A Joint Statement from ABFAS, ACFAS, APMA, and WSPMA
June 10, 2022
Last month, the American Board of Foot and Ankle Surgery, the American College of Foot and Ankle Surgeons, the American Podiatric Medical Association, and the Washington State Podiatric Medical Association became aware of a damaging video of an orthopedic surgeon delivering a presentation on podiatric medical education and training. The presentation was delivered during a virtual educational meeting of the Washington State Orthopedic Association (WSOA).
ABFAS, ACFAS, APMA, and WSPMA acted swiftly and decisively to address this grossly inaccurate and misleading attack on podiatric medicine and surgery. Our organizations immediately requested that the video be removed from circulation, and we are pleased that the WSOA quickly complied with our request.
The four organizations also sent a letter to the president of WSOA detailing the many false and misleading statements in the video and providing accurate information about the education and training of our mutual members. We further requested that the presenter be apprised that her lack of honesty and integrity in delivering this misleading presentation were in violation of the American Board of Orthopaedic Surgery’s Guidelines on Professional Behavior.
ABFAS, ACFAS, APMA, and WSPMA will engage in ongoing dialogue with the WSOA and national orthopedic associations to ensure their members and leaders are well-informed about podiatric medical education and to protect our mutual members from harm. Our organizations will report on any further developments in this situation.
Last month, the American Board of Foot and Ankle Surgery, the American College of Foot and Ankle Surgeons, the American Podiatric Medical Association, and the Washington State Podiatric Medical Association became aware of a damaging video of an orthopedic surgeon delivering a presentation on podiatric medical education and training. The presentation was delivered during a virtual educational meeting of the Washington State Orthopedic Association (WSOA).
ABFAS, ACFAS, APMA, and WSPMA acted swiftly and decisively to address this grossly inaccurate and misleading attack on podiatric medicine and surgery. Our organizations immediately requested that the video be removed from circulation, and we are pleased that the WSOA quickly complied with our request.
The four organizations also sent a letter to the president of WSOA detailing the many false and misleading statements in the video and providing accurate information about the education and training of our mutual members. We further requested that the presenter be apprised that her lack of honesty and integrity in delivering this misleading presentation were in violation of the American Board of Orthopaedic Surgery’s Guidelines on Professional Behavior.
ABFAS, ACFAS, APMA, and WSPMA will engage in ongoing dialogue with the WSOA and national orthopedic associations to ensure their members and leaders are well-informed about podiatric medical education and to protect our mutual members from harm. Our organizations will report on any further developments in this situation.