The Voice of Podiatrists

Serving Over 9,000 Podiatrists Daily

March 09, 2007 #2,829 Editor-Barry Block, DPM, JD

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OH DPM Promotes Employee Fitness

When podiatrist Ed Lopez isn't tending to his patients' feet, he's putting his own to work. Lopez, who owns Columbus Foot & Ankle with partner Dr. Troy Espiritu, is president of the Columbus Track Club and an avid marathon runner. He runs up to 6 miles, three to four times a week, plus a longer run once a week, sometimes up to 24 miles. Last year, he trained 15 track newbies for a marathon.

Dr. Ed Lopez Photo Credit: Mike Haskey

Columbus Foot & Ankle is without an office gym or showers -- increasingly more common at bigger companies -- but Lopez said promoting healthy lifestyles is still possible at the small business. Clinic employees receive a discount on custom inserts for their running shoes and all staffers walk, jog or run as a group in the annual overnight American Cancer Society's Relay for Life in May.

If you ask Lopez, he'd rather all his employees get to the point of fitness where they find working out fun. "I wish they would... . They don't necessarily have to be marathon runner to have the benefit of a healthy lifestyle," Lopez said. "The hardest thing to do is getting that person to take that first step. Once they take that first step, they can build on that."

Source: Andrea V. Hernandez, Ledger-Enquirer [3/6/07]

APMA and Prevention Magazine Rate Best/Worst Walking Cities

The American Podiatric Medical Association (APMA) and Prevention magazine have teamed up once again to study the walkability of 100 of the country’s most populated cities, but this year there’s a new twist--fitness. Researchers ranked 100 cities based on fitness-walker friendliness using comprehensive criteria, including new factors, such as walkable.org’s list of walkable communities and the number of athletic shoes sold in a city, as well as the percentage of the adult population who walk for health, the accessibility of parks and more.

Top 10 Best Fitness-Walking Cities of 2007

1. Madison, WI: Adopted a walker-friendly plan 10 years ago, and it shows.
2. Austin, TX: 50 trails, from a quarter to 10 miles long.
3. San Francisco, CA: The most parks per square mile.
4. Charlotte, NC: 40% of its residents walk for exercise.
5. Seattle, WA: Gorgeous views of Puget Sound and snowcapped mountains.
6. Henderson, NV: With an average yearly rainfall of 4.5 inches, you can walk everyday.
7. San Diego, CA: A unique choice of beach, desert and mountain routes.
8. San Jose, CA: Perfect walking weather; average temp 61 degrees and low humidity.
9. Chandler, AZ: 6.5 miles of traffic-free walking on its Paseo Trail.
10. Virginia Beach, VA: A low crime rate and a boardwalk allow safe, fun strolling.

Bottom 5 Worst Fitness-Walking Cities of 2007

100. Newark, NJ: Has a high crime rate, few parks, and few people who take mass transit—as well as the third smallest percentage of people who walk for exercise.
99. Laredo, TX: Poor air quality and the least amount of people taking mass transit.
98. Miami, FL: The fifth highest crime rate may explain why very few people walk for health.
97. Hialeah, FL: Very few parks and schools per square mile and had the second to last number of people who walk for health.
96. Detroit, MI: With a high rate of pedestrian fatalities and high crime rates, is it any wonder Motor City had the smallest percentage of people who walk for health?

Source: Prevention Magazine [April 2007]

Diabetes's Spread Will Exceed All Predictions: Study

The World Health Organization's estimate of 39 percent growth in diabetes cases between 2000 and 2030 may be an underestimate, according to a study of cases in Canada published in the Lancet. In just 10 years, the disease's prevalence in Canada rose by 69 percent to nearly nine out of 100 people, according to analysis of local medical databases done by Lorraine Lipscombe of the Institute for Clinical Evaluative Sciences in Toronto and colleagues. The researchers urged more attention to obesity.

At least 171 million people have diabetes worldwide, and the number will climb to 366 million by 2030, WHO estimates. The chronic disease can lead to blindness, heart disease, kidney damage and death. Governments, which are already struggling to pay health costs for citizens, may have to spend more or cut benefits for other conditions.

"Rising rates of obesity could be a cause of this striking growth, and, accordingly, effective public-health interventions to manage and prevent obesity are sorely needed," Lipscombe, the lead author, said in the study. WHO likely under-estimates the disease's advance because its forecast presumes obesity rates will remain constant, she said. The International Diabetes Federation in December said it expects more than 380 million people to have diabetes by 2025, which is "a very conservative estimate," said Martin Silink, president of the organization.

Source: The Lancet (3/5/07} via Diabetesincontrol.com [3/7/07]

Query: Dermatofibrosarcoma

I recently excised a growth from the arch of a 30 year old female and the pathology report came back dermatofibrosarcoma. I am interested to hear from my colleagues as to their experience with this malignant tumor which apparently is rarely found in the foot.

Roger Friedman, DPM, Sheffield Village, OH

RE Dorsal Lymphedema (Richard Frankel, DPM)
From: Gary S. Smith, DPM

I would do an MRI of the lumbar spine. Unilateral lymphedema is almost always from a venous thrombosis or a bulging disc. They should be ruled out first and then "look for zebras."

Gary S. Smith, DPM, Kane, PA, penndoc@verizon.net

RE: New Arkansas Pedorthics, Prosethics, and Orthotics Law
From: Paul Kesselman, DPM

Arkansas recently enacted a law requiring licensure for the practice of pedorthics, prosthetics, and orthotics. Similar legal provisions exist in 10 other states, with Tennessee and others soon to follow. These provisions do not in any way preclude podiatrists, other physician specialties or health care practitioners (i.e. physical therapists) from providing similar services, so long as they are within their states scope of practice.

The intent of these laws is to preclude those without professional licensure from providing these services. In most other states, NY being one of them, anyone without any professional credentials or licensure can provide patients with orthopedic shoes, AFO's, PTBO's, foot orthotics, and other DME.

In the long run, these types of laws protect the consumer, and reduce the amount of fraud and abuse.

Paul Kesselman, DPM, Woodside, NY, pkesselman@pol.net

RE: How Quickly They Forget

I work in a group of six podiatrists with multiple office locations. This morning, I walked into an exam room and found one of my older patients who I'd seen off and on for close to a year who was now positively beside herself. "I am so happy to see you!" she said. "That other doctor in your other office was just awful. Please don't make me see him again."

After the patient left, I checked the chart and the scheduling computer. She'd had one visit in the other office. And the visit had been with me. She's a pretty spry 73 year old. Could she be trying to mess with my head?

Eric Edelman, DPM, Syracuse, NY

ASSOCIATE POSITION AVAILABLE - OCEAN COUNTY, NEW JERSEY

Immediate position avaliable. Desiring a hardworking, ethical, motivated and well trained individual. Minimum PSR 24. State of the art practice offering EMR, digital xrays, ultrasounds. Must be willing to do all aspects of podiatry. Competitive salary and benefits package. E-mail CV to NJFEET@aol.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 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

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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