The Voice of Podiatrists

Serving Over 12,500 Podiatrists Daily

February 21, 2011 #4,089 Publisher-Barry Block, DPM, JD

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SC Podiatrist Podiatrist Discusses Effects of Diabetes on the Feet

A podiatrist is the best specialist to diagnose and treat anything regarding the manifestations of diabetes in the feet. "A podiatrist is there the entire step of the way, from preventative care of the diabetic and wound care treatment protocols, and event detection of these entities that contribute to diabetes," says Dr. Jordanna L. Baker of Coastal Podiatry Associates

Dr. Jordanna L. Baker

"Diabetes is not just a disease of the pancreas. It affects other parts of the body as well, especially the feet. This results in decreased blood flow and neuropathy. Even balance is affected," says Dr. Baker.

Source: Florence SC Now [2/15/11]

NY Podiatrist Partners With Furniture Company at Charity Event

On February 17th, Bob’s Discount Furniture hosted an event at its Yonkers store to present its yearly donation to the Pajama Program, an organization committed to providing warm pajamas and books to kids around the country, many of whom are waiting for a home. This year Bob’s has partnered with Dr. Kathy Reilly Fallon, Founder of Heavenly Productions Foundation, to create 1,000 copies of a special Bob’s Discount Furniture edition of the Heavenly Skies and Lullabies, written by Dr. Fallon.

(L-R) Cathy Poulin of Bob's Discount Furniture-Director of Outreach, Genevieve Piturro- Founder of The Pajama Program, and  Dr. Kathy Reilly Fallon-Founder & Chairwoman of Heavenly Productions Foundation.

This book, which includes a CD of the lullabies, was originally written by Dr. Fallon to comfort children affected by tragic events such as September 11th, Hurricane Katrina, and the earthquake in Haiti. Bob’s will present the 1,000 books, along with a $5,000 donation to Founder and Executive Director of the Pajama Program, Genevieve Piturro.

NY Podiatrist Receives Assembly Proclamation for His Efforts in Haiti

During a meeting of the North Castle Town Board this week, Assemblyman Robert J. Castelli (R, C – Golden’s Bridge) presented an official Assembly Proclamation to Dr. Frank Lattarulo in recognition of his honorable and charitable medical work in Haiti following the devastating earthquake on January 12th, 2010.

(L-R) Dr. Frank Lattarulo of Armonk receives an official NY State Assembly Proclamation from Assemblyman Robert J. Castelli.

Dr. Lattarulo, a founder of the Wound Healing Institute at Phelps Memorial Hospital Center in Sleepy Hollow, is a member of the World Healing Society, and a longtime podiatrist in Armonk who was able to lend his support to the victims of the Haiti earthquake through a health organization known as Project Medishare.

Source: Swapna Venugopal, Northern Westchester [2/15/11] 

Podiatry Exec Named Head Basketball Coach of the U.S. Maccabi Team

Barry Neuberger, Chairman of the United States Men’s Open Maccabi Basketball team, has announced the selection of Stu Wittner as Head Coach of the team that will compete in the 12th Pan American Maccabi Games in San Paolo, Brazil in December 2011. Wittner is currently Director of Podiatry at Aetrex Worldwide, Inc. a global foot care products and technology company.                                                                                                      

Stuart Wittner

Wittner is the former Head Coach at Pace University (NY) and was a Graduate Assistant Coach at the University of Georgia. Wittner also coached at Clarke Central High School in Athens, GA. In recent years, Wittner has coached in a variety of youth organizations in the New Jersey area, including the MetroWest JCC, the Morristown Neighborhood House, and the Morris-area YMCA.

MO Podiatrist's Sex for Drugs Trial Scheduled for May  

The trial for a St. Louis podiatrist accused of trying to exchange prescription drugs for sex is scheduled for May. Dave Dai Quang Pham, 51, of St. Louis, is charged with distribution of a controlled substance, possession of a controlled substance with intent to distribute, and one misdemeanor count of patronizing prostitution.

Last April, Pham was sentenced to five months in prison and a term of five months of home confinement for obstruction of a criminal investigation. He was placed on two years of supervised release after being released from prison. He was also ordered to pay $70,000 in restitution, with $60,200 going to Medicare and $9,800 going to Medicaid.

Source: Park Hills Daily Journal [2/18/11]

Query: Foot Lift

I recently had a patient go to NYC for a "Foot Lift." She is very satisfied with the outcome. She had Sculptra injected into her atrophic metatarsal pad. I would like to offer my patients the same option rather than a metatarsal osteotomy. What are the risks/benefits? What are the doctor and patient costs? What is the technique?
 
John Moglia, DPM, Berkeley Hts., NJ

Query: Orthotic Recommendation

I am looking for a relatively soft orthotic for a patient who has a plantarflexed first metatarsal base and navicular. Her feet severely pronate. Any recommendations would be appreciated.   

Tyler B. Brahm, DPM, Clearwater, FL

RE: P&A on a Toddler? (Pete Smith, DPM)
From: Randall Brower, DPM

Permanent removal with surgery or chemical could possibly disrupt the growth plate at the base of the distal phalanx. Be careful. I would remove the nail and give it a chance to regrow properly.

Randall Brower, DPM, Peoria, AZ, footdoctor33@yahoo.com

RE: EHR/EMR Gouging (JM Cortez, DPM)
From: Michael L. Brody, DPM

I am a consultant to a number of EHR vendors including Biomedix, Sammy, and IPS Med. I sit on the board of an open source EMR project, OpenEMR. I have been and continue to be involved in the efforts of these vendors to meet Meaningful Use. If you have attended any of my lectures or webinars on meaningful use, you know that there are many new features and functions that had to be added to these programs in order for you to be able to meet Meaningful Use. These updates represent hundreds or even thousands of hours of design and programming time. Then there is the fee associated with having the software tested for Meaningful Use.

The software programs that now allow you to obtain the incentive funds for Meaningful Use are much more...

Editor's Note: Dr. Brody's extended-length letter can be read here.

RE: Low Cost Lasers
From: David Zuckerman, DPM

As a practicing podiatrist, the topic of low-cost lasers is something that I am dedicating to the end of my podiatric career. The real question is why do lasers have to be so damn expensive? Why do we as podiatrists have to pay $15,000 upfront and $200 per case? Why do lasers to treat fungus toenails cost $65,000?  The answer is, they don't. I have researched, searched and owned the Cool Breeze, K-laser and the Litecure lasers, and I want to tell you about my experience with each, and my opinion about the entire laser industry attitude toward podiatry.

The K-laser was my first laser, and it was good for fungus and great for pain and arthritic conditions. The problem was the manufacturer. When they saw how well...

Editor's note: Dr. Zuckerman's extended-length letter can be read here.

RE: H&Ps for Podiatrists (Multiple Respondents)
From: Tina Sechrist, Jeff Kittay, DPM

I couldn't agree more with Dr. Bijak's commentary about the qualifications of a podiatrist to perform an H&P. I have worked in podiatry billing and consulting for 15 years, and prior to that, I was a nurse, having worked in geriatrics, Ob-Gyn, and med-surg.
 
Several years ago, a co-worker came to me with a nosebleed and revealed that she had experienced spontaneous nosebleeds on several occasions; after questioning her about circumstances that occurred prior to nosebleeds, it became evident that these could be caused by a hypertensive episode. I took her blood pressure standing, sitting, and supine, with marked differences in her systolic and diastolic readings. I advised her to see her doctor immediately. Meanwhile, one of the senior podiatrists of our group walked by, wanted to know what I was doing, and after looking at her b/p readings, laughed, said she was fine, and not to worry about it. My co-worker/friend is an African-American woman and hypertension is known as the silent killer among African-Americans. Thankfully, my friend trusted my judgment, saw her doctor, and was subsequently prescribed medication to control her hypertension.
 
Moral of the story: If I have a foot problem, I will see one of the many podiatrists I have had the pleasure of working with through the years. When I want a medical work-up, well that's a different story.
 
Tina Sechrist, Sechrist Consulting, sechristconsults@bellsouth.net

With all due respect to Drs. Lombardi and Budny, I sincerely hope that the patients whose H&Ps they are signing off on never have any type of complication during surgery or in the immediate post-operative period. I mention this because they may be forced to surrender their homes in order to pay the malpractice judgment that will certainly be levied against them for practicing out of scope, something not covered by your PICA policy. Pretending that your diagnostic skills are the same as your average experienced internist or cardiologist does not make it so, medically or legally. 

This is not to denigrate the very hard work and true medical skills gained by many in our profession, but the lawyers for the other side aren't stupid. They can read scope of practice laws too. If one of your H&P patients has a fatal intra-operative cardiac arrhythmia that might have been picked up by an alert PCP or cardiologist, but missed by you or your resident, I wish you well in your next career. If it is important to you to perform H&Ps, whether it is for ego, personal satisfaction, or "parity", go back to school, get the appropriate degree, and do them. Unless and until our schools change curricula to permit granting of MD or DO degrees, we are putting ourselves, and our patients, at risk.  Let's stick to doing what we do better than anyone -  foot care - and leave the medical care to those who generally do it better than we do. 
 
Jeff Kittay, DPM, Boston, MA, twindragons2@verizon.net

ASSOCIATE/OPPORTUNITY - PHOENIX 
 
Established practice seeking motivated min. PSR24+ personable, ethical, motivated person to join state-of-the-art multi-office locations. Partnership/Ownership opportunity in practice, real estate, surgical center. Also interested in existing practitioner to merge or work part time. Contact AZPODAssociate@aol.com  Must be pursuing or have AZ license.

PART-TIME/FULL-TIME PODIATRIST NEEDED - INDIANA

Part-time full-time Podiatrist needed for our Indiana offices. Must have Indiana license. Must have completed two years of surgical residency. If qualified email to f-massuda@footexperts.com

ASSOCIATE POSITION - NE GEORGIA SUBURB

Immediate opening for PSR24/36, ABPS Qualified or Certified individual. Hosp/Amb. Surg. Ctn privileges available. Good chance of partnership or practice purchase in foreseeable future. Send resume/CV to gramps395@yahoo.com

ASSOCIATE POSITION NYC (PART TIME)

Manhattan (East Harlem) Community Health Center. Experienced podiatrist with commitment to providing quality care. Bilingual Spanish a plus Please forward resume and cover letter including salary requirement. FAX: (212) 360-6149 Email: orodriguez@boriken.org

TEXAS- WONDERFUL OPPORTUNITY!

Successful multi-office, multi-professional practice seeks well-trained new and established Podiatric Physicians with expertise in one of these areas: 1. Sports Medicine/Biomechanics/Gait Analysis, 2. Podopediatrics, 3. Diabetic Specialist, 4. Ankle & Rearfoot Surgery/Ankle Arthroscopy. A must to be really good in this niche, be outgoing, motivated, and personable with a dedicated hard working ethical desire to become successful. Send resume and letter of intent to sierrajip@gmail.com

ASSOCIATE POSITION - NEW YORK CITY

One of the fastest growing podiatry practices in New York City and Queens seeks a podiatrist who participates with HealthFirst, Fidelis, and other Medicaid plans. Preferably a Spanish speaking podiatrist. Contact me at Podocare@aol.com

TWO ASSOCIATE POSITIONS - WEST CENTRAL FLORIDA

One in general podiatry, second with surgical residency. Good diagnostician, compassionate, hard-working individuals needed for high-tech group practice. flpodiatrist@tampabay.rr.com

ASSOCIATE POSITION - WEST CENTRAL FLORIDA 
 
A great opportunity to join a very busy, well-established, diversified practice in Clearwater, FL. Seeking an associate who has the drive and desire to work hard, has strong work ethics, and is very personable. BC/BE and minimum PSR24 +. We offer competitive salary and benefits. Send resume to Jaye@fdn.com

ASSOCIATE POSITION - CHARLOTTE, NC

Well-established multi-office practice looking for personable, motivated associate leading to partnership. Excellent opportunity in a growing area. Contact charpodiatry@gmail.com

ASSOCIATE POSITION/PARTNERSHIP - CHICAGO

Chicago Podiatric Surgeons, one of Chicago’s leading podiatric practices, is searching for a FT podiatric surgeon. Applicant must be a personable and confident surgeon with ability to manage surgical patients independently and be at least board qualified. High compensation. Will be working in new 7000 sf state of the art office in AN upscale Chicago neighborhood. Ownership/partnership opportunities. Send letter of intent and CV to drcarr@chicagopodiaty.com

IMMEDIATELY AVAILABLE- ASSOCIATE POSITION - DAYTON, OHIO

Join a well-established modern practice with an excellent reputation and referral base. Base salary $100,000 and benefits with a bonus structure. EMR, diagnostic ultrasound, all aspects of DME, Padnet vascular studies, and CO2 lasers. We seek a surgeon that is well trained, personable and motivated to join our group of 3 Podiatric Surgeons. Would like this individual to buy in the practice eventually. Please send resume to ohiodoctors@aol.com

PART-TIME / FULL-TIME PODIATRIST NEEDED ASAP - CHICAGO

Part-time podiatrist needed for 2 offices in Chicago with an average of 20 hours/week. Must have Illinois license. Must have completed 2 years of surgical residency. If qualified, email to: A-Storjohann@footexperts.com

EQUIPMENT FOR SALE - COOL TOUCH LASER

Cool Breeze Cool Touch CT3 plus laser used for ugly, unsightly, toe nail infections. Less than six months old. Great price won't last long. Considering a laser? We also have the Q- Clear Q- switch laser too. This laser is perfect for you. Dr. Zuckerman is in the Fort Lauderdale area and will demo this lasers on your patients. E-mail footcare@comcast.net

PRACTICE FOR SALE - MARYLAND, DC SUBURBS

Great opportunity. Well established and equipped practice for sale. Office includes state licensed Ambulatory Surgical Center. Present owner is retiring but will stay on as needed for smooth transition. Average gross over past 3 years is $575 K. dpmpracticeforsale@yahoo.com

PRACTICE FOR SALE - BOSTON SUBURB

A 12+ year practice, including all equipment is for immediate sale. Average gross is $100K while being open only one day weekly. The ability for increased growth potential is obviously excellent with increased hours. Doctor is looking for serious offers only. Reply to shop@thefootdoctor.com

SPACE AVAILABLE- NYC & LI

Office to sublet and share with DPM and chiropractor, East 60th Manhattan, and Plainview long island. access to an MRI, Joint Commission certified operating rooms, digital x-ray, diagnostic ultrasound, and access to a multi-specialty ambulatory surgical center. Turn-key operation - no investment needed 516 476-1815 PODO2345@AOL.COM

SPACE AVAILABLE - BRANSON, MO

Great opportunity to develop a podiatry practice in a four condominium Branson office building with a growing ophthalmology practice along with a well established optometry practice and a multi-disciplinary ambulatory surgery center in Branson, a top ten retirement destination.The available condominium is a grey box so it can be build out to specifications. Rental and/or ownership options are available for this condominium. Practice development financing and ASC ownership available for the right doctor. Great schools and affordable lakeside or golf course living available. Contact Dr. James Bureman @ jbureman@missourieye.com or 417-861-5839

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