Category: Footwear

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Samaritan’s Feet Receives $5 Million Commitment From Sanford Health

Press release:

CHARLOTTE, N.C., Aug. 24, 2020 /PRNewswire/ — Sanford Health has committed to donating $5 million to Samaritan’s Feet as the non-profit organization launches a capital campaign to expand its global efforts. This gift from Sanford Health will allow Samaritan’s Feet to begin planning the core strategies of their growth initiatives: increase operational capacity in the United States, maximize efficiency in global delivery, expand experiential education, and ensure sustainability. Sanford Health’s donation will help address the global pandemic of the 1.5 billion people being infected with diseases that are transmitted through contaminated soil (World Health Organization, 2020).

“Samaritan’s Feet serves and inspires children by providing shoes across the world. Theirs is an inspiring mission that fits with the kind of impact Sanford Health strives to have in the world. Manny and his team have an ambitious plan for the future, and it’s a project we’re proud to support,” said Kelby Krabbenhoft, President and CEO, Sanford Health.

In addition to seed funding to expand Samaritan’s Feet’s capacity domestically and internationally, this partnership will foster further collaboration and engagement with Sanford Health and its associates and have the following impact on Samaritan’s Feet programs globally:

  • World Shoe Development: Lead necessary research of the World Shoe 2.0, a second-generation anti-microbial and biodegradable shoe for distribution in resource-constrained countries and vulnerable populations in the U.S.
  • Medical Advisory Champion: Serve on the Samaritan’s Feet Medical Advisory Committee, providing expertise in infectious diseases, podiatry, global health, and psychology.
  • International Programs: Provide shoes of hope in Ghana and Costa Rica, two strategic locations of the Sanford World Clinic, with their insight to determine in-country partners and distribution locations.
  • Domestic Programs: Develop Sanford Health Shoes for Seniors program to serve vulnerable senior citizens with fall-resistant shoes and foot-care information.
  • Shoezeum: Named recognition as the sponsor of Samaritan’s Feet’s Shoezeum, a mobile and permanent experiential learning center with opportunities for visitors to become immersed in cultures and conditions of those Samaritan’s Feet serves globally.

“Sanford Health’s generous gift and partnership play a crucial role in the expansion of Samaritan’s Feet’s programs. Together, we can provide more opportunities to give hope and healing to individuals around the world. We’re grateful for their support and share their commitment to improving the health and well-being of those we serve,” said Manny Ohonme, President and CEO, Samaritan’s Feet. “This donation allows us to kick-off our capital campaign to build our global headquarters in the Carolinas, housing our worldwide volunteer center and creating the Global Servant Leadership Institute.”

Sanford Health has supported Samaritan’s Feet through various fundraising events and shoe distributions in the U.S. and internationally. Through past financial gifts in excess of $1 million, Sanford Health has co-sponsored MLK Day of Service events and inspired barefoot coaches through their annual Barefoot Classic tournament. Additionally, Manny serves as Vice Chair of Sanford Health’s International Board. On Monday, August 24, executives from Samaritan’s Feet will be in Sioux Falls, S.D. meeting with leaders and doctors from Sanford Health.

“The work accomplished to date by Samaritan’s Feet is truly inspiring,” said Micah Aberson, Executive Vice President, Sanford Health. “Knowing what its efforts mean to kids and families across the world, makes this a natural fit for Sanford Health to support. To be part of an organization that can help Samaritan’s Feet take this next step is something all 50,000 Sanford Health employees can be proud to be part of.”

About Sanford Health

Sanford Health, one of the largest health systems in the United States, is dedicated to the integrated delivery of health care, genomic medicine, senior care and services, global clinics, research and affordable insurance. Headquartered in Sioux Falls, S.D., the organization includes 44 hospitals, 1,400 physicians and more than 200 Good Samaritan Society senior care locations in 26 states and nine countries. Nearly $1 billion in gifts from philanthropist Denny Sanford have transformed how Sanford Health improves the human condition. For information, visit sanfordhealth.org or Sanford Health News.

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Global Leader In Recovery Footwear, OOFOS, Accepts The American Podiatric Medical Association Seal Of Acceptance Across All Products

The Seal of Acceptance Further Establishes the Brand as a Leader and Innovator in the Footwear Industry

Press Release:

BRAINTREE, Mass., Aug. 11, 2020 /PRNewswire/ — OOFOS, the global leader in recovery footwear, announces today its full line of products has earned the American Podiatric Medical Association (APMA) Seal of Acceptance, further solidifying them as a pioneer and leader within the recovery footwear category.

The APMA Seal of Acceptance Program recognizes products that have been found to be beneficial to foot health and of significant value when used consistently in a daily foot care program. OOFOS’ full collection is among these products, as all OOFOS styles were found by the committee to promote good foot health, further establishing the therapeutic and health benefits of the brand’s shoes. In receiving the Seal of Acceptance from the APMA, customers and physicians alike are assured that upon purchasing a pair of shoes from OOFOS, they are receiving a product that is of exceptional quality and is manufactured with the consumer’s comfort and well-being in mind.

“This is a huge moment for our brand. It reinforces prior research findings and the benefits of our unique foam technology, which is designed specifically for relief and recovery,” says Steve Gallo, President of OOFOS. “Our mission at OOFOS has always been ‘to make yOO feel better’ and this seal of acceptance by the APMA provides expert validation that our shoes make a difference in the health and wellbeing of our customers day in and day out.”

Made with proprietary OOfoam® technology, OOFOS shoes absorb 37% more impact than traditional foam footwear materials for the perfect blend of cushion and stability, based on a 2018 University of Virginia laboratory study.

The use of the proprietary technology in conjunction with their patented footbed allows the shoes to cradle and support the foot’s arches for more even distribution of pressure across the sole of the foot. The combination has also shown to reduce energy exertion in the ankles by up to 47% when compared to traditional footwear. The APMA committee has further championed this technology through review of the research the brand has done on these footwear components, how the products interact with the human body and the benefits consumers receive compared to traditional footwear.

This seal is just the latest example of how OOFOS is helping yOO recover and feel better with every step. In addition to the APMA Seal of Acceptance, thousands of consumer reviews online rave about the footwear’s positive impact on their lives, including relief of pain due to ailments, bringing comfort to long working hours and maintaining body health for professional athletes. 

“These are the most comfortable slides I’ve ever worn in my life,” says OOFOS brand partner and Pro-Football Hall of Famer, Deion Sanders. This is coming from a dude who is 52, has had three toe surgeries, and is in need of a 4th, these shoes changed the game for me!”

About OOFOS
OOFOS is the global leader in recovery footwear, founded by a team of industry veterans looking to help runners and fitness enthusiasts recover better from their workouts. Made with revolutionary OOfoam™ technology, OOFOS are designed to absorb 37% more impact than traditional footwear. They reduce stress on joints to keep anyone, of any activity level, feeling their best. From professional athletes to casual walkers, OOFOS footwear will make your hard-working feet and body feel better – all you have to do is feel the OO. 

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Arch Supporting Flip Flops

Are the arch supporting flip flops any good?

People with foot problems like to ask this a lot. Can those flip flops with an arch support built into them be used instead of foot orthotics? The amount of arch support that they have is similar to the amount that you get from an over-the-counter type foot supports that are widely available, so it is reasonable to assume that they will have some use. They could be used to supplement and be an adjunct to foot orthotic therapy when the wearing of foot orthotics can be compromised by the choice of footwear to accommodate foot orthotics. This is often the case in warmer climates when closed in shoes which are needed for foot orthotics are not worn that often. They may be an alternative to foot orthotics if the problem is minor and the patient spends the bulk of their time in this type of footwear and they have the need for an average type arch support. The amount of support would not be the same as you would get from a custom made device that is specific for the individual.

Athletes often like to use them as recovery footwear. After a hard workout, the feet and legs need a rest to help recover, so an arch supporting cushioned type of footwear is probably going to help that. The flip flop type footwear also ‘frees’ the toes from the constrictive toe box of typical shoes, so this can also be useful for use for a period of time by athletes.

One brand that is getting a lot of attention is the Archie brand from Australia, where it is widely stocked by podiatry clinics. In Australia, they call flip-flops, thongs, so you do need to be careful about the terminology of this footwear genre. You often see comments from Podiatrists in Australia, just how much patients like these with almost all who try them on buying them. There are many other brands on the market that are worth considering.