Laurence G. Rubin, DPM, FACFAS
ACFAS President
Well, it ain’t over yet, but it is getting close. This is my final President’s Perspective and if you’re even remotely a Yogi Berra fan, you had to see this one coming as my final topic.
It has been an extraordinary experience and a true honor to be the president of the American College of Foot and Ankle Surgeons (ACFAS). While I will continue to serve on the Board of Directors next year as the immediate past president, my service to ACFAS will never be over. I will always be an active member of ACFAS, as it is the only professional organization that truly understands who we are and what we do.
No other institution understands my needs and issues as a foot and ankle surgeon. Just think how far our specialty has come since the College was founded in 1942. I wonder if our four founders could have even fathomed what their creation would accomplish in the last 76 years? We perform the majority of the foot surgery in the United States; we have the largest scientific conference of foot and ankle surgeons; and we perform every procedure, including total ankle implants, fusions, arthroscopy and trauma.
ACFAS remains the gold standard in CME, from e-Learning to hands-on workshops—and not only in content, but in freedom from commercial bias. The College expanded its award-winning national public relations efforts to include other healthcare specialties, aimed at generating more referrals for you. Our Recognized Fellowship program has expanded to 44 programs. We have started work on an outcomes registry. And a reconstituted Research Committee will soon conduct a no-holds-barred brainstorming/planning session and will create a bold new approach to research in the College.
The year has gone by fast, and I am forever indebted to so many people who helped me. From our dedicated volunteer committee volunteers, to the Board and staff, to those whom I phoned at odd hours asking for advice and insights—to all of you, thank you! Your passion and dedication is amazing.
Finally, I would like to thank you, the members of ACFAS, for allowing me to be your president of this prestigious institution. I will be handing over the reins to John Steinberg, DPM, FACFAS at the Annual Scientific Conference in March. And while I am leaving the post of president, I look forward to continuing to serve the College for many years to come because, for me, it ain’t over ‘til it’s over!