Why The ACFAS Conference Represents The Best Of Our Profession
Did you attend the recent American College of Foot and Ankle Surgeons (ACFAS) Annual Scientific Conference? If the answer is no, you should ask yourself why.
I have been attending the ACFAS Annual Scientific Conference since 1993 in San Diego. I was a third-year podiatric medical student at the Scholl College of Podiatric Medicine and my father was being inducted as President of the ACFAS. I remember being around many of the leaders of our profession (Howard and Tilden Sokoloff, DPM, Harold Schoenhaus, DPM, Howard Zlotoff, DPM, David Novicki, DPM, Louis Jimenez, DPM, Doug Elleby, DPM, Alan Shaw, DPM, Nate Schwartz, DPM, Gary Kaplan, DPM, and a young Jack Schuberth, DPM) during that occasion and it was quite influential on my career. These were people who were household names in my life.
I have rarely missed an ACFAS Annual Scientific Conference since then. I first spoke at ACFAS in 1996 in New Orleans as a resident, presenting research I had performed on the Evans procedure. I continued to submit research for presentation yearly and eventually became a somewhat regularly invited speaker.
From my earliest impressions, the ACFAS represented what I aspired to become. I saw a profession that I wanted to be a part of, a profession that was proud and offered amazing care and surgery to the American people. The ACFAS represented research and progress to me. It created new opportunities to the young people who were my colleagues.
Two weeks ago, the American College of Foot and Ankle Surgeons descended on Phoenix. The 2015 ACFAS conference delivered once again but at levels never previously achieved. Gone are the days when the meeting was in the ballroom of a hotel. Now the meeting is at major convention centers. There are multiple concurrent educational tracks so attendees can pick and choose which topics are most interesting and relevant to them.
This year, the scientific and academic content was the best I have seen. George (Tye) Liu, DPM, FACFAS, triumphantly served as the Scientific Chairman of the conference and along with his talented committee created a program that eclipsed any previous one. There was a diverse combination of evidence-based medicine, personal experience, interesting content and formats. The speaker diversity was tremendous. Speakers came from all over the country with different training, philosophies and experience to give attendees a broad impression of thoughts and solutions of pathologies. There were lectures, symposiums, debates and case presentations presented by both invited lecturers as well as attendees. Every foot and ankle surgeon could find something to take away from these formats.
It is truly amazing the talent that our profession can put on stage with experience and research. No other subspecialty has the depth and breadth of knowledge and experience with foot and ankle care and surgery that we do.
More than 1,500 attendees enjoyed a truly remarkable week that continues to raise the bar of foot and ankle education and scientific presentations. Dedicated podiatric researchers presented 27 oral research manuscripts. These presentations are the basis for future advances in foot and ankle treatment. These people should have our appreciation for the often thankless work of research that not only advances foot and ankle surgery, but puts our profession firmly on an equivalent stage with other medical specialties that provide dedicated research and outcomes.
There were more than 235 poster presentations highlighting the emerging research occurring in our profession nationwide. These posters give attendees up-to-date information about emerging thoughts and research. These posters often turn into more substantial manuscripts that change the way in which we render treatment and how outsiders view our profession.
More than 125 companies showed their products and services in the highest level foot and ankle exhibit hall I have seen. It was a great place to see emerging technologies, the latest in surgical products, services to improve patient care, operational efficiencies and profitability. It also served as a location to grab food at breaks and socialize with colleagues.
Some of the best time spent is just “talking shop” with friends and colleagues in the hallways, exhibit hall or social events. Often the best “tip” you get at a conference like this might be that quick conversation that was unexpected.
There were plenty of social activities as well to offer a proper balance of work and play.
The ACFAS Board of Directors works tirelessly to represent the highest level of our profession. From outgoing President Thomas Roukis, DPM, FACFAS, to incoming President Richard Derner, DPM, FACFAS, the board strives to continue providing the highest level of educational and scientific opportunities to our profession.
I have traveled the world and participated in foot and ankle surgical conferences in five continents. I regularly attend the American Orthopedic Foot and Ankle Society Annual Summer Meeting, the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons annual meeting and the International Federation of Foot and Ankle Societies conference. The ACFAS yearly delivers the best scientific, surgical and treatment content of all.
Make no mistake about it. The ACFAS represents the highest level of our profession. It supports the advancement of podiatric surgery and the care of the foot and ankle like no other organization worldwide.
People tell me that many in our profession are not happy. I love what I do and love the fact that our profession treats the foot and ankle better than anyone else. If you want a reason to be enthusiastic about the profession, make a point of attending future ACFAS Annual Scientific Conferences and see the remarkable people who make our profession so great.
