The FPMB has compiled a Joint Task Force web page with information and resources for the benefit of Member Boards, podiatrists, and other stakeholders. This includes the background, key documents, and links to news, media, and historical context.
"The ultimate goal of the process would be to have MD, DO, and DPM degrees seen to be equivalent. On the federal level this would mean working to change the classification of podiatrists in Medicare from the current R (3) categorization to an R (1) categorization—which currently includes MD and DO."
Marlene Reid, DPM (Secretary-Treasurer) and Barbara Campbell, DPM (President) provide commentary to Podiatry Today's guest DPM blog on the FPMB's actions during the COVID-19 pandemic in support of its Member Boards and podiatric physicians.
The FPMB conducted its 2021 Annual Meeting on April 30 that featured information sharing, problem solving, and member-to-member interaction:
Participants commented on the "collaborative energy" of the meeting due to the "opportunities to engage with the other states" and the "good participation levels."
The FPMB warmly welcomes the College of Physicians and Surgeons of British Columbia (CPSBC) as a new Affiliate Member. CPSBC amalgamated with the College of Podiatric Surgeons of British Columbia on August 31, 2020, resulting in the registration and licensure of 77 new full podiatric surgeon registrants.
The FPMB Executive Board elected at the April 24, 2021 Executive Board meeting: Dr. Barbara Campbell (AZ) - President, Dr. Leonard La Russa (GA) - Vice President, Dr. Marlene Reid (IL) - Secretary-Treasurer, Dr. Judith Manzi (CA) - Director, Dr. Bruce Saferin (OH) - Past President/Director, Dr. Jay LeBow (MD) - Director Emeritus, and Mr. Stoner (MD) - Executive Director (not pictured).
The Annual Meeting will be conducted via webinar on Friday, April 30 (2pm - 3:30pm EDT). Agenda items are welcomed, and details on how to connect to the webinar will be forthcoming for dues-paid Member Boards. The FPMB Executive Board will be held on Saturday, April 24.
The FPMB and 11 additional organizations have sent a letter to Jamie Raskin (D-MD), Michael Conaway (R-TX), and David Cicilline (D-RI) in support of the Occupational Licensing Board Antitrust Damages Relief Act of 2020 (H.R.8680).
The bi-partisan bill still allows for enforcement of anti-trust laws by federal and private entities and sets certain standards for licensing boards if they are to be immune from damages. These standards include:
In 2015, in North Carolina State Board of Dental Examiners v. Federal Trade Commission, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that the North Carolina Dental Board was not entitled to "state action" immunity from antitrust laws because its actions were not actively supervised by the state. The FPMB believes that the Occupational Licensing Board Antitrust Damages Relief Act of 2020 creates a balance between enforcing anti-competitive activities and licensing boards' uncertainty over potential personal liability arising from public service.
The additional organizations that signed the letter are:
The FPMB conducted an interactive webinar with Member Boards to present an overview of the role of APMLE exams in licensing and provided a framework to evaluate potential impacts of the NBPME's July 15, 2020 Part II CSPE announcement.
The FPMB announced a new data initiative at its 2020 Annual Meeting on May 1, 2020. The FPMB will increase the depth and breadth of the state podiatric medical board data it collects, as well as start collecting podiatric physician licensure data. This information will be published via multiple platforms.
The FPMB conducted its 2020 Annual Meeting on May 1, 2020. The presentations and topics of discussion included:
The FPMB Executive Board elected at the April 25, 2020 Executive Board meeting: Dr. Bruce Saferin (OH) - President, Dr. Barbara Campbell (AZ) - Vice President, Dr. Leonard La Russa (GA) - Secretary-Treasurer, Dr. Judith Manzi (CA) - Director, Dr. Marlene Reid (IL), Dr. Jay LeBow (MD) - Director Emeritus, and Mr. Stoner - Executive Director (not pictured).
The Annual Meeting will be conducted via webinar on Friday, May 1 at 2:00 PM EDT. Details on how to connect to the webinar will be forthcoming for dues-paid Member Boards. The FPMB Executive Board has been rescheduled as a virtual meeting to be held on Saturday, April 15, 2020.
*** The FPMB continues to process Part I/II/III (PMLexis) Score and Disciplinary reports without interruption. ***
The FPMB has COVID-19 resources available for podiatrists and State Boards on its COVID-19 web page.
The Annual Meeting will be conducted via webinar on Friday, May 1 (time TBD). Details on how to connect to the webinar will be forthcoming for dues-paid Member Boards. The FPMB Executive Board is meeting in San Diego, California on May 1 & 2, 2020.