ABFAS Surgeons of Tomorrow
Surgeons of Tomorrow Student Conference Scholarship Contest
Two winners (one in each category) will receive scholarships to cover registration and travel costs to attend the American College of Foot and Ankle Surgeons (ACFAS) 2025 Annual Scientific Conference, taking place March 27–30, 2025, in Phoenix.
How to Enter
In a short video (2–3 minutes) or written essay (500–600 words), please answer the following questions:
Why is ABFAS Board Certification important to you as an aspiring podiatric surgeon, and how will you use it to benefit your patients?
Essay Entries may not exceed 600 words and must be submitted in Word or PDF format.
Video entries may not exceed three minutes in length and must only feature the individual entrant. No other persons, media, or imagery from external sources may be present in the video.
Eligibility and Submissions
The submission period runs September 15 – October 27, 2024. Entries must be received by October 27, 2024.
The contest is open to any student currently enrolled at any of the 11 podiatric medical colleges in the United States recognized by the Council on Podiatric Medical Education (CPME). Winners must be available to attend the ACFAS 2025 Annual Scientific Conference,
and ABFAS will request invoices and/or receipts for travel expenses.
Prizes and Judging
ABFAS will select one winning essay and one winning video. Each of the winners will receive:
- ACFAS Annual Scientific Conference registration and travel expense reimbursement
- Recognition at the ABFAS Annual Meeting held during the ACFAS Annual Scientific Conference
- A meet-and-greet with the ABFAS Board of Directors and Communications Committee during the ACFAS Annual Scientific Conference
Contest judges will include current ABFAS Diplomates who sit on the ABFAS Communications Committee. They will judge entries based on their professionalism, articulation, message delivery, and how well entrants answer the two questions above. For essay entries, judges will also consider grammar.
About ABFAS
The American Board of Foot and Ankle Surgery (ABFAS) strives to protect and improve the health and welfare of the public by advancing the art and science of foot and ankle surgery. Our goal is to ensure podiatric surgeons are as knowledgeable as possible.
- ABFAS is the only foot and ankle surgery certification board recognized by the Council on Podiatric Medical Education (CPME).
- Our rigorous, two-step process (ABFAS Board Qualification and ABFAS Board Certification) involves Case Review to ensure thorough clinical experience and surgical skill.
- ABFAS certification is a prerequisite for surgical privileges at many hospitals and insurance companies, as candidates must demonstrate strong competency and proficiency in foot and ankle surgery. You can obtain surgical privileges as soon as you become ABFAS Board Qualified.
- Many larger medical groups require ABFAS Board Certification to become a shareholder or partner.
- More than 10,000 highly skilled podiatrists have earned ABFAS Board Certification, and 85% of DPMs who attempt ABFAS Board Certification in Foot Surgery are successful.
NO PURCHASE NECESSARY. Void outside the 50 US & DC and where prohibited by law. Term: 9/16/24 at 12:00 AM ET through 10/27/24 at 11:59 PM ET. Entrants must be (i) legal residents of the 50 US/DC, (ii) 18 years of age or age of majority (whichever greater); (iii) currently enrolled at one of the following podiatric colleges: Midwestern Univ., Barry. Univ., Des Moines Univ., Kent State Univ., LECOM Sch. Pod. Med., N.Y. College Pod. Med., Rosalind Franklin Univ., Samuel Merritt Univ., Temple Univ., Western Univ., Univ. Texas Rio Grande Valley; and (iv) available to attend the ACFAS 2025 Scientific Conference (March 27–30, 2025). Employees, officers, directors of Sponsor/affiliated entities, previous contest winners, as well as family/household members of each are ineligible. To enter, prepare an essay (max. 600 words) or video (max. 3 minutes) responding to the prompt provided by Sponsor. Two (2) winners total will be selected—one (1) for best essay and one (1) for best video. Winners will receive (i) trip to ACFAS 2025 Scientific Conference, including travel, lodging, and stipend; (ii) recognition at the ABFAS Annual Meeting (held during conference); and “meet and greet” with the ABFAS Board of Directors and Communications Committee (also during conference). Prize ARV: $2,500; total ARV: $5,000. For entry and prize details, judging criteria, and all other terms/conditions, see Official Rules at abfas.org/essaycontest. Sponsor: American Board of Foot and Ankle Surgery, 445 Fillmore Street, San Francisco, CA 94117.