Since its creation in 1974, the Quebec Order of Podiatrists (OPQ) has aspired to have university program to train future podiatrists in the province of Quebec. Many presidents of the OPQ during these years made education a high priority.
From the beginning, the education of future podiatrists was an urgent matter. The OPQ recognized that their numbers were diminishing due to age. It became imperative to fill the void of those retiring. The first to answer the call were the CEGEPs (College d’enseignement Générale et Professionnel). These are Quebec schools that offer pre-university courses, which are obligatory for university admission. Possibly due to the need for new students or purely for the challenge, the CEGEP Rosemont was the first to offer a ‘turn-key’ program. This school was in the process of developing or already had programs in medical technology, respiratory therapy, anesthesia, embalming, auditory prosthetics, and acupuncture. The prestigious podiatric program would be a great addition to the mix. This was also looked upon favorably by the Office des professions du Quebec (the Quebec government’s regulatory body for professions) who, at the time (70’s and early 80’s), seemed to encourage the arrival of these new technical college courses.
Paul Mathieu, podiatrist and president of the OPQ at the time, was solidly confronted with the CEGEP Rosemont proposal. The OPQ approval was all that was needed to start the new program. However, he was sure the other avenue of a university program was more appropriate for Quebec. Considering the momentum of educational change in Quebec during the 70’s and early 80’s, one must appreciate that the podiatrists already practicing had very profound convictions concerning the preferred university training. Against multiple opposition, the OPQ did not approve the CEGEP proposal. Today, we know they made the right choice.
It is with Jean-Guy Lambert podiatrist and OPQ president from 1984-90, that the discussion with the university milieu began.
The choice of the first university to approach was difficult because nothing of the sort existed in Quebec or in Canada. Through repeated contact and presentations, the first hope was born in 1985. The Université de Montreal acquiesced to the OPQ’s demands and ordered a feasibility study. A committee of eight was put in place, representing all medical specialties and two podiatrists, Jean-guy Lambert and Marc Tranchemontagne. Many meetings took place. The important points were: 1) the university’s acknowledgement to produce a Quebec curriculum that was equal and compatible with the American model, 2) the committee visited the Pennsylvania College of Podiatric Medicine, 3) the completion of two academic and organizational documents and 4) the completed file was submitted the university authorities.
A long wait was prepared for. Apparently, many presentations were needed for the Quebec government to proceed. The internal politics of the university and their influence on the program were also questioned. Unfortunately, the reality became that after two years of work, the Université de Montreal wish to further pursue this program.
Regardless of this hesitation on the part of the Université de Montreal, the OPQ solicited other universities. The first to be contacted was Université Sherbrooke. Meetings with the director of first cycle studies offered an interest in the podiatry program. The flame was rekindled yet only for a short time. The university later decided that the podiatry program was not in its curriculum objectives. The second contact was with McGill University through Dr. Carol Laurin of the Royal Victoria Hospital. This university was not interested for reasons unimportant to mention here.
The 5th of March 1993 was the first time that the Université de Quebec à Trois-Rivières (UQTR) was mentioned. At this point, the 30th of March 1993, the president Marc Tranchemontagne addressed in writing, Mr. André Thibault, vice-rector of teaching and research at UQTR. On the 8th of June 1993, the president through the board of the OPQ, obtained the mandate to begin talks with the authorities of UQTR. With the help of M. Érol Frechette, (of Érol Frechette Communications and ex-president of the Interprofessionnal Council of Quebec), the process began. A first meeting took place on June 21st 1993 with Mme Claire de la Durantaye, dean of first cycle studies and M. Rémi Tremblay, the person responsible for research and development of new programs at UQTR. An agenda of meetings was put in place. Many important items were discussed and completed. The president Marc Tranchemontagne recruited the help of the podiatrist Glenn Hébert, president of the professional education committee of the OPQ at the time, as well as the podiatrist Robert Donaldson. This teamwork produced a solid and completely defined academic program and curriculum. M. Hébert wrote in a letter to the OPQ members in March 1995 that the program contained 186 university credits.
International contacts helped to complete certain parts of the feasibility study that were demanded by UQTR. The mandate went to Communication Érol Frechette to collate these research results as well as those documents obtained by the president Tranchemontagne during his official presence at the 15th International Congress of the Fédération Internationale des Podologues (FIP) in London. With the help of the FIP president M. Robert van lith and the two colleges of the FIP, the ICTPM (International College of Teachers of Podiatric Medicine) and the CLPUE (Comité De Liasons des Podologues de l’Union Européenne), many documents were transmitted to aid in the completion of the feasibility study.
On June 29th 1994, the vice-rector of teaching and research at UQTR, wrote to the OPQ president Marc Tranchemontagne to explain the favorable results of the feasibility study. It was now possible to continue the completion of the program and present it to those responsible for new program evaluation at UQTR.
The most important issue and the one that the OPQ was waiting for was that UQTR made the objective of attaining a podiatric program a priority for the university. The original OPQ mandate was completed.
The program of a first cycle doctorate in podiatric medicine took its rightful place within the objectives of UQTR. It would become for all those who collaborated on this monumental dossier the first fundamental step.
This donation to future OPQ administrators would prove to be particularly useful. Continuity would be assured for the profession.
Gérard Allart would succeed, by interim, the presidency of Marc Tranchemontagne on April 1st, 1995.
Go back to the history of podiatry in Quebec
Completed by
Marc Tranchemontagne, podiatrist
Ex-président, Quebec Order of Podiatrists
Collaboration spéciale
Jean Guy Lambert, podiatre, ex-président, Quebec Order of Podiatrists
Paul-André Mathieu, podiatre, ex-président, Quebec Order of Podiatrists
