A podiatrist (also known as a podiatric physician or podiatric surgeon) is a licensed physician specializing in the examination, diagnosis, prevention and treatment of disorders of the foot and ankle by medical and surgical means.
Education and Training of a Podiatrist:
- 4 Year Undergraduate Degree
- Premed/Biology/Chemistry - 4 Years Podiatric Medical Schooling
- Basic Sciences/Clinical Rotations/Externships - 1-3 years Surgical Residency Training
- Total : 8 to 11 years of training
All Village Podiatry Centers’ physicians have over 10 years of training. All are residency trained and serve as surgical instructors in Atlanta.
Hospital Medical Staff Privileges
Doctors of Podiatric Medicine (D.P.M.s), just like M.D.s and D.O.s, are staff physicians for hospitals. We admit patients to hospitals and are frequently called for consultation by primary care physicians, Emergency Rooms and specialists.
Podiatrists use imaging technology such as X-rays, ultrasound, MRI and CT scans to guide diagnosis and treatment of patients. Surgery may be performed in the hospital setting or on an outpatient basis in the physician’s office or in a surgical center.
Village Podiatry Centers’ physicians are staff surgeons for more than 20 Atlanta hospitals and two dedicated surgical centers.
Board Certification
The American Board of Podiatric Surgery (ABPS) is the most recognized and respected board in the field of podiatric medicine. The board sets strict and rigorous standards that must be met in order for a podiatric surgeon to achieve board certification.
Board Certification Requirements:
- Completion of a four-year doctoral training at a CPME-accredited podiatric medical school.
- Completion of residency training program approved by the Council on Podiatric Medical Education (CPME).
- Submission of a case list demonstrating a diversity of surgical experience in foot surgery.
- Approval of foot surgery cases selected by ABPS for a detailed review by the ABPS Credentials Committee.
- Passing the Written Examination in Foot Surgery.
- Passing the Oral Examination in Foot Surgery.
All Village Podiatry Centers’ doctors become ABPS Certified.
Continuing Education
Podiatric surgeons must complete additional hours of continuing education each year. All Village Podiatry Centers’ physicians meet these requirements. In fact, members of our medical staff provide annual surgical training for thousands of podiatrists across the U.S. through their affiliation with The Podiatry Institute.
The Podiatry Institute is an internationally recognized teaching and research foundation for reconstructive foot and ankle surgery based in Atlanta. Dr. John Ruch serves as Director of Medical Education. Dr. Alan Banks is a senior member of the teaching and research staff. Additional Village Podiatry Centers’ physicians who serve on the teaching staff are: Dr. Craig Camasta, Dr. Michael McGlamry and Dr. Steven Weiskopf.
Village Podiatry Centers – An International Referral Center
The Village Podiatry Centers’ surgical team includes national lecturers, medical authors and innovators who are authorities on foot and ankle surgical procedures. Members of our staff are the primary editors and contributors to the podiatric profession’s standard reference text, McGlamry’s Comprehensive Textbook of Foot and Ankle Surgery.
With a wide reputation for leadership in reconstructive surgery, Village Podiatry Centers serve as an international referral center for treatment of the most complex foot and ankle conditions for all ages.
