TRAITS

for Success

work well with people of all ages

committed to life-long learning

excellent manual dexterity

good communication skills

 
he foot is sometimes the first part of the human body to
reveal a serious condition, such as diabetes.  Doctors of
podiatric medicine (DPMs), also called podiatrists, are trained to
diagnose and treat disorders and disease of the foot and lower leg.
These physicians can prescribe drugs, admit patients to hospitals,
order physical therapy, and perform surgery.  Podiatrists treat
conditions such as calluses, ingrown toenails, hammertoes,
bunions, and injuries to the foot and lower leg.  They are trained
to design custom-made shoes and to fit corrective inserts, called
orthotics, inside the shoes of patients.
 
Average Starting Salary $80,303
 
Areas of Specialization
Biomechanics
Geriatrics
Pediatrics
Orthopedics
Primary Podiatric Medicine
Sports Medicine
Surgery
Wound Care
 
Work Environment
Community health departments
Health maintenance organizations
Health professions schools
Hospitals
Long-term care facilities
Military
Private or group practices
U.S. Public Health Service
 
Academic Requirements
A college preparatory diploma is recommended.
More than 95 percent of the applicants to the
eight colleges of podiatric medicine in the
United States already have a bachelor's degree;
many have attended graduate school.  Colleges
of podiatric medicine require applicants to take the
Medical College Admission Test (MCAT) and
apply for admission through the American Association
of Podiatric Medicine.  Programs require four
years of study, which includes classes in anatomy,
chemistry, pharmacology and pathology.  Students
work at clinical sites under the supervision of
certified physicians and podiatrists.  Graduates
receive a Doctor of Podiatric Medicine (DPM)
degree.  Graduates then complete residency
programs of two to three years.
 
Licensure, Certification and
Registration
To practice in Georgia, podiatrists must be licensed
through the Georgia State Board of Podiatry
 
Professional Organizations
American Association of Colleges
   of Podiatric Medicine
(800) 922-9266
www.aacpm.org
 
American Podiatric Medical
   Association
(800) 275-2762
www.apma.org
 
Georgia Podiatric Medical
   Association
(770) 536-0913
www.gapma.com
 
Georgia State Board of Podiatry
(478) 207-2440
www.sos.state.ga.us/plb/podiatry
 
EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS

 

Georgia does not have an educational program for podiatrists
 
 
Florida
Barry University School of Graduate Medical Sciences
www.barry.edu/gms
 
 
 
 
Table of Contents

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