| American Podiatric Medical Association | | | | responsible for he contribution of about 1 |
| | | | million $ to aid almost 1000 prospective |
| Founded in the year 1912, the American | | | | DPMs. |
| Podiatric Medical Association (APMA), today | | | | |
| represents approximately 15000 Doctors of | | | | Third or Fourth year students from any of the |
| Podiatric Medicines (DPMs). The Association | | | | seven accredited colleges and chosen by the |
| headquarters are situated in Bethesda, | | | | College Scholarship and Student Loan |
| Maryland. With a staff of approx 60 employees | | | | Committee, based on various factors like |
| the association assists the 53 societies | | | | classroom performance, leadership qualities, |
| scattered throughout the US, with the goal of | | | | podiatric community involvement and financial |
| improving the foot and ankle health of every | | | | need etc. |
| individual. Their attempt is to achieve this | | | | |
| goal by providing information by the way of a | | | | There are plenty of ailments that effect the |
| toll free number, internet, and information | | | | feet but the most common two are Athletes |
| brochures. | | | | Foot and Bunions. |
| | | | |
| Podiatrists attain a four year undergraduate | | | | Athletes Foot is a skin disease that |
| degree before attending an accredited, four | | | | originates with the foot. Fungus responsible |
| year course at medical school. These schools | | | | for the disease thrives at warm, dark and |
| are: Barry University School of Medical | | | | moist places and thus the feet offer the |
| Graduate Medical Sciences, California School | | | | perfect home. Name comes from the fact that |
| of Podiatric Medicine at Samuel Merritt | | | | many athletes suffered from this fungus and |
| College, College of Podiatric Medicine and | | | | also the fact that swimming pools and locker |
| Surgery- Des Moines University- | | | | rooms are also safe breeding ground for the |
| | | | fungi. |
| Osteopathic Medical Center, Dr. William M | | | | |
| Scholl of College of Podiatric Medicine at | | | | Symptoms include itchy, dry and irritated |
| the Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine | | | | skin also sometimes accompanied by blisters, |
| & Science, New York College of Podiatric | | | | scaling and inflammation. It may spread to |
| Medicine, Ohio College of Podiatric Medicine, | | | | other parts of the body as well, like the |
| and Temple University School of Podiatric | | | | underarms and the groin region. It can be |
| Medicine. | | | | prevented by taking a proper care of the |
| | | | skin. Washing and keeping the feet clean, |
| DPMs also have to complete a residence at | | | | using a feet powder. Fungicidal creams are |
| hospital. APMA's Council on Podiatric Medical | | | | also effective in healing. |
| Education has been entrusted the task | | | | |
| accrediting Podiatric Medical Education by | | | | Another common foot ailment is the Bunion, an |
| the US department of Education. In order to | | | | enlargement of the metatarsophalangeal (MTO) |
| obtain admission into any of the seven | | | | join, located at the base of the big toe. |
| accredited podiatric schools one must pass | | | | Symptoms include swelling, redness, corns, |
| the Medical College Admissions Test (MCAT). | | | | and irritation also accompanied by abnormal |
| Residency programs as well as podiatric | | | | forces placed on the tendons and joints of |
| medical boards are both looked after by the | | | | the foot. It is treated mostly by padding the |
| Council. | | | | inflammatory are and taping the foot in a |
| | | | proper position. Anti inflammatory drugs, |
| The APMA's educational Foundation also gives | | | | ultra sound treatment and cortisone |
| out scholarships to prospective DPMs, each | | | | injections are also prescribed to ease the |
| year and also helps to fund programs aimed at | | | | pain and swelling. In severe cases a surgical |
| raising awareness about foot and ankle | | | | [procedure called bunionectomy might be |
| health. The scholarship funds contribute | | | | performed by podiatrists |
| approx $1000 to about 134 students each, | | | | |
| annually. An overall figure of 142,000$ is | | | | Mansi gupta writes about podiatry . |
| also contributed by the fund each year and is | | | | |