The Voice of Podiatrists

Serving Over 11,000 Podiatrists Daily

July 28, 2008 #3,309 Editor-Barry Block, DPM, JD

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PM Hall of Fame Luncheon Shatters Records

The Podiatry Management Hall of Fame Luncheon managed to outdo itself again. This year’s sold-out event, attended by more than 275 podiatrists and guests, honored Dr. David G. Armstrong and Faye Frankfort, APMA’s Director of Legislative Advocacy.

Dr. David Armstrong and Faye Frankfort with Podiatry Management Lifetime Achievement Awards

Ms. Frankfort was hilariously roasted by a series of Jib Jab video presentations doctored by Dr. Glenn Gastwirth, APMA’s Executive Director. Dr, Armstrong was roasted by long-time colleagues Drs. Lawrence Lavery and John Steinberg.

Dr. Barry Block, Editor of Podiatry Management, who emceed the induction ceremony announced that the luncheon had raised over $35,000 for the APMA Educational Foundation’s Student Endowment.

IN Podiatrist Organizes Memorial Flyover for His Podiatrist Dad

For a good portion of last weekend, a planned flyover in honor of the late Dr. Dick Dieter and Mishawaka teacher and administrator Don Chiszar remained ... well, up in the air. "We were going to have it on Saturday, but the rain never stopped," says Dr. Damian Dieter, Dick's son who helped organize the event. "But then the weather cleared on Sunday." Maybe Mother Nature knew what she was doing. Sunday was the one-year anniversary of Dick's death.

Dr. Damian Dieter

Damian had earlier contacted the Warbirds of America, a vintage airplane group that his dad had once directed, about doing a missing-man formation over his house. Dick, a Navy veteran and avid pilot, had a longtime love affair with old planes, and family friend Don Chiszar, who died last November, served as an officer in the Air Force.

Source: Bill Moor, South Bend Tribune [7/25/08]

Huge Jury Award Thrown Out in Peer-Review Case

The 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in New Orleans has reversed a massive jury award to a Dallas doctor who argued he was defamed by a hospital’s peer-review process, rejecting a decision that had stunned providers because federal law protects them from liability in such cases. Judge Patrick Higginbotham, writing for the three-judge panel in an opinion issued July 23, wrote that immunity from money damages afforded to participants in peer review requires only a “reasonable belief that the action was in the furtherance of quality healthcare,” quoting the Health Care Quality Improvement Act of 1986.

Lawrence Poliner had persuaded a jury in 2004 that he was defamed by what the trial court judge ruled was summary suspension of his echocardiography and cardiac-catheterization privileges at 680-bed Presbyterian Hospital of Dallas for 29 days while a committee of cardiologists reviewed a sample of his cases. The review was triggered by a procedure in which Poliner conceded in the chart that he missed an arterial blockage. The jury awarded $360 million—most of it for mental anguish, injury to career, and punitive damages—although the judge later reduced the figure to $22.5 million.

Source: Gregg Blesch, Modern Healthcare [7/25/08]

Regaining Lost Patients – Part 2

Regaining lost patients is a good way to improve your bottom line at low-cost. One approach to regaining lost patients is with a well-written letter.

Some Suggestions:

• Let them know how interested you are in finding out why they stopped coming to your office.
• Give them information about anything new or different that you now provide – or offer them a special inducement of some kind.

Source: Adapted from Handbook of Business Letters by L.E. Frailey

Query: Unauthorized Yellow Page Ad

I have recently been advised that my office owes $785 to "The Real Yellow Pages, Thompson Hill Publishing" - a nationwide Yellow Pages directory. I have never advertised in this Yellow Pages. They claim to have contacted my office in mid 2007, and received "verbal authorization" after having talked to my receptionist to proceed with advertising in their directory. My office staff has never, and will never be authorized to approve any advertising. I never received any copy of what they were advertising, nor any pricing information. They have now contacted me indicating I am delinquent on my payment for this advertisement, and have my receptionist's name listed as the person who authorized this on the invoice. Any advice?

Steven Block, DPM, Owensboro, KY

Editor’s comment: PM News does not provide legal advice. Many psudeo-Yellow Pages are notorious for sending out invoices to doctors, hoping that someone in the office will simply pay the bill. Your scenario adds a new wrinkle to this devious policy. Under the agency theory of law, a doctor can be held responsible for the actions of his/her employees. In this instance, however, you should contact an attorney and/or the attorney general in your state to report this matter and seek relief.

RE: Bone Stimulators (David Wolf, DPM)
From: Elliot Udell, DPM, Will Godfrey DPM, MA

The one thing I like about the Exogen bone stimulator is that it is FDA-approved for early fractures and many insurance companies will pay for it, even if the facture is one day old. We have been using it for early fractures for over two years, and to date all of the fractures we have seen, including all avulsion fractures of the fifth met base, have all healed uneventfully with the early use of Exogen . This was not so, prior to our instituting this in our practice.

Elliot Udell, DPM, Hicksville, NY, Elliotu@aol.com

It's been our experience at the Ortho & podiatry clinics at my military base hospital that continuous bone stimulation is significantly better for tougher cases than intermittent, however, if compliance and time-available is an issue, intermittent works fair enough, but is best in the younger healthier active set. It seems apparent to me that in the case of bone stimulation, more is better when it comes to using it, and actually checking the memory chip shows the patient you're serious rather than just assuming they're using it.

Will Godfrey DPM, MA, Ft. Polk, LA, williamtrekkie@earthlink.net

RE: Surgical Nail Clipper?

One of my patients today was Helen, a very spry and active 92 year old woman, who was having digital arthroplasties because she kept getting sores on the tips of her toes. Because of her age and spinal stenosis, Helen spent her time in the surgery center propped up on a few pillows, and got to watch, critique, and offer helpful suggestions during her procedure.

After I finished putting on her bandage, she asked if I’d mind clipping her toenails. As it turns out, a Liston bone cutting forceps isn’t too much different than the nail clippers we use in the office.

Eric Edelman, DPM, Syracuse, NY

SEEKING ASSOCIATE POSITION - NEW YORK OR CONNECTICUT

PSR-24 trained podiatrist seeking an associate position in New York (Westchester, Putnam or Dutchess County) or Connecticut. Excellent surgical and patient skills. Ethical and hardworking with 3 years of private practice experience. Please contact samalsal@yahoo.com

ASSOCIATE POSITIONS – MARYLAND

Are you motivated, personable and enjoy working with the elderly? We are offering full or part-time positions in Maryland. Our group, Podiatry Management Services, provides care to the elderly in Nursing Homes, Assisted Living, Senior Homes, Adult Daycare and other similar facilities. Please e-mail your c.v. to drhprosen@comcast.net , fax to 410-486-2049, call Dr. Herbert Rosen 410-580-0255

ASSOCIATE POSITION – GEORGIA

Atlanta area need a full-time or part-time associate for a 25 years old well-established practice, well-rounded surgery and routine, please email your CV to superrang@bellsouth.net

SATELLITE CLINIC FOR SALE -- CHICAGO, IL

70-75K over last 3+ years working 2 days/week. Devon/California area. Waiting room, x-ray equipment, and offices/treatment rooms updated over last 2 years. Will stay on for transition. (773)761-5381 DrD@globalpodiatry.com

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

Established practice in beautiful Willamette Valley of Oregon. Provider practices fulltime and has a well established patient base with a strong patient flow. Practice is well-positioned for new growth and development. Doctor will transition after sale providing introductions to local referrals and health care facilities. Surgery privileges at local hospital and surgery center. Contact: Oregonpractice@comcast.net

ASSOCIATE POSITION - PITTSBURGH, PA

Excellent opportunity to join busy and established practice for 27 years. Must be graduate of PSR 24+/36 Residency. Terms negotiable. 30-40 hours per week. $100,000+ guaranteed. Please fax resume to (412) 563-0740.

PRACTICES FOR SALE - BROOKLYN & QUEENS

Well-established practices grossing high $200's for sale with approximately 90% C & C and 10% SX. Great locations and visibility. Well-respected doctors and staff willing to stay. Ask about 90-125% financing options with little to nothing down. American Doctor Sales; 614-918-3000 or email us at sell_my_practice@yahoo.com. Please visit us our website

ASSOCIATE POSITION - LONGVIEW, WASHINGTON

Seeking podiatrist for immediate opening in well established podiatry clinic in Longview, WA. Typical podiatric practice, offering biomechanics, surgery, diabetic care, sports medicine. Excellent pay, with incentives for high performers. Malpractice, medical insurance, licensing, CME covered by employer. Please send resume and background references to Michele@nwfootankle.com

ASSOCIATE POSITION - BOSTON, MA

Associate wanted, Full-time or part-time, for busy long time, well established, and well rounded practice. Good mix of general podiatry and surgery. Office will generate approximately 100+ surgical cases per year. Must have surgical background for this practice, ABPS Qualified minimum needed to obtain hospital privileges. Associate position is open for partnership or purchase. Contact robert.nunberg@comcast.net

PODIATRISTS NEEDED - CHICAGO --NORTHWEST INDIANA

Home Physicians, a medical group specializing in house calls is looking to hire podiatrists. We are located in Chicago and Northwest Indiana. 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

ASSOCIATE POSITION – CALIFORNIA

Coast to Coast Mobile Podiatry Group Seeks Podiatrist with Nursing Home contracts! Join our group and let us handle the back-breaking task of billing and managing your patients. This will equal great compensation for you. Please email us back at coasttocoastpodiatry@yahoo.com

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