Our Story
Robert M. Palmer, M.D. is a board-certified orthopaedic surgeon who served on the faculty of the Indiana University School of Medicine and was the surgical residency instructor before establishing Hoosier Orthopaedic and Sports Medicine. Dr. Palmer furthermore, holds a Masters of Science degree in genetics, and is credited worldwide with finding the genetic makeup of clubfeet. Retiring in 1996, he volunteered his expertise in performing patient consultations, developing curriculum, leading clinical trials and lecturing for 13 years post retirement.
Board-certified pedorthists, Pamela P. Haig BOCPD and Joseph M. Haig OST, BOCPD who trained under and worked with a number of established experts to advance their multidiscliplinary knowledge, in 1984 co-founded Foot One Inc. - the first Pedorthic Medical Clinic in Indianapolis, Indiana. In the course of their clinical practice, in 1985 they became acquainted with Dr. Palmer who referred patients to their pedorthic clinic for prescription orthoses.
Quoting Dr Palmer in 2005 "We shared a common interest." Hesitantly, as if musing a moment, he then replied "They learned from me; and I learned from them". Dr. Palmer shared his orthopedic knowledge while Pam and Joe shared the science of podiatric biomechanical theories and manufacturing expertise. Within a few years, clinical trials began under the direct supervision of Dr. Palmer, as he volunteered himself one day per week, seeing only chronic, unresolved cases. Three goals were initially established 1) endeavoring to augment surgical outcomes, 2) prevent surgery when indicated and 3) to affect the progression of complex hindfoot deformities in adults and adolescants. Dr. Palmer futher hypothocized that we could retard or prevent Charcot feet in early stage diabetic patient's feet and ankles. We pushed the limit of rotational degrees in the hindfoot, midfoot, forefoot and plantarflexion of the first ray. We evolved into exploring new and advanced techniques for conceiving, designing, and fabricating optimally aligned custom foot orthoses for a variety of lower extremity pathologies and then extrapolating the data to transmit this knowledge to pedorthists and other health care practitioners. A goal was to quantify the limitations that a foot could be optimally realigned by incorporating range of motion measurements, static and dynamic measurements, using advanced intrinsic posting techniques thereby using in-vivo and in-vitro research findings. Realizing that Evidence Based Medicine is the foundation of our future.
The Robert M. Palmer M.D. Institute of Biomechanics was conceptualized in 1984, formalized in 1996, incorporated in 2002 and received not-for-profit status from the IRS in 2003. The RMPI's first pedorthic pre-certication courses were provided in 2004 at Ball State University, throughout the USA and internationally. Coincidentially, at the same time that renowned Dennis Janisee was ready to pass the torch he had been carrying onto the next generation of healthcare educators. In 2020, COVID cases were being diagnosed within the USA. This pandemic affected business owners economically, as well as governmentally imposed transportation and travel limitations, and social distress. With many business' closing, the RMPI as well as each of the pedorthic schools in the US, the pedorthic education programs became dormant. On September 18, 2023 the American Board for Certification (abcop.org) Board of Directors took action to create a pathway for future pedorthists to receive approved education and pursue a career in pedorthics. After convening a task force of pedorthic subject matter experts, the ABC Board approved and published the new standards for pedorthic pre-certification. The future of pedorthics education is promising. These important steps taken by the ABC ensures a future pathway for pedorthics and continues ABC’s commitment to the success of this profession. The RMPI has submitted the ABC Course Provider Application and is pending approval. We look forward to a promising future in sharing our clinical and manufacturing expertise. Dr. Palmer’s character and core values continues for future generations and remains the foundation within the RMPI's vision and mission.
Board-certified pedorthists, Pamela P. Haig BOCPD and Joseph M. Haig OST, BOCPD who trained under and worked with a number of established experts to advance their multidiscliplinary knowledge, in 1984 co-founded Foot One Inc. - the first Pedorthic Medical Clinic in Indianapolis, Indiana. In the course of their clinical practice, in 1985 they became acquainted with Dr. Palmer who referred patients to their pedorthic clinic for prescription orthoses.
Quoting Dr Palmer in 2005 "We shared a common interest." Hesitantly, as if musing a moment, he then replied "They learned from me; and I learned from them". Dr. Palmer shared his orthopedic knowledge while Pam and Joe shared the science of podiatric biomechanical theories and manufacturing expertise. Within a few years, clinical trials began under the direct supervision of Dr. Palmer, as he volunteered himself one day per week, seeing only chronic, unresolved cases. Three goals were initially established 1) endeavoring to augment surgical outcomes, 2) prevent surgery when indicated and 3) to affect the progression of complex hindfoot deformities in adults and adolescants. Dr. Palmer futher hypothocized that we could retard or prevent Charcot feet in early stage diabetic patient's feet and ankles. We pushed the limit of rotational degrees in the hindfoot, midfoot, forefoot and plantarflexion of the first ray. We evolved into exploring new and advanced techniques for conceiving, designing, and fabricating optimally aligned custom foot orthoses for a variety of lower extremity pathologies and then extrapolating the data to transmit this knowledge to pedorthists and other health care practitioners. A goal was to quantify the limitations that a foot could be optimally realigned by incorporating range of motion measurements, static and dynamic measurements, using advanced intrinsic posting techniques thereby using in-vivo and in-vitro research findings. Realizing that Evidence Based Medicine is the foundation of our future.
The Robert M. Palmer M.D. Institute of Biomechanics was conceptualized in 1984, formalized in 1996, incorporated in 2002 and received not-for-profit status from the IRS in 2003. The RMPI's first pedorthic pre-certication courses were provided in 2004 at Ball State University, throughout the USA and internationally. Coincidentially, at the same time that renowned Dennis Janisee was ready to pass the torch he had been carrying onto the next generation of healthcare educators. In 2020, COVID cases were being diagnosed within the USA. This pandemic affected business owners economically, as well as governmentally imposed transportation and travel limitations, and social distress. With many business' closing, the RMPI as well as each of the pedorthic schools in the US, the pedorthic education programs became dormant. On September 18, 2023 the American Board for Certification (abcop.org) Board of Directors took action to create a pathway for future pedorthists to receive approved education and pursue a career in pedorthics. After convening a task force of pedorthic subject matter experts, the ABC Board approved and published the new standards for pedorthic pre-certification. The future of pedorthics education is promising. These important steps taken by the ABC ensures a future pathway for pedorthics and continues ABC’s commitment to the success of this profession. The RMPI has submitted the ABC Course Provider Application and is pending approval. We look forward to a promising future in sharing our clinical and manufacturing expertise. Dr. Palmer’s character and core values continues for future generations and remains the foundation within the RMPI's vision and mission.
Our Story
Robert M. Palmer, M.D. is a board-certified orthopaedic surgeon who served on the faculty of the Indiana University School of Medicine and was the surgical residency instructor before establishing Hoosier Orthopaedic and Sports Medicine. Dr. Palmer furthermore, holds a Masters of Science degree in genetics, and is credited worldwide with finding the genetic makeup of clubfeet. Retiring in 1996, he volunteered his expertise in performing patient consultations, developing curriculum, leading clinical trials and lecturing for 13 years post retirement.
Board-certified pedorthists, Pamela P. Haig BOCPD and Joseph M. Haig OST, BOCPD who trained under and worked with a number of established experts to advance their multidiscliplinary knowledge, in 1984 co-founded Foot One Inc. - the first Pedorthic Medical Clinic in Indianapolis, Indiana. In the course of their clinical practice, in 1985 they became acquainted with Dr. Palmer who referred patients to their pedorthic clinic for prescription orthoses.
Quoting Dr Palmer in 2005 "We shared a common interest." Hesitantly, as if musing a moment, he then replied "They learned from me; and I learned from them". Dr. Palmer shared his orthopedic knowledge while Pam and Joe shared the science of podiatric biomechanical theories and manufacturing expertise. Within a few years, clinical trials began under the direct supervision of Dr. Palmer, as he volunteered himself one day per week, seeing only chronic, unresolved cases. Three goals were initially established 1) endeavoring to augment surgical outcomes, 2) prevent surgery when indicated and 3) to affect the progression of complex hindfoot deformities in adults and adolescants. Dr. Palmer futher hypothocized that we could retard or prevent Charcot feet in early stage diabetic patient's feet and ankles. We pushed the limit of rotational degrees in the hindfoot, midfoot, forefoot and plantarflexion of the first ray. We evolved into exploring new and advanced techniques for conceiving, designing, and fabricating optimally aligned custom foot orthoses for a variety of lower extremity pathologies and then extrapolating the data to transmit this knowledge to pedorthists and other health care practitioners. A goal was to quantify the limitations that a foot could be optimally realigned by incorporating range of motion measurements, static and dynamic measurements, using advanced intrinsic posting techniques thereby using in-vivo and in-vitro research findings. Realizing that Evidence Based Medicine is the foundation of our future.
The Robert M. Palmer M.D. Institute of Biomechanics was conceptualized in 1984, formalized in 1996, incorporated in 2002 and received not-for-profit status from the IRS in 2003. The RMPI's first pedorthic pre-certication courses were provided in 2004 at Ball State University, throughout the USA and internationally. Coincidentially, at the same time that renowned Dennis Janisee was ready to pass the torch he had been carrying onto the next generation of healthcare educators. In 2020, COVID cases were being diagnosed within the USA. This pandemic affected business owners economically, as well as governmentally imposed transportation and travel limitations, and social distress. With many business' closing, the RMPI as well as each of the pedorthic schools in the US, the pedorthic education programs became dormant. On September 18, 2023 the American Board for Certification (abcop.org) Board of Directors took action to create a pathway for future pedorthists to receive approved education and pursue a career in pedorthics. After convening a task force of pedorthic subject matter experts, the ABC Board approved and published the new standards for pedorthic pre-certification. The future of pedorthics education is promising. These important steps taken by the ABC ensures a future pathway for pedorthics and continues ABC’s commitment to the success of this profession. The RMPI has submitted the ABC Course Provider Application and is pending approval. We look forward to a promising future in sharing our clinical and manufacturing expertise. Dr. Palmer’s character and core values continues for future generations and remains the foundation within the RMPI's vision and mission.
Board-certified pedorthists, Pamela P. Haig BOCPD and Joseph M. Haig OST, BOCPD who trained under and worked with a number of established experts to advance their multidiscliplinary knowledge, in 1984 co-founded Foot One Inc. - the first Pedorthic Medical Clinic in Indianapolis, Indiana. In the course of their clinical practice, in 1985 they became acquainted with Dr. Palmer who referred patients to their pedorthic clinic for prescription orthoses.
Quoting Dr Palmer in 2005 "We shared a common interest." Hesitantly, as if musing a moment, he then replied "They learned from me; and I learned from them". Dr. Palmer shared his orthopedic knowledge while Pam and Joe shared the science of podiatric biomechanical theories and manufacturing expertise. Within a few years, clinical trials began under the direct supervision of Dr. Palmer, as he volunteered himself one day per week, seeing only chronic, unresolved cases. Three goals were initially established 1) endeavoring to augment surgical outcomes, 2) prevent surgery when indicated and 3) to affect the progression of complex hindfoot deformities in adults and adolescants. Dr. Palmer futher hypothocized that we could retard or prevent Charcot feet in early stage diabetic patient's feet and ankles. We pushed the limit of rotational degrees in the hindfoot, midfoot, forefoot and plantarflexion of the first ray. We evolved into exploring new and advanced techniques for conceiving, designing, and fabricating optimally aligned custom foot orthoses for a variety of lower extremity pathologies and then extrapolating the data to transmit this knowledge to pedorthists and other health care practitioners. A goal was to quantify the limitations that a foot could be optimally realigned by incorporating range of motion measurements, static and dynamic measurements, using advanced intrinsic posting techniques thereby using in-vivo and in-vitro research findings. Realizing that Evidence Based Medicine is the foundation of our future.
The Robert M. Palmer M.D. Institute of Biomechanics was conceptualized in 1984, formalized in 1996, incorporated in 2002 and received not-for-profit status from the IRS in 2003. The RMPI's first pedorthic pre-certication courses were provided in 2004 at Ball State University, throughout the USA and internationally. Coincidentially, at the same time that renowned Dennis Janisee was ready to pass the torch he had been carrying onto the next generation of healthcare educators. In 2020, COVID cases were being diagnosed within the USA. This pandemic affected business owners economically, as well as governmentally imposed transportation and travel limitations, and social distress. With many business' closing, the RMPI as well as each of the pedorthic schools in the US, the pedorthic education programs became dormant. On September 18, 2023 the American Board for Certification (abcop.org) Board of Directors took action to create a pathway for future pedorthists to receive approved education and pursue a career in pedorthics. After convening a task force of pedorthic subject matter experts, the ABC Board approved and published the new standards for pedorthic pre-certification. The future of pedorthics education is promising. These important steps taken by the ABC ensures a future pathway for pedorthics and continues ABC’s commitment to the success of this profession. The RMPI has submitted the ABC Course Provider Application and is pending approval. We look forward to a promising future in sharing our clinical and manufacturing expertise. Dr. Palmer’s character and core values continues for future generations and remains the foundation within the RMPI's vision and mission.