Foundation Holds Celebration of Pedorthics
The Pedorthic Foundation held its first “Celebration of Pedorthics” at the North American Pedorthic Congress in Orlando, Florida on November 17, 2010.
The special evening of conversation and food was sponsored by Aetrex Worldwide, Inc.
| Master of ceremonies Jim Sajdak, C.Ped., opened the celebration by taking more than 200 invited guests through a review of the Pedorthic Foundation's current activities, which focus on educational scholarships, research, and recognition of companies and individuals who have made significant contributions to the field of pedorthics. Sajdak, who owns four pedorthics-and-retail locations in the Milwaukee area, also introduced to the crowd the members of the Foundation's Board of Directors. |  |
During the reception, Foundation executive director Bill Boettge also unveiled the Foundation new “Feet for Life” program, an exciting new intiative which will allow certified pedorthists to provide free shoes to diabetic patients who have limited incomes.
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| Left to right, Foundation Board members Harriet Dart, Darlene Hall, Angela Fleming, Jim Moore, Dennis Janisse, Andy Ullman and Paul Weiner |
Boettge also introduced the Operating Board of this special project, through which certified pedorthists and the makers of pedorthic products can “give back” to their communities by contributing directly to individuals in need; Boettge noted that Feet for Life is the single largest charitable undertaking in the field of pedorthics.
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The guest of honor at the reception was Richard B. Schwartz, C.Ped., chairman of the Board of Directors at Aetrex. The Foundation has created a new Richard B. Schwartz Award in recognition of the many contributions Dick Schwartz has made to pedorthics; in annoucing the award, Jim Sajdak shared with the audience some of the highlights of Schwartz's more than 40 years of leadership in pedorthics and in shaping Aetrex Worldwide, Inc. Schwartz was also the first recipient of the Award named in his honor. |
