The Voice of Podiatrists

Serving Over 9,000 Podiatrists Daily

March 08, 2007 #2,828 Editor-Barry Block, DPM, JD

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IL Podiatrist Offers Tips for Corns and Calluses

When the bones of your feet press against your shoe or the ground, your skin gets caught in the middle. The skin thickens to protect itself, causing a callus (on the bottom of your feet) or a corn (usually on top of your toes). "As they build up or get too thick, they can crack and cause pain for people," said Dr. Catherine Halinski, a podiatrist in Buffalo Grove, IL. Healthy people can easily treat most calluses at home. If you have diabetes or other health issues that affect your feet, it's best to consult a doctor.

Dr. Catherine Halinski

Halinski and other podiatrists recommend softening calluses with an over-the-counter ointment such as Kerasal, which contains hydroxy acid. Then slough off dead skin with a pumice stone or sanding board. Newer styles of sanding boards resemble the microplane zester you might have in your kitchen. "You can get pretty smooth heels with those," Halinski said.

For corns, Halinski recommends Silipos pads, which will soften your corns without taking up too much room in your shoe.

Source: Susan Stevens, Daily Herald [3/5/07]

SCPM 2009 Raises Over $27,000 for the ADA

The 20th Annual Dance for Diabetes, coordinated by SCPM 2009, took place on January 13th at Chicago’s Millennium Knickerbocker Hotel. Through fundraising, donations, a silent auction, as well as the infamous dance auction, SCPM 2009 raised over $27,000 for the American Diabetes Association (ADA) of Northern Illinois. This year SCPM 2009 set a new record for money raised for the ADA by shattering the old record of $10,800 set last year.

Dance Committe Chair Nancy Zomaya (R) with ADA Representatives

The money will go towards research to help find a cure for the devastating disease. A special thanks goes out to Shelly Blohowiak in the Office of Student Development; committee members Brian Burgess, Cathy Feuerstein, Julia Zwiebel, Kaye Lagdaan, Margaret McGarry, Michael Williams; and committee chairperson Nancy Zomaya.

Wright Buys Darco's Foot and Ankle Division

Arlington-based medical device maker Wright Medical Group Inc. announced its return to the acquisition game Monday with a $17 million cash purchase of the foot and ankle division of Darco International Inc.

The purchase was Wright Medical's first since 2003 and reflects the firm's new push to grow through acquisitions. Executives told analysts in a conference call last month that they had hired former venture capitalist Ted Davis in December to look for purchase opportunities.

Founded by the late podiatrist Dr. H. Darrel Darby, Darco is based in Huntington, WV, and makes products including special shoes that help foot surgery patients recover and screws and plates used in foot and ankle surgery.

Source: Source: Daniel Connolly, Memphis Commercial Appeal (TN) [3/6/07]

Fraud Enforcement Remains Hot; More Kickback, Stark Cases Expected

State and federal enforcers have been churning out health fraud cases and show no signs of slowing down as 2007 rolls on. According to interviews with people in the compliance and enforcement world, expect to see a brand new world of Medicaid audits and enforcement; a continued crackdown on sweetheart deals between physicians and hospitals; brand new cases against Part D abuses; more medical device cases; and greater use of new technology to comply with the security rule and generally protect institutions' data, among other developments in the enforcement world.

The False Claims Act brought in $2.2 billion in 2006, the largest amount ever, says Associate U.S. Attorney Jim Sheehan. The Philadelphia-based federal prosecutor notes that 500 new whistle-blower cases are filed a year. One big target now is alleged kickback and false claims violations in the medical device industry.

Kickbacks and Stark violations will also continue to gain steam, as both the basis for false claims allegations and as civil monetary penalty cases, says former OIG Richard Kusserow, president of Strategic Management Systems in Alexandria, VA. False claims settlements based on alleged Stark and/or kickback violations have been piling up, and there's reason to believe the trend will continue.

"The lesson to the provider community is to examine relationships with physicians because the vast majority of information that predicates an investigation comes from" doctors, including doctors who were denied an opportunity to participate in the financial arrangement, he says. Some kinds of sweetheart deals are medical directorships and consulting agreements and other financial arrangements in which the physicians are richly rewarded for very little work - a cover for payments for patient referrals, Kusserow says. Also be wary of leasing arrangements, where hospitals "give physicians below fair-market-value leases on campuses of hospitals as a way to channel patients to the hospital," he says. Or the hospital leases equipment to physicians for free or at very low cost to induce their referrals.

Source: Report on Medicare Compliance [2/26/07]

Query: Dorsal Lymphedema

My patient is a 37 year old female with a one year history of lymphedema isolated to the dorsal aspect of the right foot. The patient has a positive history of thyroid CA. She underwent a thyroidectomy in 1998. The rest of her medical history is unremarkable. She is on (1) Cyotmel (2)Levothyroid (3)Birth Control. She has been worked up extensively by vascular and endocrine specialists. They deem the condition of an unknown etiology. Anyone with any experience with this type of presentation who might suggest a course of action?

Doral Lymphedema

Richard Frankel, DPM, New York, NY

RE: APMA Resolution 13-07 Single Certifying Board
From: Dwight Bates, DPM, Bryan Markinson, DPM

It seemed to me that the ABPS, ABPPM, and ABPO exams were almost identical.

Dwight L. Bates, DPM, Dallas, TX, dlbates04@yahoo.com

Reflecting on my post of yesterday regarding unifying certification boards, I culled from Dr. Barry Mullen’s prior post certain elements and overreacted. I know this because he is a fair and fraternal-spirited colleague, and took the time to set me straight personally. In no way was my post a personal attack, but rather the essence of what I believe to be a pervasive attitude throughout the profession regarding ABPS certification that will never be compatible with a unified board. I abhor the battling that this topic always generates, and renew my call for one board that all of us get when we are done with residency training and leaving sub specialty boards to their own with their own rules and regulations.

Bryan Markinson, DPM, NY, NY, Bryan.Markinson@msnyuhealth.org

Editor’s note: This topic is now closed

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

IMS Medical Equipment has a very nice unit that is priced right and has a good warranty. Also, Fisher has a line that doesn’t require plumbing.

Michael Lawrence, DPM, Chattanooga, TN, ftdoc@joimail.com

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 SOUTH JERSEY

Position is available now, but can wait until July. Progressive (EMR, digital x-ray, Diag U/S ), ethical, group practice. Requirements : Good Hands, Sense, Personality, and People skills, Exceptional surgical skills, Motivated team player, Proficient at RFC. Prefer ABPS cert and 24/36 PSR but will take experience into consideration. Competitive benefits / compensation. Email CV and references toetrukr@aol.com

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

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 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

PRACTICE FOR SALE MICHIGAN-DETROIT AREA

Michigan practice Detroit western suburbs for sale. 3 offices, great locations & high gross, buy outright or over time. Call 561-213-9400 after 7:00 p.m.

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

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

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