ORLANDO, Fla. — At the North American Pedorthic Congress, the Pedorthic Foundation presented both Ernesto Castro, CPed, and Dick Schwartz, CPed, with awards for their outstanding service to the pedorthic profession.
Dennis Janisse, CPed, president/chief executive officer of National Pedorthic Services, presented the Dawn Janisse Award for the first time. Created in the name of Janisse’s late wife, this award honored Castro for his “quiet and positive difference in the lives of many others,” Janisse said.
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| Dennis Janisse, CPed presented the Dawn Janisse Award to Ernesto Castro. | |
| image: Pavlou SZ, O&P Business News |
Castro learned shoe making as his father’s apprentice, and later made custom footwear for patients at an O&P clinic while studying pedorthics at Ball State University. He currently serves as the president and chief executive officer of Arizona AFO Inc.
“Ernesto Castro is a teacher, a volunteer, an inventor, such a wonderful person,” Janisse said.
The Pedorthic Foundation honored Schwartz, chairman of the board of Aetrex Worldwide Inc., through the creation of the Richard B. Schwartz Award. The Award will recognize and honor an individual or company for advancing the profession of pedorthics, and will focus on specific accomplishments that bring additional stature, respect, advancement or honor to the practice of pedorthics, according to a press release.
“Dick Schwartz has given our profession time, leadership and support for nearly 40 years,” Darlene Hall, CPed, LPed-OK, Foundation president, stated when presenting the award to Schwartz. “With his focus on achievement, Dick Schwartz exemplifies what this new award will recognize, and it is my pleasure to present the first Richard B. Schwartz Award to a man I have known for more than 20 years: Dick Schwartz.”
