The Voice of Podiatrists

Serving Over 9,000 Podiatrists Daily

January 25, 2007 #2,793 Editor-Barry Block, DPM, JD

A service of Podiatry Management http://www.podiatrym.com
E-mail us by hitting the reply key.
COPYRIGHT 2007- No part of PM News can be reproduced without the
express written permission of Kane Communications, Inc.

MI Podiatrist Carves Ducks For Charity

There's a Bay County foot doctor who's paying a lot of attention to "webbed" feet these days. Doctor Gerald Dowling started carving ducks back in the 1970's. He was inspired by an exhibit at the Hampton Mall. "I was just captivated by the carving of the ducks and I thought 'wow this is really great' because now I can extend my duck-hunting all year long," Dowling says.

Dr. Gerald Dowling

The Bay City podiatrist spends between five hundred and six hundred hours on just one carving. It all starts with an idea. Dowling says, "I will develop a pattern...and once I have the pattern developed I will work it out in clay or Styrofoam so I can make my mistakes there."

Once he makes the Styrofoam carving, he moves on to wood. Then, it's those finishing touches. One of Doctor Dowling's carvings, a drake mallard, will be up on the auction block for the 13th Annual Wild Game Dinner and Auction to benefit the East Shoreline Chapter of the American Red Cross.

Source: TV-25 (NBC) 1/22/07

Barry Leadership Luncheon Announces Two Milestones

At an alumni luncheon held at the Florida Podiatric Medical Association annual meeting, Sister Linda Bevilacqua, OP, Ph.D., president of Barry University indicated that the School of Podiatric Medicine had just reached two important milestones. These milestones are the 20th anniversary of the School of Podiatric Medicine at Barry and the 10th anniversary of the Barry University Yucatan Crippled Children’s Project. Over the years, over 900 students have graduated as Doctors of Podiatric Medicine at Barry University, the only podiatric medical school in the southern United States. Nearly 5,000 indigent crippled children have been treated by Barry University podiatric physicians and surgeons in the Yucatan Peninsula of Mexico.

Immediate Past President, FPMA, Roger Beck, DPM; Newly Appointed Podiatric Alumni Chapter President, Marti Solomon, DPM; Executive Director, APMA, Glenn Gastwirth, DPM; President, APMA, David Schofield, DPM, and President, Barry University, Linda Bevilacqua

The next great milestone is the groundbreaking of Barry University’s long-awaited vision of a new building to house the School of Podiatric Medicine and the School of Graduate Medical Sciences. The groundbreaking for Barry University’s Center for Community Health and Minority Medicine took place on Thursday, January 18th on the campus of Barry University in Miami Shores.

Upstate NY Podiatrists Launch Website

A new website lists 45 podiatrists in the six-county Rochester area who are members of the New York State Podiatric Medical Association. The list is organized by city/town and includes the podiatrist's name, address and phone number. Go to www.rochesterpodiatry.com

Source: Chris Swingle, Rochester Democrat & Chronicle [1/24/07]

Query: Clear Plastic Shoe Covers

I like to see my patients with orthopedic pathology stand and walk in my office. I find it beneficial to see their feet without shoes and was wondering if anyone knows of a source for clear plastic disposable shoe covers (not unlike the blue surgery shoe covers) which can be worn over bare feet and act as a sanitary barrier between the patient's foot and the floor.

Ken Malkin DPM, Caldwell, NJ

Query: Fused Bilateral Calcaneal Growth Plates in 9 Year Old

I have a 9 y/o male patient with B/L fused calcaneal growth plates and G/S equinus. His chief complaint is severe pain in his legs and plantar medial heels. At age 9 he wears a size 2 shoe. There are no abnormalities in his medical history. His mom also reports that playing sports leaves the boy in tears, and he is always lagging behind the rest of the group. All other growth plates are open. There is no history of trauma. He had been seeing another podiatrist for four years who made orthotics, but unfortunately provide no relief. Any help or advice on treatment would be greatly appreciated.

Marc Goldberg, DPM, Olney, MD

RE: Removing Granulation Tissue (Charles Perry, DPM)
From: Bryan C. Markinson, DPM

In the Codingline Corner of the January 24th issue, Dr. Charles Perry asks how he can bill for the following: "A patient presented with a bleeding second toenail without signs of infection. After debriding the nail back a little bit, there was a small granulation tissue "bud." I "nipped" (sterile tissue nipper) it out, dressing the digit, followed with advising the patient on soaks at home."

He does not go on to say what he did with the tissue that he "nipped out," but I offer some prudent advice that will also solve his coding dilemma. Those "granulation tissue buds" that we occasionally find under toenails are clinically indistinguishable from the amelanotic variety of melanoma. If he sent the "bud" off for histopathologic diagnosis, it would qualify for a biopsy code.

Subungual Amelanotic Melanoma

Above is such a lesion, which turned out not to be a melanoma. I suggest putting this type of tissue in formalin, cauterizing the base, informing the patient that there is a small potential for the lesion to be dangerous, and send for dermatopathology analysis.

Bryan C. Markinson, DPM, NY, NY, bryan.markinson@mountsinai.org

POSITION AVAILABLE - SOUTHEAST TENNESSEE/ NORTH GEORGIA

Immediate position available or will wait for the right individual. Unique practice opportunity in growing multi-physician/multi-office practice. Well established/cutting edge within the medical community. Close proximity to hospitals as well as opportunity to become involved with a free standing podiatric surgical center. Must be BQ/BC. Minimum PSR/24. Competitive salary, bonus structure and benefits. E-mail CV to afcjen@hotmail.com

ASSOCIATE POSITION - CENTRAL CALIFORNIA

Central California multi-location practice looking for PSR-36 associate leading to partnership. PSR-36 trained podiatrist with great opportunity for reconstructive surgical practice. Practice has Medicare-approved surgery center. Must have excellent interpersonal skills. Excellent salary and incentive. Respond to: westsidefoot@yahoo.com

ASSOCIATE POSITION – MISSISSIPPI

Well established, busy, 3-doctor practice seeks PSR 12 or 24 trained podiatrist for associate position to fill vacancy of retiring member. East central location is a great area to raise a family and is a prime location for accessibility to several major cities. Competitive salary, benefits, and incentives. Partnership possible in 2 years to right individual. June - July start date. Applicant must be ethical, personable, and motivated. Please E-mail CV and letter of intent to shanegan@bellsouth.net

ASSOCIATE WANTED FOR SOUTH MIAMI AREA

Large group, busy, multi-office, partner potential. Motivated applicants only. Mail resumes and letters of intent to 999 N. Krome Avenue, Homestead , FL 33030. July start time OK, sooner preferable. E-mail lianadpm2@aol.com

ASSOCIATE WANTED - NORTH CAROLINA, CHARLOTTE AREA

Incredible opportunity to join a busy, well-established group practice. Looking for a self-motivated, hard-working individual seeking to become a partner. Hospital and surgery center privileges. Salary plus percentage, 401k and real estate opportunities. Send CV to universityoffice@ bellsouth.net

EXCELLENT ASSOCIATE OPPORTUNITY – SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA

Established 25 year well-rounded biomechanical and surgical practice seeking energetic, enthusiastic, personable and proficiently-trained PSR-24 or PSR-36 foot and ankle surgeon for associate with ultimate partnership opportunity in LA area. Excellent position for an individual interested in all aspects of podiatric medicine with emphasis on reconstructive foot and ankle surgery. Only 8% Medicare with No HMO. Email CV to dr4feet@sbcglobal.net

OFFICE SPACE TO SHARE – MANHATTAN / PLAINVIEW, NY

East 60th and or East 22nd in Manhattan and on South Oyster Bay Road Plainview. Turnkey operation, all equipment needed is available as well as an extremity MRI, fluoroscopy, x-ray and surgical equipment. Each office has an operating room with anesthesiologist available for iv sedation. Call 516 476-1815 or email to
podo2345@aol.com include a phone #

ASSOCIATE POSITION—NORTH COASTAL CALIFORNIA

Two fully staffed rural offices with continually growing patient load. We take care of all aspects of podiatry: assisted-living centers, palliative care, wound care, biomechanics, surgery, diabetic care. Hospital privileges are available to those properly qualified. If you are interested in challenging and hard work leading to partnership, send your CV to jimf@humboldt1.com

POSITION AVAILABLE – SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA

Los Angeles and/or San Fernando Valley. House Call Practice, Doctor on maternity leave needs Podiatrist to assist with housecalls in San Fernando Valley and Los Angeles (310, 323 and 818 area codes). Must have own car and malpractice insurance. E-mail responses to Docrandi@sbcglobal.net

ASSOCIATE POSITION--PHOENIX SUBURB

Attractive opportunity for enthusiastic, proficient, and personable associate. Well-established modern practice with multiple newer spacious offices, technology and equipment. Solid referral base, close to hospitals, knowledgeable certified staff. 22% MCR. Practice and surgical center partnership potential opportunity. Prefer 24-36+ PSR. Send CV: AZpodassociate@aol.com

Excellent opportunity for a hard working, ethical podiatrist to join a vibrant, successful and growing podiatric medical and surgical practice. Dedicated, supportive staff with strong marketing and medical knowledge. Must be board eligible/certified. PSR/24. Partnership opportunity. Competitive salary, bonus structure, benefits. Wonderful place to raise a family. Fax CV to 816-455-8901

WEEKLY SPECIAL - One week of ads (5x) for only $75

PM Classified Ads Reach over 9,000 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 9,000 DPM's. Write bblock@podiatrym.com or call (718) 897-9700 for details. Note: For commercial or display ads contact David Kagan at (800) 284-5451 dekagan@aol.com

• 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.