Foundation Message 2007 - K Kyle Ballew, D.P.M.

The Texas Podiatric Medical Foundation continues to be strong and active. Ongoing projects continue with full energy. As in the past, our projects still include residency interviews, receptions, fund raising, golf tournaments, and now, a new and exciting mission project.

The Central Residency Interview Program was once again well attended by students and residency directors. As in the past, Texas was well represented, sending representatives from five residency programs to Chicago to interview prospective Texas residents. The Foundation offered travel grants to students and our Texas programs that attended. While in Chicago, the Texas programs again hosted a reception for the students, with a "Your future is in Texas" theme. This reception was sponsored by the Texas Podiatric Medical Foundation. This serves not only to build goodwill with students, but it also supports a unified Texas coalition of residency programs.

Fund raising continues to be on the forefront of the agenda for the Foundation with events held at all of the TPMA sponsored seminars. Funds raised are used to further charitable projects and support residency and educational events. The Foundation wishes to thank eppointments for their ongoing support, as well as Rocky Mountain Orthotics, MRI Solutions, and Dallas County for generous contributions. The auction that was held at last year's annual meeting was very successful thanks to all the individual supporters that continue to be the backbone of the fund raising efforts. Thank you to all who have supported, and continue to support, the fund raising efforts of the Foundation.

The Foundation now has a new medical mission in central Mexico. The Foundation, working with HOSPITAL DE CASA in San Miguel, has successfully organized our new mission clinic. Many preliminary meetings were held with representatives from CASA in order to get the project under way. Under the committee Co-Chairs of Drs. Jason Miller and Scott McKinney, teams of podiatrists went to San Miguel in August, November, and February to treat the Mexican citizens. Post-operative trips have also occurred as needed. The next trip is scheduled for July, 2007. The Foundation has sponsored resident podiatrists on each trip and has helped to fund the trip for others. As always, collecting and transporting supplies, as well as coordinating clinics, anesthesia, and housing, have all provided challenges. Many thanks go out to not only the committee members, but also to Krista Richter and Nelda Falknor for their tireless efforts contributing to the initial success of this project. The Foundation would also like to thank Dr. Carlos Gurrola Togasi, the Mexican podologist at CASA, for all of his help, and to welcome him to our annual meeting this year. Drs. Miller and McKinney have provided great leadership for all of the trips and remain passionate about the project and optimistic about its future success. Volunteers are needed regularly for the trips to this beautiful new city and our wonderful new medical mission.

On a personal note, I have had the privilege of being in the planning and in the implementing stages of both of our medical mission projects. I have had the opportunity to work with wonderful, caring people to the good of the underprivileged. It is an honor for which I will also be thankful. As my time as the president of the Texas Podiatric Medical Foundation comes to a close, I will remember fondly those great spirits with whom I have worked, and those equally great spirits of those that were helped, in these tremendous humanitarian efforts. Thank you, one and all.

The Texas Podiatric Medical Foundation has been successful because of the many contributions, both financially and in time and effort, made by the generosity of the Podiatric Physicians of Texas. You are all greatly appreciated!

Annual Business Meeting 2007

The 90th TPMA Annual Business Meeting and free continuing education lectures were held June 1-3 at the beautiful Westin La Cantera Resort in San Antonio. The view of San Antonio and the hill country was breathtaking. This meeting is entirely FREE for members and is a "thank you" for everyone's dedication and support.

Thank you to all the faculty who provided lectures to TPMA Members on Friday, June 1. SAS Shoemakers provided a special lecture at their main factory along with lunch and a tour. Members witnessed hand sewn shoes being made as well as a great panel discussion on diabetic shoe fitting.

The 90th Annual Business Meeting was held on Saturday, June 2 and included elections, bylaws changes, scope of practice update and a legislative overview for the session that just ended in Austin. The Annual Business Meeting is the one place where Members can hear the "state of the union" on all activities that have occurred within the past fiscal year. This meeting provides an arena for input for the industry and approves future goals. Thank you to all the members and their families who attended and made a difference in the industry's future.

Dr. Brian Carpenter was inducted as the new President of the Texas Podiatric Medical Association for the June 2007 through May 2008 fiscal year. Dr. Carpenter gave an acceptance speech that outlined his commitment to the profession and creating a level playing field for the profession. Dr. Jeff Bowman, passed the gavel to Dr. Carpenter was thanked for his exemplary and dedicated service during his tenure.

The President's Masquerade Ball was held Saturday evening in honor of Dr. Bowman's service. Families enjoyed a lavish buffet, music , casino and the infamous silent auction featuring over 100 items. The TPMA Past -Presidents, including Dr. Bowman - entertained everyone with their rendition of the Mexican Hat Dance led by Dr. Larry MacTavish.

A special thank you goes to all auction donors, especially Dr. Don & Nelda Falknor, Dr. Jeff Bowman, Dr. James and Kris Miller and Dr. Kelly Ann Shebetka. These four doctors alone were responsible for raising over half of the auction donations and items. We thank them for their time and support of the Foundation. Also, thank you to all the volunteers who helped with the raffle , "mystery box" and the auction. The auction, as well as the golf tournament and raffle , raised over $12,000 for the Foundation and will help fund the mission clinic in San Miguel , Mexico , as well as residency travel grants. The Foundation also supports resident scholarships, interviews and other education grant projects.