. Men are invited to join the club to better understand some of the issues that women in podiatry face on a regular basis. AAWP often pairs with the Women’s Medical Alliance to sponsor events like Girls in Science Day and events for National Women’s Month, including an annual self-defense workshop. They do regular community service events and are known for their social events.
ACFAOM (American College of Foot and Ankle Orthopedics and Medicine)
ACFAOM provides its members with information on clinical trends in podiatry and orthopedics. They sponsor hands-on workshops to help members develop clinical skills like how to apply a cast or how to perform a biopsy, and welcome speakers who share information about topics like flatfoot reconstruction or how to read x-rays and MRIs. They also team up with AAWP every year to walk and raise money for the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation.
PPJMC (Podiatric Practice Management & Journal Club)
PPJMC's journal club is hosted once a month and is entirely student-run. Students analyze and present an article to their peers, gaining the chance to develop their journal reading skills and their public speaking skills, both of which are necessary for success in 4th year, residency, and beyond. In regards to practice management, they host a variety of speakers talking about everything from contracts, to malpractice insurance, to billing and coding. Dr. Hal Ornstein, president of the American Association of Podiatric Practice Management, also gives a keynote address every year. PPMJC also host a canned food drive every year to “De-FEET Childhood Hunger”, competing with all the other student chapters of the American Association of Podiatric Practice Management.
SCACFAS (Student Chapter of the American College of Foot and Ankle Surgeons)
SCACFAS is mainly focused on surgery and provides a lot of hands-on workshops to help students understand surgical interventions and develop surgical skills. Every month they host a suture session which allows students to learn and practice various sutures as well as a video presentation which features a podiatric surgeon performing a surgical procedure on a cadaver limb. Over the past few years there have been hands-on workshops on how to perform skin flaps, Lapidus and Austin bunionectomies, external fixation, and calcaneal osteotomies, with some of these workshops done in the surgical skills lab using cadaver limbs. Every year before Christmas, they host an Operation tournament with proceeds going toward Toys for Tots.
SNPMA (Student National Podiatric Medical Association)
SNPMA is dedicated to increasing awareness of podiatric medicine, particularly in minority communities. This club does a great deal of community service and works closely with the Multicultural Affairs office to provide cultural programs on campus. Recent service events have included serving meals to hungry members of the Des Moines community, working with a local YMCA to tutor kids and promote physical activity, and educating high school students about career options like podiatric medicine. They have also recently sponsored events for African-American History Month, Native American Month, Cinco de Mayo, and Diwali.
Footnotes
Footnotes is the CPMS student-run newsletter. The newsletter is published every other month and includes articles from the student government leadership and each club about their recent activities, as well as a variety of articles from student columnists on topics like restaurants, movies, music, books, recipes, sports, humor, and local activities. Each issue also features alumni and faculty interviews and a student survey.
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