Careers and Scholarship

Beginning nearly ten years ago, the Pedorthic Foundation expanded its activities into assisting persons seeking pedorthic careers. The primary activity has been in the area of providing scholarship assistance to people committed to becoming practicing pedorthists.

There are presently three "named" scholarship funds, set up to honor of individuals who helped to shape the field of pedorthics, and scholarships are also made from general funds. During its first decade of providing education assistance, the Foundation has awarded thousands of dollars in tuition assistance. (For more information on scholarship activity, see "Scholarships" below.)

The Foundation has recently expanded its efforts in the area of career assistance in four areas:

  • Providing information regarding careers in pedorthics, addressing educational and credentialing requirements, as well as what pedorthic work involves and the rewards of helping your fellow man
  • Providing information regarding schools that offer pedorthic courses
  • Continuing to provide financial help, and information on other possible financial resources, to persons seeking pedorthic education
  • Launching a "mentor program" to match volunteers in the field with persons who have questions regarding their own career in pedorthics

Career Information

This section is currently in development and will be posted here in early 2010.

Pedorthic Education

In the last twenty years, while the pedorthic profession has grown into a key member of the health care team, so have the number of schools that offer pedorthic education. Most students that participate in these educational programs do so in the pursuit of their pedorthic certification. Students are required to take a specific amount of education before an aspiring pedorthist is qualified to take the certification examinations. See certification requirements below.

Below is a list of schools that offer pedorthic courses that are approved by the National Commission on Orthotic & Prosthetic Education (NCOPE). For course dates, admission requirements and other information, please contact the schools directly.

Dr. Wm Scholl College of Podiatric Medicine / Rosalind Franklin University
Contact: Ellie Wydeven
3333 Green Bay Rd
North Chicago, IL 60064-3095
Phone: 847-578-8410
Fax: 847-775-6521
E-mail:
www.RosalindFranklin.edu

Eneslow Pedorthic Institute's Pedorthic Pre-Certification Course
Contact: Sarah Goldberg, C.Ped
Educational Coordinator
470 Park Avenue South
New York, NY 10016
Phone: 212-477-2300 ext. 211
E-mail:
www.eneslow.com

Foot Solutions Pedorthic Pre-Certification Course
Pedorthic Training Center
2359 Windy Hill Rd., Suite 400
Marietta, GA 30067
Phone: 866-338-2597
E-mail:

International School of Pedorthics
P.O. Box 2748
Broken Arrow OK 74013
Phone: 702 449 0974
E-mail:

Northwestern University
345 E Superior St #1712
Chicago, IL 60611
Phone: 312-238-8006
Fax: 312-238-1186

Oklahoma State University
OSU Okmulgee
Contact: Jerry Wilson
Small Business Occupations
1801 E 4th St
Okmulgee, OK 74447-3901
Phone: 918-293-5330
Fax: 918-293-4603
E-mail:
www.osu-okmulgee.edu

Pro-Learn, L.L.C.
6604 Suite A, Skyline Drive
Tulsa, OK 74107
Phone: 918/606-2861
Fax: 918/446-8243
E-mail:
www.pro-learn.com

Temple University School of Podiatric Medicine
Contact: Kendrick Whitney, DPM
Main Contact: Carol Romano
8th at Race Streets
Philadelphia, PA 19107
Phone: 215-625-5352
podiatry.temple.edu

The Robert M. Palmer, MD
Institute of Biomechanics Inc.
 Contact: Pam Haig, C. Ped.
1601 Main Street
Elwood, IN 46036
Phone: 765-557-7216
Fax: 765-557-7223
E-mail: and
www.rmpi.org

Certification Requirements

To become a certified pedorthist, you must take a pre-determined number of course hours in pedorthics and pass a certifying examination overseen by either The American Board of Certification in Orthotics, Prosthetics and Pedorthics (ABC), or Board of Orthosis/Prosthesis Certification, International (BOC). Both the ABC and BOC are independent certification bodies that are recognized by the National Commission for Certifying Agencies and set standards for the profession.

For more information, including FAQ's:

  • The American Board for Certification in Orhothics, Prosthetics and Pedorthics (ABC), www.abcop.org
  • Board of Certification/Accreditation International(BOC), www.bocusa.org

For information on certification in Canada, go to the Pedorthic Association of Canada (PAC), www.pedorthic.ca

Scholarships

In 1999, the Pedorthic Foundation established a scholarship program and began awarding financial assistance for the study of pedorthics. The first scholarships were set up by individuals who wanted to recognize key people in the profession. With the support of hundreds of individuals and companies, thousands of dollars in scholarships have been and continue to be awarded.

Aristotle Mirones Fund

The late Aristotle Mirones was a well known and respected pioneer in the field of pedorthics. He founded ARIMED Orthotics Prosthetics Pedorthics, a multiple-location company headquartered in New York City, and his two sons followed him into the practice. Following his death in July 1998, the Pedorthic Foundation established an educational fund in his name, at the request of the Mirones family, to help defray the cost of education to aspiring pedorthists. In addition to providing the initial funding, the Mirones family has made subsequent donations to the fund, which also accepts donations from other contributors. The Foundation continues to solicit contributions for this fund.

Sidney Pols Memorial Scholarship Fund

The late Sidney Pols was an admired pioneer in the pedorthic field who invented or developed a variety of techniques and devices that advanced the practice of pedorthics. He counseled people coming into the industry, as well as guiding many of its leaders. Following his death in 2000, P. W. Minor & Son led a fund-raising effort to establish a memorial fund in his honor. Numerous individuals and companies have since contributed and the fund continues to seek additional donations. The fund provides scholarships that underwrite pedorthic education.

Dennis Janisse Scholarship

Dennis Janisse is one of the most respected teachers in the field of pedorthics, and his presentations and generous friendships have inspired scores of individuals to study pedorthics. In his honor, Robert Schwartz, C.Ped., established a five-year Dennis Janisse Scholarship in 1999, in recognition of Janisse's work as a prime mover in the publication of the first pedorthic textbook and other outstanding contributions to the pedorthic profession. After the initial five years, Dennis Janisse himself has continued to sponsor the scholarship, which enables one student per year to undertake an education in pedorthics..

In addition to the three scholarship funds listed above, the Pedorthic Foundation also at times awards scholarships from its General Fund.

Scholarships are provided for students who take a NCOPE approved pre-certification courses (see list above). All scholarship payments are made directly to the school upon receipt of a copy of course application completed by the student.

Foundation scholarship applications are reviewed by a committee that makes it decisions based on information provided by applicants regarding their interests, experience, and financial situation, but financial need is not the sole factor.

Donations in support of the Foundation's scholarship program are welcome and needed. The number of applications for scholarship assistance is growing each year. Click here to make a tax- deductible contribution to any of the specific funds listed above or to the General Fund.

Scholarships for 2010

The Pedorthic Foundation will be providing a limited number of scholarship grants in 2010. These will be both cash scholarships and tuition-free, or reduced fee entry, to specific educational programs.

Currently, the following scholarships are scheduled to be awarded in 2010:

  • Cash scholarships in amounts between $500 and $1,500 from various Pedorthic Foundation funds.

Additional scholarships for specific schools are currently being gathered, in addition to dates in which scholarships will be awarded, and will be listed here as soon as they are available.

If you are interested in applying, please complete and submit the following application form. After it is received and reviewed, a representative from the Pedorthic Foundation will contact you with additional information (including award dates).

Requirements and Application

To access, or print, the application form, please click here.

Application requirements are detailed on the form.

If you have specific questions regarding the Pedorthic Foundation's scholarship program, please contact or call 866-921-8645 ext. 101.