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