The Voice of Podiatrists

Serving Over 14,000 Podiatrists Daily

April 30, 2013 #4,756 Publisher-Barry Block, DPM, JD

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CT Podiatrist Elected President of CPMA

Thomas V. Johnson, DPM of Suffield has been elected president of the Connecticut Podiatric Medical Association (CPMA). Dr. Johnson has been a practicing podiatrist in Enfield and South Windsor for over 25 years. He was the recipient of the Connecticut Secretary of State "Public Service Award" in 2005.

Dr. Thomas Johnson

Dr. Johnson completed his degree at the New York College of Podiatric Medicine (NYCPM) in New York where he was a Magna Cum Laude graduate and completed his surgical residency in Towson, Maryland. He is on staff at Saint Francis Hospital and Medical Center in Hartford, Johnson Memorial Medical Center in Enfield, and Johnson Memorial Hospital in Stafford Springs.

Source: Hartford Currant [4/28/13]

PM News has begun a new weekly feature called Quick Poll. Each week, we will post a new poll based on some of the controversial issues discussed in our Comments/Responses section. Straw polls are not scientific and do not represent standards of care.

Quick Poll
What would you recommend as a career for your child?
Click HERE for Results

Aussie Footballer Now Studying Podiatry

Footballers can get a bad rap, often cast as meatheads, good for nothing other than kicking a football. But how well do we really know our players? With aspiring lawyers, psychologists, property developers, coaches, civil engineers, and even a budding Prime Minister among the competition's playing fraternity, have we been selling our heroes short?

Dennis Armfield

According to Carlton's assistant coach Rob Wiley, “Dennis Armfield was studying physio, but is now studying podiatry. I suppose that being a footy player, your feet are your most important assets, so if you get that right, then you can run all day."

Source: Matt Windley, Herald Sun [4/28/13]

Robert Bijak: Do we need three years of residency training?

Glenn Gastwirth: This is water over the dam. The requirements today are for three years of residency training. This was not done by APMA; it was determined by the Council (CPME) and was distributed to the profession for comment. This was done with the goal of medical parity.

Bret Ribotsky: Can this ever be accomplished? Dr. Mattiacci just told us that the MCAT scores for Temple Medical School are 10 points higher than for Temple podiatry students?

John Mattiacci: Parity is the wrong word. What 36 months of training would give you is equality in the amount of post-graduate training. You don’t give a plumber an electrician's test. We are not medical doctors. Nobody says we need to measure ourselves against allopathic or osteopathic medicine. We have our own profession, and we should be very proud of it. We have many great providers.

Dr. Roy Lidtke

Meet the Masters is broadcast each Tuesday night at 9 PM (EST). This week's guest is Dr. Roy Lidtke, an internationally-recognized expert in lower extremity biomechanics. You can register for future events by clicking here

Query: Chronic Onychomedsis

Is there an effective surgical procedure or other treatment that can cause a toenail to "tack back down" to the nail bed where the distal margin is elevated, but the proximal margin is normal and growing?

Joseph Reynolds, DPM, Visalia, CA

Query: Wireless Printers and HIPAA
 
My printer is on the fritz. The new generation of printers seems to be wireless and you need a wireless router. Does printing off of a wireless router violate patient confidentiality or any of the HIPAA laws? Could someone in another office or a patient with a tablet access what I am printing?
 
Elliot Udell, DPM, Hicksville, NY

Editor's comment: PM News does not provide legal advice. Wireless printing is a feature on new printers that is entirely optional. You can still use a wired connection. Furthermore, wireless printers can be encrypted so that only intended users can access the printer.

RE: Wartabater (Greg Caringi, DPM)
From: Art Hatfield, DPM

Anyone who has been in practice for more than a few months knows that NOTHING is "virtually always 100% successful." Is the word "virtually" a subtle disclaimer? If the manufacturer is that confident, ask for 10 free treatments to evaluate how it does in your practice. If it is 100% successful as they claim, they should have no problem with your request. We all know that the "wart" is a dermal manifestation of a viral infection. Until a  vaccine against the human papilloma virus is available, we as a human race, will be cursed with warts.

Art Hatfield, DPM, Long Beach, CA, afootjob@juno.com

RE: Non-Specific Bone Marrow Edema Syndrome
From: Erik Kenyon, DPM, Eric J. Roberts, DPM

Sometimes, the non-specific marrow edema in pediatric patients is normal. It is believed to be as a result of transition of the bone marrow from infancy to adulthood.

Here is a reference: Shabshin N, et. al. High-signal T2 changes in the bone marrow of the foot and ankle in children: red marrow or traumatic changes? Pediatr Radiol. 2006, 36: 670-676.

Erik Kenyon, DPM, Modesto, CA, Erik.Kenyon@kp.org

Note that the non-specific bone marrow edema seen on an MRI in children that are the age of your patient is a normal finding due to the hematopoetic cells. The pathology you are looking for is unlikely this non-specific finding. Over 50% of children have this finding bilaterally and is normal in growing bones. Focus on the ankle instability and continue your treatment.

Pal CR, Tasker AD, Ostlere SJ, et al. Heterogeneous signal in bone marrow on MRI of children's feet: a normal finding? Skeletal Radiol. 1999;28 (5): 274-8.

Eric J. Roberts, DPM, Tampa, FL, lordertz@gmail.com

RE: Patients' Requests for X-Rays (Joseph Borreggine, DPM)
From: Don R. Blum, DPM, JD
 
Purchase duplicating x-ray film. Place the original on top of the duplicating film with the serrated edge of the duplicating film to the upper right.  Expose to "fluorescent" light (overhead lighting in most offices) for about 7 seconds. Shut the light off and then develop. If too dark or light, adjust your exposure time. You can also purchase a developing box from a vendor which basically does what I described above. For patients, I offer to email a copy of x-rays for free or a hard copy for $25 per plate.

Don R. Blum, DPM, JD, Dallas, TX, donrblum@sbcglobal.net

RE: Podiatry's Secret Problem (Michael J. Schneider, DPM)
From: David L. Kahan, DPM

Dr. Schneider, why are you turning this into a finger-pointing match? You have correctly stated the facts... "There are those who would dishonor themselves and their profession, but I believe that they are few and far between. Personally, I do not know nor have I ever known a colleague who intentionally billed for services not performed. The only instance where I see that is in the reporting done in this forum where someone was caught."

"Few and far between" is not the point. The problem is that...

Editor's note: Dr. Kahan's extended-length letter can be read here.

RE: Purchasing a Digital X-Ray System (Laura R Lefkowitz, DPM)
From: Joshua Kaye, DPM

If you do the math, given the current cost of a digital x-ray system and the average amount of reimbursement for an x-ray, unless one is in a large group, it will take many years to justify the expense of the system. There is no question that the resolution of the digital x-ray is better than a film x-ray, but how often does one require that level of resolution.  For the few instances where high resolution is required, there are radiology techniques, such as an MRI, CT, etc. that can be ordered.

Joshua Kaye, DPM, Los Angeles, CA, jk@joshuakaye.com

RE: Appreciative Jerry Seinfeld Donates to NYCPM
From: Richard Jaffe, DPM, Keith Gurnick, DPM

I want an apology from Jerry Seinfeld because in one of his shows he said, "anyone can get into podiatry school."  It was defamatory and did not foster a positive impression of our profession.

Richard Jaffe, DPM, Jerusalem, Israel, footsurg@netvision.net.il

Without violating any HIPAA rules, but because of my involvement in the orthotic industry, I know that there were multiple podiatrists (not myself) who treated Mr. Seinfeld's condition during the time his TV show was made in Los Angeles. Each claimed to successfully treat his conditions at the time, and each was honest. From what I was told, Mr. Seinfeld loved his podiatrists and they loved him. One podiatrist can be seen sitting at a table in the diner in an episode of his TV show.

It is very nice and gratifying that Mr. Seinfeld has made a meaningful contribution to the NYCPM, however...

Editor's note: Dr. Gurnick's extended-length letter can be read here.

RE: 104 Applicants Not Matched for Residency Positions
From: Narmo L. Ortiz, Jr., DPM

According to the National Resident Matching Program's website, "The NRMP Main Residency Match® final data results show 99.4 percent of positions were filled, the highest position fill rate in NRMP history." I also found an interesting article by Jay Greene from Crain's Detroit Business where he quotes a report from the NRMP: "By the end of Match Week, 452 more U.S. seniors had obtained positions, leaving 528 with no position. Overall, 97 percent of U.S. seniors obtained positions in the 2013 Match, compared with 98.5 percent in 2012 when 262 had no position."

"There are many reasons why applicants don’t match. Some over-estimate their qualifications and apply only to very competitive specialties. If they don’t apply to and rank programs in less competitive specialties, they are in danger of not matching," an NRMP spokesman said. A full report on the 2013 Main Residency Match will be available in early May 2013 at nrmp.org.

Narmo L. Ortiz, Jr., DPM, Marietta, GA, nlortizdpm@embarqmail.com

RE: Atypical Boxing Injury

Following Saturday night's event, medical suspensions were released by the New Jersey State Athletic Control Board. Several of the event’s fighters received indefinite suspensions pending medical clearance.

Result of a really low blow?

Chief among them was UFC light heavyweight champion Jon Jones, who broke his foot in his victory over Chael Sonnen. Jones later tweeted from the hospital, “Yep still at the hospital. Bone definitely broke through the skin.”

Source: MMAweekly.com [4/28/13] via Dr. Steven Kaniadakis

PRACTICE FOR SALE - VIRGINIA

62 years consecutive private podiatry practice, excellent referral base, busy, modern equipment; X-Cel Xray machine, digital Tigerview scanner, Traknet EMR, and 3 new Midmark chairs for the doctor and patient. Virginia license is required. Please contact Dr. Fine at drmichaelfine@aol.comor 703-582-5999.

PRACTICE FOR SALE - BROOKLYN, NY

28 year old practice in a desirable part of Brooklyn. EHR certified with stage 1 criteria successfully met. Practice has room to grow. Good mix of Medicare hazardous foot care; surgery and wounds. Low overhead. Priced to sell. Email Inquires to brooklynpracticeforsale@gmail.com.

PODIATRIC MERGERS - CHICAGO AREA

Weil Foot Ankle & Orthopedic Institute is expanding their presence in the Chicago metropolitan area. We are interested in discussing merger with current  podiatric practitioners in Chicago and surrounding area. Practices that have a minimum of 5 to 25 years of activity are welcome to meet with us and visit our rapidly expanding practice that currently numbers 18 DPMs, a neurologist, a rheumatologist, an orthopedic surgeon, and a primary care sports medicine physician. For more information contact: info@weil4feet.com  or call Stephanie Spiegel, COO at 847-390-7666.

PODIATRIST SEEKING EMPLOYMENT - CHICAGOLAND AREA 
 
Personable, well trained ABPS Board Certified podiatrist with 10 years experience seeking associate position or buy-in opportunity in the Chicagoland area. Please email inquires to ewcv5@hotmail.com.

ASSOCIATE POSITION - NEW YORK

Large established podiatry practice 30+ years in New York Hudson Valley/Capital District area seeking associate/partner to eventually take over practice. Also would entertain reasonable offer to purchase one of the two offices. Serious Inquiries may contact: Podiatrygroupny@gmail.com

PODIATRIST WANTED - PENNSYLVANIA

Multi-specialty physician group seeking part-time or full-time to join our Johnstown, PA facility offering on-site x-ray, vascular ultrasound and other services. Patient base already established. Experienced or recent graduates considered.  Applicants send resume to cfleegle@atlanticbbn.net or call 814-288-1418 ext. 7.

ASSOCIATE POSITION - UPSTATE NY

Busy multi-specialty practice of PCPs, general surgeons, OB-GYN, podiatric surgeons looking for a full-time podiatric associate in  Upstate NY, Binghamton, Finger Lake Region. Great Benefits, opportunity for partnership. Must be highly motivated, personable and be Board qualified/eligible. Our podiatrists have over 100 years combined experience. Please send CV to associateinfoot@yahoo.com or fax 607-723-1567.

ASSOCIATE POSITION - NORTH CENTRAL, NJ

Well established busy solo physician seeking a well trained podiatrist (PMS 36) to join our growing practice. Bilingual English Spanish a big +. Competitive salary/benefits package. Send CV to email: njpod2013-1@yahoo.com

ASSOCIATE POSITION DETROIT SUBURBS

Multi-location practice seeks individual with excellent surgical training.  Practice is well established for over 30 years.  EMR’s available, ultrasound, Doppler & circulation testing, digital x-ray.  Buy in opportunity as owner plans on retiring in 2016 or sooner.  Please send cover letter with CV to footlaw@hotmail.com

ASSOCIATE POSITION - NORTHWEST IOWA

A well-established, Midwest multi-physician practice with strong hospital affiliations seeking FT podiatrist. Applicant should be well trained surgical physician, completed a 12/24 month residency, & board eligible. Practice offers high surgical volume, advanced wound care and good mix of general podiatry. Competitive salary, excellent benefits. Fax resume: 712-258-9977.

POSITION AVAILABLE - CENTRAL FLORIDA

Two doctor practice looking for an associate to take retiring doctor's position with partnership opportunity for the right person.  Competitive salary, health insurance and incentives. Two offices serving a diverse number of routine, surgical and wound care patients. Two years surgical residency training and FL license required. If interested in this great opportunity please e-mail CV, surgical log and references to toesrus7@yahoo.com.

ASSOCIATE POSITION - MARYLAND, DC, PA

A podiatrist is needed for the Baltimore, Washington, Pennsylvania area. Partner for the corporation. Surgery center, emergency room call and a hospital location. All areas of podiatry. Established practice. Salary and commission. Fax resume 410-857-4227 or email at butler@qis.net

ASSOCIATE POSITION – MISSOURI

Podiatric medical group seeks PSR24-36 individual who is interested in working with former residency director who can enhance your already strong training. Full scope practice with the cases to fast track to board certification. Four hospital affiliations, certified surgical suite in office, ultrasound, EHR Certified Stage 2. We are located close to St. Louis for day use. Exceptional school system in a low crime, low cost of living area. E-mail resume to: drfootski@hotmail.com

PODIATRIST NEEDED - VAN NUYS, CA
 
Looking for reliable, honest and motivated podiatrist to assist with house calls to patients home residence and various health facilities.  Candidate must be willing to drive throughout the San Fernando Valley and the greater Los Angeles areas. Flexible schedule. If interested, please email resume to homefootcare@hotmail.com

ASSOCIATE POSITION - SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA

Requiring full-time podiatrist (PSR-24 or greater) in established Practice situated in a foothill community of Southern California. There is an existing patient base and a strong support team. Compensation is performance based with practically an unlimited earning capability. A possible buy-in is negotiable. Send resume to office@uplandpodiatry.com, titled "podiatrist."

ASSOCIATE POSITION - MASSACHUSSETS

Busy multi-office podiatry practice looking to expand. Need extremely energetic dedicated individual. Must be PSR 12-24 trained, EMR, laser, vascular testing the works. Must have sense of humor. MA License, NH License A+! Surgery, sports medicine, pediatrics, shoe store. Please send resumes to resumesent11@comcast.net.

ASSOCIATE POSITION - CENTRAL VALLEY/SOUTHERN CA
 
Seeking associate with partnership availability. Must be highly motivated and have good patient skills and personality. Salary excellent with all paid benefits/incentives including malpractice/401k and profit sharing. Compassionate and well-trained for immediate position. Surgery Center and hospital-based with no HMOs/no rest homes. Bilingual in English and Spanish preferred. Offering a permanent position/partnership in a multi-million dollar hi-tech practice with Partnership also in Surgery center. Please e-mail CV and short bio to: Tonya@wetreatyourfeet.com

ASSOCIATE POSITION - SOUTH CAROLINA

South Carolina's largest provider of foot care is a multi-doctor, multi-location practice currently seeking a highly skilled, personable, and hardworking physician to join our TEAM. South Carolina License is necessary. Above average salary and benefits. Please send Letter of Interest and CV to scdpmjobs@gmail.com.

ASSOCIATE POSITION - NORTH TEXAS

Associate position available. Located 50 miles from Dallas. All phases of podiatric care with no ER call. PSR 24 required. Hospital privileges & strong referral base. Practice has EMR, digital X-ray & on site vascular testing. Very competitive salary and benefits. Please send CV to Footdoc3143@gmail.com

ASSOCIATE POSITION – NORTHERN CALIFORNIA/SF BAY AREA
 
We’re expanding, seeking podiatrist to join multi-office practice. Must have great people skills, bedside manner, and positive demeanor. California license required. No nursing home visits. Prefer private practice experience. Send CV and cover letter to: ebpod2008@gmail.com

FT OR PT ASSOCIATE - SOUTH JERSEY

Great opportunity for FT or PT associate starting July 2013 in established practice in South Jersey. EMR, FDA-approved Lasers for fungus. Will work with Board Certified/Qualified podiatrist. Must have New Jersey License. Diverse practice in a nice area with a pleasant environment. e-mail CV at hhfootdoctor@gmail.com

ASSOCIATE POSITION - NEW JERSEY

Immediate opening for a full time podiatrist in a rapidly expanding multi-office practice in central New Jersey. Well established referral base with full admitting hospital privileges. Compensation is performance based with patients scheduled from day 1. Wonderful working conditions. Applicant must have at least PSR-24 surgical training. Valid NJ license and Medicare number is required. Applicant should also be familiar and competent in podiatric surgery, biomechanics, trauma, PRP, wound care, and ultrasound diagnostics. Participating insurance #'s a plus. Please fax resume to: (609) 259-6637

ASSOCIATE POSITION - SUBURBAN WASHINGTON

Busy 4 office practice in suburban Washington, DC seeing highly motivated individual for full time associate position leading to partnership. Minimum PSR 24. Competitive salary and benefits.  Respond to mlmltm@aol.com 

PODIATRY PRACTICE LOCATION AVAILABLE - UPPER EAST SIDE NYC 

Prime NYC Practice Location: 200 East 72nd Street. Street level with signage. My equipment or yours. Will stay on to introduce or leave.  E-mail Dr. Shavelson. drsha@lifestylepodiatry.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. Also availability E 22nd between 2nd and 3rd and E 70th off 3rd. Turn-key operation - no investment needed PODO2345@AOL.COM 516-476-1815.

EQUIPMENT FOR SALE - FOX YAG LASER

Mint condition, still under warranty. Unit is portable & includes all the accessories. $14,500.00. Call 727 586-3668 or 727-321-310.

EQUIPMENT FOR SALE - BIOMEDIX PADNET SYSTEM
 
PADnet is clinically valuable, provides fair financial return with medically appropriate testing and seamlessly integrates with the complete suite of BioMedix® products and services. One year old. In Excellent condition. Buyer pays for shipping. Please contact Rhonda Daggs at info@footanklecenters.com

 PM News Classified Ads Reach over 14,000 DPMs 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 14,000 DPMs. Write to:bblock@podiatrym.com or call (718) 897-9700 for details. Weekly ad rates start as low as $115 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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