ACFAS 2024

Rediscover your enthusiasm during five days filled with limitless opportunities!

Education
ACFAS 2024 presents an exceptional chance for foot and ankle surgeons to engage in hands-on workshops, explore the latest clinical advancements, and delve into award-winning research. Earn up to 34 CECH with pre-conference programming starting on January 31!

Connection
Where else can you engage with 2,000 foot and ankle surgeons? Join a diverse community of expert faculty, friends, and colleagues for collaborative educational discussions, networking opportunities, and social events.

Thursday, February 1

Contract Negotiations 
When and how can you negotiate a contract? When is the appropriate time to start discussing an offer of employment?  Are there non-negotiables? Learn how to successfully negotiate a contract that will leave both parties as a winner! 

Maryellen P. Brucato, DPM, FACFAS
Ellianne M. Nasser, DPM, FACFAS
Bela A. Pandit, DPM, FACFAS

Mid-Career Crisis: What Do You Do When You Have Reached Your Goals?
So you have survived residency and through the honeymoon stages of your new position as a surgical podiatrist. Now what? You survived the board certification process and have a steady practice with a fantastic referral base in a location where you and your family have become established. Now what? How do you keep the excitement in your practice, career, and life? How do you keep up with the new graduates and their education without feeling imposter syndrome? Come join us as we share tips and trades on surviving the mid-career struggles and successes. 

Brian Derner, DPM, FACFAS, Moderator
Jacquelyn Donovan, DPM, FACFAS
Greg Still, DPM, FACFAS
Erin Robles-Sherman, DPM, FACFAS 

JFAS & FASTRAC – Publish More Efficiently: Know What JFAS and FASTRAC Want 
Looking to get published in an ACFAS scientific journal? Hear from the editors of both JFAS and FASTRAC who will help explain which journal may be best for your specific article, share the list of research and topics of interest for both publications, as well as talk about the submission process and identify ways to speed up the process from an author’s point of view.

Naohiro Shibuya, DPM, MS, FACFAS
Thomas S. Roukis, DPM, PhD, FACFAS

Acumed Innovation Product Theater: Forward Strides In Lisfranc Solutions
Join us for an exclusive industry innovation session focused on Lisfranc injuries and cutting-edge treatment options, led by Dr. Lawrence Fallat. In this session, attendees will have the opportunity to explore Acumed’s latest portfolio offering the most comprehensive implant selection for Lisfranc fractures, dislocations, and fusions. Dr. Fallat will guide this session, offering invaluable insights into the product's standout features, its competitive edge compared to existing solutions, and sharing compelling case studies that highlight Acumed’s new offering.

Lawrence Fallat, DPM, FACFAS

From Hashtags to Health: The Social Media Prescription

• Discuss the importance of leveraging social media to provide better healthcare. 
• Patient empowerment - discuss how patients rely on social media and reviews to choose doctors (will provide numbers and infographics) 
• How to safeguard from privacy concerns and protect HIPAA 
• Staying professional - tips for content creation and reputation management 

Krupa Patel, DPM, FACFAS 
Luke D. Cicchinelli, DPM, FACFAS 

Friday, February 2

ACFAS Chris Mahaffey Leadership Development Program
Are you interested in spreading your wings and becoming a leader in your profession? Attend this HUB session to learn more about the ACFAS Chris Mahaffey Leadership Development Program. This program helps its audience to develop the key skills needed to succeed as leaders and ambassadors of the profession while infusing the diversity and talent of future leaders into the ACFAS volunteer pipeline. Panelists include three members of the first cohort to go through the program: hear about their experiences from the application process and requirements, mentorship opportunity, monthly learning modules and overall lessons learned. The application for the second cohort of the program will open in March 2024.

Laura Elizabeth Sansosti, DPM, FACFAS, Moderator
Caroline R. Kiser, DPM, FACFAS 
Mark E. Solomon, DPM, FACFAS 
James H. Whelan, DPM, FACFAS  

Amgem Therapeutics Session

Residency Directors Panel Discussion
Our residency directors’ panel is back for another year to answer all your questions from how to stand out as an applicant to ways to ace the interview! We will begin with a presentation covering the process from externships to intern year. Although CPME standards are the same for all programs, programs can be quite unique and different from one another. The goal of this session is to get direct insights from some residency program directors, understand the residency applicants' selection strategies and to ensure that you have as much information as possible before making your “Match” list.   

Questions/Topics addressed will include:  

• Understanding the differing requirements for residency programs.  
• Determining which residency program is the best fit for you. 
• Figuring out what you want from a residency program. 
• Ways to stand out as a podiatric student applicant. 
• Interview process - keys to success and winning them over. 
• Tips on transitioning into the role of a resident and maintaining the work-life balance. 

Hamidat Momoh, DPM, Moderator 
Patrick M. Robinson, DPM, Moderator  
Benjamin D. Cullen, DPM, FACFAS 
Travis A. Motley, DPM, FACFAS 
Ellianne M. Nasser, DPM, FACFAS

Journey to Financial Independence
Financial planning is an arduous process that is commonly dismissed, oftentimes taking the back seat to the burdens of residency or a busy practice schedule. Unfortunately, there is a stifling amount of misinformation out there and it is important to remember that not one scenario works for everyone. Student loan repayment is often a topic that weighs heavily on new physicians and the various options on how to appropriately navigate repayment strategies can affect your journey to financial freedom. Negotiating insurance policies such as disability, life and malpractice tend to be convoluted with confusing terminology and seem overwhelming but are crucial to establishing financial security. Join us during this HUB session to learn how you can create a financial plan to set you and your family up for success and start you on your journey to financial independence. 

Colin M. Mizuo, DPM, FACFAS, Moderator
Amir D. Assili, DPM, FACFAS 
Jacqueline K. Donovan, DPM, FACFAS
Christopher Hayes, Partner, Doctors Disability Specialists

Saturday, February 3

ACFAS Fellowship Initiative: Program Directors Meeting

Fellowships have expanded by leaps and bounds since the ACFAS Recognized Fellowship Initiative was launched in 2010. This session will discuss the current status of the initiative; share any changes to the “Minimal Criteria for Recognized Fellowships” listing; and will provide time for open Q&A. There will also be a brief discussion on the provision of insurance tail coverage to fellows.

Jayson N. Atves, DPM, FACFAS, Moderator
Mark A. Prissel, DPM, FACFAS 
Mark E. Solomon, DPM, FACFAS  
Jacob Wynes, DPM, FACFAS

Ancillary Revenue 
There is a giant world of ancillary services to provide in your practice. Learn how to invest, incorporate, and successfully implement these services to enhance patient outcomes and your bottom line!  

Maryellen P. Brucato, DPM, FACFAS 
Bela A. Pandit, DPM, FACFAS

Seeking a Fellowship? What You Should Know

Deciding to participate in a fellowship is a challenging and exciting decision! Current and recent fellows will discuss everything from when to apply, how to market yourself, what decision process they used to choose the 'right' one, and ultimately how to review your fellowship contract to avoid surprises in the future. This session gives residents and students the ability to ask questions to panelist about the process of interviewing and deciding on a fellowship in a non-intimidating environment. We will also include helpful information on reviewing the fellow contract so attendees will be better informed and understand concepts like non-compete clauses and malpractice coverage. 

Tonda R. Wooten, DPM, FACFAS, Moderator
Karla De La Mata Tarricone, DPM 
Matthew D. Doyle, DPM, MS, FACFAS 
Hendrik Ryan Tan, DPM, AACFAS  
Emily E. Zulauf, DPM, AACFAS 

Everything You Needed to Know About ABFAS Board Certification 
The rigorous certification process of the American Board of Foot and Ankle Surgery is essential in opening doors, from attaining hospital privileges, to becoming a shareholder or partner in your practice, to serving as an ASC speaker! Focusing on Case Review, ABFAS leaders will help guide you in successfully preparing for ABFAS Board Certification.

Nicole A. Bauerly, DPM, FACFAS, President – ABFAS 
Michelle L. Butterworth, DPM, FACFAS, President-elect, ABFAS