The Voice of Podiatrists

Serving Over 12,000 Podiatrists Daily 

March 1, 2010 #3,792 Publisher-Barry Block, DPM, JD

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Fitness Shoes Work - Sometimes: TX Podiatrist

"Do fitness shoes work?" According to podiatrist Jeffrey Ross, DPM, spokesman for the American College of Sports Medicine and assistant clinical professor at Baylor College of Medicine in Texas, the answer is yes—sometimes. "They work, but what you have to remember, because they have a rocker bottom and negative heel, if you have a tight heel cord or Achilles tendon, it can put tremendous strain on muscles," explains Dr. Ross. "You have to be really flexible, or do stretching, when you wear these types of shoes." He also warns that people should take care to avoid the infomercial knockoffs that are springing up, since there's virtually no research on their effectiveness.

Dr. Jeffrey Ross

Nearly two dozen studies have found MBT shoes to ease knee, back, and join problems, boost calorie burn, and firm muscles. "The bottom line is, it does exercise the muscles of your leg and will tone your legs," Dr. Ross says. But he questions whether using the toning shoes gives you any benefits you can't get from regular exercise. "Somebody's going out and marketing and finding a niche community to say, 'You don't have to kill yourself and run a marathon. Just walk a half mile in these rocker bottoms and get the same effect, and more,'" he says. "The question is, do you really need to get more, or not? I'm not so sure about that."

Source: Leah Zerbe, MSNBC via Rodale [2/25/10]

Practice Management Wins Club of the Year at Temple

At Temple University, the Practice Management Club has been elected by the student body as the club of the year. They will be receiving an award at the Spring Ligament formal dance, held annually in March.

(L-R) Jordan Meyers, Jennifer Falk, Dr. Hal Ornstein, Nafisa Hasan, and Eric Storts.

"It is an absolute honor for us to receive this award" said Jordan Meyers, President of the Practice Management Club. "This would not be possible without the wonderful speakers that the AAPPM helps to arrange, or the educational grant given by Dr. Les Appel of Powerstep, so they are the first to thank!  It is a true testament that students are focusing on the big picture, and how each individual piece of the puzzle fits together."

ACFAS Members Donate Socks to Las Vegas Homeless

Soon the feet of homeless women and children in Las Vegas will be enjoying the comfort of new socks, thanks to the second annual sock drive organized by surgeons attending the 68th Annual Scientific Conference of the American College of Foot and Ankle Surgeons (ACFAS) this week. Over 1,200 socks were collected and presented to The Shade Tree, a Las Vegas shelter for homeless and abused women, children, and their pets.

(L-R) Dr. Michael Lee, Tom Stoddard, Dox Podiatry, Dr. Bart Ripperger, President, Dox Podiatry; Stuart Finn, COO, Dox Podiatry; Dr. Amber Shane, Marlene Richter, executive director, The Shade Tree; and Jasmine Edwards, The Shade Tree.

Sponsored by the Consumer Education Committee of ACFAS and Dox Podiatry, a medical software firm, the donation program is designed to give back to the conference host communities. “As an association dedicated to improving people’s health and wellness through their feet, we are proud to be able to provide the less fortunate people of Las Vegas with the solace of new socks,” said Amber Shane, DPM, FACFAS, chairman of the ACFAS Consumer Education Committee. “It is our hope that the socks will be the first step in improved foot health for those in need,” she added.

NY Podiatrist to Be Honored Posthumously

For the fifth year in a row, the Greater Southern Dutchess Chamber of Commerce will hold its Forty Under Forty awards ceremony "honoring the young people shaping our Hudson Valley region." Known as "The Shaker Awards," the March 8 ceremony will recognize 40 local business and community leaders who are under the age of 40.

Dr. Angelo Casabianca

The recipients picked by a 23-member selection committee include the late Dr.  Angelo Casabianca, 39, who had a thriving podiatrist practice, donated money to cancer centers, and raised $20,000 dollars to research the rare disease that took his own life in November 2009.
 
Source: Martin Bergman, Poughkeepsie Journal [2/26/10]

No Senate Action on SGR; Pay Cut Looms

Doctors on March 1 will experience a 21.2% cut to Medicare physician payments because of the Senate's inability to act on a temporary measure to halt the scheduled reduction. Legislation to stave off the cut to physician payments for 30 days passed easily enough in the House Thursday evening, but was blocked repeatedly in the Senate by retiring Sen. Jim Bunning (R-KY), who claims the fix to the sustainable growth-rate formula, along with other Medicare extensions in the bill, would add to the national debt.

Medical groups in statements voiced their immediate displeasure with lawmakers. “Our message to the U.S. Senate is stop playing games with Medicare patients and the physicians who care for them,” said J. James Rohack, president of the American Medical Association. “It is shocking that the Senate would abandon our most vulnerable patients, making them the collateral damage of their procedural games.”

Source: Jennifer Lubell, Modern Healthcare [2/26/10]

Query: Collecting Fee From Patient in Lawsuit

I have treated a patient four times from December 2009-January 2010. Patient is in the midst of filing a lawsuit against a large retailer, claiming she stepped on a pin sensor, while shopping, and injured her foot. The patient owes the office roughly $160. Am I allowed to collect that money before her settlement, or do I have to wait until after her settlement to receive my payment? Also, she had an attorney contact my office via mail for copies of bills and records. Am I allowed to charge her for copies of her records, or is it an exception during a lawsuit?

Tamara Allen, DPM, Annapolis, MD

Editor’s comment: PM News does not provide legal advice. The treatment of a patient and a patient’s lawsuit are two separate events. The fee that you charge the patient is payable immediately and is not contingent on the result of the patient’s lawsuit. If the patient requests copies of her records, you must check with your state as to how much you can charge. For Maryland, the inflation-adjusted rate published in September 2008 was not to exceed $0.73 per page.

RE: X-FUSE (Mark Ray, DPM) 
From: Russell Harms, DPM

I have used the X-FUSE for four hallux IPJ fusions. The cases ranged from traumatic arthritis to neurological deformity of the hallux. I have had a lot of success with it. All the patients had radiographic fusion at six weeks and no pain. I let them weight-bear in a cast boot right after surgery. There were no complications. The device is easy to insert after the joint is prepared. I like it because it offers compression across the fusion site and is completely intramedullary, so there is less chance of irritation as with a screw, and the compression is an advantage over K-wire fixation. I plan to use it for all my future IPJ fusions.
 
Russell Harms, DPM, Brazil, IN, py_225@hotmail.com

RE: Medicare Cuts (Neil H Hecht, DPM)
From: Eric Trattner, DPM

It certainly would be great to go non-par and charge what we used to. However, don’t forget that you can still, by law, only charge 120% of Medicare’s allowed amount. While that is still better than what we get now, how many patients would be lost by opting out? We do need to send a message, but will they listen? They don’t really seem to care anymore.

Eric Trattner, DPM,  Fairview Park, OH,  etrattner@att.net

RE: Dependence on Medicare Ruined Me
From: Deborah Wehman, DPM

I find it very difficult to place responsibility with others. Since medicine is physician driven, I do believe that we as a group have caused medical costs to increase, including legal costs. How many bad surgical outcomes have we seen, not just by podiatrists but by other doctors? How many misdiagnoses do we see on a daily basis? How many of us have had to redo ingrown toenail removals, bunions, hammertoes that were “corrected” elsewhere? How many of us have seen a simple stress fracture be misdiagnosed with a CT scan? Look at all the evidence out there for misdiagnosis, wrong prescription written, wrong site surgery? We have caused our own legal problems by not being responsible for our patients and their outcomes. While I  agree that the legal system is also run amok, we have plenty more responsibility that what we want to take.

Deborah Wehman, DPM, Richmond, IN, dswehman@comcast.net

RE: The Latest Weather Forecast

Two Feet of Snow

Source: Submitted by multiple podiatrists

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

ASSOCIATE POSITION – NEW YORK CITY

In-Network Part-Time Podiatrist in NYC needed.  Please email CV to r_sjohnson@yahoo.com

ASSOCIATE POSITION - NORTHERN VIRGINIA/DC SUBURB

Excellent associate practice opportunity leading to partnership for PSR 24-36 foot and ankle surgically-trained physician. Currently 4-doctor/2 office practice in fast-growing area, expanding to 5 doctors. Hard working, personable, highly-motivated individuals needed. Great opportunity with excellent salary and benefits. No nursing homes. Top hospitals. Fax CV with references to 703-491-9994

ASSOCIATE POSITION - MICHIGAN - (OAKLAND COUNTY)

outstanding opportunity for associate in well established practice, general & surgical podiatry forefoot, rearfoot & ankle (full or part-time). Well-trained, responsible, motivated with good communication skills, ABPS qualified or better. Send CV & letter of interest to: PodiatristWanted@AOL.COM

ASSOCIATE POSITION - INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA

Hospital clinic practice with a large volume of all patient types. In need of 1-2 podiatrists, willing to work as a team and make a career in Indianapolis. One - two year residency training can be medical or surgical. Excellent income and ownership possible. Curriculum vitae to twz1001@sbcglobal.net

POST-GRADUATE PODIATRIC RESEARCH FELLOWSHIP

Boston University Medical Center and Boston University School of Medicine. This unique fellowship at a major teaching facility is a two-year opportunity, during which he/she would be expected to become a knowledge expert who will contribute significantly to research, teaching, and innovations in limb preservation and tissue repair. Requirements: Completion of a two or three year surgical residency; Massachusetts license-eligible, ABPS Board Qualification-eligible. Candidate must possess a commitment to an academic career in podiatric medicine and surgery. Annual Salary: Year-1 $61,000, Year-2 $66,000. Submit a CV and letter of interest to: erin.springhetti@bmc.org

ASSOCIATE POSITION – BROOKLYN, NY

Full or part-time position available for a busy well-established podiatry practice in downtown Brooklyn. All phase of podiatry. Modern office with  EMR, Ultrasound, digital x-rays with a great support staff. Must be highly motivated, ethical, with good communication and clinical skills. please email resume to tkd@gishpuppy.com

SPACE AVAILABLE With MRI– NYC/LI

Turn-key office space, East 60th and 22nd St. Manhattan and Plainview, Long Island. Available extremity M.R.I and dynamic ultrasound (East 60th St Manhattan and Plainview, LI). Tests are run by DPM and read by board-certified radiologist. Call for rental agreement. Satisfies Stark laws (516) 476-1815.

PRACTICE FOR SALE - FLORIDA—CENTRAL/SOUTH

Turn-key operation grossing $570,000 annually based on one full-time doctor. Great opportunity for growing the top-line. Surgery is only 14% of the professional man-hours; it can significantly increase income. Medicare makes up 64% of revenues. Seller will assist with transition. Call 863-688-1725, ask for Chas.

PRACTICE FOR SALE – CONNECTICUT

Outstanding practice for sale in northern Fairfield county, CT. Shared space with other medical professionals. Very low overhead. Grossing almost $300K on 30 hours per week. Referrals from three different primary care physician offices. If interested e-mail CTPodiatry@gmail.com

ASSOCIATE POSITION - TAMPA BAY

Associate needed for a dynamic multi-doctor practice in the Tampa Bay area. Preference given to a PSR 24+ training and must have a Florida license. Well-established practice, high-tech with EMR and digital x-rays, with specialties in sports medicine, surgery and wound care. No nursing homes or HMOs. Excellent hospital privileges available. Choose an area of practice concentration that you are passionate about and enjoy a lifestyle for yourself and your family second to none.  Kindly forward C.V. to e-mail drcosentino@tampabay.rr.com

ASSOCIATE POSITION - DAYTONA BEACH, FLORIDA

Associate position with buy-in potential. Daytona Beach, Florida Great opportunity for PSR 24-36.trained physician to join state-of-the-art practice. Please forward resume to pfk4@yahoo.com

ASSOCIATE POSITION-INLAND EMPIRE, SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA

Associate needed full or part-time for multi office practice. Must be ABPS BC/BQ. Hard working, ethical individual who is looking to a possible partnership opportunity. Looking for current licensed or resident completing program this spring. Email CV to bkatzman2@earthlink.net or call Martha 909 984-5614. 

ASSOCIATE POSITION – NEW YORK
 
Great opportunity to share “state-of-the-art” offices and equipment in mid-town Manhattan and White Plains with Board Certified podiatrist. Out-of-network or participating providers welcome.  Please call 212-704-4310 for additional information and fax your CV to 212-704-4311.

ASSOCIATE POSITION - TEXAS

Dynamic, growing practice in Dallas/Fort Worth area, seeking surgically trained, Board Certified/Board Qualified Podiatrist. Excellent salary and benefits compensation package, for the right candidate, with partnership/buyout opportunity. Contact/Send resume to: jmh6122@yahoo.com

PRACTICE FOR SALE: TENNESSEE

Established 30-year full-scope podiatry practice. Excellent hospital and surgery center privileges with investment opportunities. Fully equipped 2200 sq.ft. office across from hospital. High volume of new patients, DME, and local referral base. Great community for a family and the outdoorsman. Reply to tnfootdr@gmail.com

ASSOCIATE POSITION - MONTANA

Great opportunity for a PSR 24 or 36 residency trained individual to join a dynamic two doctor group with physical therapy. Needs good FF surgical skills, RF a bonus. Beautiful office and great area of the country for outdoor recreation-minded individuals. Opportunity for partnership after employment. Please reply to: jclough@bridgemail.com

PM News Classified Ads Reach over 12,000 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 12,000 DPM's. Write to bblock@podiatrym.com or call (718) 897-9700 for details. THIS OFFER DOES NOT APPLY TO BUSINESSES PROVIDING PRODUCTS OR SERVICES. Note: For commercial or display ads contact David Kagan at (800) 284-5451

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