Current Pedorthics www.pedorthics.org Volume 39, Number 6 November/December 2007 PFA Board Member Pushes for a ‘United Fight’ Mike Forgrave Strives for Higher Recognition for Pedorthists Pedorthic Footwear Association (PFA), 2025 M St., NW, Suite 800, Washington, DC 20036 Kentucky C.Ped. says Networking at PFA Symposia Provides ‘Invaluable Knowledge’ Marketing for C.Peds: Perception is Nine-Tenths of the Law A Pedorthic Challenge: Understanding Lobsterclaw Deformity of the Hands and Feet Forefoot Technologies to the Forefront CURRENT PEDoRTHICS NoVEMBER/DECEMBER 2007 Marketing for C.Peds: Perception is 9/10ths of the Law 12 FEATURES 4 8 PFA Board Member Pushes for a ‘United Fight’ 22 Association News 26 Government Affairs 30 Industry News 32 Vendor News 42 Resource Center 46 Pedorthic Industry Events By Seth Weiner, CAS 47 New PFA Members A Pedorthic Challenge: Understanding Lobsterclaw Deformity of the Hands and Feet 47 Advertiser Index 48 Pedorthic Marketplace 51 Product Reference Guide By Dennis Coyle Kentucky C.Ped. says Networking at PFA Symposia Provides ‘Invaluable Knowledge’ By Berry Craig 12 14 Marketing for C.Peds: Perception is Nine-Tenths of the Law By Paul A. Chromey, B.S., D.P.M., C.Ped. 16 DEPARTMENTS Forefoot Technologies to the Forefront By Mel Cheskin, MBS., C.Ped. CURRENT PEDORTHICS • November/December 2007 1 Pedorthic Footwear Association Board of Directors Randy Stevens, C. Ped., BOCped., CFO. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . President Dane LaFontsee, C. Ped. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Vice President Kristi Hayes, C. Ped. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Secretary/Treasurer Mike Forgrave, C. Ped., C. Ped. (C). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Immediate Past President Jamie Dick, PT, C. Ped. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Director Arthur Smuckler, C. Ped.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Director Michael D. Veder, C. Ped., CO, BOCO. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Director Faith Ballard, C. Ped., CO. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Director Alan Barthold, C. Ped.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Director Harlon Compton, C. Ped., CO. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Director Liz Chiles, C. Ped.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Director Stuart L. Pressman, C. Ped., CO. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Director Stephen O’Hare . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Vendor/ManufacturerLliaison Allan J. Weiner. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Legal Counsel Craig Young, MD. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Medical Advisor Raymond L. Fritz, DPM, C. Ped. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Medical Advisor Allan B. Grossman, DPM, FACFAS. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Medical Advisor Editorial Staff Headquarters Staff Executive Director Brian K. Lagana Association Coordinator Ben Petok Membership Services Coordinator Erin L. McGill Director of Education Al Baggett Education Associate Lauren Kemp Director of Meetings and Conventions John Rubsamen Jay Strother. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Publisher Dennis Coyle. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Editor William Wargo. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Design/Production Exhibits and Sponsorship Coordinator Monica Kurlemann Advertising & Services Director of Marketing Gregory Akroyd Erin McGill . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Membership Brian K. Lagana . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Current Pedorthics Monica Kurlemann. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . PFA Symposium Marketing Associate Nikita Wilson Current Pedorthics, Publisher Jay Strother Current Pedorthics (ISSN 1552-8111) is published bimonthly by the Pedorthic Footwear Association (PFA), 2025 M St., NW, Suite 800, Washington, DC 20036. Telephone: 202-367-1145 or 800-673-8447, Fax: 202-367-2145, Web site: www.pedorthics.org, E-mail: info@pedorthics.org. 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Please send all product- and industry-related press releases to CPeditorial@pedorthics.org. 2 CURRENT PEDORTHICS • September/October 2007 Current Pedorthics, Editor Dennis Coyle PFA Board Member Pushes for a ‘United Fight’ Mike Forgrave Strives for Higher Recognition for Pedorthists By Dennis Coyle Y ou cannot accuse Mike Forgrave, C.Ped., C.Ped. (C), of not having passion. He and many other pedorthists want to see the industry’s value and purpose fully recognized by the public and others in the medical community. There are more forces that are trying to compromise our standing in the medical community, according to Forgrave. Pedorthists must be united in their “fight” with these factions. We may not always agree what is right for Pedorthics/ pedorthists but we all have a passion for our profession and that passion must be directed in the right direction. Forgrave, 50, is an active member in the pedorthic community. He is the immediate past president of PFA and owner of Mike Forgrave & Associates. His main office is in Kitchener, Ontario, Canada, but he has 11 other satellite clinics with his two other associates. “The best word I can think of that would describe Mike is ‘passionate.’ It never fails to amaze me that after 22 years in this business, he still loves it and cares as much as he does. It is not unusual for Mike to make a special trip into the office on a day off to look after an individual who needs something yesterday or makes a special trip in from a longer distance. He still does house calls for people who are in circumstances that prevent them from getting to the office.” Aside from work, Sylvia has a few more adjectives to describe her husband. Mike loves life,” she said. “And likes to have a good time. He has a great sense of humor – and is constantly pulling stunts continued on page 6 His commitment started in 1982 when he was just a technician. His level of expertise grew over the years and he became a C.Ped. in 1992. Forgrave’s shop offers various services. It provides assessments, casting/fitting of orthotics and footwear. The staff recommend footwear with footwear modifications and are known for their expertise in sports injuries. Athletes come from all over North America. There are more forces that are trying to compromise our standing in the medical community. Pedorthists must be united in their “fight” with these factions. “I was even asked to look after a Greek professional soccer team from Athens last year,” said Forgrave, who is a former Canadian National Team 400 meter hurdler. In addition, the clinics also provide video gait analysis for athletes so the staff and the patient can understand the patient’s individual biomechanics. Forgrave has his lab so they have total control the manufacturing of the orthotics and shoe modifications. When not at work, Forgrave spends time with his wife, Sylvia, and furry dog, Keanu. Sylvia can attest to her husband’s devotion. 4 CURRENT PEDORTHICS • November/December 2007 Mike Forgrave, 50, is an active member in the pedorthic community. He is the immediate past president of PFA and owner of Mike Forgrave & Associates.