I am an APMA member and satisfied

Dr. Anderson, you are entitled to your opinion, however, to insinuate that the APMA should have sued 20/20 is absurd. The cost of such a suit against ABC would have raised dues or required assessments and most likely led to more negative publicity. The show was bad PR for the profession but almost every other profession has been dragged through the mud by one of these news/entertainment shows. Cosmetic surgery, anesthesia mishaps, hospital based infections, medical errors etc. Fortunately the public is bright enough to decipher the truth vs sweeps month hype. I had patients scheduled for surgery after that show who mentioned the report and laughed it off.

My point was what did you do about it ? You described how the spineless APMA only wrote a letter (not true they actually had a representative on the show itself). Did you write a letter? If not why not? I did, to point out what I thought for factual errors in their report. If this report hurt you financially or caused mental duress/pain and suffering why didn't you sue and spend your money? Finally are you an APMA member? Yes or no. If not, the APMA owes you nothing. They have fought battles for reimbursement, inclusion, and through state societies everything from scope of practice to equal pay, ability to participate in various plans, form corportations with MDs, handicap stickers etc. Benefitting all DPMs even those who do not contribute money or time. I get tired of non members who slam organizations. They are like the individual who never votes who complains about their representatives or the president. Also, if you feel that for whatever reason you can not join the APMA, why not do some things to help the profession out. How about donating money to a school or directly to a student(if the schools are not in your favor either). Contribute to a politician who is pro podiatry. Volunteer to help on those issues you feel are important. You complain about a lot. The schools, the residencies, the board certification process, reimbursements etc. On which of those subjects have you even written a letter to the group involved and expressed your opinions? Even if nothing changed you would atleast have tried to contribute.

Bottomline it is easy to complain on a web site. It is hard to fix problems. I have participated at all levels even when it benefitted others more than me. Not because I am so nice but helping the profession helps me. Pay your dues, go to meetings, volunteer time away from your practice and family to contribute. I did and do, so I am entitled to complain you are well entitled to whine.....

my opinion
PS before you slam me or the APMA anymore, please answer the questions posted above.