The Voice of Podiatrists

Serving Over 12,500 Podiatrists Daily

August 22, 2011 #4,239 Publisher-Barry Block, DPM, JD

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Aid Groups 'Non-Existent' in Somalia: Canadian Podiatrist

A Canadian podiatrist who just returned from a relief mission in famine-ravished Somalia said its people are virtually alone. Aside from the United Nations, Dr. Shazia Malik said she didn't see any other international relief organizations helping Somalis during her 10-day tour of the capital region, Mogadishu. "I found nothing," said Malik, who also did relief work in Pakistan after the 2005 earthquake and has made two trips to Haiti in the past two years.

Dr. Shazia Malik

"International organizations were visible in Pakistan, they were visible in Haiti. Your next door neighbours were the Italian Red Cross or the Japanese. We saw them, we talked to them. But in Somalia, they were non-existent." Malik was part of a three-doctor team from Islamic Relief Canada, an Ontario-based charity. She treated patients and made recommendations to facilitate relief efforts in the country.

Source: Giuseppe Valiante, Toronto Sun [8/20/11]

FL Podiatrist Gets Seven Years for Dealing Oxycodone

Healthcare Organizations Balk at ACO Rules

Most major US clinics are balking at the rules proposed for Accountable Care Organizations. Medicare officials have listened to the complaints, but the agency must balance the needs of patients as well as clinics, said Dr. Don Berwick, administrator of the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. Currently, the government and insurers largely pay hospitals and doctors for each patient visit or procedure. But supporters of the healthcare overhaul say that kind of payment system drives up the nation's healthcare costs by giving providers incentive to perform more tests and procedures than may be necessary.

ACOs would give health centers a powerful financial incentive to improve care and reduce costs. Payments to hospitals would be given in lump sums for group of patients, such as for those with heart disease, for example. Should a patient's health improve and not require a great deal of expensive care, the clinic would keep the savings. Should a patient require more care, doctors and clinics are on the hook for any excess cost. Many health systems embraced the idea. But when the federal government proposed more than 400 pages of regulations, the clinics best in a position to form ACOs objected.  

Source: Elizabeth Stawicki, Minnesota Public Radio [8/19/11

Ask Candidates Revealing Questions

Take advantage of your time with job candidates to learn more than a resume can show you. Plan open-ended questions that will review how well the person will fit with the job’s demands. Lead candidates to talk about these areas:

•  Qualifications. Examples: “What would you say is the most valuable work experience that you have had?” “Describe how you have dealt with your weaknesses.”
•  Attributes. Examples: “Tell me about a stressful situation and how you handled it.” “What five adjectives best describe you?”
•  Ethics. Examples: “Describe a time when someone asked you to do something dishonest.” “What qualities do you value most in co-workers?”

Source: Adapted from “Tell Me About Yourself”: Accountemps Survey Shows CFOs’ Favorite Interview Questions Look Beyond Resume,”  Accountemps via Communication Briefings

Query: Internet Marketing Companies

Query: MD Logic

RE: Epidermolysis Bullosa (Dean Clement, DPM) From: Michael Bednarz, DPM  

RE: Digital X-Ray Company That Supports Podiatry (Cosimo Riccardi, DPM)
From: Dan Michaels, DPM

I believe anyone wanting digital x-rays should get a digital radiography system, not a CR system. I have 20/20 Imaging digital radiography (DR) systems in both of my offices. The image quality, support, and reliability are excellent. I have one of my MA's take the pictures which go to my laptop immediately via a wireless N network. I then can show the patient what is going on with their bones on my 17 inch laptop monitor. There is no darkroom, no reading the phosphor plate, and cycle time is reduced to the bare minimum which saves staff time, and thus the bottom line. I have a bi-directional Xcell-x-ray unit in one office and an Apus retrofit in the other office. Remote access is available to review images anywhere.

As for image quality, yesterday I had an Iraq war veteran with small shrapnel in his foot which looked like a pin 3 mm long and half a mm wide. I could see the clear space around this on zoom mode from the soft tissue capsule that forms around foreign objects embedded over a period of time. It's amazing what you see with a system this good. 

Disclosure: I have no financial relationship with 20/20 Imaging.

Dan Michaels, DPM, MS Frederick/Hagerstown MD, danieldm@pol.net

RE: Doughnut Tourniquet (Jon Purdy, DPM)
From: Elliot Udell, DPM

Dr. Purdy's comment about the possibility of accidentally leaving a doughnut tourniquet on a patient brings back memories. When I was a student 30+ years ago, the professor of vascular surgery showed us photos of recent cases of gangrene that resulted from podiatrists doing nail procedures and accidentally leaving on rubber bands or other tourniquet devices.
 
In our office, we have a system that has worked very well. After doing a nail procedure, I personally will place all of the instruments into the ultrasonic instrument cleaner, remove them, and make sure that prior to placing them in the autoclave, I have every instrument I will need for the next nail procedure and this includes the doughnuts. This is done prior to the patient leaving the office. To date, we have never had a problem.
 
Elliot Udell, DPM, Hicksville, NY, Elliotu@aol.com

EQUIPMENT FOR SALE – PRE-OWNED DIGITAL X-RAY SYSTEMS

Currently in use Reina-20/20 Extreme CR scanner (OEM iCRco) systems for sale. System includes CR scanner, 4 cassettes/imaging plates, and image acquisition software. Perfect for the low-medium volume practice or satellite office. E-mail Melanie Murdock for details and pricing. melanie.murdock@2020imaging.net

 EQUIPMENT FOR SALE - CLASS FOUR LASER

I have a class four pain laser for sale. Used for plantar fasciitis, Achilles tendonitis, neuroma, arthritic conditions and even fungus toe nails This laser is portable, re-chargable and can be move from room to room or office to office. This isn't the cold laser that you see. It is a 10 watt laser. We have used this laser on NFL sports players. For those that understand a good laser. E-mail David Zuckerman, DPM for Details and pricing. footcare@comcast.net

PRACTICE FOR SALE - CALIFORNIA

Golden opportunity for recent graduates. Beautiful practice located in San Bernardino county. Very reasonable price. For details contact: podiatry-practice4sale@hotmail.com

RRACTICE FOR SALE - BOSTON AREA

8 miles north of Boston with sublease available in a modern medical building. Presently working 3 days/week, grossing $300,00 annually with easy potential for full-time. All office and podiatric equipment, instruments, digital x ray, furniture, etc. are included. Turn-key operation. Please e mail footdoc71@aol.com or call 781 279-2332.
 
ASSOCIATE POSITION - CENTRAL VALLEY/SOUTHERN CA

Seeking associate with partnership availability. Must be highly motivated and have good patient skills and personality. Salary excellent with all paid benefits/incentives including malpractice/401k and profit sharing. Compassionate and well-trained for immediate position. Surgery Center and hospital based with no HMOs/no rest homes. Bilingual in English and Spanish preferred. Offering a permanent position/partnership in a multi-million dollar hi-tech practice with Partnership also in Surgery center. Please e-mail CV and short bio to: Tonya@wetreatyourfeet.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. Preferably a Spanish-speaking podiatrist. Contact me at Podocare@aol.com

ASSOCIATE POSITION – IOWA CITY AREA

Established podiatric clinic looking for an associate to join our team, 4 offices located around the greater Seattle, WA area. Great base salary, benefits and friendly work environment. Please send resumetoseattlefootdoctor@yahoo.com

ASSOCIATE POSITION - NORTHWEST FLORIDA BEACHES

Excellent opportunity for an energetic, compassionate, hardworking individual with superior surgical and medical proficiency. Recent graduate or experienced practitioner. Excellent salary, benefits and partner-buy in offered, full admit privileges and surgical scope. Fax CV to Ecpodiatry@aol.comASSOCIATE NEEDED -  SO. CAL 

ASSOCIATE NEEDED -  SO. CAL 

Position open for podiatry associate in Southern California. Applicant must be highly motivated and available for long term employment. This practice is extremely busy and requires a hard work ethic and desire to practice in a group practice environment. Excellent salary and benefit package offered. Please e-mail resume to footcare4all@aol.com

ASSOCIATE POSITION - CENTRAL FLORIDA
 
Busy surgical practice is looking for an experienced surgically trained podiatrist to join 3 others. Must be highly motivated and a team player. Excellent salary/bonuses with huge professional potential for the right person. Experience preferred. Beautiful Central Florida. E-mail CV topodiatryresume@gmail.com

ASSOCIATE POSITION – ANNAPOLIS, MARYLAND

Incredible opportunity for the right person to integrate long-term into a well established practice. Must be personable, highly motivated and bright individual with outstanding surgical and non-surgical ability. Excellent salary and benefits. Email CV and salary requirements to Marylandfootcare@live.com.

SPACE AVAILABLE- NYC & LI

SUB LEASING TIME on MRI (NYC)

.31 tesla extremity MRI in state-of-the-art midtown Manhattan office location. Lease time on magnet in compliance with the Stark laws. This magnet is the only one that will be accepted by Medicare and all other insurance as of 2012. Why not bill out for your own MRI's???  Email today dri@myfcny.com.

PM News Classified Ads Reach over 12,500 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 12,500 DPM's. Write tobblock@podiatrym.com or call (718) 897-9700 for details. Weekly ad rates start as low as $109 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.

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