Ada — It's not like Ada podiatrist Bryan Blanck needs something else to do.

He has, nonetheless, become president of the Oklahoma Podiatric Medical Association for 2013-2014, moving up from the vice president's position he's held for the last year.

It's an honor bestowed on him by the GHE General Membership.

Dr. Blanck, his wife, Nicole, and children Ava and Jacob, have lived in Ada for the past five years, and Nicole serves as his office manager at Valley View Foot and Ankle Center at 1221 Arlington St.

Asked what his new title encompasses, Blanck said, "I'm a figure head. I sign all documentation. I'm a liaison with other medical organizations and political groups."

He will be developing policies voted on by the general membership. Everyone reports to him and he appoints all committees.

He even helps decide how the association's funds will be spent.

Blanck also looks at a lot of feet, and solves a lot of problems, when he can.

"The key is prevention," he says. "Amputation is the last resort."

His biggest enemy of the day may well be diabetes. He sees diabetic patients daily.

"I have family members who are diabetics. If they walk into the wrong office and get the wrong treatment, it can be the difference between saving a leg and losing a leg."

He says the disease is fast reaching epidemic proportions. "The numbers are astounding," he said.

What to do about it?

"A diabetic should never walk around barefoot," he said. "When they see a sore or something is black and blue, they need to call the office. Diabetics get in that same day."

With so many people running and walking, he also treats a lot of athletic injuries, sprains, fractures, lower extremities, infections and conducts circulation tests in the office for peripheral disease.

He does a lot of custom bracing from the knee down, and also helped with wound  care at the Chickasaw Wound Center.

The doctor does everything from simple nails, routine foot care to diabetic shoes and wound complications.

With so many feet to treat, how does he find time for administrative and governing functions dealing with every foot doctor in the state.

"Someone has to give back," he said. "If everyone helps and we guide each other, it'll be a more smoothly-run process."

Few would seem better equipped to give back. His studies make a very long laundry list.

He's put a lot on his plate. Can he handle it all?

"I'll let you know in a couple of years," he said.

Here's a few reasons to believe he will handle it all, and why he has been named president of the Oklahoma Podiatric Medical Association.

• He  has completed training/certification courses in external fixation by small bones innovations, GRAFTJACKET Matrix Science Symposium and Advanced Fixation Workshop by Wright Medical.

• He was one of the initial investigators for the  VAC silver usage with split thickness skin grafts.

 VAC silver is a sub-atmospheric pressure device impregnated with silver that helps stimulate wounds to heal. It contains micro-bonded metallic silver that is uniformly distributed through out the dressing, providing continuous delivery of silver. Dr. Blanck has substituted for publishing a new surgical technique for treatment of ulcerations in patients with prior surgeries and non-removable hardware.

• He is one of 350 surgeons in the world trained by noted plastic and hand surgeon A. Lee Dellon, MD in surgical techniques to restore sensation and relieve the pain associated with peripheral neuropathy (primarily diabetic peripheral neuropathy).

• He's  a member of the American Podiatric Medical Association, he is a Fellow of the American College of Foot and Ankle Surgeons, an associate of the American Professional Wound Care Association and the Oklahoma Podiatric Medical Association.

• Dr. Blanck is a member of the American Podiatric Medical Association, he is a Fellow of the American College of Foot and Ankle Surgeons, an associate of the American Professional Wound Care Association and the Oklahoma Podiatric Medical Association. Dr. Blanck is the acting President of the Oklahoma Podiatric Medical Association for 2013-2014.