Brian Scharfstein is a Canadian Certified Pedorthist specializing in the care of diabetic and arthritic feet. He is the President and CEO of Canadian Footwear and The Foothealth Centres in Winnipeg and Calgary. Brian is a past chairman of the Winnipeg Chamber of Commerce.
Brian currently sits on the boards of the Mount Carmel Clinic Foundation, Red River College Fundraising campaign and the Winnipeg Police Board. Brian works for the betterment of the business community.
Giving back to the community is something that is a family tradition. Brian runs the Fit Feet on the Street program, an offshoot of The Two/Ten Foundation's SOS program.
Brian's passion for footwear and footcare dates to his childhood as he grew up in the family footwear business. Brian has been able to take his skill and create the Foothealth Centre, a centre of excellence for the management of lower extremity problems in persons with all types of orthopedic, rheumatologic and diabetic complications.
Brian was an active member of the Health Sciences Centre Diabetic Foot and Complicated Wound Clinic where he was an integral part of the healthcare team. Through his affiliation with the Health Sciences Centre, Brian is actively involved in the management of patients with diabetic foot complications, and in the teaching of trainees in medicine, occupational and physiotherapy, as well as, podiatry and Pedorthics. Brian is also actively involved in the teaching of foot care nurses.
Brian was taught early in life that when someone comes to your door in need, you help them. In the early 1980's (with interest rates at 18%) he acquired Canadian Footware from the family estate. Then in 1990, he decided it was important to know everything to do with feet. Brian studied at North-West Medical in Chicago then continued at a renowned saddle and shoe maker. He came up with the "We Fit You" slogan and has grown ever since. He nows employs 130 people in Manitoba and Alberta.
The Fit Feet on the Street program redistributes over-runs of footwear to those in need. It differs from the SOS program from where it got its roots in that the SOS program only uses new footwear as the Fit Feet program will also distribute gently used/ refurbished footwear. They currently distribute through HSC, Siloam Mission and the John Howard Society and will soon have a new depot in the new Main Street Project.
Often, the shoes put onto the feet of people through this program are in fact their only form of a vehicle as they can't afford bus fare.
Q & A
Bob asked if he takes rubber boots.
A - Yes. They must be carefull about safety boots thoough as the steel toe is considered a weapon.
Paul stated that as a runner, he goes through about five pairs of runners a year. Where should he take these?
A - Runners should be used for around 300 - 400 hours before they no longer provide the proper cushioning for running. These shoes are still in fairly good shape for a more general type of use. Brian left cards - 204-944-7463 Ext 202, brian@canadianfootwear.com.
Glenn asked if the collection bin at the ReFit Centre goes to this program.
A - Yes.
Chuck asked about the Diabetes Foundation collection bins.
A - Items donated through these bins are sold to Value Village by the pound and are then sold by the for-profit store.
Ed Thompson asked about insoles.
A - Insoles should be replaced regularly and should be taken out of the shoe after each use to allow them to properly dry.
Brain was thanked by Bob. There were give-aways left on the table. The mirror is to see the bottom of your foot, the file should only be used dry and the shoe horn can double as an ice cream scoop but not simultaneously.
