Leading the Global Charge in Diabetic Foot Education: The American Limb Preservation Society

1. May 2025

ALPS leads global educational initiatives in diabetic foot care. New publication in Limb Preservation Journal highlights ALPS’ global impact. 

The May 2025 special issue of the Limb Preservation Journal features a newly published article by Georgia Krehbiel, MBA, CEO of the American Limb Preservation Society (ALPS), and Annkathrin Mathe, MSc, Program Director of ALPS.

Titled “Leading the Global Charge in Diabetic Foot Education,” the article presents a compelling overview of ALPS’ leadership in advancing global education, collaboration, and clinical strategies to prevent diabetic foot-related amputations.

DFCon and DFU: Cornerstones of Global Learning

 

At the core of ALPS’ educational efforts is DFCon, its flagship conference and the foremost forum for diabetic foot care advancement.

Complementing this is DFU – Diabetic Foot Update, a recently launched annual conference co-chaired by Dr. Lawrence Lavery and Dr. Lee Rogers, which broadens access to the latest clinical insights and innovations.

DFCon panel 2024

The “Toe and Flow” Model in Action

A defining feature of ALPS’ approach is the “Toe and Flow” model, pioneered by Drs. David Armstrong, Joe Mills, and Lee Rogers. This collaborative framework integrates podiatric and vascular care to tackle diabetic foot complications with precision. The model’s real-world impact is evident: a single U.S. hospital saw a 72% drop in major amputations after adopting this coordinated care strategy.

In 2025, ALPS is taking its expertise abroad. Educational collaborations are planned with:

  • EWMA in Barcelona (March)

  • PODOCON in Bangalore (May)

  • ASVS in Singapore (August)

These partnerships integrate DFCon’s programming to support healthcare professionals across Europe and Asia in adopting effective, multidisciplinary treatment approaches.

The Limb Preservation Alliance: Uniting Global Expertise

As a founding member of the Limb Preservation Alliance—alongside Wounds Canada, D-Foot International, The Caribbean Wounds Network, and theCanadian Podiatric Medical Association— ALPS is fostering global synergy in education, research, and clinical policy. Through this alliance, the organization champions an integrated, patient-centered approach to limb salvage.

Want to Learn More?

DFCon panel 2024

Related Articles

You Don’t Know What You Don’t Know: Dr. Meghan Brennan on Diabetic Foot Teams, Triaging Systems, and Her ALPS Traveling Fellowship

Dr. Meghan Brennan, infectious disease physician, implementation scientist, and the 2024 ALPS Traveling Fellow, shares reflections on a fellowship experience that spanned the University of Michigan and Oxford. She discusses learning what she didn’t know she needed to know, the value of co-designing a clinical visit, and why this welcoming community made her feel right at home, even when cold-emailing world experts.

read more

Bridging Systems, Elevating Care: ALPS Traveling Fellowship interview with Dr. Katharine McGinigle

Dr. Katharine McGinigle, Associate Professor of Surgery at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, reflects on her experience as ALPS Traveling Fellow 2022. With a unique perspective that bridges clinical excellence and public health systems thinking, Dr. McGinigle shares how the fellowship influenced her approach to multidisciplinary limb preservation and why she thinks anyone working in limb preservation could benefit from applying.

read more