The Voice of Podiatrists

Serving Over 11,000 Podiatrists Daily

February 13, 2009 #3,469 Publisher-Barry Block, DPM, JD

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We've just mailed the February 2009 issue of Podiatry Management. This is our annual survey issue which includes over 30 pages of demographic and statistical data. This is the most comprehensive analysis of America's podiatrists available. This month's edition  is also filled with interesting, informative, and useful articles.  In addition, you'll  find our usual assortment of features, including our columns, and a CPME-approved CME.

February 2009 Podiatry Management

NMPMA Elects New Members and Presents Awards 

The New Mexico Podiatric Medical Association held its annual membership meeting on February 8 at the scenic Sandia Casino Hotel, Albuquerque, NM. Invited guests included APMA President Ross Taubman, DPM and Betsy Herman, APMA's Marketing and Development Specialist. A special recognition award was presented to New Mexico Health Care Takes on Diabetes for its promotion of diabetic foot education .

Dr. Janet Simon receives APMA Meritorious Service Award

APMA's Meritorious Service Award was presented to Janet Simon, DPM. Darlo Vander Wilt, DPM was honored as the New Mexico Podiatrist of the Year and Faith Shapiro, DPM was the Mo Haas Lecturer. Don Saye, DPM was recognized for his volunteer commitment to Fit Feet Program of Special Olympics as was retiring Board member Phillip Bartel, DPM.

Dr. Darlo Vander Wilt Named NMPMA Podiatrist of the Year

The following new board members were elected: 1st Vice President - Nathan Ivey, DPM of Albuquerque; 2nd Vice President - Steve Wrege, DPM of Albuquerque; Treasurer - Tommy Roe, DPM of Belen, Members-at-large: Carlos Cadena, DPM of Las Cruces, and Raymond Giles, DPM of Albuquerque.  

IL Podiatrist Challenges Incumbent for Town Treasurer

The Democratic primary race for the office of Waukegan treasurer finds two-term incumbent Patrick Dutcher challenged by John Schwab, a retired foot doctor and former credit union treasurer. Schwab claims Dutcher is rarely in the office, and Dutcher raises questions about Schwab's qualifications. "I'll spend more time there in a week than he does in a year," Schwab said.

Dr. John Schwab

Dutcher said qualifications should be a major campaign issue.  Dutcher, who owns Dutcher Corp., a private accounting and tax firm, said he has worked as a financial manager and accountant for decades. "I have over 40 years in financial management," he said. "He's a podiatrist." Schwab countered that his 10 years as treasurer for the Consumers Cooperative Credit Union put him on par with Dutcher's financial background. "I have the exact same experience," he said. "Both jobs are supervisory."

Schwab, a lifelong Waukegen resident, said he has always been involved with the city on a civic basis and was asked to run for treasurer by Mayor Richard Hyde. Schwab said the treasurer's office staff is doing an excellent job and he would plan no major changes for the office. Answering a comment from Dutcher about possible plans for retirement to Florida, Schwab said he has a small home there where he vacations, but his residence remains in Waukegan and he will be available when needed. "The main reason I'm doing this is I love Waukegan and I want to help Waukegan any way I can," he said.

Source: Jim Newton, Lake Country News-Sun [2/12/09]

Major Research Association Reports That HIPAA Privacy Rule Is Harming Research

The privacy rule is impeding research, driving up costs, thwarting recruitment of subjects and causing community research partners to turn away from multicenter studies. To top it off, there's no proof the rule has actually improved privacy for researchers or the people they are studying. The only remedy is to exempt research from the rule entirely.

Five years after the privacy rule went into effect; this is the dire situation and perhaps extreme solution put forth in a report by an association of the nation's largest teaching hospitals and universities.

The new report, issued Jan. 15, argues that something must be done now. It was released by the Association of Academic Health Centers (AAHC), a group that includes more than 100 universities and their affiliated hospitals, such as George Washington University Medical Center and Rush University Medical Center.

Source: AIS Health Business Daily [2/12/09]

Query: EMR Pricing

We are currently a 2 doctor practice with 2 office locations and 4 full-time staff. We use the GE Centricity Practice Management module. I have a quote from our local hospital to "lease" the complementary Centricity EMR module. It would be a bare-minimum configuration including 1 laptop and a wireless network connection and 2 licenses (2 users can be in the system simultaneously) as well as a document scanner and an interface to both the hospital's lab and to our own PM module. My satellite office will come into the system "remotely" and will not have a scanner. The price is $1,500 per month, including all hardware and software support, which they say is "the very best they can do." What are similar practices paying for their systems?

Brad Shollenberger, DPM, Reading, PA

RE: Dilated Venous Structure (Chris Seuferling, DPM)
From: Mike Boxer, DPM

The signs and symptoms described are most consistent with a neuroma of the common plantar digital nerve in the first intermetatarsal space.  Neuromata are not always visualized on an MRI by a radiologist. The reasons are that they sometimes just don't show and sometimes the radiologist is just not that good at identifying them. The dilated venous structure is probably a "red herring."

A dilated vein is not going to cause pain. Try treating the neuroma with a series of perineural injections of 1 cc 2% lidocaine with 4 mg of dexamethasone sodium phosphate administered weekly. As pain is relieved, increase the intervals between injections.  

Mike Boxer, DPM, Woodmere, NY, mcbdpm@aol.com

RE: Dancer’s Foot Revisited
From: Seth Rubenstein, DPM

The question I posed about a 16 year old ballet dancer with red painful toes which persist for days after stopping her rigorous routine has produced several days of conversation with differential diagnoses ranging from poor shoe fit to erythromelalgia.

Redness of Toes in Ballerina

I spoke to the individual who sold her the current ballet shoes. The shop is well known in the Washington DC area. The owner was familiar with my patient. She noted that the broad forefoot was not unusual for a ballerina, however, she had never seen red tender toes like that before.

Seth Rubenstein, DPM, Reston, VA, ruben100@aol.com

Editor's note: PM News encourages readers to submit clinical photographs or x-rays along with queries. This enhances the quality of responses provided by other readers.

RE: In-Office Physical Therapy (Lynette Thomas, DPM)
From: Howard Stone, DPM

If you are considering having a therapist work for you, there are significant Stark Law guidelines you must follow. I suggest you contact a healthcare attorney for advice.

Howard Stone, DPM, Glenview, IL, justus313@comcast.net

RE: How to Handle Junk Faxes (Paul Rosen, DPM )
From:  Burton J. Katzen, DPM

Another useful way to stop junk faxes if you can obtain their fax number is to take three or four pages and write "STOP SENDING ME FAXES" on each page. Scotch tape the pages together and tape the end of the last page to the top of the first page forming a continuous loop. Dial their fax number, go home, enjoy your evening, and by the next morning I guarantee you will never get another fax from them again.
 
Burton J. Katzen, DPM, Temple Hills, MD, DrburtonK@aol.com
 

RE: Robber Gets Mean for Foot Cream

Broward Sheriff’s Office investigators have released surveillance video of a man who swiped a $9 tube of foot cream from a Walmart and then pulled a pen knife on a security guard who tried to stop him.

With the knife in his hand, the robber got into a fighting stance, told the guard to stay away and threatened to cut him. Then he left the store and got into a mid-80s, powder blue Chevrolet Monte Carlo, which was driven by another man. The car, which has a two-tone white roof, nearly hit a store manager as it backed out of a parking space.

Source: Broward Sheriff’s Office via Bret Ribotsky, DPM
 

CASE CONSULTING

ASSOCIATE POSITION – SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA 
 
FLEXIBLE, Part-Time or Full-Time opportunity with growing podiatric medical group in a busy office in Los Angeles. CURRENT DME supplier number a plus. No nursing homes. Most days are available with flexible hours available. If interested, e-mail scpodgroup@yahoo.com. 
 

PRACTICE FOR SALE – ANDERSON, INDIANA

Well established office in Anderson Indiana for sale. Seller currently works 3 half-days per week and gross over $200K. Excellent locations and growth potential. Very podiatry-friendly community. All equipment and furniture included. Seller is willing to help with transition. Contact seller at mddpm@sbcglobal.net for more information.

 PODIATRY ASSOCIATE WANTED – NJ

Northern NJ. Bergen County Must be well-trained. No nursing homes or house calls. Modern well-equipped office. Digital x-ray and ultrasound. Excellent pay and opportunity. Must have NJ license. Call 973-472-4700.

ASSOCIATE POSITION - CHICAGO AREA

Join one of the most successful, long-established podiatry practices in the Chicago area, with excellent salary and benefits. We have an immediate opening for a full-time podiatrist in a multi practice location in Chicago. Must have two years of surgical residency. Please e-mail resume to f-massuda@footexperts.com

PRACTICE FOR SALE - CENTRAL FL

Practice sale at bargain, in beautiful growing area; 2000 sf building fully equipped/ designed for podiatry; excellent location, exposure; near hospital& wound center. Great opportunity for expansion; good insurance climate. 352-357-7499 / E-mail windnwave@earthlink.net

ASSOCIATE POSITION NORTHERN CALIFORNIA

Need associate in busy office in two locations. Hospital privileges
available. Emphasis on wound care. All aspects of Podiatric Medicine and Surgery. Associate position to lead to partnership and buyout. Please contact jimf@humboldt1.com

POSITION WANTED In NY or NJ AREA

Board certified podiatrist seeks part-time position in NY/NJ area. Experienced in all aspects of podiatry, including Diabetic Foot, Surgery and in patient care. I'm available Tuesdays and Thursdays. Please contact me at nyraider1@yahoo.com

OFFICE SPACE FOR RENT - SEATTLE, WA

Full-service, state-of-the-art podiatry office is offering office space for an independent podiatrist or podiatry group. We have digital X-ray, PADNET, physical therapy equipment, all podiatry equipment and staff to assist you to make the most out of your podiatry practice. Our office is conveniently located close to North West and Stevens Hospital right across from North Gate Mall. You can send your letter of interest to: seattlefootdoctor@yahoo.com or call 425-223-9588

ASSOCIATE POSITION-- METRO NEW YORK AREA

Part-time/Full time. Must be HIP Par Provider. Excellent opportunity for partnership. Must have surgical privileges at area hospitals. E-mail CV to rrranch7@yahoo.com

ASSOCIATE POSITION – CINCINNATI, OHIO

This is your once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to join one of the most successful practices in the United States. No seniority system. If you are motivated and have completed a PSR24-36 residency, your income is limited only by your enthusiasm and desire to achieve. Fax resume to: 513-577-7261 or E-mail resume to Kroesch4poh@aol.com

ASSOCIATE POSITION -SOUTHERN NEW JERSEY

I’m looking for podiatrist who wants additional practice hours. Perfect for combining your own practice with an additional income. Must be on Aetna Insurance, Horizon Blue Shield, Medicare, and most commercial carriers. I am looking for someone who has a desire to learn how a very successful practice is run, so that I will be able to have time away from my practice. Payscale to be discussed. Could lead to partnership or sale. E-mail contact information, CV, and why you would be perfect for this opportunity. Contact foot.care@verizon.net

   
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