The Voice of Podiatrists

Serving Over 12,500 Podiatrists Daily

March 31, 2011 #4,122 Publisher-Barry Block, DPM, JD

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OH Podiatrist, Now President/CEO of Hospital, Reflects on Podiatric Career

The new president/CEO of Dunlap Community Hospital in Orrville and head of the State Medical Board of Ohio, Dr. Marchell Suppan, grew up in a household where ground-breaking was the norm and innovative thinking was expected. As a child in Barberton, young Shellee watched her father, Raymond Suppan, Sr., DPM, who was a respected professor and chairman of the Ohio College of Podiatric Medicine’s (OCPM) Surgery Department, develop new podiatric surgical techniques and write a textbook on the subject — despite the fact that, as a podiatrist, he could not obtain staff privileges at the local hospital. 

Dr. Marchell Suppan (Smithberger Photography)

Dr. Suppan speaks fondly of her career in podiatry. But as she settles in to her new leadership positions, she says she is glad she followed her father’s example and forged the path that was best for her. “I had a great run in the clinical practice of podiatric medicine and surgery. And I have a deep love for my profession and appreciate all of the mentoring I received from other podiatrists along the way,” she says.  “But just as my father always tried to open new doors clinically, I’ve had the opportunity to do that administratively.  And I’m grateful for that.”

Source: Alex Strauss, MD News [3/29/11]

5K Run/Walk to Benefit Clinic for Uninsured at Barry

Barry University’s School of Podiatric Medicine will host the “Heal the Stride 5K Run/Walk” benefiting the Open Door Health Center, a free health care clinic for poor and uninsured South Floridians. The fundraiser will take place on Barry’s Miami Shores campus on Sunday, April 3rd.

Barry University’s Center for Community Health and Minority Medicine

More than $2,600 has been raised for the free health care clinic based in Homestead and about 150 runners are expected to make the stride around Barry’s campus and Miami Shores, where village police officers will help escort the runners on their route. Jessica Ortega and Nagvir Sidhu, both second-year podiatry students, with the help of their peers in the class of 2013, have organized the event. Barry University nursing students and the “Just Run” program, which fights childhood obesity, will also participate in the 5K Run/Walk where children and their parents will make the dash.

Try Fungal Treatment for Dry Feet: UK Podiatrist

"If you have dry, scaly skin on your feet that doesn't respond to good emollient creams, the cause may be fungal. In most of the cases of athlete's foot I see, the skin is dry and flaky all over, so try a treatment for athlete's foot," says podiatrist Lorraine Jones.

Lorraine Jones

"Find moisturizing creams that contain urea. It helps break down hard skin and is brilliant for dry areas."

Source: Good Housekeeping Online [4/3/11]

Make an Offer They Will Not Refuse

When you are ready to detail what treatment you deem the best for your patients, state your position clearly and confidently:

• “I propose that …”
• “In my view, the best solution would be …”
• “I strongly recommend that …”
• “This solution would work well for you because …”
• “One good solution would be …”
• “If we do _____, you would benefit because …”

Source: Adapted from Power Phrases! The Perfect Words to Say It Right and Get the Results You Want, Meryl Runion, Power Potentials via Communication Briefings

RE: Focused Review of Palliative Care in a Hospital

I am on staff at a hospital. I am now subject to a focused review  regarding my non-operating room care of toenail and callus debridements. This requires the direct presence of another podiatrist observing me. Has any podiatrist had to go through this process of direct observation? If so, what recommendations do you have?

Name Withheld (NY)

RE: DME Supplier Enrollment Fee Follow-Up
From: Paul Kesselman, DPM

Yesterday, I spoke with a National Supplier Clearinghouse’s ombudsman on the subject of enrollment fees for suppliers. She informed me that anyone who files a CMS 855S (an enrollment form for DMEPOS) must pay the $505 enrollment fee (this as per the Affordable Care Act (ACA) and published in the Federal Register on February 2, 2011. She further stated that the only exception is where this would create a financial hardship case. She commented this would not likely be appropriate for physicians.

As stated in a previous posting, the ACA does not make a distinction between physicians who are DME suppliers to the public and those who only provide DME to their own patients. Additionally,...

Editor's note: Dr. Kesselman's extend-length letter can be read here

RE: Obesity and Foot Pain (Scott Shields, DPM)
From:  Evan F. Meltzer, DPM, Simon Young, DPM

According to the CDC, the states with the top five obesity rates in the U.S. for 2009 are:  MS, 34.4, LA, 33.0, KY, 31.5, OK, 31.4 and WV, 31.1.  Oregon is far down the list at 23.0.  (See CDC.gov/obesity).

Evan F. Meltzer, DPM, Jackson, MS, Evan.Meltzer@va.gov

When are we going to recognize obesity is a disease. There are psychiatric, emotional, metabolic, socioeconomic, physiologic, and other pathologies which create this problem. There is blame to go around from food manufacturers to the person him/herself. True, restricting calories and exercising would help this national epidemic, but this alone does not seem to be the answer.

Simon Young, DPM, NY, NY, simonyoung@juno.com

RE: Obesity and Foot Pain (Scott Shields, DPM)
From: Thomas E. Silver, DPM

As health professionals, it is appropriate to discuss and counsel patients on diet (exercise & smoking), BUT only if you can give them a plan on how to do it. Too many patients are shamed by their doctors who tell them they need to lose weight, start exercising, or stop smoking but never give them direction on how to do this. These patients often have anxiety about returning or don't return to their doctor for follow-up.   

When I discuss diet with patients, I  recommend reading the introduction to The South Beach Diet book. It's just over 100 pages in which Dr. Agatston  (a cardiologist) gives a good understanding of the basis of a proper diet: not low fat or low carbs but good fat & good carbs, plus an understanding of "glycemic index." It's basically a whole foods diet. I often explain these concepts to obese or overweight patients when they complain about their weight or failing health, as most people don't have a clue. This at least can give patients a road map for change.

Thomas E. Silver, DPM, Golden Valley, MN, tsilver01@juno.com

RE: Answering Service (Bela Pandit, DPM)
From: Charles Morelli, DPM, Pete Harvey, DPM

I too am in solo practice, and I too only get a few emergency/urgent calls a month. What I do, and I have found this very affordable, is that I actually answer my own cell phone after hours. I leave my cell phone number on my answering machine. A doctor who answers his phone and actually talks to his patients! WOW!

In 21 years, I can count on one hand the number of phone calls I have received from patients for Rx refills, and being in solo practice, I LOVE getting phone calls from patients who want to make appointments. That's a good thing, right? That never bothers me. I simply ask them to call back in the morning and speak to a member of the office staff, and they will make the appointment. Invariably, the patient is very pleased to have been able to get me on the phone, and I now have a satisfied patient who will refer others. Wanna save money? Here's your answer.

Charles Morelli, DPM,  Mamaroneck, NY, Podiodoc@gmail.com

It depends on what you call high. I pay $120/month with telemedinc.com They are in Atlanta. I forward the office phones as necessary and unforward with the numbers provided.

They call the office, house, and cell in that order. They text my cell with the number I need to call so I can just tap the number to go straight to the patient, drugstore, etc. without having to call the answering service back.

Pete Harvey, DPM, Wichita Falls, TX, pmh@wffeet.com

RE: Oregon Podiatrist Favors "Less Is More" in Running Shoes (Patrick J. Nunan, DPM)
From: Robert Scott Steinberg, DPM
 
Dr. McClanahan's claims are not reality. He refuses to take into account that 99% of our walkers, joggers, and runners need every scientifically designed advantage that the modern running shoe offers. I am now wondering what people are thinking when they refer to the "minimalist theory." Is it the shoe or the thinking?
 
Contrary to what these minimalist proponents would like everyone to think, the modern athletic shoe manufacturers are not plotting to injure anyone, for the most part, except for those who want to cash in on the minimalist cult craze and instability "stupidshoes"! If New Balance, Sketchers, and others want to sell "stupidshoes," good for us!
 
Robert Scott Steinberg, DPM, Schaumburg, IL, Doc@FootSportsDoc.com

ASSOCIATE POSITION - MANHATTAN

Podiatrist wanted full/part time for busy midtown Manhattan practice. Must participate in the networks Aetna, BlueCross, Oxford, and United Healthcare. Please respond to 44footcare@gmail.com

ASSOCIATE POSITION - TEXAS

Are you looking for a busy, well-rounded practice experience?" Group practice in DFW area looking for a 3-year surgically-trained associate with a sports medicine background. Needs to be as comfortable making orthotics as fixing a complex flat foot. Email CV to crane@faant.com

ASSOCIATE POSITION - CT - (FAIRFIELD AND NORTH HAVEN)

Join one of the largest podiatric groups in Connecticut. Well-established and progressive offices, including EMR, digital x-ray, vascular and NCV studies, Pinpointe and CO2 lasers, diagnostic ultrasound and electrical stimulation therapy. You can expect a full schedule of patients the day you start, and a very competitive salary. For more info www.greatfootcare.com. Send resume to Dr.Kassaris@yahoo.com

POSITION AVAILABLE – PHOENIX, ARIZONA

Full-time or part-time position available for an associate to join a modern, well established practice. Needed is a motivated, hard-working, well-rounded, surgically-trained podiatrist to complement our office. Excellent income potential with possible partnership opportunity available. Arizona license required. Email CV to Foot.doctor@hushmail.com

ASSOCIATE POSITIONS - NW INDIANA, CHICAGO AREA

2 Full-Time positions open - One for Northwest Indiana and one for the Chicagoland area. Must have 2-year surgical residency. Must be motivated and a self-starter. State License required. If interested email: f-massuda@footexperts.com

ASSOCIATE POSITION - MARYLAND

Associate position for podiatry office on Maryland’s Eastern Shore. Certified ambulatory surgery center on-site. Please fax letter and CV to 410-749-6807.

ASSOCIATE POSITION - NYC, NY

EQUIPMENT FOR SALE- MIDMARK CHAIR

Midmark 647 podiatry procedure chairs, x2, condition new (only 1 yr.) , wired & wireless foot controls, block screen, base rails, light and dark blue upholstery with matching stools, under warranty. Other pod. equip., large modern curved reception desk. Midtown Manhattan, contact NYCfoot@aol.com for further information.

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. Also a used Lumix 2 laser, best price today Dr. Zuckerman is in the Fort Lauderdale area and will demo this lasers on your patients. E-mail footcare@comcast.net

EQUIPMENT FOR SALE -  SONOACE ULTRASOUND

2007 Sonoace, Pico color ultrasound image, Medison, MY202C MAI, 7.5 mhz small head, hl59edn, 40 mm, 4 modes - 2d, Doppler, 3-D, and multi-image. $9,800 or best offer. Just finished servicing by Universal, includes Sony black and white printer. Charles W. Kelley III, DPM cwkell@aol.com

PRACTICE FOR SALE - HOUSTON, TEXAS

28 year old busy, progressive practice for sale with an excellent reputation and well established referral base. Well-trained, dedicated, supportive staff. Excellent cash flow $475K income after overhead. EMR, digital x-ray, diagnostic ultrasound. Free standing building also available with large outdoor sign. Also available are two transferable surgical center partnerships(with distributions). Owner retiring and willing to stay part time during transition. Cover letter/CV to softechpodiatrist@gmail.com

PRACTICE FOR SALE - WASHINGTON STATE - SUBURBAN SEATTLE

16 year established part time practice. Includes Midmark 417 (4 position keypad), Excel X-ray, processor, Ritter M9, instruments, bandaids, etc. 1 Day/week $50K gross. Professional Business appraisal at $48K. Asking $35K. Shared office with 2 FP's. Easily expandable. Reply: practiceforsale18@yahoo.com

SPACE AVAILABLE- NYC & LI

Office to sublet and share - 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

PM News Classified Ads Reach over 12,500 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 12,500 DPM's. Write to bblock@podiatrym.com or call (718) 897-9700 for details. Weekly ad rates start as low as $109 for a 50-word ad 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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