PPMA recognizes the contributions of life members to the organization and our profession.

PPMA recently recognized Karen Campbell, DPM, as a Pioneer in Podiatry, an award reserved for life members who give back to advance the profession. We caught up with Dr. Campbell as she shared her heart-warming story of her vast achievements.

Campbell entered PCPM (now TUSPM) in 1983, five years after receiving a Biology degree and working in the Bursar's Office at Wilkes University. She sought a rewarding career with work-life balance and chose the podiatric career path over a medical doctor. She would shortly learn how worthwhile this would be, but first, she had to get through school, to which she lived in a neighboring apartment with roommates and, on weekends, drove home to Northeastern Pennsylvania to be with her devoted husband. Less than 20% of her graduating podiatry school class was female.

Campbell entered into a workforce whose culture included one that women could have it all and yet were still struggling with negative behaviors from male peers that included sexual harassment being commonplace.

Dr. Campbell continued her podiatry career journey by taking a leap of faith when she accessed her home's equity to secure a business loan to open her practice. With her faith, her husband's support, and hard work, they made a go of it, so much so that a second location followed.

Her practice focused on her patients, and she chose to be nonsurgical DPM.

Giving back to patients and the community was almost second nature for Campbell, as she did home visits, nursing home care, and general office podiatry. She appreciated the opportunity to provide podiatry screenings, health fairs, speeches to senior groups, and nursing home services. Campbell welcomed students to shadow her so they could learn how rewarding a career could be for them.

Dr. Campbell has volunteered with PPMA and The Goldfarb Foundation since Bill Goldfarb's days as a Student AV Assistant. She's been providing service for nearly 40 years! Some of our members may recognize her as the smiling face greeting participants at our conferences or as the lady providing the CME scans.

A true giver in the field of podiatry and honoree of the Pioneer in Podiatry Award, Dr. Campbell has found the area of service that best suits her personality and skillset. She encourages those who want to get involved more to find a location that speaks to them, whether it be advocacy, student recruitment, or her passion for providing administrative support. "We gain so much when we give," says Campbell.

Dr. Campbell is now retired from the two practices she operated until the end of her career and sold. She is enjoying this time in her life with her husband of over 50 years, Don, and her daughter, Laura. Members attending the upcoming Region Three Meeting or the Annual Clinical Conference may wish her congratulations for her outstanding achievements in the podiatric profession. We appreciate sharing her contributions to what was a rewarding career of one of our life members.

Are you a life member who wants to share your story with PPMA and its members? Contact our office to learn more.