11 minute read
Presidential Inaugural Address
Dr. Spohn-Gross’ Presidential Inaugural Address
Holly Spohn-Gross, DPM
CPMA President 2022-23
DEAR CPMA HOUSE OF DELEGATES, CPMA BOARD, AND HONORED GUESTS,
Good afternoon, Delegates, Alternates, Directors, Distinguished Guests, Esteemed Colleagues, Friends, and Family. Thank you for being here. I am truly honored to stand before you today as your next president of the California Podiatric Medical Association (CPMA). Isaac Newton wrote, “We all stand on the
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Lake Isabella, podiatric physician and surgeon Holly Spohn-Gross, DPM, was installed as president of the California Podiatric Medical Association (CPMA) during the organization’s 2022 House of Delegates in Anaheim, CA, in June. In her presidential inaugural address to the over 100 Holly Spohn-Gross, DPM podiatric physicians, CPMA President 2022-23 residents, students, educators, a variety of stakeholders in The House of Medicine, and guests, Dr. Spohn-Gross (long a champion for the underprivileged) spoke on the need for access to quality, affordable healthcare; recruiting the next generation of podiatric physicians; the importance of mentoring students and residents, the necessity of developing and nurturing relationships, and parity for podiatry and California’s podiatric physicians. A Michigan native, Dr. Spohn-Gross attended Michigan State University in East Lansing, Michigan, where she was an elite distance runner and received her Bachelor of Science Degree in Biology. Dr. Spohn-Gross received her medical education at the New York College of Podiatric Medicine, from which she earned her Doctorate of Podiatric Medicine Degree. Dr. Spohn-Gross completed her 3-year podiatric medicine and surgery residency at Cornell Medical Center’s Wyckoff Heights Medical Center in Brooklyn, NY; Greater Detroit Hospital in Detroit, Michigan; and Pontiac Osteopathic Hospital in Pontiac, Michigan. A private practitioner, Dr. Spohn-Gross is the owner and operator of Sienna Podiatry and a Co-Owner of Sienna Wellness Institute with her spouse, Internist, and Hospitalist Robert Gross, DO, with whom she also practices. Boardcertified in wound care and healing, Dr. Spohn-Gross is affiliated with the Kern Valley Healthcare District, Lake Isabella; Dignity Heath Memorial Hospital, Bakersfield; and Adventist Health Hospital, Bakersfield, CA. A member of the California Podiatric Medical Association (CPMA) since 2002, when she relocated to California, Dr. Spohn-Gross has served on a number of CPMA committees. In 2015 she was elected as a Director-at-Large to the CPMA Board of Directors. After serving two terms in the Director-atLarge position, Dr. Spohn-Gross was elected to the office of Secretary-Treasurer, followed by the offices of Vice President and President-Elect. Dr. Spohn-Gross is passionate about her philanthropic work and volunteerism. She is active in humanitarian efforts in the underserved community where she practices, and in Rotary International, providing podiatric care to women and children in India through the organizations’ NID Polio Physicians Program, and is a surgical volunteer for LIGA (The Flying Doctors of Mercy). Dr. Spohn-Gross has been active in international programs to educate and protect women and girls in extreme poverty against human trafficking. In addition, she is Chair of the American Association of University Women’s STEM Scholarship Program. Dr. Spohn-Gross is the recipient of numerous honors and awards, including The American Red Cross Real Heroes Award; the Kern River Valley Chamber of Commerce Woman of the Year Award; Rotary Club of the Kern River Valley Paul Harris Award. And, she has twice been a recipient of the California Podiatric Medical Association’s Humanitarian of the Year Award. Dr. Spohn-Gross enjoys ultra-trail running, cooking, traveling, and spending time with her husband, three children, and two dogs.
shoulders of giants.” This couldn’t be truer. I would not be here without the support I received over the years from all of you and those that have come before me. To the board members, delegates, and mentors, I thank you ALL and look forward to working with you. I would like to extend a special thank you to my family: To my husband, Dr. Robert Gross, a Hospitalist, colleague, husband, best friend, and life partner! We met 30 years ago as undergrads, and shared our dream of becoming doctors and traveling to underdeveloped countries to deliver medical care. (Little did we know we would do that right here in rural California, providing healthcare to our underserved populations.) You have been a role model for our children and community. You inspire me every day. I am fortunate to have you by myside. Thank you for sharing this dream with me. I love you. To my Children - my daughter Hannah, son Nate, and my sons Hunter and Rob, who could not be here, you are why I am here today. You are my hearts. Thank you all for your understanding & for your love and support. To my staff, thank you so much for making it possible for me to do “ALL THIS” when I am away from the office. I especially want to thank my parents for their love and support and to recognize my father, Dr. Earle Spohn, a general surgeon for over 45 years. He has been my role model and shared with me his passion and love for being a surgeon. He took me on rounds with him after church, and taught me how to tie surgical knots and hold a glass steady. But the real gift was his showing me what it is to be a surgeon threw his eyes, and I am forever grateful. To my sister Dr. Heidi Jenney - an ER physician who has not one, but two sets of twins - has shown me that anything is possible. I am so fortunate to be able to share the challenges of raising kids while practicing medicine with her. Finally, I would like to point out key influences in my life professionally. Dr. Lawrence “Larry” Harkless and the late Dr. Oliver “Ollie” Foster, though huge presences in this room, each year found time to ask me how I was doing in Lake Isabella. That amazed me.
Dr. Carolyn McAloon stood before 8 years ago giving her presidential address. Afterward, I asked her how she did it. She looked at me and said, “You can do this - anyone can!” She has been encouraging me ever since. Dr. Frank Kase - a LEGEND in this Association - believed in me and has been a treasured mentor and friend. Dr. Peter Bretan has championed our cause. But, it is his story and passion to help those less fortunate that inspires me to keep going. Dr. Steven Wan, I would not be here if it wasn’t for him. He was the one who asked me to become a delegate. So, you can blame him. He has been a guiding light in my life and has made a difference in our profession. All these people I have acknowledged - and the many more unmentioned (but not forgotten) - are what I would like to refer to as “Starfish Throwers”. Perhaps some of you have heard this story. I find it helps to be reminded…
One day after a great storm, a man was walking along the beach when he noticed a boy picking something up and gently throwing it into the ocean. Approaching the boy, he asked, “What are you doing?” The youth replied, “Throwing starfish back into the ocean. The surf is up, and the tide is going out. If I don’t throw them back, they’ll die.”
“Son,” the man said, “don’t you realize there are miles and miles of beach and hundreds of starfish? You can’t make a difference!”
After listening politely, the boy bent down, picked up another starfish and threw it back into the surf, and said….” I made a difference for that one.”
This story holds a special meaning for me…not only as a metaphor for medicine and how it has touched our patients’ lives, but it also captures my own experience as a starfish! You see, I was born with a Cleft palate and lip, and I needed immediate medical attention.
My father, a young surgical resident at the time, went to none other than Dr. Dingman (The godfather of cleft surgery) and humbly asked for his help. Dr. Dingman not only agreed to perform the surgery, but he did it for free. That ONE act changed my life forever. I share this with you all for several reasons. First, as I look out over this audience of experts in the field of foot and ankle surgery, I see doctors that have been sought out over the years for their surgical skills and reputation. It is your gift, your talent, that changed the lives of your patients. You have thrown those starfish back into the ocean not only with new hope, new life, and a second chance. You have done this with compassion and kindness.This is what makes the real difference. You see, it wasn’t just Dr. Dingmans’ surgical skills that I came to appreciate, but the way he treated me that I remember. Maya Angelou eloquently said, “I’ve learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.”
So, when you agree to perform surgery on a patient with polydactyly or syndactyly, or TEV you are changing that patient’s life forever. So, when you reconstruct a Charcot foot and perform limb preservation surgeries on a diabetic, just remember you are giving them a second chance. That is real HOPE!
But the story of the Starfish Thrower doesn’t end there. You see, everyone who witnessed the young boy’s dedication and passion for helping save these starfish was touched and inspired to help. It wasn’t just the old man. It was the entire community. They all joined him to save every single one of those starfish.
Again, each one of you has not only made a difference in your patients’ lives, but you have chosen to help our profession by showing up, working hard, and leading the cause. You have mentored others and become role models. You, in this audience, tirelessly use your skills to better our profession. You are the leaders changing the trajectory of Podiatric Medicine.
But still, the story does not end here. What happened to each of the starfish? Yes, you made a difference in their life. Yes, you saved them. But what happened to them? From the chapter of Luke 12:48 “To whom much is given, much is required.” Having been one of those starfish, I was called to give back. So, like so many of you…I have worked extremely hard to become a Surgeon. I have discovered my purpose. I have learned it’s a true gift. It’s Magic! We all have. We are humbled by it. We are motivated by it. And, we are inspired by it. But there is work to be done. I would like to share my vision. The struggles in medicine that we are up against are not the ones my father fought. We are faced with limited access to healthcare coupled with a doctor shortage crisis. We must be able to navigate the complexities in billing and insurance regulations, all while trying to provide patient care. We need innovative and motivated thinkers like you to create solutions. These are OUR opportunities…. It is a shared vision that was recognized over 18 years ago… is now coming to fruition. To be classified as Physicians and Surgeons. We do this by maintaining a strong Association to protect our patients and practitioners and by developing strong partnerships with physician and specialty groups. Success comes when groups of people join together and support each other for a common goal. It will take dedication, hard work, and passion to carry this across the finish line, but the time is NOW. residents, students, and young practitioners. And I believe we can. We must do this for the future of our profession. In addition, I want to engage our members and give them more access to what we do as an Association and as a board. We must tell our story, and we have a GREAT story to tell. We need to meet people where they are, and many are on social media. We need to increase our social media presence and highlight CPMA members. After all, aren’t we the bestkept secret in medicine? So, how will we achieve all this? To begin, I have enhanced our current committees and created new committees to make this happen. CPMA’s Communications Committee will become the EPICENTER for highlighting the work of the Association, board of directors, and committees.
Furthermore, I’ve created 3 additional committees:
Sports Medicine Committee - As an athlete and ultra-runner, I have always felt that there is a missed opportunity to capitalize on what DPMs do for athletes. This committee will highlight DPMs that work directly with athletes, tell their stories, and showcase the athletes they treat. Very exciting! DEI Committee - Diversity, Equality, and Inclusion. It is vital to the success and well-being of this Association to welcome and support ALL our members. Still, awareness, education, and action are critical components to making impactful changes. This committee will provide a space for those that do this by creating panels to share stories, educate others and support one another. We ARE Stronger Together! Beginning Practitioners Committee - This committee is designed to help our new practitioners by connecting them to experienced mentors. Provide seminars on practice management to help young members negotiate contracts, network with private practices, etc. These are just some of the exciting opportunities we will embark upon in the coming year. So, I look forward to knowing all of you better. I am humbled and empowered to be given this opportunity to serve as president of our great Association.
I will conclude with a quote from Goethe, whose words help to set the tone for my presidential year - “Whatever you can do or dream you can, begin it.” So, let’s begin it! Thank you!
Holly Sphon-Gross, DPM
President, California Podiatric Medical Association
