Current Pedorthics | November-December 2016 | Vol.48 Issue 6 | Page 8

F R O M T H E PRESIDENT Rob Sobel, C. Ped., PFA President [email protected] ABOUT PFA The Pedorthic Footcare Association (PFA), founded in 1958, is the not-forprofit professional association which represents the interests of the certified and/or licensed pedorthist and supports the pedorthic profession at large. Through PFA’s efforts, pedorthics – the management and treatment of conditions of the foot, ankle, and lower extremities requiring fitting, fabricating, and adjusting of pedorthic devices – is a well-established allied health profession which makes an invaluable contribution to public health. This two-year journey reminded me a little of The Lord of the Rings by J.R.R. Tolkien, although it was not as life-threatening. There was a fellowship. Without the help of his comrades Frodo never would have succeeded, and neither would I. When you go through something difficult, the bonds between you and those who go through it with you become something incredibly strong. It would be a lie to say I never had any doubts, because indeed there were those times. That is why we have mates! Without their love, hard work, and support, not only would this have been impossible, it would not have been worth doing. We never lost sight of the fact that we were doing it for the members, and for the organization. PFA had been around for over fifty years, and no one wanted to see it disappear. So we PFA’s mission is to enhance the effectiveness and efficiency of credentialed providers of lower extremity pedorthic modalities through education; increase the demand for services through marketing; and promote the right to practice through government affairs activities. Pedorthic Footcare Association PO Box 72184 Albany, GA 31708-2184 phone (229) 389-3440 fax (888) 563-0945 email [email protected] website www.pedorthics.org facebook Pedorthic Footcare Association twitter @pfapedorthics linkedIn Pedorthic Footcare Association google+ Pedorthic Footcare Association youtube Pedorthic Footcare Association 6 Pedorthic Footcare Association www.pedorthics.org o & p social Pedorthic Footcare Association Photo: @iStock.com/ismagilov T he last two years have flown by. As I write this, my final President’s Message, I am reminded of the time leading up to my installation as President. Our Executive Director, who had been with us for over a decade, had suddenly resigned right before the symposium. The CEO of our management company sat down with the Executive Committee the night before the Board of Directors meeting and explained to us that we were in a dire financial situation and he could not see a way out for us. On top of that my wife was questioning my sanity, taking over an organization that would probably sink with me at the helm in a matter of months. But, lack of sanity, will, and tenacity from a group of dedicated individuals can really pay off. MISSION