Indiana Event To Honor Legacy And Contributions Of Theodore ‘Teddy’ Clarke, DPM

I am a proud Hoosier through and through. It is my home. I grew up in Indy and came back after podiatric medical school to do my residency and go into practice. Although Indiana's number of podiatric physicians puts us in a mid-range state, the Indiana Podiatric Medical Association (IPMA) has a long and storied history. At the top of that list is Theodore “Teddy” H. Clarke, DPM from Kokomo, IN. 

Dr. Clarke served in all the offices within IPMA, including President in 1971. In 1975, he was selected Indiana Podiatrist of the Year by IPMA.Dr. Clarke went on to serve as a Delegate to the APMA House of Delegates. He was later elected to the APMA (American Podiatry Association, or APA, at the time) Board of Trustees. In 1978, he became the first African-American President of the APMA and was awarded the APMA Distinguished Service Citation (DSC) in 1993. 

His APMA Distinguished Service Citation states, "Dr. Clarke has served as an advocate to students of podiatric medicine and was active in obtaining seating for students in the APMA House of Delegates, the Council on Podiatric Medical Education, and other podiatric organizations. Dr. Clarke's general enthusiasm, intelligence, moral integrity, and a lifetime of dedication to podiatric medicine has had a profound effect on the profession." 

Jay Levrio, PhD, the APMA Deputy Executive Director and Chief Operating Officer, put it so beautifully in a personal communication regarding Dr. Clarke, "He served as a strong professional role model for African-American DPMs and students of color interested in a career in podiatric medicine."

The APMA Kaplan-Clarke-Foster Golf Tournament and Practice Management Seminar, being held September 11-15 (https://www.apma.org/KCF), celebrates its 30th anniversary this year in French Lick, Indiana.Each year, this event honors the achievements of Dr. Clarke as well as fellow legends Earl Kaplan, DPM, and Oliver Foster, DPM. 

This event has raised more than $800,000 for the APMA Protecting Our Profession (APMA POP) fund, formerly known as the APMA Government Education Fund (APMA GEF). This fund provides support to the association by sponsoring programs such as the Annual Podiatric Medical Legislative Conference, which is held in conjunction with the annual APMA House of Delegates meeting in Washington, DC. The fund also supports educational outreach to members of Congress about the importance of podiatric medicine in today's health care system.

If you enjoy golf, want to support the profession and visit my beautiful home state; please consider participating in this year's event. Better yet, if you want to honor a true hero within the podiatric profession, Teddy Clarke, DPM, join us this September 11-15 by registering now (https://www.apma.org/KCF).

Dr. DeHeer is a Fellow of the American College of Foot and Ankle Surgeons, and a Diplomate of the American Board of Podiatric Surgery. He is also a team podiatrist for the Indiana Pacers and the Indiana Fever. Dr. DeHeer is in private practice with various offices in Indianapolis and is the founder of Step by Step Haiti.