The Voice of Podiatrists

Serving Over 13,500 Podiatrists Daily

August 14, 2012 #4,539 Publisher-Barry Block, DPM, JD

A service of Podiatry Management http://www.podiatrym.com
E-mail us by hitting the reply key.
COPYRIGHT 2012- No part of PM News can be reproduced without the
express written permission of Kane Communications, Inc.

Congratulations to: Dr. William Axton of Ludlow, MA, winner of Textbook of Bunion Surgery (4th Edition) edited by Dr. Joshua Gerbert ($179.95). We encourage you to participate in this important survey at  www.podiatrym.com/survey Completing this confidential survey provides us with valuable data, which we will publish in the February 2013 issue of Podiatry Management. It also makes you eligible to win thousands of dollars of valuable prizes.

This week's prize is a copy of A Podiatric Practitioner's Biomechanic and Surgical Guide by Thomas E. Sgarlato, DPM (Value $120).

This is also your opportunity to vote for the next DPM and Non-DPM inductees into the PM Podiatry Hall of Fame.

CA Podiatrist Discusses Treatment of Heel Pain

Did you know that excess weight is also tough on your feet? A study of people who lost an average of 90 pounds after bariatric surgery found that their foot pain complaints dropped 83%. But what do you do when you have heel pain? See a doctor as soon as you suspect a problem, says Dr. Bob Baravarian co-director of the University Foot and Ankle Institute in Los Angeles and chief of foot and ankle surgery at Santa Monica/UCLA and Orthopedic Hospital.

Dr. Bob Baravarian

Try icing, says Baravarian, who explains that chilling your heel reduces the inflammation that's causing the discomfort. For a quickie way to ice, freeze a plastic bottle filled with water, he says. Place the bottle on the floor, and roll your heel and foot over it for about 10 minutes a day until the discomfort subsides.

Source: Catherine Winters, Prevention Magazine

IL Podiatrist Leads 11th Annual Shoe Drive

OSF is hosting its annual shoe drive to benefit Home Sweet Ministries Aug. 13-17. Home Sweet Home Ministries spokeswoman Sabrina Burkiewicz said the 11th annual event helps the shelter boost its shoe supply for clients to last throughout the year, but the biggest emphasis is to gather shoes for the winter.

Dr. Todd Snoeyink

Podiatrist Dr. Todd Snoeyink started the campaign in 2002. OSF joined the effort in 2009. “Some people don’t even have shoes when they come here. It’s just a good time when it’s nice and warm to make sure everyone has good footwear because you know the weather is going to be yucky for the next six months pretty soon," said Burkiewicz.

Source: Eric Stock, WJBC [8/11/12]

23rd Annual Kaplan Clarke Invitational Golf Tournament Announced

The Tournament Committee is excited to announce that the 23rd Annual Kaplan-Clarke Invitational Golf Tournament will be held at the Kiawah Island Golf Resort in Kiawah Island, SC October 17-21, 2012. In the past 20 years, the Kaplan-Clarke Tournament has raised over $450,000 for the APMA Government Education Fund.

Drs. and Mrs. Teddi Clarke and Earl Kaplan; Dr. Oliver Foster looking on.

This fund provides support to the Association by sponsoring programs such as the Annual Podiatric Medical Legislative Conference, which is held in conjunction with the Annual House of Delegates in Washington, DC. The fund also supports educational outreach to Members of Congress about the importance of podiatric medicine in today’s healthcare system. To register and for more information, please contact Ben Wallner at 800-275-2762, or bjwallner@apma.org.

APMWA Announces 27th Annual Student Writing Competition

The American Podiatric Medical Writers Association has announced its 26th Annual Student Writing Competition.

• All papers MUST be non-technical in nature. Appropriate subjects include practice management, ethics, law, education, or any topic that would be suitable for a lay publication.
   
• There is no word limitation. Papers will be graded for content, style, grammar, neatness, and overall impact.
   
• First prize will be one thousand dollars ($1,000.00), sponsored by an APMA Educational Foundation endowment from Dr. and Mrs. Steven Berlin, and recognition in the APMA NEWS and the APMWA Newsletter. Honorable Mention Certificates may also be awarded.
   
• This competition is open to ANY enrolled podiatric student.
   
• Entries must be received by 4/15/13 via e-mail at bblock@podiatrym.com
   
• Entries become the property of APMWA, which may arrange publication of the entry.

Romney Picks Paul Ryan as VP

The architect of Republicans' healthcare overhaul was selected as the running mate of Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney. Romney announced his choice of Wisconsin Rep. Paul Ryan, chairman of the House Budget Committee, Saturday morning.

Ryan authored House Republicans' budget blueprint during each of the last two budget cycles—a blueprint that called for overhauling Medicare and Medicaid as part of a long-term plan to reduce the federal government's debt. The budget plans drew widespread attacks from Democrats for phasing in a private insurance subsidy program for future Medicare beneficiaries to replace traditional Medicare. Additionally, the House-passed budget would convert Medicaid into state grants and allow states wide latitude in redesigning the state-federal program.

Source: Rich Daly, Modern Healthcare [8/11/12]

New Ways to Change How You Think

Jar your team out of a rut with how you usually approach creative challenges. Following are some techniques inspired by Fast Company’s list of “The 100 Most Creative People in Business 2012.” Choose one of these the next time you seek a bold new approach:
1. Think five years ahead and imagine what will be important to your patients in the future.
2. Take the words “can’t” or “shouldn’t” as inspiration to do what others think is impossible.
3. Make your practice stand out. Aim to be either the easiest, most inviting, or most modern.
4. Dress for inspiration, wearing clothes that will put your team in the proper mindset for the day’s work.
5. Overcome problems by starting with what is working and building on those elements.

Source: Adapted from “Creative Inspirations From the Fast Company 100 Most Creative People in Business 2012,” Mike Brown, Brainzooming via Communication Briefings

RE: Verruca Treatment in an Immunocompromised Patient (Catherine Wu, DPM)
From: Elliot Udell, DPM
 
The first question one must ask is whether this is indeed a verruca or some other malignant lesion. Having published a paper on a melanoma that developed on the foot of an immunocompromised patient, I am by all means for taking a biopsy and sending the specimen  to a dermatopathology laboratory. Before doing that, however, it may be best to  first order or perform a Doppler study to make sure the vascularity will support a biopsy.

Assuming that the path report confirms that the lesion is a verruca, then the next question to ask  is whether the  lesion is symptomatic? Over the years, I have seen many patients with chronic verrucae that the patients were not aware of because they did not cause any pain. In those cases, I opted to leave the lesions alone and nothing adverse transpired as a result of those decisions.
 
Elliot Udell, DPM, Hicksville, NY, Elliotu@Aol.com

RE: Verruca Treatment in an Immunocompromised Patient (Catherine Wu, DPM)
From: David S. Wander, DPM, Gary W Docks, DPM

I have one simple recommendation which I believe is mandatory with this patient's history of a long-standing recalcitrant lesion - biopsy. I recently treated a patient in our office who had been treated for several years by three different doctors. Her initial complaint was a "wart" for a few years. Given the length of time, appearance, and past failed treatments, I performed a biopsy during the initial visit. The pathology report identified an invasive squamous cell carcinoma.

David S. Wander, DPM, Philadelphia, PA, dswdpm@gmail.com
 
While being treated for chronic lymphocytic leukemia, I had a wart on my 4th finger that wouldn't go away until my own immune system recovered from the chemo I received. That being said, I have treated many people with the same problem and have used a product called SeaAloe (a liquid vitamin supplement) which I gave to patients while concurrently treating their warts, and voila! Many of these tough-to-cure warts disappeared. Warts, being opportunistic viruses, tend to affect compromised hosts. So, consider immune supplementation in conjunction with your current verruca treatments.

Gary W Docks, DPM, Detroit, MI, gwdocks@aol.com

RE: Partial Thickness Torn Ligaments (Ivar E. Roth DPM, MPH)
From: Barry Mullen, DPM

The short answer to Dr. Roth's query is that I believe the best approach to repairing plantar plate tears is by the performance of a primary repair utilizing the "Arthrex Quick Fix" complete plantar plate system. This procedure is a relatively new technique that I first learned at the May, 2011 Civic-Kern Hospital Residents Alumni Association (CHRAA) annual meeting in Orlando, Florida. It was presented by Dr. Paul Goldsmith from Chicago, Illinois who provided an excellent synopsis of the technique and his short-term results. Dr. Goldsmith likely has some of the longest follow-up and most extensive experience utilizing this technique.

Hopefully, he reads this reply and elaborates upon my various comments...

Editor's note: Dr. Mullen's extended-length letter appears here.

RE: Sending Data for CMS Incentive (F. Don Chantiles, DPM)
From: Marv Boren, DPM
 
First of all, when attesting for the Meaningful Use incentive, it is required that you have been using a Certified EMR program for your entire 90-day reporting period. The qualifying data that you report pertains to that 90-day period. Therefore, since Medinotes is not a Certified EMR, you can't use that data anyway. 

Secondly, when attesting for the Meaningful Use incentive, all you need to do is fill in the values that are required for each measure. This is done online through the CMS website. You don't send chart notes and other information. Your Certified EMR program should provide reports with the required data.
 
Thirdly, I'll bet the "glitch" is just an excuse. If it's in there, any data can be retrieved. For a price! When dealing with clients in my independent EHR consulting company, Smart Drs, LLC, I have encountered several situations where the previous EMR vendor simply would not give up YOUR data.
 
 Marv Boren, DPM, Canton, OH  drboren@smartdrs.com

EQUIPMENT WANTED - DIGITAL X-RAY MACHINE

We are looking to buy a used digital x-ray machine- Please contact me at HowardBeachPod@aol.com or call (646) 401-3563 Preferred Unit: Fujifilm, FCR XL-2 Lite w/Genesis Viewing Software for 2 licenses.

EQUIPMENT WANTED - MUSCULAR SKELETAL ULTRASOUND MACHINE

We are looking to buy a used muscular skeletal ultrasound machine. Please contact meatrmattsson@flfootandankle.com or call (863) 299-4551 ext 170.

EQUIPMENT FOR SALE - PINPOINTE LASER

PinPointe Laser for sale. All accessories included. In service since 2008. Service policy in place, fully transferable. $35,000. tatarb@verizon.net.

EQUIPMENT FOR SALE - PADNET

Rarely used- excellent condition. Padnet for sale. Asking $10,000. Contact us at 516-220-8258.

EQUIPMENT FOR SALE

Retiring from practice. Equipment For sale. Mini x-ray. One year old Ultrasound with MS arterial/venous X-ray plates. Great condition Ritter chairs. Drills, surgical tools. So much. Just ask, I probably have it: Footcare@comcast.net

EQUIPMENT FOR SALE - USED PODIATRIC LASERS

Great price, great outcome. Stop wasting money on expense lasers. Personally owned and used few hours in my office,. 10 and 30 watts lasers. Two handpieces in one. First one for plantar fasciitis, Achilles tendonitis, arthritis, pain, inflammation. 2nd handpiece for surgical ablation and fungus toenail conditions. Portable fast and very cost-effective:footcare@comcast.net

PRACTICE FOR SALE - BALTIMORE, MARYLAND

Established 40+ year old well-rounded practice of both surgical and non-surgical care with special emphasis on sports medicine. Medicare and BS/private insurance base, no Medical assistance. Needs to transition to a confident well trained individual. Purchase can include building. Contact: podiatrypracticesale@gmail.com

PRACTICE FOR SALE - SOUTHWEST FL

multilocation multidoctor practice in beautiful Southwest Florida . Practice has grossed over seven figures consistently and currently shows 10-15% growth in revenues with increase in new patients and patient visits. EHR is already implemented with meaningful use criteria met. Practice has been professionally evaluated by Provider Resources. Only serious inquiries to this email address. This is a great practice in Paradise and a good opportunity for the right doctor or doctors. Email to: practiceforsaleswfla@gmail.com.

SPACE AVAILABLE - NYC & LI

Office to sublet and share - East 60th Manhattan, and Plainview, Long Island. access to an MRI, Joint Commission certified operating rooms, digital x-ray, diagnostic ultrasound, and access to a multi-specialty ambulatory surgical center. Also availability E 22nd between 2nd and 3rd and E 70th off 3rd. Turn-key operation - no investment needed 516 476-1815  PODO2345@AOL.COM

ASSOCIATE POSITION - NASSAU COUNTY, NEW YORK

Exciting Opportunity! Associate position. Must be Board Qualified. Joining all Board Certified Doctors in foot surgery and reconstructive rear-foot and ankle surgery. Respond to:Podiatryoffice@doctor.com

ASSOCIATE POSITION - MANHATTAN

Podiatrist needed for busy state-of-the-art offices in Manhattan. Offices are located near Penn and Grand Central Station. 10+ years experience only and an out-of-network doctor for most insurances. Please forward your information and CV to: roni@myfcny.com

ASSOCIATE POSITION - YONKERS, NY

Immediate part-time associate position now available. Appx: 3 1/2 days per week with room to grow. Practice is a good balance of all aspects of podiatric foot care, including surgery. Perfect opportunity for new graduate, or experienced podiatrist. Looking for the right person to transition into vacancy that will be left by current associate leaving the area and you will have an immediate, full schedule of patients. Over 25 year well-established practice with large referral base, and both hospital and surgery center privileges available. Interested persons please forward CV and brief summary of surgical log to: Podiodoc@gmail.com  914.584.1434

ASSOCIATE POSITION - OHIO

Ohio practice with excellent reputation and patient base seeks to hire a Podiatric Surgeon. The offices are state of the art including Digital X-Ray, EMR, Diagnostic ultrasound, Padnet Vascular Testing, CO- 2 Lasers all aspects of DME. The base salary is $120,000 with a bonus structure and benefits also would like to have this individual buy into the practice eventually. Please send CV to: Ohiopodiatrist@aol.com

ASSOCIATE POSITION – NORTHERN CALIFORNIA/BAY AREA

We’re looking for someone entrepreneurial who can help grow our practice. Must have great people skills, clinical/surgical skills, and positive demeanor. California license required. Send your CV and cover letter to cvpodiatrist@gmail.com

ASSOCIATE POSITION - NEW YORK CITY & QUEENS

High Income Potential. One of the fastest growing podiatry practices in New York City and Queens seeks a hard-working podiatrist who participates with HealthFirst, Fidelis, and other Medicaid plans. Contact me at:  podocare123@gmail.com

ASSOCIATE POSITION - WEST COAST FLORIDA

Outstanding opportunity for PSR-36 graduate to join successful group podiatry practice. Seeking a sociable, articulate graduate who is confident in foot and ankle surgery but also enjoys all phases of podiatry. Long-term opportunity for the right candidate with generous pay and benefits. Reply to: jwicks@cortezfootandankle.com

ASSOCIATE POSITION - SEATTLE, WA AREA

A well-established, solo-physician practice seeking a Full-Time Associate Podiatrist. Applicant should be: well trained physician, personable and motivated individual with sound surgical skills. Applicant must have completed a 24-36 month residency. Practice offers a state-of-the-art practice setting, with a good general mix of all aspects of podiatric medicine and surgery. Competitive salary and benefits. Partnership opportunities available. E-mail your letter of interest with resume to: seattlefootdoctor@yahoo.com

ASSOCIATE POSITION – NEW YORK

Great opportunity to share “state-of-the-art” offices and equipment in mid-town Manhattan and White Plains with Board Certified podiatrist. Out-of-network or participating providers welcome. Please call 212-704-4310 for additional information and fax your CV to 212-704-4311.

ASSOCIATE POSITION - LOUISVILLE, KY

Immediate position for established practice in excellent location with option to buy. All phases of podiatry with good mix of patients. Two local residency programs with foot and ankle and trauma privileges. Office has EMR qualifying for meaningful use in the first year. PADnet vascular testing. Send resume to: samuel10530@yahoo.com.

ASSOCIATE POSITION - NORTHERN, NJ

Part-time or-full time. This position can and will lead to purchase of practice if so desired. Well-equipped modern office. Digital x-ray, ultrasound, etc. Individual must be well-trained and be ABPS Qualified/Certified. Must be competent in general foot care and be able to do routine foot surgery without help. Call: 201-986-1900.

ASSOCIATE POSITION - WASHINGTON, DC

Prominent two office (3 practitioner) podiatric medical group seeking well rounded, personable individual with good medical and surgical skills. Must be 24/36 month trained, board qualified or certified foot and ankle surgeon. Salary with benefits package. Serious inquiries to ponyrunner66@gmail.com

PM News Classified Ads Reach over 13,500 DPM's and Students

Whether you have used equipment to sell or our offering an associate position, PM News classified ads are the fastest, most-effective way of reaching over 13,500 DPM's. Write to:bblock@podiatrym.com or call (718) 897-9700 for details. Weekly ad rates start as low as $115 for a 50-word ad. THIS OFFER DOES NOT APPLY TO BUSINESSES PROVIDING PRODUCTS OR SERVICES. Note: For commercial or display ads contact David Kagan at (800) 284-5451.

• To Post a message, send it to:    bblock@podiatrym.com
• Notes should be original and may not be submitted to other publications or listservs without our express written permission.
• Notes must be in the following form:
  RE: (Topic)
  From: (your name, DPM)
  Body of letter. Be concise. Limit to 250 words or less). Use Spellchecker
  Your name, DPM City/State
• Subscribers are reminded that they have an ethical obligation to disclose any potential conflicts of interest when commenting on any product, procedure, or service.