The Voice of Podiatrists

Serving Over 11,000 Podiatrists Daily

May 01, 2009 #3,534 Publisher-Barry Block, DPM, JD

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TX/AR Podiatrist Provides Summer Sandal Tips

Summer is time to showcase your tootsies in flip-flops and sandals. Podiatrist Robert Klein offers these tips on keeping your feet healthy through sandal season, particularly if your footwear of choice is a pair of flip-flops.

Dr. Robert Klein

Diabetics, watch out: Flip-flops present an extra risk for diabetics or anyone with poor circulation or diminished sensation in the feet. The thong that goes between the toes can irritate the area, breaking down the skin and leading to a potential infection. Diabetics are less likely to notice the infection. Left long enough, it can lead to loss of the foot.

Apply sunblock: When wearing flip-flops or open-toed sandals, don't forget to apply sunscreen to any area that will be exposed to the sun's rays. Skin cancers can begin in the feet as well as areas that get more frequent sun exposure.

Source: Diane Chun, Ocala Star-Banner [4/28/08]
 

OH Podiatrist Promotes Foot Health Month on TV

Carly Robbins, DPM of Columbus, Ohio, appeared Tuesday, April 28 on Daytime Columbus, Channel 4 (WCMH – NBC affiliate) for a segment on Foot Health Month. Robbins showed examples of various types of footwear and what consumers should evaluate when selecting footwear for support and fashion. She appeared as a member of the Ohio Podiatric Medical Association, which was referenced several times during the segment.

Dr. Carly Robbins

Daytime Columbus is the only locally produced talk show in Columbus--Ohio’s largest city. Hosted by Emmy-award winning television anchor and reporter Gail Hogan, Daytime Columbus provides a look at area businesses, organizations and resources available in Central Ohio.   

20/20 Imaging Installs 100th P-DR System

20/20 Imaging has announced the 100th installation of its P-DR 715 digital radiography (DR) system at Arizona Orthopedic Surgical Hospital in Chandler, Arizona. Bruce W. Krell, DPM, practice owner and a solo practitioner sees up to 125 patients per week and does up to 30 x-rays a day. 
 

Dr. Bruce Krell

Dr. Krell, a Phoenix Magazine "Top Doctor" for 2003 and 2008, says that the technology has changed the way his practice functions. “Compared to processing film and storing chemicals, the image acquisition process is far more efficient.” The DR has alleviated workflow back-ups and I am now able to see more patients in a day.”

Query: Gifts to Patients for Patient Referrals

A patient presented to my office for a second opinion and showed me a "coupon-type-booklet" given to her by her regular podiatrist. Basically, after she has referred a certain number of patients to his office, she is rewarded with a gift certificate for "Dinner for 2" at a local restaurant. Is anyone aware if the practice of providing patients with gifts in exchange for referrals is in violation of any laws?

Brian Homer, DPM, Clawson, MI

Query: Hiring an Associate

We are considering bringing an associate into our practice. Can anyone offer any advice on how to determine a fair and reasonable starting salary? Any other tips and advice would be appreciated.

Lani Smith, Roseburg, OR

Response: How much you start paying an associate is generally detemined by a varierty of factors, including the education and experience level of the associate as well as the cost of living in your area.

A PMS-36 graduate should command a higher starting salary than a PMS-24. Experience also counts, so factor in how many years than individual may have been in practice. The key is to predict how much revenue this individual should add to your gross. Note that according to the latest Podiatry Management survey, the average employed DPM was paid $99,121. Salaries ranged from $10,000 (likely part-time) to $200,000.

An additional way to incentivize is to pay a base salary, plus a bonus based on productivity.

Barry Block, DPM, JD, Forest Hills, NY

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RE: Nocturnal Leg Cramps (Richard Mann, DPM)
From: Multiple Respondents

We've had good results with Flexitol Natural's Night Cramp Relief dietary supplement tablets.  They have B6 (as pyridoxine hydrochloride), magnesium (as magnesium oxide and magnesium sulfate), rutin, and citrus rioflavonoids. 

They're distributed by Eulactol USA, Inc in Boca Raton, FL. 866-478-3338 or flexitol.com and we sell them for $12 for a box of 36 caplets.

John J. Hickey, DPM, Levittown, NY, jhickeydpm@earthlink.net

Advise your patient to have a glass of tonic water every evening. Tonic water does have a low level of quinine in it. I am also sure there are homeopathics available so check with a local Naturalpath or health food store.

Robert Chelin, DPM, Toronto, Canada, ft-biz@rogers.com

I'm sure you have tried Co Q10, 100 mg after supper and 100 mg at bedtime. How about a four ounce glass of tonic water and lemon at bedtime? Watch its effect on blood sugar in your diabetics. Quinine is still available on the web--have your patients sign a release form. Vitamin E 400 IU with supper and at bedtime has a favorable effect in some patients.

Frank DiPalma, DPM, Athens, GA, fivetoes1946@aol.com

RE: Ingrown Nails in 3 Month Old
From: Judith E. Rubin, DPM

I have been seeing babies born with ingrown toenails. If I see that there is erythema and purulence with pain, I schedule them as an outpatient, under some mild general anesthesia, and remove the nails en toto. At this age, I would not recommend using phenol, as many times the new nail will grow back fine without it.

I give the parents a 5-day prescription for anitibiotics, most typically a broad spectrum. The toddlers do remarkably well and the child's parents will thank you for it. Make no promises and let them know that at some later date, if they see the same thing recurring, bring the child in right away. At that point, I would opt for permanent removal of the offending borders.

Judith E. Rubin, DPM, Cypress, TX, jrubinfoot@aol.com
 

RE: APMA and Red Flag Rules (Bruce Krell, DPM)
From: Scott Haag

APMA will be providing a template this week that members will be able to customize. Pay attention to Daily eNews and the member website this week for information on how to access the materials. We understand that this is a valuable resource for members, but we consistently face the challenge on how to provide the correct level of detail and utility while still acknowledging that facts and circumstances may vary greatly from one practice to another.

Scott Haag, Director of Health Policy and Practice, SLHaag@apma.org
 

ASSOCIATE POSITION - CONNECTICUT

Nice community outside of New Haven. Well-established, busy practice seeking part-time or full-time associate. Excellent opportunity for a highly motivated and ethical professional. Must have good patient skills. PSR-12 or higher with excellent skills required. Send resume and cover letter to fax # 203-439-7916.

OFFICE SPACE/ MRI RENTAL – NYC, LI   
 
Turn-key space available, daily, monthly; East 60th off Park Ave, East 22nd St. off 3rd Ave, and Plainview Long Island. JACHO-certified operating rooms available, as well as all surgical equipment and anesthesia. Extremity MRI Rental. Stark compliant. All exams read by board certified radiologist. Call for details. 516 476-1815

NEEDED CHICAGO -- NW IND & BALTIMORE/WASHINGTON, DC PODIATRISTS

Home Physicians, a medical group specializing in house calls is looking to hire podiatrists in Chicago, Northwest Indiana, and Baltimore, MD. Full and part-time positions are available. Competitive Compensation including malpractice. Contact Scott Schneider. Phone-773-342-4201 FAX 773-486-3548-E-Mail sschneider@homephysicians.com Visit our website

ASSOCIATE POSITION AVAILABLE-MIDTOWN MANHATTAN

Looking for Full-time associate to work in well established practices in midtown Manhattan and Forest Hills. Immediate opening for PSR 24-36 surgically trained Podiatrist. Great opportunity with competitive salary along with malpractice benefits. Please send CV to slurie@papapc.net

ASSOCIATE POSITION - CENTRAL VIRGINIA

Join a solo surgeon in a two office private practice, modern facilities with EMR and digital x-ray, reconstructive and trauma surgery.  Excellent starting salary and benefits. Position leads to partnership. Submit letter of introduction and CV to jdisabato@vfasa.com

PRACTICE FOR SALE - FLORIDA—CENTRAL/SOUTH

Turn-key operation grossing $570,000 annually based on one full-time doctor. Great opportunity for growing the top-line. Surgery is only 14% of the professional man-hours; it can significantly increase income. Medicare makes up 64% of revenues. Seller will assist with transition. Call 863-688-1725, ask for Chas.

ASSOCIATE POSITION - CHICAGO AREA

Join one of the most successful, long-established podiatry practices in the Chicago area, with excellent salary and benefits. We have an immediate opening for a full-time podiatrist in a multi practice location in Chicago. Must have two years of surgical residency. Please e-mail resume to f-massuda@footexperts.com

ASSOCIATE POSITION – ILLINOIS 
 
Quality Podiatry Group provides quality services to residents at long term care facilities. We are currently offering full-time or part-time positions for motivated ethical podiatrists. Immediate openings available. If interested, fax curriculum vitae to 312 225-9366 or e-mail feetwork@aol.com

EQUIPMENT FOR SALE

MIN-x-ray Mobile system Model PM200R40. Brand new less than 1 year old. never used at all. I was opening a new location that fell through. Completely brand new. paid $11,000 Will sell for $8,500. Located in the Bronx, NY- call 914-714-0667.

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