The Voice of Podiatrists

Serving Over 13,500 Podiatrists Daily

January 02, 2012 #4,347 Publisher-Barry Block, DPM, JD

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Two FL Podiatrists Return to Practice Where They Grew Up

Two Bay County physicians have returned to practice medicine in the place where they grew up and attended high school. Dr. Adam Peaden was born and raised in Panama City, and he graduated from Mosley High School in 1999. He moved back to Panama City after attending medical school and his residency to practice at Gulf Coast Podiatry. Peaden attended medical school at Temple University School of Podiatric Medicine in Philadelphia and had a residency at Florida Hospital East Orlando. He chose podiatry to treat a variety of medical needs. 

Dr. Adam Peaden (Photo: Andrew Wardlow)

Dr. Sean Hodson is also a podiatrist with Gulf Coast Podiatry and a 2000 graduate of Mosley High School. He described himself as a good student in high school and college. He said practicing in Panama City means that he often treats friends and family. The reason he came back is the same thing that attracts many people who move here, “I came back for the beaches and the fishing,” he said. 

Source: Chris Segal, newsherald.com [12/30/11]

GA Podiatrist Featured at “Art of Health and Healing” Exhibit

Dr. Christopher Stanich, a podiatrist, had never had his art works on display before. But, when one of his partners insisted on his doing so, he gave in. For him, this made the “Art of Health and Healing” exhibit at the Albany Museum of Art such a good opportunity. “I was also interested to see what the other doctors were into,” he said.

Dr. Christopher Stanich and Sculpture

Stanich had three metal sculptures, which are meant to be urns, on display during the exhibit’s run, which ended Friday. One is shaped like a star, which will be used for a friend of his. “She is sick, and she asked me to make an urn for her ashes,” he said. “She asked me to make a star, because that is her favorite shape.”

Source: Jennifer Maddox Parks, Albany Herald [12/31/11]

Dr.'s Remedy is Among Cosmetic Products Not Animal-Tested: NY Podiatrist

The models Josie Maran and Christie Brinkley, and the designer Stella McCartney (Care by Stella McCartney) are among those who have started cosmetics lines developed without animal testing. Companies like Clinique, Tarte, and Almay have stopped the practice. Other lesser-known brands, like Pixi, Organic Male OM4 (a skin-care line for men), and Dr.'s Remedy - an all-natural nail polish- never started it.

Dr. Adam Cirlincione

"It was important for us to know that there would not be any animals harmed in the development or testing of our product," said the co-founder of Dr.'s Remedy, Dr. Adam Cirlincione, a podiatrist in New York.

Source: Abby Ellin, The New York Times [12/30/11]

Query: Help with Insurance Credentialing

I am looking for company that can set up a new provider in my office for all insurance plans. Has anyone used a professional company to save time and aggravation with this difficult process?

David Zuckerman, DPM, Cherry Hill, NJ

RE: The Passing of Jim Carr, MD

Jim Carr, MD passed away at his home unexpectedly. He was an outstanding foot and ankle trauma surgeon in Salem, Virginia. He worked extensively with Dr. Charles Zelen, DPM and Dr. David Nielson, DPM, and was involved in assisting in their research. He was always available for advice. We are saddened by the unexpected passing of this fine doctor. 

Dr. Jim Carr

Through his many publications in JBJS, he furthered the knowledge of traumatic injury to the foot and ankle. Our condolences go to his wife and family.

David L. Nielson, DPM, Roanake, VA

RE: The Passing of Seema Ramcharitar (Amante), DPM

I was shocked to hear of the passing of my classmate, Seema RamCharitar DPM. Podiatry has lost an exceptional person. Seema was a physician's assistant prior to going to podiatry school. Her medical knowledge was far superior to her classmates. She finished number one in my graduating class. She was a great ambassador of podiatry, having friends in the medical community and being able to match wits on any medical subject, including non-podiatric-related.

I look forward every year to attending the NY Podiatric Medical Conference, as I get to see classmates and friends who I have not seen in a while. Seema was someone whom I looked forward to catching up with every year. Seema - you will be missed. My heart goes out to her family. Seema, G-d rest your soul.

Jeffrey Kass, DPM, Forest Hills, NY

I'm quite shocked and saddened to hear of the passing of Seema. She was an intelligent and charming person. My condolences to her family.

William Deutsch, DPM, Staten Island, NY

I am truly saddened to learn of Seema Ramcharitar's sudden passing. I have only fond memories of her from NYCPM. She was a wonderful person and a true proponent of our profession, and she most certainly will be missed. My condolences to her friends and family.

Daniel J. Tucker, DPM, Tucker, GA

RE: Orthotic Therapy For Hallux Rigidus (Jeff Root)
From: Arthur Lukoff, DPM

I find it very curious that Jeff Root brings up functional hallux limitus without mentioning Dr. Howard Dananberg. Dr. Dananberg is to hallux limitus what Mr. Root's father was to forefoot varus. Dr. Dananberg did the original research on hallux limitus and brought to the orthotic profession the kinetic wedge, which pre-dates the Cluffy Wedge.

I have also found that a first ray cut-out for structural hallux limitus works out very well by allowing more first ray dorsiflexion. This returns the first ray to a more functional normal state. Let's give Dr. Dananberg his due, even if he is not from California.
 
Arthur Lukoff, DPM, Ellenville, NY, footdoc45@hotmail.com

RE: Creating Patient E-mail Addresses (Mark Stempler, DPM)
From: Al Musella, DPM

Practice Fusion is set up in such a way that no private information is ever emailed. They have a secure patient portal where the patient logs in with a secure connection to view their information.  To set patients up, you need to enter an email address for them, then click a button to register them - that pops up a page with a code that you print out and hand to the patient. Practice Fusion emails them the link to where they need to log in, and instructions, but they need that code you give them; so there is no way that a hacker who intercepts your email can get access. It complies with all confidentiality rules.

For patients without an email address, I ask them if it is okay if I set an email address up for them. I use their firstname.lastname@musella.podemr.com as the username, on my mail server. For the password, I use the same code they need to get access to the Practice Fusion site, and hand them printed instructions on how to access it. This makes it quick and easy. A by-product is that their email address has my name in it, so when they use it with friends and family, my name becomes familiar.
 
Best of all, Practice Fusion is free.
 
Al Musella, DPM, Hewlett, NY, musella@musella.podemr.com

RE: ACOs and Patient Satisfaction
From: Steven J. Kaniadakis, DPM

The AMA is conducting webinars on Accountable Care Organizations aka "the ACO initiative." It's "not just clinical quality" measures; it's more about improving the patient experience. This will be a much more important factor than in the past in this upcoming model for practice management and accountability.

To prepare for the future, I recommend that everyone conduct patient satisfaction surveys (wait time, staff competence, treatment, podiatrist competence/bedside manner, payment/accounting). After all, it's all about the patients. If you get into an ACO, then this will be valuable data to present. You can be sure that the ACO will be gathering this information, and you'll be the wiser one with your own backup survey results. I propose that every podiatrist think hard about doing this.
 
Steven J. Kaniadakis, DPM, Saint Petersburg, FL, stevenkdpm@yahoo.com

RE: Medicaid Change for Orthotics in NY
From: Alan Silverstein, DPM

Has any other New York podiatrist noticed that this past Oct. 1, New York’s Medicaid program made a change that negatively affects podiatrists? Under the old program, Medicaid recipients in many of the various managed care plans were eligible, when medically necessary, to receive orthotics directly from participating podiatrists in the plans. Under the new program, only an “approved vendor” can now supply the orthotic. The podiatrist can make the referral with a prescription, but they cannot supply the item directly. Several of the managed care plans have told me that they do not permit their participating podiatrists to be “vendors.” Besides the loss of income, there is the loss of our expertise to these patients, as these devices are usually not biomechanically functional. 
 
Alan Silverstein, DPM, NY, NY, alel@optonline.net

RE: Preventative Surgery Can Save Limbs in Diabetics: NY Podiatrist
From: Michael Pliskin, DPM

I would like to post a correction for an error in the PM News dated December 27, 2011. Dr. Russell Caprioli is not the Chief of Podiatry at Long Island Jewish Medical Center and North Shore University Hospital. Dr. Caprioli is the Section Head of Podiatry at Long Island Jewish Medical Center. Dr. Michael Pliskin is the Section Head of Podiatry at North Shore University Hospital.

Michael Pliskin, DPM, Great Neck, NY, drmichaelpliskin@aol.com

ASSOCIATE POSITION - CHICAGO, IL

Established, progressive, busy Chicago practice seeking PSR 24/36 individual with good people skills to join 2 man group. Senior associate retiring. Excellent opportunity leading to partnership for energetic, motivated, ethical professional. Submit CV to JAF@APLfeet.com

ASSOCIATE POSITION - NC PIEDMONT

Excellent opportunity for highly motivated, ethical, and personable PSR 24/36. This well established, 3-physician practice has excellent rapport with physician community,multiple office locations, and hospital privileges. Intent is an associate leading to partnership for the right individual. Competitive salary & benefits. Email CV to dpmassociatenc@gmail.com.

ASSOCIATE POSITION - HAWAII (OAHU)

Full-time position available. Join this fantastic practice in paradise. Diagnostic ultrasound, Digital X-Ray, EHR, Surgical Privileges, Competitive Salary plus benefits package. Send CV to:  yoleven316@yahoo.com.

ASSOCIATE POSITION - EAST TENNESSEE

30 year old practice with 5 offices in greater Knoxville area seeking ethical, personable, hardworking, team player. $160,000 base salary with bonus incentives and benefits. Post-residency experience a plus. Please send resume to ddavidphawk@yahoo.com

ASSOCIATE NEEDED - NORTHERN CINCINNATI, OHIO (FAIRFIELD)

Lead to partnership &/or buy practice. Well-established, reputable & successful (700K collection annual) 25+ year practice. Newer 2k sq.ft office condo & w/5 tx rooms, Aver.80 new patients monthly, full hospital privileges, DME, Padnet, digital x-rays. Inquires to email: gsherwood1@cinci.rr.com

ASSOCIATE POSITION - NAPLES, FLORIDA

Great opportunity for PSR- 24/36 BE/BC podiatrist with strong surgical skills to join multi-office practice. Hospital privileges available at 648 bed hospital system, 200 bed hospital system and multiple surgical centers. Candidate should have the skills and desire to perform rearfoot/ankle surgery. Florida has a great scope of practice law and we rotate for ER call. Candidate needs to be ethical and motivated. Established practitioner or new practitioner. In a cover letter tell me why you should be selected for the team. Email cover letter and CV with subject line "I am your new team member." to   Drgordon@gulfcoastfootcare.com

PART-TIME PODIATRIST NEEDED - LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA 

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 - ALBANY/CAPITAL DISTRICT AREA

Immediate position available with generous salary, fringe benefits and percentage. All phases of Podiatry. For more information please contact Dawn at (518) 828-6516 or fax your resume to(518) 828-9510.

SPACE AVAILABLE - NYC & LI

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