By Maggie Wurst, SMC, ’17
As the year comes to an end, TUSPM is reminiscing on the achievements of our alumni throughout the year.
2015 was a great year for the podiatric profession with various alumni being honored with awards, opening new practices, and publishing scholarly works, it was great for TUSPM as well.
Dr. Arthur Helfand, ’57, was awarded the Bright Star of Aging award by the Emergency Fund Coalition on June 4. The award was presented to Dr. Helfand for his distinguished career assisting and advocating for older adults on issues of proper foot care.
Dr. Arthur Helfand, ’57
Dr. Helfand serves as Board Vice Chair of the Philadelphia Corporation for Aging (PCA) and is a former PCA Board Chair and Treasurer. He became a board certified diplomate with the American Board of Podiatric Medicine in 1978.
Another highlight of the year was when Dr. James Christina, ’83, took the helm as the American Podiatric Medical Association’s executive director and CEO on October 24. Dr. Christina’s background with APMA is extensive, including a decade-long tenure on staff as director of Scientific Affairs, a 13-year commitment as a member of the APMA House of Delegates, and more.
Dr. James Christina, ’83
Another alum who took a leadership role at a national podiatric organization this year is Dr. Peter Smith, ’88. Dr. Smith was installed as the new President of the Pennsylvania Podiatric Medical Association during its House of Delegates Banquet in November.
Dr. Peter Smith, ’88
Making her alma mater proud, Dr. Christine Miller ’03 was the first podiatrist to graduate from the Patient Safety Fellowship at the University Of Florida College Of Medicine, and the first podiatrist ever to complete an allopathic patient safety fellowship this past summer.
Through her efforts, Dr. Miller was awarded a $25,000 grant to improve both patient safety and quality at University of Florida Health System.
Dr. Christine Miller, “03
Two 2013 alums, Dr. Justin Hooker and Dr. Vivek Patel, contributed to articles featured on Podiatry Today’s website this year. Dr. Hooker’s study was focused on the treatment of foot compartment syndrome secondary to metatarsal fractures, which argued that a delay in diagnosis of compartment syndrome could cause difficulties with a patient’s functional outcome. Dr. Patel’s article discussed the management of open ankle fractures and highlighted the standard of care as antibiotic therapy irrigation, and debridement.
Dr. Hooker is a second-year resident at the Maricopa County Medical Center in Phoenix, Ariz., and Dr. Patel is a third-year foot and ankle surgical resident at Beaumont Hospital-Wayne in Wayne, Mich.
While these are only a handful of our distinguished alumni’s accomplishments this year, as 2016 approaches, we are confident that our alumni will push the bar even higher and achieve amazing feats.
Alumni Footsteps 