In his keynote address, Dr. Bakker began by describing the threat that diabetes mellitus posed to the world.  He called diabetes "the epidemic of the twenty-first century," and cited projections that by the year 2025, the number of people with the disease worldwide, currently at 250 million people, would increase to 380 million, a fifty-five percent increase.     

After citing additional statistics, Dr. Bakker described how several factors - including an aging population, a large increase in the percentage of the population that is obese, and the lack of physical activity in the lives of a large number of people - had contributed to a tremendous increase in the incidence of diabetes. 

Dr. Bakker next addressed one of the most feared complications of the disease, namely, the diabetic foot problem.  He described how a diabetic foot problem could lead to an ulcer, which in turn could lead to the amputation of a toe, a foot, or even the lower or upper leg, and he described the costs of amputation to both the individual and to society.  

Dr. Bakker then said that, in 1996, a group of experts came together as the International Working Group on the Diabetic Foot to develop a set of guidelines for reducing and preventing amputations, and for implementing a multidisciplinary team approach to diabetic foot care.  He spoke about the launch of the first guidelines in 1999 at the third International Symposium on the Diabetic Foot., and about their success.  He described how a team consisting of a diabetologist, a podiatrist, a nurse, a vascular/ orthopedic surgeon, an orthotist, a rehabilitation specialist and an educator could have a tremendous impact on reducing the number of amputations worldwide, particularly in developing countries.  He then concluded by outlining the key role of podiatry in this team approach, and by wishing the graduates well and urging them to volunteer at a local free clinic or, if possible, in the developing world.   

NYCPM President and CEO Louis L. Levine said, "The three leaders whom we are honoring today are all exceptional individuals who, in their respective fields, are dedicated to improving the human condition.  We are honoring each of them to applaud their service and their dedication, and for exemplifying the ideals that the New York College of Podiatric Medicine encourages in each of its students."

Karel Bakker, M.D., is chairman of the International Diabetes Federation (IDF) Consultative Section and the International Working Gorup n the Diabetic Foot (IWGDF). In 1999, the IDF Consultative Section and the International Working Group on the Diabetic Foot published, with contributions from experts in the field from all over the world, the International Consensus and Practical Guidelines on the management and prevention of the diabetic foot.  Translations of this document have appeared in 26 languages, and more than 80,000 copies were distributed globally. It was fully updated in 2007.

Dr. Bakker was responsible for, and chaired, the very successful World Diabetes Day 2005 on diabetic foot care, and the "Year of the Diabetic Foot" campaign to raise awareness of the problem throughout the world, an initiative of the IDF supported by the World Health Organization.  He is, on behalf of the IWGDF, an active promoter of improving diabetic foot care in developing countries. 

Dr. Bakker was a specialist in internal medicine, diabetology and endocrinology at the Spaarne Hospital, Heemstede (The Netherlands), from which he retired in 2002.  He has long been very committed to, and involved in, diabetes and foot care. In 1987, he founded the first specialized Diabetic Foot Clinic in the Netherlands. Dr. Bakker has chaired the quadrennial International Symposia on the Diabetic Foot at Noordwijkerhout, The Netherlands (in 1991, 1995, 1999, 2003 and 2007).  Appointments earlier in his career include chairman of the Dutch Consensus Group on the Diabetic Foot and chairman of the Dutch Diabetes Education Study Group for more than 10 years. 

Dr. Bakker was trained in the U.S., in Madison, Wisconsin, as well as in the Dutch Antilles and at the State University Groningen in The Netherlands, where he received his Ph.D. in Endocrinology.  He is a tireless lecturer on the subject of the diabetic foot, and has visited every continent to create more awareness of the problem.  He is the recipient of many awards honoring his efforts.  In 2001, Dr. Bakker was invested with the title of Knight of the Order of the Lion of the Netherlands, in recognition of his lifelong commitment to diabetes and to diabetic foot care in particular. He was the first recipient of the Edward James Olmos Award for "Advocacy in Diabetic Foot Amputation Prevention" at the Second Southern Californian Symposium "The High-Risk Diabetic Foot in the New Millennium" in November 2003.

For 30 years, Council Member Inez E. Dickens has taken an active role in the economic development and political landscape of New York's celebrated "village" of Harlem. A lifelong resident of the 9th Council District that includes Central Harlem, Morningside Heights, parts of the Upper West Side and part of East Harlem, including NYCPM, Ms. Dickens is highly respected as a tireless and dedicated leader, completely committed to improving the quality of life for everyone in her community and in the City of New York.

In the course of her career, Inez Dickens has been in the business of rehabilitating housing throughout the City. She was nurtured in her chosen profession working at the right hand of her father, the late District Leader and Assemblyman Lloyd E. Dickens, who is considered the dean of African American politics in the City. She not only learned business acumen from him, but also acquired his sense of responsibility to community.

Ms. Dickens was first elected to office in 1974 as a County Committeewoman, County Judicial Committeewoman and State Committeewoman, and eventually rose to become the highest-ranking African American woman in the New York State Democratic party, serving as the First Vice-Chair of the New York State Democratic Committee.  Ms. Dickens stepped down as First Vice-Chair when she took the oath of office on January 1, 2006, after winning a hotly contested City Council race.  Ms. Dickens hit the ground running after Speaker Christine Quinn appointed her to the leadership position of Majority Whip and Chair of the Standing Committee on Standards and Ethics. 

During her campaign for public office, the Council Member focused on public health issues relating to childhood obesity, the early onset of adult diabetes in children, women's health issues and preventive health measures.  As a member of the health committee, she wasted no time in advocating for significant funding for these issues that are so critical to the well being of her district and the City of New York.    Among many public health programs for her district and for the entire City, the Council Member was able to secure City Council funding for a podiatric public health initiative to be administered by NYCPM, in partnership with Touro College.  She looks upon her "Healthy Feet for Healthy Living" project initiative as one of her most significant achievements.  It is a public health, outreach and screening initiative for children attending New York City public schools.  The "Healthy Feet for Healthy Living" project identifies children who may be at risk for decreased activity and mobility because of foot dysfunction or ill-fitting shoe gear.  The project also examines the connection between foot health and risk factors for obesity.  Overall, in her relatively short tenure in office, Ms. Dickens has brought over $50 million in services and resources to her community and the 9th Council District to improve the quality of life and create futures of promise for all of her constituents.

Council Member Dickens has been recognized for her work in economic development and community life. She has received the Distinguished Service Award from the New York State Association of Black and Latino Legislators, the Sojourner Truth Award from the National Association of Negro Business & Professional Women, the American Red Cross Achievement Award, the Public Education Award from the American Diabetes Association, the Women Who Make a Difference Award from the NAACP, and the Heritage Award from the Greater Harlem Real Estate Board.

Israel Goldstein, D.P.M., received his Doctor of Podiatric Medicine Degree from the New York College of Podiatric Medicine in 1980.  He completed his postgraduate training in Foot and Ankle Surgery at NYCPM and Affiliated Hospitals. He is a Diplomate, American Academy of Pain Management; Diplomate, American Academy of Wound Management; Fellow, American Professional Wound Care Association; and a Certified Wound Care Specialist.

Dr. Goldstein has lectured internationally and is an Adjunct Associate Professor of Podiatric Medicine at the New York College of Podiatric Medicine.  He was instrumental in negotiating and bringing to fruition the College's externship agreement with the Sheba Medical Center at Tel Hashomer, in Israel.  Dr. Goldstein has also brought NYCPM a number of significant research opportunities, and he has always been a steadfast and enthusiastic supporter of the College.     

The New York College of Podiatric Medicine

The New York College of Podiatric Medicine, established in 1911, is the first and largest of the eight U.S. schools of podiatric medicine.  Its clinical affiliate--Foot Clinics of New York--is the world's largest foot health center, recording nearly 30,000 patient visits a

year.  NYCPM has graduated more than twenty-five percent of all practicing podiatrists in the nation, and is at the forefront of podiatric care in terms of education, public awareness, government legislation and professional advancement.