The Voice of Podiatrists

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January 30, 2007 #2,797 Editor-Barry Block, DPM, JD

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IL Podiatrist Emcees United Way Awards Ceremony

Dave Yeager, the 2007 United Way chairman recently presided at an awards ceremony. Yeager, who kept the audience in stitches all night, was all business when asked about the campaign for next year, when the goal is $500,000.

Dr. David Yeager

Olivia Cobiskey/Telegraph United Way 2007 Chair Dave Yeager and Executive Director Sue Hohlen present Vikki Wadsworth with the Volunteer of the Year award during the agencies annual meeting and awards celebration.
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"As long as we work together as a community, I know we can do it," said Yeager, a podiatrist at KSB Hospital. He said he plans to expand on several of the more innovative ideas from the 2006 campaign, including a bar night to encourage younger community members to get involved with the United Way.

Source: Olivia Cobiskey, Telegraph & Daily Gazette, [1/27/07]

OH Podiatrist Recalls The Battle of Iwo Jima

Thomas Maloney was part of the 13th wave. He remembers his division doing circles out in the ocean, waiting to attack, "like Indians and stagecoaches." Then the call came, and his boat peeled off from the rest and headed for the tiny island of Iwo Jima. This was 1945. The battle would last more than a month. What day did you arrive? Dr. Maloney, 85, stares. He seems puzzled by the question. How many days into the battle before your division landed? "About an hour and a half." He was part of the 13th attack wave. But it landed that first day.

Dr. Thomas Maloney

A day earlier his kitchen table was strewn with Iwo Jima artifacts. He opened a photo album to a picture of Suribachi almost identical to the shot that opens the movie. On the back he had written: "Iwo is a peculiar island. It is shaped like a pork chop with Mount Suribachi at its southern tip." But at the other end of the table was another photo, taken by a Japanese studio during the occupation. It's of Mr. Maloney.

Dr. Maloney said he was in podiatry school in Cleveland during the first round of World War II. "My buddies were all in the service but I was deferred until I graduated. I just felt awful about it. I would come home to Toledo on weekends. There was no one here. When I got to go I was specific. I said, 'Give me the Navy.' You know what? All of my friends ended up with desk jobs. I ended up headed to Iwo Jima."

Source: Christopher Borrell, Photo (Andy Morrison)The Toledo Blade [1/27/07]

Why Doctors and Patients are Dissatisfied

A Consumer Reports survey found that doctors and patients don't always see eye-to-eye. Here are some of the most common gripes:

Source: Consumer Reports via AMNews, February

Query: Pale Cell Acanthoma

I recently removed a skin lesion on the lateral malleolus of a middle aged female. The pathology came back pale cell acanthoma. She has a personal and family hx of skin ca. I am having difficulty finding any information about pale cell acanthoma. Is this a malignant or pre-malignant lesion? Any information would be greatly appreciated.

Edward Orman, DPM, Perry Hall, MD

Query: Practicing Without Hospital Privileges

I haven't been doing surgery in a while and I believe my hospital is not going to renew my privileges due to inactivity. I also think if I am not affiliated with a hospital I will not get re credentialed for many insurance plans. I further believe that I will not be able to have a viable practice if I can’t participate in most insurance plans. Can I be affiliated with a hospital even if I don't do surgery? Will insurance plans still allow me to participate without hospital privileges? Can I have a successful practice without participating in most insurance plans in the New York area?

Name Withheld by Editor

Editor’s comment: PM News does not provide legal advice. While hospital privileges are generally a plus, there is no reason why today’s podiatrist can’t flourish without them. This is because surgical fees have been reduced while E/M fees have increased. More and more practitioners have found great satisfaction, as well as financial reward in diabetic and other types of wound care. Other lucrative areas include biomechanics, orthotics, and shoe therapy.

The March issue of Podiatry Management features an article titled “Surgery is Fun, But Fungus Pays the Bills” by Bret Ribotsky which demonstrates that on a dollar per minute basis, treating tinea pedis is more profitable than performing a Charcot reconstruction with an external frame.

RE: IN Podiatrist Diagnoses RSD
From: Kove Schwartz, DPM, JD

The item you highlighted today where the Indiana pod diagnosed RSD is just too weird for words! What's the big deal? I treated a dozen...maybe two dozen RSD patients in the 60's, 70's and 80's. My patients had their feet run over by cars, had failed surgery and whatever other trauma you could imagine. They all responded to combination therapy including pt, oral antiinflammatories and vasodilators.

Some patients couldn't bare the pain of sound of people speaking in a conversational tone. The diagnosis was obvious because the level of pain far outweighed the level of trauma. Why would such a plebeian dx be the subject headline on your site?

I rarely respond to your posts, but I notice you often don't publish whatever comments I may offer. I'd be interested to know whether our colleagues really think RSD is as mystical a condition as your recent post would lead us to believe

Kove Schwartz, DPM, JD, Newington, CT, Main1247@aol.com

Editor’s comment: There's nothing mystical about diagnosing RSD. The point of publishing the "podiatrists in the news" section is not always to highlight some new or innovative treatment. Rather it is to highlight the fact that every day often "everyday" podiatrists contribute to the advancement of this profession by making it into their local, state or national media.

Such exposure buys positive publicity for podiatry which can't otherwise be bought by the limited resources of the APMA and its state and local components. We applaud each and every podiatrist who makes it into the podiatrists in the news section, even if he or she is the 50th practitioner to provide shoe buying advice.

RE: Cyrotherapy s/p Hammertoe Surgery (Allen Jacobs, DPM)
From: Paul Kesselman, DPM

Having just recently recovered from arthroscopic surgery, I can attest to the fact that these cryo-cuffs are far better than an ice pack. The cold lasts longer and the compression is far better than the "meek" compression dressing applied post-operatively.

As for the hammertoe patient described by Dr. Jacobs, one wonders if this practitioner went a bit too far and prescribed the "Howitzer to kill a fly." As with any medical procedure, the pro's and con's need to be weighed by the prescriber of service. One should not be unduly swayed by outrageous results claimed by propaganda and literature provided by a manufacturer.

Reading hard science results printed in a well-respected scientific journal is paramount. As for use of cryotherapy vs an ice pack, the pneumatic effects provided by the unit are only advantageous only if your patient doesn't already have a compression dressing. If you have not provided compression due to thoughts of vascular compromise, one would wonder why you would want to put this patient under ice?

Paul Kesselman, DPM, Woodside, NY, pkesselman@pol.net

Editor’s note: This topic now closed

ASSOCIATE POSITION LEADING TO PARTNERSHIP - TAMPA BAY AREA-FLORIDA

Immediate position available in growing multi-office/multi-physician practice. Looking for a highly motivated psr24/36 trained podiatrist. Must be board qualified/board certified ABPS physician and be highly enthusiastic, motivated, with excellent patient/ social skills. Excellent benefit package including salary/bonus, health ins, paid time off, paid CME, and much more. Please e-mail CV to drdad94@aol.com or contact (727) 944-2522 for more information.

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.

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

PRACTICE FOR SALE -NORTHERN CALIFORNIA

Great opportunity to own a well-established turn-key podiatry practice located in modern medical office building in East Bay; Electronic billing, good payor base, no HMO contracts; biomechanics, general podiatry with great potential for surgery. Please send CV and letter of interest to: norcalpod@hotmail.com

PEDALIGN SCANNER, COMPUTER, MONITOR, AND KIOSK FOR SALE

Considerable savings on 1 year old system. Lease may be assumed. Contact Jeffrie Leibovitz, D.P.M. Office 317-545-0505 ftbenpod@sbcgloabal.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

ASSOCIATE POSITION -WASHINGTON - SEATTLE AREA

Two-location practice looking for long-term commitment leading to partnership. Medicare certified surgicenter each location. Must be highly motivated, ethical & have good patient skills. Competitive salary & benefits package available. Excellent opportunity for the right candidate. Send CV to fax 425-775-9078, e-mail to nwfootandankle@yahoo.com or call 425-775-1505.

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

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