Pennsylvania Podiatric Medical Association
757 Poplar Church Road, Camp Hill, PA 17011
PH: 717-763-7665; FAX: 717-761-4091
November 2013
CONTACT: Susan G. Kramer, 1-800-841-3668, x18 or Joseph Smith, DPM, 610-796-9522
Joseph C. Smith, DPM, To Become 81st PPMA President
SHILLINGTON, PA: Joseph C. Smith, DPM, will be elected the new President on Saturday, November 9, 2013, of
the Pennsylvania Podiatric Medical Association, during itsHouse of Delegates Banquet at the Radisson Hotel Valley
Forge, King of Prussia, PA. Dr. Smith’s inaugural makes him the 81st president of the Association, which was started
in 1909.
“I plan to continue to help roll-out our Fellowship Program nationally until enough residencies are created
to accommodate the graduates that did not receive a residency program,” says Dr. Smith in reference to what he hopes
to attain during his presidency. He also plans to “help our membership make a smooth transition with regards to
compliance with the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act and ICD-10.”
His message to diabetics, in observing November as National Diabetes Month, is for them to visit their
podiatrist regularly, “It is becoming quite clear that as the Affordable Care Act takes effect and the additional 25
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Smith New PPMA President … page 2
million Americans are added to the ranks of the insured, the role of the podiatric physician will become
increasingly important, not only to improve the diabetic's health and well-being, but in creating a cost savings to the
already over-burdened health-care system,” he says.
Noting the recent Thomson Reuters study, Dr. Smith points out how this study has statistically proven that
care by a podiatrist can lower the risk of amputation by nearly 29 percent and lower the risk of hospitalization by 24
percent in diabetic patients. The study also indicates that with as little as one visit to a podiatric physician, can have
dramatic results on patients with diabetes.
“From an economic stand point, the earlier that a diabetic patient sees a podiatrist, the less likely they are to
need hospitalization and amputation, therefore creating a substantial savings to the health-care system,” says Dr.
Smith.
Dr. Smith is part of a six-doctor team at Berks Foot & Ankle Surgical Associates, Inc., Reading, PA. He
graduated in 1990 with a BS degree from Wilkes University and served overseas with the 402nd MP POW Camp
during the first Persian Gulf War. Dr. Smith received his DPM degree in 1994 from Temple University School of
Podiatric Medicine, Philadelphia, PA; a Diplomate of the American Board of Podiatric Surgery; a Diplomate of the
American Podiatric Medical Specialties Board; a Fellow of the American College of Foot & Ankle Surgeons; a
Fellow of the American Society of Podiatric Surgeons; part of teaching staff with the Podiatric Foot & Ankle Surgical
Residency and Family Medicine Program at the Reading Health System; and a current member of the Shillington
Lions Club. He can be contacted via www.berksfootankle.com.
One last piece of advice for diabetics from Dr. Smith, “Diabetic foot infections are the number one cause of
non-traumatic lower extremity amputations in the U.S., so make an appointment today to see your podiatrist!”
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The Pennsylvania Podiatric Medical Association (PPMA) represents more than 850 podiatrists across Pennsylvania.
The Goldfarb Foundation is the educational arm of PPMA, offering numerous educational opportunities for
podiatrists, assistants, and residents each year. Additional information can be obtained by visiting either
www.ppma.org or www.goldfarbfoundation.org or by calling 1-800-841-3668. To find a PA podiatrist near you, visit
www.ppma.org, “Find a Podiatrist” section.