The Voice of Podiatrists

Serving Over 14,000 Podiatrists Daily

October 05, 2012 #4,584 Publisher-Barry Block, DPM, JD

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We’ve just posted the September 2012 CME titled

October 2012 CME

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PPMA Announces Scholarship Winner

Olivia Pasquino, daughter of Joseph Pasquino, DPM, PPMA’s President-Elect, recently was the recipient of the Pennsylvania Podiatric Medical Association’s first-ever college (or college equivalent) scholarship for $1,000. Ms. Pasquino was awarded the scholarship based on her academic performance, achievements, and other criteria listed on the scholarship application.

Olivia Pasquino

The Scholarship was publicized in the PPMA Update newsletter this summer and offered a son or daughter of a PPMA member in good-standing and enrolled in the Podiatric Medical Assurance of Pennsylvania (PMAP) insurance program, the opportunity to apply. Olivia Pasquino currently attends Elizabethtown College, Elizabethtown, PA, and is in her fourth year as an elementary education major. 

CA Podiatrists Discuss Why They Chose to be Foot Doctors

It takes a special person to practice podiatry — someone who literally puts his or her best foot forward. There’s nearly a decade to invest in education and training. There’s a heavy workload after entering practice. And, on top of all that, there’s the specialization on a part of the body that most people don’t find too glamorous. With so many fields of study in medicine, what drives someone to become a podiatrist?

Drs. Dennis Trenner and Chelsea Smith (photo: Kyle Emery)

“For some reason, my patients all think I have a foot fetish, and I don’t,” said Dr. Dennis Trenner, a podiatrist who, along with his partner, Dr. Chelsea Smith, recently transferred his practice to Oroville Hospital. “It has nothing to do with that. It’s just a part of medicine. I met a couple of podiatrists while I was working at Kaiser; they seemed like nice guys, and they encouraged me to go in that direction," said Trenner.

Source: Evan Tuchinsky, Newsreview.com  [10/3/12]

Query: Spontaneous Nail Lysis of Toes and Fingers

My patient is a 71 year old diabetic male who has developed complete lysis of an increasing number of toenails and more recently, fingernails. These nails are pain-free with no history of trauma or insult, and no local inflammation, onychia, or paronychia. The entire nail comes off with new nail growth beneath. The nails are not mycotic. He takes: metformin, Januvia, Crestor and is recently off of Flomax. His situation does not fit the dermatology textbook “onycholysis” description. The nails lyse from side to side, not originating from the distal edges. I would appreciate any input from my colleagues.

Mark Aldrich, DPM, Antigo, WI

Query: Part-Time Employee Benefits   

I would like to know what others are doing regarding compensation above and beyond regular pay for P.T. employees who work 15-25 hrs/wk. I am a solo practitioner so feel that I would gain most benefit from answers of like practitioners, since group practices with more income usually have the ability to provide more benefits.

Cynthia Ferrelli, DPM, Buffalo, NY

Query: Combination Billing/Collection Service

I notice that there's a lot of money outstanding from patients who don't want to (or "can't") pay their deductibles and other outstanding bills. There's only so much I can do to persuade them to pay and the individual amounts are not that high to get a collection agency. Does anyone use a billing service, much like a hospital billing office, which is not just a collection agency, but will take over patient billing, and if necessary, take more definite steps to persuade patients to pay?
 
Ron Werter, DPM, NY, NY

RE: H&P Course Scheduled
From: Nicholas Sol, DPM

Well done readers! Ms. Ellie Wydevan has informed me that we’ve reached critical mass - enough DPMs have expressed interest in the Scholl College H&P course for DPMs. This accredited course is tentatively scheduled for February 8-9, 2013 on their campus. Those who’ve expressed interest should save those dates. If anyone else is interested, please contact Ellie Wydevan (847-578-8410) or send me an email. If you are interested in performing admission H&Ps on your own patients at your hospitals and surgery centers, this will likely be the last H&P course available to us. Thank you, Barry Block for giving us this wonderful resource, Podiatry Management, in print and on-line.
 
Nicholas Sol, DPM, Colorado Springs, CO, drsol@thewalkingclinic.com

RE: Vibration Anesthesia Device (Christopher Huerta)
From: Peter Smith, DPM, Steven I. Gubernick, DPM

Thank you to Mr. Huerta for the clarification. As a satisfied podiatrist/user of the device, I was shocked by the arrogance and absoluteness of Dr. Ricketti’s statement. Now it makes much more sense.
 
Peter Smith, DPM, Stony Brook, NY, ps84@bc.edu

Having known James Ricketti, DPM for 20 years, I find his ethics beyond reproach. While the Vibration Anesthesia Device made by the company Christopher Huerta represents may serve a similar purpose as the products Dr. Ricketti invented, I believe they are clearly not the same products, nor are they intended for the same patient segments, hence Dr. Ricketti was under no obligation to disclose a conflict of interest because none exists.
 
Steven I. Gubernick, DPM, MS, Lawrenceville, NJ, sgubernick@imscg.com

RE: Vibration Anesthesia Device (Mark Johnson, DPM)
From: Elliot Udell, DPM, Robert Blaine, DPM
 
Blaine labs is not the first company to come out with a vibration device to help lesson pain associated with injections. I have tried several other devices and have found them to be successful. Dr. Amy Baxter, a pediatrician developed one shaped like a bee, and I have used it very successfully in my practice. I showed to my allergist who gives hundreds of injections to kids every day of the week and he immediately bought one and uses it all day long. The cost is $39.95 (buzzy4shots.com). You can also purchase one under "Buzzy pain relief system" at Amazon.com.
 
Elliot Udell, DPM, HIcksville, NY, Elliotu@aol.com

Regardless of whether users of the Vibration Anesthesia Device find it is efficacious or not, I would like to share why it was developed. Prior to its development, for twenty years, I was a frequent user of ethyl chloride spray with my injections. And like most of us, I never thought anything about what ethyl chloride actually was until roughly seven years ago when a patient, who happened to be a chemist, refused my use of ethyl chloride with his injection telling me that the spray was toxic and he did not want it on his skin.

I had never heard this prior from anyone. I checked the ethyl chloride bottle’s label which said nothing about the spray being potentially harmful let alone toxic as he had stated. However, the box the bottle came in did state the precautions, the potential adverse reactions, and the warnings for its use (“ethyl chloride is known as a liver and kidney toxin; long-term exposure may cause liver or...

Editor's note: Dr. Blaine's extended-length letter can be read here.

RE: CA Podiatrist Discusses Limb-Lengthening
From: George R. Vito DPM, MBA

I highly recommend that Dr. Alireza Khosroabadi be very careful on the ground in which he is treading. The state law in California may not allow proximal tibial lengthenings (in most cases, this is where the procedure should be performed), and I hope he would check with the state, to determine if in fact, a podiatric surgeon can perform cosmetic lengthening or cosmetic surgery.
 
The State of Georgia has one of the most liberal leg laws in the country in regard to podiatric surgery, but a federal court judge ruled that a podiatrist cannot perform cosmetic surgery in the State of Georgia. Therefore, one must be very careful on the grounds he or she will base their argument, if in fact, the state law is challenged. A plaintiff's attorney may only need to refer to Otero v. Vito. This is not a good situation for anyone to be in. 
 
I encourage Dr. Khosroabadi to contact any number of the 4-5 surgeons in the country who have performed these types of procedures, before advertising the ability to perform such procedures. I am sure Dr. Khosroabadi is highly trained; however, the complication rate is very high, and there are many plaintiff's attorneys waiting to jump on the bandwagon when complications arise, and believe me, they will arise. There are very few podiatric surgeons qualified to serve as experts to defend the actions of the surgeon. 
 
George R. Vito DPM, MBA, georgevito@aol.com

EQUIPMENT FOR SALE - PINPOINTE LASER

PinPointe Laser for sale. All accessories included. In service since 2008. Service policy in place, fully transferable. $30,000. tatarb@verizon.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 - MIAMI

Retiring after 30 years in same location. ground level storefront in shopping strip. turnkey operation. General podiatry. Excellent opportunity for young practitioner to expand the service provided. sale price-last 3 months total gross billings. Earn your investment in 4 months. email bpody@aol.com 305-496-2551

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. PODO2345@AOL.COM 516-476-1815.

SPACE AVAILABLE - MANHATTAN

Location! Location! Location! Affordable, architecturally designed, newly built one of a kind office with lots of light in prestigious 24/7 doorman building on Central Park South. Three treatment rooms, bathroom, stunning and large reception area. Video via email of office available. Legal sublet from 3 to 9 1/2 yrs. Heat included. Contact Dr. Jill Goldberg at 646-584-7252 or chirojil@aol.com (leaving due to death in the family)

ASSOCIATE POSITION - GREENVILLE, SOUTH CAROLINA

Associate Position. Must be Board Qualified. Joining all Board Certified Doctors in foot surgery. Respond to piedmontpodiatry@gmail.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

AVAILABLE POSITION – OSSINING, NY

Open Door is a Level-3 Patient Centered Medical Home & community health center is looking for a PT BC/BE podiatrist interested in working w/ a diverse patient population in our Ossining site. 2-3 days/wk. flexible hrs. Spanish-speaking a plus! forward resume to: nrodriguez@odfmc.org

ASSOCIATE POSITION - NORTHWEST IOWA

A well-established, midwest multi-physician practice with strong hospital affiliations seeking FT podiatrist. Applicant should be well trained surgical physician, completed a 12/24 month residency, & board eligible. Practice offers high surgical volume, advanced wound care and good mix of general podiatry. Competitive salary, excellent benefits. Fax resume: 712-258-9977

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 - MASSACHUSETTS

Busy multi-office podiatry practice looking to expand. Need extremely energetic dedicated individual. Must be PSR 12-24 trained, EMR, laser, vascular testing the works. Must have sense of humor. MA License, NH License A+! Surgery, sports medicine, pediatrics, shoe store. Please send resumes to resumesent11@comcast.net.

IMMEDIATE OPENING: CALIFORNIA

Office and hospital based podiatry group in Bakersfield, CA seeks highly trained surgical associate to join us. Prefer surgeon with trauma and Charcot reconstructive experience. Offering competitive salary, CME allowance, health insurance and more. Must be PSR 24/36 trained and must have completed residency. Please forward CV and letter of interest to: modpm@aol.com.

ASSOCIATE POSITION - NEW YORK

Group practice desires practitioner that brings his/her good medical skills to the table but needs practice management experience to complete the package. Only 1 hour from Manhattan Part-time employment would be considered to start. E-mail mhudes@footcaregroup.com.

ASSOCIATE POSITION - CENTRAL NEW JERSEY

Established, successful practice with multiple locations in Central Jersey seeking FT/PT Associate. PSR 24/36. Please forward CV to rpg145@gmail.com

ASSOCIATE POSITION - MARYLAND

If you are a graduating resident, in July, or an established practitioner (available now) and you are enthusiastic, personable, motivated and well-trained, we would be delighted to discuss an associate position in our group with you. We are a 17-doctor group, with 12 locations. Significant patient flow already in place to keep you busy from the start! All the bells and whistles-EMR, digital x-rays, ultrasound, computerized scheduling, certified ambulatory surgical centers, hospital and physician referral base. Please send cover letter and resume to newdpm@footandankle-usa.com. We look forward to hearing from you.

ASSOCIATE WANTED - WESTERN SUFFOLK COUNTY LI, NY

Well rounded, well established podiatry practice. A business oriented, mature board eligible/board certified podiatrist who is not just looking for a job, but a secure future. Equity position possible. 2 Hospitals available. No Nursing Homes. Competitive package. Please send CV to 631-581-0857.

ASSOCIATE POSITION - CT (GREENWICH, FAIRFIELD, AND NORTH HAVEN)

Join one of the largest podiatric groups in Connecticut. Well-established and progressive offices, including EMR, digital x-ray, vascular and NCV studies, Pinpointe and CO2 lasers, diagnostic ultrasound and electrical stimulation therapy. You can expect a full schedule of patients the day you start, and a very competitive salary. For more info www.greatfootcare.com. Send resume to Dr.Kassaris@yahoo.com

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 - KANSAS CITY

Kansas City may be the perfect move for you and your family. I am looking for an entrepreneurial minded associate who wants to grow and then own part of an already successful practice. If you are the right candidate for this associate position, you will enjoy a competitive compensation package and you will be working with a doctor who is as committed to your success as he is to his own. Go to: www.YourFutureInPodiatry.com for full details.

ASSOCIATE POSITION - FREDERICK, MD

Office and Ho spital based Podiatry group is seeking a highly trained, "high powered" surgical associate to compliment our 4 doctor group. Minimum PSR 36 trained with Rearfoot Reconstructive experience is required. Previous practice experience is preferred. Competitive salary and benefits package along with amazing working environment. Please forward cover letter and CV to drsteinberg@mynewfeet.com

PM News Classified Ads Reach over 14,000 DPMs 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 14,000 DPMs. 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.

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