FIP President, Dr Robert Chelin just recently attended the SOCAP Annual Delegates Assembly in Belfast Ireland. As always the FIP President was graciously received by the Society and its Delegates. The Delegates debated over 25 important motions with 3 specific motions being referred to the SOCAP Annual General Meeting this October for debate and passage. Once again the issue of title change to "Podiatrist" was discussed and debated. Many Delegates felt that it was important to retain the word "Chiropodist" in some way or form so that it would guarantee its protection and its prevention from usage by any other foot health service providers. Dr Chelin was given an opportunity to address the SOCAP Council and Delegates where he informed them of all the latest FIP initiatives and partnering opportunities. Be it the upcoming World Congress, new on-line education programing or the impending World Foot Health Awareness Month Program.

Dr Robert Chelin attends the 90th House of Delegates (HOD) of the American Podiatric Medical Association (APMA) on March 20-22, 2010 where he delivered his address to the hundreds of delegates and VIPs that were present in the audience. The VIPs included the Presidents, of the American Medical Association, the American Osteopathic Association and the American Vascular Association. His presentation focused on the new FIP mission statement and its "New Direction" through the strategic planning initiatives it has been working on since 2009. Additonally he meet with the representatives of the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) and the Special Olympics, Healthy Athletes program. The other highlight of this years APMA HOD was the installation of Dr Kathleen Stone, the first woman ever to hold the office of the Presidency of the APMA. This was a monentus occassion and Kathleen joins a special club of woman with the likes of Jose Roofhooft and Gwen French both Past Presidents of the FIP. Robert read telegrams from both of these woman to Kathleen, praisng her accomplishments and congratulating her on this very special day. Dr Chelin presented Kathleen with a special gift from the FIP and reminded her that she would serve as a role model for other woman of the APMA to go into politics. In her acceptance speech, Stone said, "We must remain true to Vision 2015 and beyond to ensure our parity, respect, and solid placement, as a valued and intergral part of the healthcare team." Congratulations Kathleen from all of your FIP extended family.

All materials for the 2010 World Foot Health Awareness Month have been posted on the FIP website and are now ready for download. This year's Special Focus section and poster image concentrate on "Peripheral Arterial Disease" (PAD) and how it impacts the foot. Thank you to Marg Lovell, RN and the PAD Coalition for their collaboration with the FIP on this particularly important subject matter. Thanks also goes out to Dr Kel Sherkin and the rest of the WFHAM committee for another excellent job. And thank you too to Anthony McNevin FIP Global Director of Education and Special Projects for distribution and placement of this years materials.

On behalf of the FIP Board of Directors I would like to wish all our members and partners good health and prosperity for 2010. The past decade provided many accomplishments for both the FIP and for podiatry worldwide. The growth of the podiatry profession in our member organizations coupled with the many advancement in expanding educational initiatives will lead us to path of parity some day. I can only imagine what we can accomplish over the next ten years. I would like to those committee members as well as those individuals who have contributed in making the FIP a great success. "Together we stand and divided we fall" Best wishes for the New Year and World Peace, Robert C Chelin DPM President Federation Internationale des Podologues

I would like to inform all of our members that the December 2009 FIP Newsletter is now available. Just click onto the News/Events item on the upper navigation bar when the drop down box appears click onto FIP Newsletter. Read the latest happenings and events occurring in the Podiatry world. The FIP President Robert Chelin provided a year in review to all of our members. View the many country reports and images and get n update on the upcoming FIP XX World Congress of Podiatry in Amsterdam, the Netherlands May 13- 15, 2010. The dead for paper and abstract submissions and early registration is approaching. For more information go to www.fipworldcongress.org