John Marty, DPM, has held the titles of businessman, podiatrist, husband, father, board member, and past PPMA President in his lifetime. We share the story of Dr. Marty’s journey to becoming a lifetime PPMA member.

While attending graduate school, an acquaintance introduces Dr. Marty to the podiatric profession, and it proves to be a game changer. While pursuing an MS in Microbiology at Duquesne University, Dr. Marty puts himself through school by working as a Teacher's Assistant and doing various labor jobs. He talked with a customer one day after washing her home’s exterior. The homeowner had a recent appointment with her podiatrist and thought that John might appreciate a career in podiatry. She offers to make an introduction.  When Dr. Marty greeted the podiatrist at his in-home practice, he found him kind and hard-working. Marty had a positive experience and was interested in learning more. The podiatrist was gracious with his time and offered to connect Dr. Marty with Jim Bates, DPM, who at the time was the Dean and CEO at what is now TUSPM.The podiatrist was gracious with his time and offered to connect Dr. Marty with Jim Bates, DPM, who at the time was the Dean and CEO at what is now TUSPM.The

Dr.Marty applies and gets accepted to podiatry school and relocates to Philadelphia. He did not have a plan on how to pay the tuition and living expenses associated with attending podiatry school. Dr. Marty was living on spare change but had enough saved to cover a few months of tuition. Sometimes in life, we need to remember that where there is a will, there is always a way. That way came from another connection that was soon made for him. This connection allows him to get a scholarship. This scholarship, The National Health Scholarship, covers all his tuition and living expenses. The generous scholarship is a game-changer, but it requires that he practice in specific geographical areas. Still, one bridge was crossed, allowing Dr. Marty to attend and complete his education.

Dr. Marty continues his journey, completing his residency at Podiatry Hospital in Pittsburgh when he makes another powerful connection: a woman named Marion, who later becomes his wife and his practice manager. Upon completing residency, Dr. Marty acknowledges that he must fulfill the scholarship requirements and relies upon Marion, who is managing the Obstetrics and gynecology (OB/GYN) OBGYN and Pediatrics Clinics at Allegheny General Hospital. Her careful review of the the National Health Service requirements for the private practice option positions the young couple to relocate outside of Pittsburgh in a town called Kittanning. In deciding to open a practice in this area, he again finds himself in a position of having the will to do so but lacks the funding required to reach his potential. A friend and his now-wife, Marion, help Dr. Marty craft a business plan and portfolio, which he presents to the bank. The bank takes a chance on him, offering a $20,000 unsecured loan to start practice.

Your past is often a predictor of your future. In this case, Marty leveraged his skills and experience before attending podiatry school, picked up a hammer and toolbox, and built the rooms where he would open his business. Along with good friends, they prepared a building for treating patients.

If he questioned if there was a need for patients to receive foot and ankle care, that was answered when his first patient walked in the door as he was remodeling the building, and he offered to do a house visit until the place opened. She became not only his first patient in 1984 but also a regular patient and was able to provide a positive testimonial in the neighborhood in which he was establishing himself. Without an advertising budget, Marty and his father crafted what we call grassroots marketing when his proud father, Mr. Marty, a local truck driver, passed out business cards. On the back, his father guarantees a free consultation if you mention that you know his father. In time, he was able to establish a nice customer base.

It is important to note that even though the basics were coming together, he had to get paid. At this time, getting credentials to work with payers and successfully getting reimbursements was not as challenging as today. Marion, was instrumental with administrative tasks such as billing, and she takes on the management of the practice. This, combined with the support of other professionals, helped him with practice management.

As his practice grew, a good friend connected with Dr. Marty, which opened many doors when he introduced him to Bill Goldfarb, DPM. Bill was a billing guru, a sharp businessman, and an innovator in podiatric education. Bill's introduction turned into a connection with PPMA, to which he quickly became a member and made many connections that allowed him to advance his technical skills and his ability to manage his practice.

Dr. Marty saw the value in PPMA and increased his involvement, becoming President in 1996. The increased connections that resulted from his membership and leadership at PPMA increased his ability to hire more professionals, take on a partner, open more practices, and add Marion to manage the practice. As PPMA President, he called non-members in PA and explained the importance of becoming a member. “We must all get together because we are all so little.” He led the charge in increasing dues and worked with other board members as Mike Davis formed separate entities, including The Goldfarb Foundation, and solutions for malpractice that were unattainable at the time. All these things have been instrumental in helping our members today, who may not have practiced when professional liability coverage was unaffordable, to fully appreciate PPMA's offerings.

Dr. Marty wanted to ensure that he tried to take advantage of anything the scope of practice allowed him to do. He increased his surgical knowledge and skill set and challenged hospitals that did not enable podiatrists' hospital privileges or the opportunity to operate. Dr. Marty wanted to treat patients in the hospital and local hospitals. He knocked on doors to do so but was unsuccessful at the time. Through networking with other doctors and professionals, he makes a connection that helps him break through barriers and begins treating bunions and heel pain. Leveraging the expertise of attorneys and a new Executive Director, Mike Davis, Dr. Marty increased the procedures he could perform in Western PA, allowing others to improve their ability to provide care in the local hospitals. He became the Chief of Surgery at Podiatry Hospital of Pittsburgh.

He practiced full-time for four decades, enjoying treating patients at his office, in the hospital setting, and even making house calls. A few years ago, Dr. Marty recognized retirement on the horizon and planned to decrease his practices from seven to two. At the same time, his business partner moved on to become a resident director. A connection at The Goldfarb Foundation meeting helped make retirement a reality when he met Michelle Sparks. He supported her in transitioning to becoming a business owner and part-time employee.

Throughout this lifetime member’s journey, one common theme was the secret to his success: his ability to network and make connections. PPMA enhanced his ability to increase connections while supporting his career growth and retirement.

Now fully retired as of a few months ago, Dr. Marty is still seeing patients who are family members as needed but can spend more time fishing and enjoying his grandchildren. In his gradual transition to retirement, he picked up a new hobby, entertaining immediate family members as Santa Claus. His background in education in his early years at Duquesne, along with his friendship with Bill Goldfarb, DPM, has come full circle as he continues to serve on The Goldfarb Foundation Board. Dr. Marty and Marion have remained in their hometown, where they raised their family and have treated thousands of patients since 1984. PPMA thanks you for your lifetime membership.