About ABPOPPM

ABPOPPM OFFICERS AND DIRECTORS

David H. George, D.P.M.

OFFICERS

David H. George, D.P.M.—Leonia, NJ ('08)
President

Michael A. Robinson, D.P.M.—Brookline, MA ('09)
Vice President

Stephanie C. Baldwin, D.P.M.—Tampa, FL ('12)
Secretary

Gerard C. Saponara, D.P.M.—Manilus, NJ ('09)
Treasurer

Joseph T. Hogan, D.P.M.—Binghamton, NY ('08)
Immediate Past President

DIRECTORS

Michael P. DellaCorte, D.P.M.—Maspeth, NY ('12)

Steven L. Goldman, D.P.M.—Huntington Station, NY ('12)

Charles F. Ross, D.P.M.—Pittsfield, MA ('09)

James W. Stavosky, D.P.M.—Daly City, CA ('12)

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

Marc A. Benard, D.P.M.—Torrance, CA

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DEFINITION OF ABPOPPM

What is the American Board of Podiatric Orthopedics and Primary Podiatric Medicine?

The American Board of Podiatric Orthopedics and Primary Podiatric Medicine (ABPOPPM) offers a comprehensive board qualification and certification process in podiatric medicine and orthopedics.

Podiatric Medicine and Orthopedics is the medical specialty concerned with the comprehensive and continuous foot health care of patients. It integrates the biological, biomechanical, rehabilitative, clinical and behavioral sciences and encompasses first contact care, continuous care, long term care and general medicine.

Board certification provides the assurance to both the public and health professionals that the highest level of achievement has been attained in the specialty area.

While certification by the Board does not guarantee competence in practice, it does indicate that the podiatric physician has been judged by his peers to have demonstrated, via a rigorous examination process, a fund of knowledge and competence in the areas being tested.

The Certificate of the American Board of Podiatric Orthopedics and Primary Podiatric Medicine is a unique achievement—a step well beyond the mandatory education of the podiatrist or state requirements for licensure.

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FUNCTIONS OF ABPOPPM

The American Board of Podiatric Orthopedics and Primary Podiatric Medicine is recognized by the Joint Committee on the Recognition of Specialty Boards of the Council on Podiatric Medical Education under the authority of the American Podiatric Medical Association as the specialty board to conduct a certification process in Podiatric Orthopedics and Primary Podiatric Medicine.  Recognition is an indication of satisfactory compliance with the recognition criteria as well as public approbation, attesting to the competency and proficiency of the specialty board to assure that only qualified podiatrists have obtained certified status.

The Board arranges and conducts a comprehensive examination process heading to Board certification and grants and issues Diplomate certificates to successful candidates duly licensed to practice podiatric medicine. The Board holds the power to revoke such certificates. The Board endeavors to serve hospitals and the health care industry in general by preparing documentation of podiatric physicians who it has qualified or certified and provides primary source verification of their status in the accreditation process. Inquiries regarding a member's status must be expressed in writing to Board Headquarters to be considered official.

The Board makes no attempt to control the practice of its members by license or legal regulation, and does not interfere with or limit the professional activities of any duly licensed podiatric physician. The Board does, however, issue advertising and ethics guidelines with respect to appropriate use of Diplomate status, and reserves the right to withdraw such status if guidelines are not properly adhered to.

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GOALS OF ABPOPPM

1. To protect the health and welfare of the public.
2. To evaluate the competence of podiatrists in the specialty of podiatric medicine and orthopedics through the board certification examination process.
3. To conduct the examinations in accordance with standard parameters and procedures that assure psychometric validity and reflect the depth and breadth of podiatric medicine and orthopedics.
4. To delineate the skills, knowledge and attitudes necessary for the competent practice of podiatric medicine and orthopedics.
5. To function as a specialty board in complete compliance with the policies and procedures of the Joint Committee on the Recognition of Specialty Boards of the Council on Podiatric Medical Education.

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OBJECTIVES OF ABPOPPM

1. To create the examinations in accordance with well established principles and practices, including an examination committee composed of Diplomates who are geographically well represented and who reflect a variety of practice settings within the specialty of podiatric medicine and orthopedics.
2. To utilize an appropriate external testing agency to assess the examination instrument and examination process for validity and reliability. The agency will participate in the administration and scoring of the examination.
3. To establish standards of advertising board certified status by the Diplomates, and to enforce penalties for violations of conduct not in keeping with those standards.
4. To make available information to hospitals, health care organizations and other individuals and groups deemed appropriate by the Board which includes published lists of those individuals who have been certified and the criteria for certification.
5. To provide information to the podiatric medical community about ABPOPPM and the specialty of podiatric medicine and orthopedics.
6. To encourage the American College of Foot and Ankle Orthopedics and Medicine (ACFAOM), as the educational vehicle for ABPOPPM, to create seminars, educational programs and literature to maintain and enhance competence.
7. To provide input to, and receive feedback from, the Joint Committee on the Recognition of Specialty Boards and the Council on Podiatric Medical Education and its committees through representatives of ABPOPPM. To collaborate with the Council on Podiatric Medical Education or other accepted accrediting body in the development of standards and requirements for the evaluation and enhancement of advanced postgraduate education programs.
8. To provide background, technical information, and Board representation to relevant committees of the APMA, LCPMEP, Council on Teaching Hospitals (COTH) of the American Association of Colleges of Podiatric Medicine (AACPM), and other organizations and committees where mutual benefit may be gained by interaction with the Board and its representatives.
9. To ensure that the activities of the ABPOPPM are conducted without prejudice with regard to race, sex, religious affiliation, age, national origin, disability, medical condition, marital status or certification status in other organizations.

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ANNUAL RE-REGISTRATION FEES

All members, both qualified and certified, are required to pay yearly re-registration fees. Payment is due in January of each year and is subject to a late penalty if delinquent. The following is the present fee structure:

Board Qualified $175

Board Certified $250

ADVERTISING BOARD STATUS

A podiatrist who is a Diplomate of the ABPOPPM must adhere to the following guidelines when advertising status (only the following statements of Diplomate status are acceptable):

1. Diplomate, American Board of Podiatric Orthopedics and Primary Podiatric Medicine
2. Board Certified, American Board of Podiatric Orthopedics and Primary Podiatric Medicine
3. Certified American Board of Podiatric Orthopedics and Primary Podiatric Medicine

Note: The organization initials (ABPOPPM) may be substituted for the full name. The advertising of Board Qualified status is prohibited.

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