The Voice of Podiatrists

Serving Over 11,000 Podiatrists Daily

May 07, 2009 #3,539 Publisher-Barry Block, DPM, JD

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NY Podiatrist Provides Warm Weather Foot Care Advice

We recently got some advice from Dr. Jacqueline Sutera, with practices in Midtown Manhattan and New Jersey regarding her foot care tips for warm weather:

Dr. Jacqueline Sutera

• Wear “commuter shoe” (ballerina flat with rubber sole and arch support, or  sneaker) till you get to office or event, then change into higher heels. This not only protects your feet from injury but can also increase the life of your shoes.
• Rub feet and nails with tea tree oil after bath.  This oil has antiseptic and anti-fungal properties and neutralizes odor.
• Alternate shoes and don’t wear same pair every day. At end of day, sprinkle baking soda or spray insides of shoes with Lysol  brand spray, which reduces the load of fungus, yeast, mold and especially bacteria which lives in our shoes and contributes to odor.  (Sweet Cider wooden shoe trees can also be put into shoes when not in use). These shoes should then be put aside for a day or two.
• Avoid spicy food, alcohol and hot beverages if you are prone to sweating. These can all increase perspiration, which can contribute to foot odor.

Source: Ashley, The Luxury Spot [5/6/09]

NYCPM Student Receives the 1st Annual David Gutierrez Scholarship

Last night, May 5th, 2009, the Bronx Division of the NYSPMA had the honor of presenting the first annual David Gutierrez Memorial Scholarship. In attendance were the Gutierrez family, including David's wife, son and mother. The recipient was Blanca Diaza, a graduating senior from NYCPM. Blanca, originally from Puerto Rico represented all that the committee was looking for in an applicant for the first scholarship. One particular paragraph in her application stands out:

Dr. Craig Herman, Dr. Donna Alfieri, Blanca Diaza, and Dr. Enid Goris

"The four years I have been studying at the New York College of Podiatric Medicine were challenging, difficult, and rewarding. I overcame many obstacles when I moved to the Bronx from Puerto Rico four years ago to study podiatric medicine, including adaptation to the city and overcoming a language barrier. Participating and attending numerous extracurricular events at school have made the  journey smoother."

APMA Announces 2008 Stickel Award Winner

The American Podiatric Medical Association (APMA) has announced that the 2008 William J. Stickel Award for Research in Podiatric Medicine has been awarded to “Role of Tissue-Type Plasminogen Activator in Salicylic Acid-Induced Sloughing of Human Corn Tissue,” written by Ghanshyam D. Heda, PhD, and Lee K. Roberts, PhD. The winning paper was published in the September/October 2008 issue of the Journal of the American Podiatric Medical Association (JAPMA).

The William J. Stickel Award is a retrospective honor that, each year, recognizes the best original research paper published in the Journal during the preceding calendar year. 

The winning article is the only published biological evidence to date describing how salicylic acid-based keratolytic compounds remove human corns and calluses. The award-winning work was conducted at the Skin Biology Research group of Schering-Plough HealthCare Products, Inc., in Memphis, TN.

Medicare DME Bidding Program Set to Relaunch in 2010

The Obama administration is proceeding with a Medicare durable medical equipment competitive bidding program it inherited from the previous administration. Absent another legislative intervention, the program will start again in 2010.

Earlier this year, the White House delayed the effective date of a rule outlining final details for competitive bidding in order to review late changes approved by the Bush administration. But the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services announced that the new April 18 effective date would not be delayed any further, prompting criticism from the American Assn. for Homecare and other organizations representing suppliers.

"We are very disappointed that CMS has moved forward with this program without allowing more opportunity to examine it," said Walter Gorski, Vice President of Government Affairs for the association. "As designed, the program will eliminate approximately 90% of suppliers in any marketplace. We believe that is unacceptable, especially when all efforts by the [Obama] administration and Congress are aimed at job promotion and creation."

Source: Chris Silva, AMNews [5/4/09]

Link Rewards to Behavior

It sounds so simple: You should reward employees for behaviors and activities that support your practice’s values. Yet many podiatrists stumble in that area, failing to link employees’ efforts to the practice’s mission and values.

Strategy: Verbalize the link between the effort and those values when you present the award or offer the praise. Say: “Mary, I want to thank you for staying late on Friday to see that last-minute emergency walk-in patient. Your effort was a great example of ‘delighting the patient,’ one of the three key values in our practice's mission statement.”

Source: Adapted from A Carrot a Day: A Daily Dose of Recognition for Your Employees, Adrian Gostick and Chester Elton, Gibbs Smith, Publisher via Communication Briefings

Query: Brevio Nerve Conducting Test

I was wondering if any of my colleagues are using the Brevio nerve conducting test. How often are tests performed on a given patient? Is this test  administered to all diabetic patients with sensory/motor neuropathy? Is analysis performed by the podiatrist or sent via e-mail to the neurologists affiliated with the test? 
 
Lawann Scott, DPM, Kansas City, MO

Query: Tail Coverage

I have recently left a practice that I had been with for approximately 18 months. Because I moved to the neighboring state, my PICA policy needed to be converted. I was offered tail coverage for the time I was at my first practice. I realize that I should purchase the tail coverage. The problem with this is that it's a great deal of money (7500.00) and needs to be paid in full. A payment plan is not an option. Short of borrowing the funds, do any options exist? Can I do without this? Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

Gerald Mauriello, Jr., DPM, MA, Philadelphia, PA

RE: Venous Stasis Hyperpigmentation (Jeffrey Kass, DPM)
From: R.D. Teitelbaum, DPM

Maybe we should ask Michael Jackson what he used. Personally, I have never heard of an effective lightening agent for this condition.
 
R.D.Teitelbaum, DPM, Naples, FL, mfvandange@aol.com

RE: Cutaneous Horn
From: David S. Wolf, DPM

You think you've seen it all, when the next new patient shows up with this: 
 

Cutaneous Horn

A cutaneous horn, also known as cornu cutaneum, refers to a specific appearance of a skin lesion in which a cone-shaped protuberance arises on the skin caused by overgrowth of the most superficial layer of skin (epidermis). A cutaneous horn is not a particular lesion, but is a reaction pattern of the skin. Approximately 40% of cutaneous horns represent precancerous lesions called actinic keratoses. Cutaneous horns may also overlie skin cancer. When overlying cancerous skin, squamous cell carcinoma is typically at the base of the cutaneous horn, but basal cell carcinoma is also possible.
 
David S. Wolf, DPM, Houston, TX, rebdovid@aol.com
 

RE: CFPM Supports Michener Institute Diploma Change to Include Podiatric Medicine
From: Lloyd S. Smith, DPM

When I was APMA president, an international meeting was held to help define the difference between podiatric training and skills typical in the USA and in several other English speaking countries. There clearly is confusion between what we know as podiatry in the USA and how the world views our profession. 
 
As our profession evolves, it is important that the verbiage used, whether podiatry or chiropody, is only used to advance those individuals who merit advanced recognition. If someone is medically and surgically trained, those skills should be recognized by the respective country and the individual should be allowed to practice commensurate with the training.
 
The issue is not the term chiropody or podiatry (although we certainly favor podiatry in the USA); the issue is the extent of the training received by the respective individual. 
 
Lloyd S. Smith, DPM, Newton, MA, lloydpod@yahoo.com

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.

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

EQUIPMENT FOR SALE - ESWT

High Energy Shockwave Device (NEW);FDA approved as Class 1, payable by Medicare for treatment of Plantar Fasciitis (28890); Payable to surgery centers for Achilles tendinosis; 2 units available; Under $30,000. CONTACT: weil4feet@aol.com

PODIATRISTS NEEDED – DALLAS/ FT WORTH – TEXAS AREA

Texas Home Footcare Associates, a podiatry exclusive company specializing in house calls and visits to facilities for the elderly, is looking to hire podiatrists. We are located in the Dallas area. Full and part-time positions are available. Immediate Openings Available. Must have a Current Texas license. Competitive Compensation Package. If interested fax curriculum vitae to 972 931-4819 or e-mail gjmdpm@tx.rr.com. For further information, call 972-380-8028.

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

EQUIPMENT FOR SALE- ALLPRO IMAGING 2010 XRAY DEVELOPERThis processor is only two years old. It is in good working order and has always been regularly maintained. We are in the process of changing to digital films. Will sell for $1300. New Hampshire e-mail wcgcoach@aol.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

ASSOCIATE WANTED - FLORIDA

Associate needed for a dynamic multi-doctor practice in the Tampa Bay area. Partnership opportunity for the right candidate. Preference given to a PSR 24+ resident completing their education this spring/summer, and must have a Florida license. Well-established practice, high tech with EMR and digital x-rays, with specialties in sports medicine, surgery and wound care. No nursing homes or HMO's. Excellent hospital privileges available. Choose an area of practice concentration that you are passionate about and enjoy a lifestyle for yourself and your family that is second to none. E-mail: kimvelez@tampabay.rr.com

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

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