Today’s Podiatrists don’t hold back, they gladly give back.
For the past several years, PPMA Members Dr. Larry Assalita, Dr. John Ziegler, and Dr. Rick Tomassi have given back to their communities through involvement in the Summer Games of the Special Olympics in State College, PA, every June. All three Pennsylvania podiatrists believe in the power of educating the public about podiatry, but most especially in the power of helping the communities in which they live. For them this has meant doing foot screenings for the ‘Fit Feet’ program and placing their talents where they are much needed. “The ‘Fit Feet’ program might be the only opportunity that some of these folks will have for their feet to be inspected and guidance to appropriate care,” says Dr. Assalita, a podiatrist who practices in the State College, PA, area.
What is provided at the foot screenings is the service of a DPM—Doctor of Podiatric Medicine—specializing in the foot and ankle to make sure these special athletes can provide their best during competition, and to assess any problems that might need follow-up. Treatment is not provided at the screenings, but should the need for foot care/treatment arise, the athletes and families are provided with referrals.
The most common conditions observed by the podiatrists during the foot screenings were Athlete’s Foot and Fungal Toenails. “Some of this is a result of being involved in active sports/athletics where feet perspire more, and the availability of proper socks and shoes,” says Dr. Assalita. Those athletes who are assessed as having foot structural needs, such as flat-feet, high arches, prominent projections where calluses develop, are provided a heat moldable inner-sole to aid their feet’s performance and reduce the chance of problems and injury. These inserts are dispensed with the aid of a pedorthist on-site; the pedorthist’s lab donates the actual product.
Since feet are the foundation of most sports, and our vehicle to daily mobility, any opportunity to educate a segment of the population or the public is important. As Dr. Assalita puts it, “One of the benefits to having a ‘Fit Feet’ section as part of the Healthy Programs of the Special Olympics is to make all involved (family, coaches, volunteers) aware of the foot medically, which is often hidden from sight inside of shoes.” What the doctors find most often with these athletes is that they may need a higher level of guidance when it comes to their feet and selection of proper shoes.
These podiatrists and the other health care professionals involved with the “Fit Feet” program find it very rewarding to be able to help the Special Olympians take their best foot forward while competing. “We may get caught up in health care reform and reimbursement issues, but volunteering at the Special Olympics every year is a reminder to us all not to take what we have for granted.”
–Susan G. Kramer, PPMA Communications Specialist |
