The Voice of Podiatrists

Serving Over 9,000 Podiatrists Daily

March 06, 2007 #2,826 Editor-Barry Block, DPM, JD

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MA Podiatrists Give Honduran Children With Club Feet New Hope

They see dozens of patients a day, but it is a rare case when a podiatrist can save someone's life. Framingham doctor Donald Adams, however, last month got the chance to do just that, as part of a team of U.S. ankle and foot surgeons who traveled to Honduras to operate on dozens of children born with club foot, free of charge. Adams said he first learned of the project in Honduras after reading about it in Podiatry Managament Magazine.

Dr. Donald Adams

With two residents, Jeff Mennuti and Michael Akers, Adams made the trip to Honduras in late January, where the team treated 28 children with varying degrees of the birth defect, including some wildly extreme cases. In all, doctors performed 36 surgeries on the 28 children. Often, Adams said, surgeons would be working in four different operating rooms at once, on procedures which could last as long as four or five hours.

"(This was) one of the most rewarding things I ever did," Adams said, before seeing patients at his Framingham office yesterday. Adams was touched by the relationships built between patients and their families. In several cases, Adams said, parents actually slept in the hospital under their children's beds. "I'd absolutely go back again," he said. "This was a lifetime of pathology in a week's time. You don't get much worse than a foot facing backward on a 7-year-old. Let's put it this way: I'm hooked."

Source: Peter Reuell, MetroWest Daily News [2/28/07]

NY Revokes Licenses of Two Podiatrists

William L. Grubessi, Westbury, NY
Profession: Podiatrist; Lic. No. 004098; Cal. No. 21885
Action: Found guilty of professional misconduct; Penalty: Revocation.
Summary: Licensee was found to be guilty of having been convicted of Conspiracy to Commit Health Care Fraud, a felony and Conspiracy to Fraudulently Obtain a Controlled Substance, a felony.

Mitchell Pearce, Brooklyn, NY
Profession: Podiatrist; Lic. No. 004178; Cal. No. 22031
Action: Found guilty of professional misconduct; Penalty: Revocation, $10,000 fine.
Summary: Licensee was found to be guilty of having been convicted of Conspiracy to Commit Health Care Fraud; Health Care Fraud; and Kickbacks Conspiracy.

Source: New York State Education Department

United to Fine Physicians if Patients Go to "Wrong" Lab

If UnitedHealth Group members get blood drawn at an out-of-network lab, then United says it could draw some blood from physicians.

The nation's second-largest private-pay health plan said that, beginning March 1, it would institute a policy that will minimally fine a physician $50 if a patient goes outside United's network for lab services. The sum represents the cost difference to United between nonparticipating and participating laboratories, according to a letter to physicians dated November 2006.

If patients continued to use out-of-network labs, the letter said, doctors could face further sanctions. Those include a "change of eligibility" in United's pay-for-performance and quality-rating programs, a "decreased fee schedule," or termination from the plan's network.

Source: By Bob Cook, AMNews [3/5/07]

Query: Post-op Pain Pumps

I'm looking for good quality reliable make/models of pain pumps (local anesthetic to the foot/ankle) for post-op pain management.

William Godfrey DPM, Fort Polk, LA

RE: Recommended X-Ray Processor (Andrew I. Levy, DPM)
From: David Gutierrez, DPM,

I have the All Pro 2010. it is compact and lends itself to be placed in a small space. The maintenance is minimal (monthly cleaning) and it handles up to 10 X 12 films. It also has three separate waste lines, which makes it easy to divert the chemicals to a hazardous container as per your state regulations. It’s a great product and easy to use

David Gutierrez, DPM, Bronx, NY, DOCG2100@aol.com

RE: APMA Resolution 13-07 Single Certifying Board ( Kathleen Toepp Neuhoff, DPM)
From: Multiple Respondents

I agree 100% with Kathleen Toepp Neuhoff, DPM that the ABPS and ABPOPPM boards should merge for the good of the profession. The advantages to the profession as a whole would be enormous and it clearly makes sense. I am only ABPS boarded and would be proud to join with my many ABPOPPM friends in a single stronger board that would speak for the podiatry profession.

Alan Sherman, DPM, CEO, PRESENT e-Learning Systems, asherman@podiatry.com

How is it possible for surgeons and non-surgeons to be certified by the same board? I can't think of anything more misleading to the public.

Barry Finkelstein, DPM, Bronx, NY, NYNJfootandankle@aol.com

How about this: one board: "Certified by the American Board of Foot and Ankle Medicine"; then a sub-head of any or all, based on boards passed: "Board Certified in Foot Surgery"; "Board Certified in Foot and Ankle Reconstructive Surgery"; and/or "Board Certified in Podiatric Orthopedics and Primary Podiatric Medicine."

Stephen Doms, DPM, Hopkins, MN, sdoms@aol.com

Editor’s Note: Additional notes exceeding our 300-word limit can be read at :http://www.podiatrym.com/letters2.cfm?id=13032&start=1

RE: My Comments about Chiropractors
From: G Dock Dockery, DPM

I have received a lot of Emails lately asking me why I was attacking chiropractors. First, I didn't mean to be inflammatory to all of them and I would like to apologize for making a statement that seemed to imply that all chiropractors 'throw out' unnecessary terms for diagnoses. I, too, have had great contact with, and referrals from, some chiropractors and I have seen dozens of them for personal back and neck treatments over the years. However, I can cite a very large number of them that have told me, or my family members, things that are just unbelievable or untrue.

Some of the examples that I have personally heard from different chiropractors include: 1) you have a symptomatic vertebral disc herniation and will need additional manipulative care; 2) you have an actual subluxation/dislocation of one vertebral body on another; 3) you have severe degenerative arthritis of the thoracic vertebrae; 4) you have major dissolution of the vertebrae in your neck; and, still one of my favorites: your joint pains are a result of your back malalignment which is interfering with the flow of "nerve energy" from the brain to the body's tissue cells. After such diagnoses, I have gone to my rheumatologist or orthopedist and had comparative examinations and nothing was found. Wow, how could I have had a herniated disc on Monday and not on Thursday, much less severe dissolution or arthritis?

I still see a chiropractor for occasional back and neck problems and I believe that chiropractic care may play a limited role for certain persons, like myself, with musculoskeletal problems but it should not be a substitute for regular visits to a doctor and they should not diagnose and "treat" medical problems, other than straight forward musculoskeletal conditions. When they do diagnose and treat musculoskeletal problems, they should use terminology consistent with the rest of the medical community.

G Dock Dockery, DPM, Seattle, WA, gdockdockery@aol.com

Editor’s Note. This topic is now closed

The following is an actual photogragh of a man with no hands who repairs bicycle tires with his feet.

Man fixing tire with his feet

Ke Mai, DPM, Garland, TX

ASSOCIATE POSITION: MONTGOMERY COUNTY, MARYLAND

Three doctor practice has one associate relocating, creating immediate patient flow for new associate. Certified surgery center, up-to-date-diagnostic electronics (US, digital x-ray, voice recognition charting, etc), administrator, and in-house billing. Tremendous opportunity to join busy practice with need for the right podiatrist. Please respond to: associatedpm@comcast.net

LEASE SPACE MANHATTAN/ LONG ISLAND

Are you sending your MRs out? Now you can lease space and run your own MRIs, bill global, and have them read by a board certified radiologist. Two locations to lease, Manhattan East 60th street (near all public transportation) and Plainview, Long Island. Call for details, lease arrangements and reimbursements Email podo2345@aol.com or Call 516 476-1815

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

WELL ESTABLISHED PODIATRY PRACTICE IN MT. AIRY, NC

Dr. John H. Hodges had a well established practice in Mt. Airy, NC that is either for sale or in need of an associate/partner to take over patient care. Dr. Hodges unexpectedly passed away, leaving approximately 3,500 patients. This is a unique opportunity to be able to begin work in a busy podiatric practice. If interested, contact Carolyn McMackin at (336)577-2886 or cmcmackin@triad.rr.com

ASSOCIATE POSITION- KANSAS CITY, MO

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

ASSOCIATE WANTED - MICHIGAN-DETROIT AREA

Great opportunity-must be hard-working, reliable, responsible and good with patients & staff-surgical training a plus-partnership after 1 yr. Michigan license required fax resume to 248-478-1370

ASSOCIATE POSITION - NORTHERN VIRGINIA

Well-established, busy, diversified, multioffice/multidoctor practice seeking associate with opportunity for partnership. Must be highly motivated and ethical with strong interpersonal and patient skills. Excellent opportunity for PSR 24 or higher trained DPM to complement a full-scope podiatric medical and surgical practice. Competitive salary and benefits package. Please send CV and references to saglag2@aol.com or fax to (703) 368-5103.

ASSOCIATE POSITION – PORTLAND, OREGON

Immediate opening in beautiful Portland, OR. Busy, well-established private practice is seeking a dynamic, motivated, surgically-trained podiatrist. High volume of primary care referrals. Work with a well-trained support staff in one of the most efficient offices in the area. Surgically-oriented practice. Competitive compensation package including malpractice and benefits. Call (503) 652-1121. Ask for Dr. John Mozena or email jlmozena@aol.com

SEEKING RESIDENT FOR PSR-24 POSITION: BALTIMORE, MD

Mercy Medical Center -Position for a highly motivated individual with completed non-surgical residency or one desiring additional surgical training in well-established Podiatric Residency Program. Busy metropolitan hospital with high surgical numbers and inpatient care. Resident is integral member of multidisciplinary team. Begins mid June 2007. Includes competitive salary/benefits. Send inquiries to rsher18@yahoo.com

ASSOCIATE POSITION - EAST/CENTRAL TEXAS

Practice in East Central Texas has an opportunity for an associate to join as an associate leading to partnership. Hospital supported practice which has two doctors seeking a third for new office. Practice is leading provider in market and offers an outstanding compensation and benefit package. This position is targeted to be an equity partner within two to three years. easttxdpm@comcast.net

ASSOCIATE POSITION - SANTA FE, NM

Established, 30 year practice with multiple office locations looking for a PSR 24/36 trained, hardworking, personable, ethical, highly motivated individual for associate position with immediate partnership available. E-mail CV and reference letters to sfpodiatry@aol.com

SOUTH CENTRAL PENNSYLVANIA-PM&S 36 ASSOCIATE WANTED

Large, busy podiatry group looking for associate interested in future partnership. Practice facilities and technologies include: Surgical Center, Physical Therapy Department, six appointment locations, EMR, MRI and Digital X-ray. Full compensation and benefit package offered. Mail CV to Martin Foot and Ankle, 1203 S. Queen St. York, PA 17403 or email business administrator, johnreitzel@comcast.net

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 PODIATRIC SURGEON POSITION - TEXAS

We are looking for an exceptionally trained podiatric surgeon to work in the Houston, Texas area. Candidates seeking this opportunity need to be dynamic, people friendly, and have current licensure in Texas. Future licensure in Arizona will be required. Exceptional opportunity, with attractive benefits, and excellent starting salary. The successful candidate will find a rare opportunity to integrate into a specialized lower extremity practice with emphasis on peripheral nerve surgery, endoscopic and arthroscopic surgery, and other special surgery of the foot and ankle. Please submit a cover letter with current curriculum vitae via email to: Slb99@pdq.net Stephen L. Barrett, D.P.M., MBA

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

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