The Voice of Podiatrists

Serving Over 11,000 Podiatrists Daily

April 18, 2009 #3,523 Publisher-Barry Block, DPM, JD

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TX Podiatrist Tests Nutritional Drink for Neuropathy

Foot ulcers are a significant problem for diabetics. They often become chronic and won’t heal, sometimes leading to amputation. Now, a San Antonio doctor is helping test a new therapy for these kinds of wounds that involves a nutritional drink. Podiatrist Dr. Richard Pollak of San Antonio Podiatry Associates says that kind of numbness is a curse, causing diabetics to fall victim to foot ulcers they don’t feel. “If they don’t feel that,” Pollak said, “then they continue to walk on it and they don’t recognize the warning sign from the nerve of the foot to the brain that says ‘I have a sore here and I need to get off my foot.’”

Dr. Richard Pollak

Dr. Pollak is helping test a new therapy, a nutritional drink made by a pharmaceutical company. The idea is to help diabetics heal their ulcers from the “inside out,” providing their cells the strength they need to boost the body’s immune response. “I’ve never seen anything like this,” he said, “and so I’m excited about it. If people want to live long, they need to have both of their feet and they have to have ten of their toes.”

Source: Wendy Rigby, KENS-TV [4/16/09]

SMU Podiatry Students Provide Free Foot Care at Border Town

Sunscreen, check.  Camera and sunglasses, check.  Scalpels, gloves and reference books, check. The last items may seem peculiar for a spring break vacation, but for a small group of students from the California School of Podiatric Medicine (CSPM), Samuel Merritt University (SMU), packing diagnostic and medical instruments will help provide foot care to uninsured residents of San Ysidro, a community in San Diego County. The area is home to the world’s busiest border crossing, where U.S. Interstate 5 crosses into Mexico at Tijuana.

Robert Toomey, James Johnston , Jeremy.Evans, Mher Vartivarian, Charles Park, Judianne Walker, Esther Kwon, Brooke Goodman, Ryan Lee, DPM, and Dr. Peter Barbosa.

“We wanted to focus on migrant population coming from border towns, because research shows those are places where healthcare is an issue,” says James Johnston, a fourth-year podiatry student. This is the second medical mission for SMU students led by Peter Barbosa , PhD, Professor of Biochemistry and Immunology and Director of Research. Last year, he took five students from the Doctor of Podiatric Medicine (DPM) program to New Orleans where they provided a week of free clinical service in the city’s Lower 9th Ward Health-Clinic.

“We gave a lot of care, boosted the moral of an under-served community, and educated diabetic patients on the importance of good foot health and the risks associated with diabetes,” says Jeremy Evans, a second year DPM student. “We hope to get across the border next year and feel that this trip was a great preparation in getting across where there is a greater need for our care.”

ABPOPPM Announces New Directors

The American Board of Podiatric Orthopedics and Primary Podiatric Medicine (ABPOPPM) held elections in March 2009 for four positions on the Board of Directors that come up in July 2009.  Elected or re-elected to the Board are: 

Dr. David George

President -David H. George, DPM (NJ) (Incumbent)
Lester J. Jones, DPM, MS (CA) (Incumbent)
Mitchell D. Shikoff, DPM (PA)
Samuel J. Spadone, DPM (PA)

The newly-elected directors will assume their terms of office at the ABPOPPM Annual Meeting of Members, held concurrently with the APMA National meeting in Toronto.

Proposed Rule Would Require Notice About Breaches

The Federal Trade Commission, in compliance with the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009, issued a formal notice seeking public comment on a proposed rule requiring vendors of personal health-record systems and related entities to provide notice to consumers in the event of a security breach.

The stimulus act requires the FTC and HHS to work on a report to Congress due in February 2010 on potential privacy, security and breach notification requirements for personal health-record vendors and “related entities.” In the meantime, the law required the FTC to publish “interim final regulations” not later than 180 days after the act was enacted. President Barack Obama signed the act into law on Feb. 17.

Many states require some form of notification in the event of a breach of computerized personal information, including healthcare information, but the act adds a federal breach-notification requirement to the mix, saying vendors of personal health-record systems must notify the FTC and “each individual who is a citizen or resident of the United States whose unsecured, PHR identifiable health information” was acquired by an unauthorized person as a result of such a breach of security.”

Joseph Conn, Modern Healthcare [4/16/09]
 

Query: Chronic Achilles Tendinitis

I have a patient with chronic Achilles tendonitis. He is a middle-aged non-obese male who has had mild fusiform swelling of the tendon 5 cm superior to attachment, bilateral. He has tried PT, orthotics, night splints, NSAIDs, and rest for conservative care. The pain is not severe, but does hurt, and he is unable to run. I am looking for other treatment options suggestions, including those from anyone with experience with TOPAZ in this situation.

Alan Mauser, DPM, Louisville, KY

Query: Diabetic Socks

I’m looking for a quality diabetic sock at a reasonable price to sell in our office. Any ideas would be appreciated.

Cheryl Martinetti, PMAC, Howell, NJ

RE: HIPAA Covered Entities Face a Variety of New Enforcement Risks
From: Glenn B. Gastwirth, DPM

APMA members should be reminded that APMA provides numerous HIPAA resources, including a HIPAA Compliance Manual, free of charge on its member website.

Glenn B. Gastwirth, DPM, Executive Director and CEO, APMA, GBGastwirth@apma.org

RE: Bone Tumor Diagnosis (Steven Melek, DPM)
From: Dan Klein, DPM

Granular cell tumor of soft tissue? It’s hard to Dx without a biopsy.
 
Dan Klein, DPM, Fort Smith, AR, toefixer@aol.com

RE: Unruly Children (Anas Khoury, DPM)
From: Multiple Respondents

As a mother, I understand that even the best children have a bad day. I treat many kids in my office and also many mothers who must bring their children with them. Consider a portable DVD player with a small selection of movies. I think its a small cost to pay; mothers and children alike will love it. Let's face it even the most unruly child is often mesmerized by TV. 

Misty McNeill, DPM, Elmhurst, IL, mistydpm@yahoo.com

We have some Highlights magazines & books for the kids, and most of the time, they are fine. For those that are not, my staff has actually gone into the reception area and gently but firmly reprimanded the kids (since their parents haven’t), stating that they are making too much noise & we can’t hear on the phone & that they are disrupting other patients. That usually does it. We haven’t lost any patients doing this. I think the parents are actually embarrassed.
 
Cynthia Ferrelli, DPM, Buffalo, NY, drfoot1@roadrunner.com

I am the parent of two children with autistic spectrum disorders. I can’t tell you how many times when they were little that I had parents give me the evil eye and intemperance regarding their behavior that was caused by their disabilities. Sometimes, guys, it is not the parent’s fault—they may be doing the best they can. My children, now older, behave beautifully—but it was not possible without intensive therapy—and doctor’s offices were not happy places for us for a long time. Disabled children of all kinds experience difficulty in new environments which compounds problem behaviors. You should look at your waiting room—it might also be contributing to the overstimulation of the children. There are so many things that make it hard to take disabled children out in public of which most folks have no clue—lights, sounds, ambience, clutter. 

Before you rush to judgment, consider that you may not be seeing the whole picture. Rather than rushing out to scold—consider going out and offering to help. Or consider assigning a staff member to assist the family. Greet all your patients with the benefit of the doubt and the Golden Rule. If the children do not have disabilities to consider, consider the economics and education level of the families. And still offer to help out. Poor, uneducated people deserve to be treated with kindness and patience as well. How about scheduling them at the end of the day? That’s where we put our screamers. Then you can know you are doing a good turn, and not inconveniencing other waiting patients. 

Juliet Burk, DPM, Muskogee, OK, juliet-burk@cherokee.org

ASSOCIATE POSITION - CENTRAL VIRGINIA

Join a solo surgeon in a two office private practice, modern facilities with EMR and digital x-ray, reconstructive and trauma surgery.  Excellent starting salary and benefits. Position leads to partnership. Submit letter of introduction and CV to jdisabato@vfasa.com

PRACTICE FOR SALE - FLORIDA—CENTRAL/SOUTH

Turn-key operation grossing $570,000 annually based on one full-time doctor. Great opportunity for growing the top-line. Surgery is only 14% of the professional man-hours; it can significantly increase income. Medicare makes up 64% of revenues. Seller will assist with transition. Call 863-688-1725, ask for Chas.

ASSOCIATE POSITION - ILLINOIS
 
Podiatrist needed to provide care for elderly population in Long-Term Care and Assisted Living Facilities. Must be ethical, hard-working, interested in geriatric care and willing to travel. e-mail resume to poddoc2328@hotmail.com

ASSOCIATE POSITION - CHICAGO AREA

Join one of the most successful, long-established podiatry practices in the Chicago area, with excellent salary and benefits. We have an immediate opening for a full-time podiatrist in a multi practice location in Chicago. Must have two years of surgical residency. Please e-mail resume to f-massuda@footexperts.com

ASSOCIATE WANTED - FLORIDA

Associate needed for a dynamic multi-doctor practice in the Tampa Bay area. Partnership opportunity for the right candidate. Preference given to a PSR 24+ resident completing their education this spring/summer, and must have a Florida license. Well-established practice, high tech with EMR and digital x-rays, with specialties in sports medicine, surgery and wound care. No nursing homes or HMO's. Excellent hospital privileges available. Choose an area of practice concentration that you are passionate about and enjoy a lifestyle for yourself and your family that is second to none. E-mail: kimvelez@tampabay.rr.com

PART-TIME NON-SURGICAL PRACTICE FOR SALE - NORTH JERSEY    
 
23 yo practice recently relocated to a spectacular newly-constructed and equipped storefront next to a busy supermarket with ample parking and senior citizens in vibrant downtown. Accepting Medicare and Blues only with great potential. Perfect for expanding to full-time, a second office or new practitioner with means and office experience.  Priced to sell. Financing possible. E-mail interest with contact to Mikedup1215@yahoo.com 

ASSOCIATE POSITION AVAILABLE-MIDTOWN MANHATTAN

Looking for Full-time associate to work in well established practices in midtown Manhattan and Forest Hills. Immediate opening for PSR 24-36 surgically trained Podiatrist. Great opportunity with competitive salary along with malpractice benefits. Please send CV to slurie@papapc.net

CASE CONSULTING

Dennis Shavelson, DPM is now accepting referrals of difficult cases involving biomechanics, surgical complications, non-healing wounds diagnostic and treatment dilemma’s and subtalar stenting from DPM’S. Full reporting with second opinion only, rapid return after care and assumption of care options. Medicare and Out-of-Network Only. (212) 288-3668 or drsha@lifestylepodiatry.com 

NEEDED CHICAGO -- NW IND & BALTIMORE/WASHINGTON, DC PODIATRISTS

Home Physicians, a medical group specializing in house calls is looking to hire podiatrists in Chicago, Northwest Indiana, and Baltimore, MD. Full and part-time positions are available. Competitive Compensation including malpractice. Contact Scott Schneider. Phone-773-342-4201 FAX 773-486-3548-E-Mail sschneider@homephysicians.com Visit our website

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