The Voice of Podiatrists

Serving Over 10,900 Podiatrists Daily

May 08, 2008 #3,240 Editor-Barry Block, DPM, JD

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IN Podiatrist Wins Primary for County Coroner

Thomas Philpot got his foot back in the door of the Lake County coroner's office Tuesday as the apparent winner over three challengers in the Democratic nomination for the seat. Philpot had nearly 19,000 votes compared to 7,200 for his closest challenger, dentist Daniel M. Bade of St. John, with 40 percent of Lake County votes unofficially counted.

Dr. Thomas Philpot

Philpot is completing his second four-year term as Lake County clerk after serving two terms as a coroner. He could not be reached for comment, but previously told the Post-Tribune that people vote for him because he reaches out to the community. A podiatrist, Philpot will face off against Republican Andy Koultourides in the November general election.

Source: Gitte Laasby, Post-Tribune [5/7/08]

CrocsRx Named APMSA 2008 Company of the Year

The American Podiatric Medical Students’ Association (APMSA) has named CrocsRx as its 2008 Company of the Year. Eddie Scott, CrocsRx Medical Director, proudly accepted the award at the APMA House of Delegates meeting. CrocsRx was the unanimous choice by the students after a year of unparalleled corporate support. Since the beginning of last year, CrocsRx has generously presented a free pair of its therapeutic footwear to all members of the podiatric medical school classes of 2009 and 2010. The groundbreaking company has also donated $50,000 to the APMA Educational Foundation in support of student scholarships.

APMSA President Jason Woods (right) extends the APMSAs appreciation to Eddie Scott of Crocs.

“Crocs is a dynamic company that has realized the value of supporting podiatry students from early in its history,” proclaimed Cabell Adams, APMSA Development and Corporate Relations Director. “Without companies like Crocs, the students would not have the opportunities afforded to us that we currently enjoy. Nor would our feet feel as comfortable after the long days in clinic.”

PM News Attends Sportsmuseum of America Gala

It was a night full of sports stars, food, and music as the Sportsmuseum of America opened in downtown Manhattan last night. Among the legendary athletes attending the launch of this 100 million dollar facility were: Olympian Gold Medalists Bruce Jenner, Carl Lewis, and Keri Struggs, Basketball’s Earl Monroe, John Starks, and Rick Barry, Football’s Sean Landeta and Justin Tuck, Hockey’s Bobby Nystrom, Rod Gilbert, Neil Smith, Tennis greats Martina Navratilova and Billie Jean King, Indy Racer Janet Guthrie, and many more.

Hockey Greats Neil Smith (L) and Bobby Nystrom with Dr. Barry Block

PM News editor Barry Block, a former marathoner and racewalker, enjoyed mingling with these sports heroes. “It's hard to believe how large most of these athletes are”, said Block, whose most notable win as an amateur competitor came in the 1984 Coney Island Racewalk.

Query: HEDIS Audits

I was recently asked to allow a RN from a healthcare plan to come and review charts for 7 of their patients for HEDIS 2008. In reviewing the HEDIS 2008 measures, I do not see anything that pertains specifically to our specialty. Is anyone familiar enough with HEDIS to explain why they would want to review these records? Any other comments would be appreciated.

Robert Wunderlich, DPM, San Antonio, TX

RE: Z-Coil Shoes (Michael Lawrence, DPM)
From: R.D. Teitelbaum, DPM

Several weeks ago I found in the 'Gadget Universe' Catalogue an ad for "Gravity Defyer" shoes. They have street shoes and sports shoes. I have my own problems in tennis with heel contact and low back pain. The sport shoe I bought was also court friendly for a 'clay' or Har-Tru tennis court, in that the tread was not cobbled, but fairly even. These 'Gravity Defyer" shoes have a spring system and cost $130/pair. Whether they will be durable in the long term, I have no idea at this time. But they have really helped my issues. According to my recent Web search, the only source at this time is the 'Gadget Universe' catalogue.

R.D.Teitelbaum, DPM, Naples, FL,mfvandange@aol.com

RE: Employee Timekeeping (Mark A. Aldrich, DPM)
From: Multiple Respondents

Dr Aldrich wrote asking about an affordable time clock set-up with just two employees. I recommend Webtimeclock.com, a web-based time clock. For two employees, the charge is only $2.99 per month (for their most basic service)! Even if you never considered using a time clock, this just makes keeping records and totals so much easier and accurate. I had considered the fingerprint-based system, but this is much cheaper and easier. (I have no connection to this company other than as a user).

Richard Rettig DPM, Philadelphia, PA, rich.rettig@verizon.net

Dr. Aldrich needs to sit down privately with the employee and tell her what he has observed. Do not accuse her, just calmly explain the situation. The longer he lets it go, the harder it will be to face her at a later date. Put an end to the problem now and it will go away. If not, then she is not deserving of a raise or she faces possible termination of employment. Never have an employee get the upper hand on matters such as this!

Steven H. Goldstein, DPM, Royal Palm Beach, FL, stevefootdr1@cs.com

I have always rounded the times at 7.5 minutes, up to 15, or down to the hour / half hour. In Dr. Aldrich’s case, this employee just thinks she is worth more and she is going to see she gets it, whether you give it in a raise, or she gets it in padded time. I suspect Dr. Aldrich is right; even with a raise, she feel entitled, and will still pad.

For starters, this employee needs to be warned, warned again, and finally let go. One way or the other, she is bad news for your practice. If you pay fairly and treat her well, she has no reason to feel entitled to steal (yes, this is stealing just as surely as if she took money out of your deposit package) and will find some way to do it again, in some other fashion. She will also engender resentment in the other employee, if she finds out what is going on.

That said, time clocks are cheap. You can also get a fingerprint scanner and a time program in the computer to not only accurately record the time, but figure the hours. I have heard of programs which will record if anyone tries to change the system clock on the computer also. I have recently seen time clocks (time tamper proof) that use fingerprint ID, so one employee cannot clock another in or out. In the end, do you really want to keep an employee who is stealing from you?

David E. Gurvis, DPM , Avon Indiana deg1@comcast.net

RE: IPS (Jeffrey Gewirtz, DPM)
From: Jack Reingold, DPM

Dr. Gewirtz asked if anyone has had experience with IPS Medical billing. I have been with them for 1.5 years and have had a positive experience. Actually referring to them as a "medical billing" service is inaccurate. They are much more. They are a web-based integrated EMR system. They have modules of charting, billing, prescription writing and scheduling that are integrated. This is a very important distinction from other software companies where their programs only do part of the necessary work and have to link up other software. The goal of any efficient office should be a "seamless" workflow. IPS provides this.

IPS specializes in only podiatry and leases the software from a much larger organization, that services many specialties. They customize the software to podiatry and can customize it to your style. I am in solo practice and the biggest concern I had was maintenance of the computers and programs. Because they are web-based, you do not have to purchase the software or any updates. You do not have to back up your files as they are backed up by IPS (very securely). All you need is an inexpensive thin client server. Virtually any recent computer will do.

They provide more than sufficient training and have ongoing web training classes. The billing people are very knowledgeable and my experience with them has been very positive. I have had two prior billing services and without a doubt IPS is the best. Having your notes connected to the billing module allows you to capture all your charges, reducing omissions on your part. They are a podiatry-based company. John Hultman and Harry Goldsmith, two podiatrists with tremendous experience in practice management and billing, are very involved with the company.

Jack Reingold, DPM, Solana Beach, CA, footdoc@san.rr.com

RE: ACFAS Members Vote to Reject APMA Membership Requirement
From: John Scheland, DPM, Rick Horsman, DPM

The APMA and the ACFAS are important to our profession. The APMA wears many hats and remains our best resource to guard against the varied assaults on our profession such as diminishing insurance reimbursements, increasing tort and associated costs, as well as scope issues such as what happened in Texas, to name a few. These tasks require enormous resources and are paramount to our very survival. We are a small profession and we have many forces aiming to take us down. When I see calls for the APMA to accept a new college as an affiliated organization by the same people whom already concede we are a small profession, I wonder if these calls have been thought out.

Accepting a new college as an affiliated organization will only serve to Balkanize our membership further As many have already said, we are a small profession. Balkanization is the best case scenario for those who wish to place us back into the 19th Century. The ACFAS, much as I may disagree with their decision, has some of the best and brightest podiatrists in their loyal membership. Starting a new college will polarize these very important members. By accepting a new college, the APMA will serve only to fracture our profession and waste critical resources better spent elsewhere. Both points are contrary to the APMAs mission. For those of you calling for a new College, let the APMA do what it does best - unify our profession. The APMA will work this out but don't call for the very thing the ACFAS already did. Two wrongs don't make a right.

John Scheland, DPM, Clarks Summit, PA, johnschelanddpm@epix.net

Dr. Giurini, as a member of ACFAS, I am very dismayed to see the split between ACFAS and APMA. I have several questions that the ACFAS website's "Post-Vote Questions & Answers" notice prompted. I am hoping Dr. Guirini could answer each of them with a simple yes or no (where appropriate).

1) The Q&A notice began by making a distinction between what a "bylaw" is, and what a "policy" is. Accordingly, the ACFAS Board seemingly interpreted the College bylaws, §3.2.1., as only addressing APMA-required membership in terms of "admission eligibility," choosing to consider "shall be a member in good standing of the APMA" not to be an ongoing obligation of each Fellow and Associate member of ACFAS. Is this correct?

Editor’s note: The full text of this extended-length letter can be read at: http://www.podiatrym.com/letters2.cfm?id=19398&start=1

6) Did ACFAS allow any non-APMA podiatrists active ACFAS membership status prior to the April referendum? Over the years, has ACFAS allowed membership by (and accepted dues from) any non-APMA podiatrists, but did not report these ACFAS members to APMA? Who was responsible for and had knowledge of the accuracy of the ACFAS membership roster list submitted to APMA?

I have always been proud of my membership in ACFAS. I do, however, have a great concern that the referendum choices focused on the Board's decision to interpret the ACFAS bylaws, rather than truly on the bylaws themselves (and whether they were in compliance with APMA bylaws). It would not have been unreasonable to have added an explanation of what would happen if ACFAS membership ratified the Board’s policy in violation of APMA bylaws. I echo comments made by others that this split will do nothing to strengthen our profession at a time when unity is needed most. I hope Dr. Guirini will respond.

Rick Horsman, DPM, Olympia, WA, rehorsman@comcast.net

PRACTICE FOR SALE - FLORIDA

Well-known practice in Coral Gables,FL for over 20 years. Excellent location on Coral Way with heavy traffic, great visibility and plenty of parking. Busy, fully equipped, full-time office with established patients. Grossing over 300K with tremendous growth potential. Office is currently open and ready to take over immediately. For additional information contact QVAN@aol.com or 305-975-5516.

PRACTICE FOR SALE – WESTERN WASHINGTON

Magnificent natural scenery in unique area of Washington state. Seller owns condo with ASC built for podiatry practice. The layout was designed to provide maximum efficiency for patient, doctor, and staff. Located within sight of hospital and medical community. Over 25 years established podiatric medical practice with potential to grow beyond $400K gross. 386 597-5766

PRACTICE FOR SALE - CORAL GABLES, MIAMI AREA (FLORIDA)

Beautiful location in the heart of Miracle Mile. Excellent opportunity for a starting practitioner. Most insurances accepted. Good mixture of surgical and general podiatry. Fully equipped with low overhead. Located in a professional building, with referrals from other doctors in the same building. Contact zoesar@aol.com or call 786-877-5149.

PRACTICE FOR SALE - BUFFALO'S KENSINGTON SECTION

Established satellite practice. In urban metropolitan area on a busy commercial street corner - commercial building with an attached retail store that allows easy advertising of the podiatric medical practice. Gross $170K+ at 2 ½ day per week. Great potential for growth. 260 402-7490

ASSOCIATE POSITION - SAN ANTONIO, TEXAS

Seeking three-year trained resident for associateship, hopefully leading to partnership. Competent in all phases of podiatry particularly reconstructive rearfoot surgery. Outstanding opportunity for the right individual. Reply to Richard Pollak at 210-692-0279, or fax resume to 210-692-0028 or e-mail drpllk@hotmail.com

LOCUM TENUM COVERAGE - CENTRAL FLORIDA

The Orlando Foot & Ankle Clinic (OFAC) is seeking locum tenum coverage.
OFAC has offices in Orange, Osceola, Seminole, Lake and Brevard
counties. A covering doctor is needed whenever one of the 13 OFAC doctors is on vacation or attending an educational seminar. If interested, please contact Greg Renton, CEO at 407-423-1234.

ASSOCIATE POSITION - TEXAS

Check out San Antonio, Wonderful place to live. Full or part-time podiatrist with current Texas license. Better pay. Unique mobile podiatry practice and mobile wound care clinics, in addition to office locations. Check out our website Fine working conditions with excellent support staff. E-mail Response to footcenter1@sbcglobal.net or fax to 210-495-6484.

PODIATRISTS NEEDED - CHICAGO --NORTHWEST INDIANA

Home Physicians, a medical group specializing in house calls is looking to hire podiatrists. We are located in Chicago and Northwest Indiana. 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

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, 6 appointment locations, EMR, MRI, Clinical Trials 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 johnreitzelmfa@aol.com

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