Dr. Terence McDonald, DPM, a 1992 graduate of the Barry University School of Podiatric Medicine was inducted on Jan. 22, as the president of the Florida Podiatric Medical Association (FPMA) during their annual scientific and management in Orlando. More than 250 podiatric physicians and their guests attended the presidential banquet.
This marked the third time a Barry University podiatric graduate has been elected as president of FPMA. Dr. Bradley Haves, DPM ’90 is the past president serving in 2009. Previously, Dr. Roger G. Beck, DPM ’90 served as president in 2006.
Currently in private practice in Ft. Lauderdale and Pembroke Pines with his wife Cynthia McDonald, DPM ’92, Dr. McDonald served as the president of the Broward County Podiatric Medical Society and was the first vice president of FPMA in 2009. Dr. McDonald earned his Bachelor of Science Degree in biology at Fairleigh Dickinson University in Teaneck, New Jersey and completed his residency training at University Medical Center in Plantation, Florida.
“I am excited about the opportunity to serve the profession of podiatric medicine as president of FPMA,” said Dr. McDonald. “I pledge to be a strong advocate on legislative issues that might challenge our scope of practice; this is extremely important to maintain current practice capabilities,” he said.
Dr. McDonald plans to partner with the Florida Chapter of the American Diabetes Association to collaboratively increase the Diabetes Footprint Campaign. This project seeks to reduce the devastating impact of diabetes by improving diabetes care by physicians and patient self-care. Dr. McDonald holds the issue in a personal regard as his two young children were diagnosed with juvenile diabetes.
The School of Podiatric Medicine is proud to have one other alumnus in office with the FPMA -Dr. Samir S. Vakil, MS ’88, DPM ’91 was selected to serve as the second vice president. Dr. Vakil practices with the Foot and Ankle Centers of Charlotte County in Punta Gorda and Port Charlotte, Florida. He is scheduled to be inducted as FPMA president in 2012.