The Voice of Podiatrists

Serving Over 9,500 Podiatrists Daily

May 10, 2007 #2,933 Editor-Barry Block, DPM, JD

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NY Podiatrist Offers Summer Foot Care Advice

Even though we know better, most of us abuse our feet even more in summer, expecting them to carry us through the renewed activity of long summer days. It may seem like almost too much to ask of your feet; but it doesn't have to be, according to Dr. John Viscovich, a podiatrist in private practice in Mt. Kisco, NY. His strategy of combining foot care tips with innovative new over-the-counter products makes summer foot care a day at the beach.

Dr. John Viscovich

*The skin on your feet is just as susceptible to melanoma and basal cell carcinoma as the skin on the rest of your body. Dr. Viscovich recommends that both men and women use a sunscreen with a minimum of SPF 15 on top of their feet.
*Insert an over-the-counter product called “FootPetals” into your high heels to prevent injury to the ball-of-the-foot and heel. These cushions are shaped like flowers and are virtually invisible when they are inside your shoe. They are made of Poron, the fiber used to make the custom shoe inserts that podiatrists create.
*Calluses are formed because of pressure and friction caused from a repetitive action such as a bare foot scraping against the inside of a shoe. Dr. Viscovich suggests using an over-the-counter product called AmLactin to soften calluses.

Source: Dr. Manny Alvarez, Fox News [5/8/07]

NY Podiatrist Throws Hat in The Ring For School Board Position He Once Held

School board members earn nothing for sitting through long meetings, being button-holed at the A&P to talk shop or delving through packets of information on budget costs. So, for two Brewster Board of Education incumbents, their commitment to the community is pushing them to seek re-election - the same force driving a former board president to return.

Dr. Bruce Shaffer

"The last three years of being on the board, especially the last one, were tough," said Bruce Shaffer, citing the board's effort to find a new superintendent and the death of his mother. "I think a lot of good is here. I just needed a break and I'd like to come back."

Shaffer, a podiatrist, served three terms, the last as president, before stepping down last year. He is challenging incumbents MaryAnne Gallipani, who is seeking a second term, and Pasquale Tartaglia, who is running for a fourth term. The three are vying for two open seats, each carrying a three-year term.

Source: Michael Risinit, The Journal News, [5/4/07]

Groups Urge Health Management For Aging Boomers

Leaders from two of the nation’s most influential interest groups said that the CMS must focus on health management rather than treatment in order to financially adapt to the more than 37 million baby boomers who will have at least one chronic condition by the time they are Medicare-eligible.

American Hospital Association President Richard Umbdenstock, speaking on Tuesday at the association’s annual membership conference in Washington, cited statistics from a new report that says by 2011 “when the leading edge of the baby boom generation turns 65” six out of 10 of them will either have diabetes, arthritis or will be classified as obese.

The report, called When I’m 64: How Boomers will Change Health Care, also says that by 2020, the baby boom generation will account for four out of 10 physician office visits and that by 2030, the number of boomer hospital admissions will more than double, to 22.9 million.

Source: Matthew DoBias, Modern Healthcare [5/8/07]

Query: Visit From Office of Professional Discipline

Today I received a disturbing telephone call from an investigator from the New York State Office of Professional Discipline. He called to set up an appointment to visit my office to discuss the care I rendered to a patient last year. I am requesting advice from anyone who has had a similar experience.

Name Withheld by Editor

Editor’s comment: PM News does not provide legal advice. Any visit by a state or federal agency should be not handled alone, even if you believe you did nothing wrong. You need to contact a healthcare attorney to be present at the visit. One of the functions of the attorney is to protect you from saying anything which could be used against you. The attorney should review the patient’s chart with you because he or she can objectively determine the purpose of the visit and the nature of the complaint against you.

Hopefully, you are a member of the New York State Podiatric Medical Association’s Podiatry Protection Plan, which for $250 per year covers $7,500 in legal representation fees incurred under these circumstances.

RE: Plaintiff's Expert Witness David Widom, DPM
From: Jon Purdy, DPM, Godfrey Viegas, DPM

The editor is correct. Every podiatrist should read Dr. Widom’s testimony. It is unbelievable. One really only needs to read a couple of pages to get the point. I suggest reading a little around pages 15, 25, 31, and 38.

I know nothing about the law. Is there anything a state can do to go after these blood suckers? If a person providing false witness can be sanctioned with possible revocation of license that would be effective. What about idiots like this who are no longer in practice? I would think it would be in the best interest of a state association to spend the time and money making examples out of these individuals so others would be more reluctant to follow in their footsteps.

Jon Purdy, DPM, New Iberia, LA, jpurdy@mindspring.com

Thank you for posting the testimony of plaintiff's experts, since this is a matter of public record. These types of postings educate us as practicing podiatrists and legally expose the plaintiff's experts.

Godfrey Viegas, DPM, Crystal Lake, IL, gviegas1234@sbcglobal.net

RE: Ethics of Dealing With Impaired Partner (Editor’s Comment)
From: Steven N. Solomon, DPM, JD

It is always difficult to tell a loved one or business partner that their skills are not what they used to be whether it be driving, or performing skilled medical procedures. We must though, for the safety of the public, take action to stop these tasks.

When you are talking about a medical professional, it is the safety of the patients that must come first. By waiting until the older practitioner realizes that patients are no longer making appointments with him, who knows how many people might have been injured.

Any injury to a patient has the potential for a law suit, not just against the elderly practitioner, but also to the partnership or medical corporation. If it comes out in the discovery process that the elderly practitioner's skill have been deteriorating over time and that other patients were injured, with all of this being known by the other doctor, how do you think the average juror would react? As the editor also stated, failure to report an impaired practitioner can lead to professional misconduct charges against the partner/associate.

From a purely business and legal standpoint, if the impaired doctor does not stop performing the tasks that he/she can no longer competently do, it may be time to buy out the doctor or dissolve the partnership or corporation. A healthcare attorney should be consulted to go over the partnership agreement or corporation papers to tell you what options are available.

Steven N. Solomon, DPM, JD, Brooklyn, NY, legalfoot@yahoo.com

RE: AAOS Provides Grants to Limit Podiatrists’ Scope of Practice (Gerald Mauriello Jr., DPM, MA )
From: G Dock Dockery, DPM

This is a follow-up to Dr. Mauriello's concern regarding orthopedic ads that are placed in the Journal of Foot and Ankle Surgery (JFAS). This concern is voiced occasionally by other podiatric physicians who just can't understand why these ads for orthopedists are allowed in "our" journal. These advertisers apparently are advertising successful in our journal, so there must be a market for these positions among readers of JFAS. There's nothing keeping a competent and qualified foot and ankle surgeon from the podiatric profession from responding to the postings and we know of several who have done so successfully.

G Dock Dockery, DPM, Chairman, Council for Journal Management, Journal of Foot and Ankle Surgery

POSITION AVAILABLE - METRO DETROIT

Looking for podiatrist to do podiatric house calls for multispecialty group. Large patient base. Part-time. Can make up own hours. Fax CV with salary expectations to (248) 723-8807.

ASSOCIATE WANTED – NEW YORK IMMEDIATE OPENING (20x)

Busy multi-dimensional practice; 70 miles north of New York City. Currently five (5)-doctor practice. looking to expand – all phases of podiatric medicine. contact: (845) 454-8308 EXT: 106

ASSOCIATE POSITION - SOUTH CENTRAL PENNSYLVANIA

Beech Tree Podiatry Immediate opening for surgical and /or non-surgical podiatrist. Thirty-two year practice with full spectrum of patient care. Hospital/Surgical Center privileges available. Excellent benefits. Looking for motivated, personable podiatrist. Please fax CV to 717.854.6519 or e-mail Beechtreepod@aol.com

FREE MTI VACUUM UNITS TO WORTHY HOME

I have 2 new in the box MTI nail vacuums that I would like to donate to charity clinics. Buyer pays UPS shipping only or can pick up at my office. Ken Malkin, DPM, drmedicare@aol.com

ASSOCIATE POSITION NEW YORK CITY

Excellent opportunity for foot/ankle surgeon, Manhattan and Brooklyn Associate position leading to possible partnership. Requirements: Two years enrollment in a surgical residency program Qualities of self-motivation and impeccable skills in forefoot and rear-foot surgery. Package Includes: Malpractice insurance, Health Insurance plus salary, Incentives. Terms negotiable Email CV to Manfootcare@aol.com 212-349-7676

PRACTICE FOR SALE – OHIO – SOUTHEASTERN

Reputable, thriving, well-rounded practice available with EMR. Grossing over $320K over the last 3 years. Priced to sell. Owner relocating. Email inquiries and CV to podsx@yahoo.com

ASSOCIATE POSITION – SOUTHERN KENTUCKY

Southern Kentucky's largest and most respected foot and ankle group is looking for an associate to start in July 07. An amazing opportunity to grow with an established four provider practice on beautiful Lake Cumberland, Kentucky. Very competitive salary/bonus with a buy in opportunity will be offered. Established satellite offices will make for immediate patient base ready to be nourished and grown by a friendly, well-trained associate. Excellent benefit package. Lexington, KK is 1.5 hours North while Nashville, Tennessee is 2.5 hours South. Please fax CV to 606-679-4626.

ASSOCIATE POSITION- KNOXVILLE, TN

PT/FT, multiple positions to fill, surgically and non-surgically trained, immediate and in near future. State-of-the-art facilities with in office surgical suites as well as full privileges at all area hospitals. Area nationally ranked as fifth best place to live and work. davidphawk@adelphia.net

ASSOCIATE POSITION – BOSTON, MA

20 year old, well established, modern practice with 2 locations just out of Boston, looking for associate, P/T or F/T, motivated 24/36 trained or ABPS-Certified or eligible to start immediately. Strong surgically-based practice. Looking for motivated individual, able to practice all facets of podiatry practiced. Electronic scanning for orthotics and voice activated EMR already in office. Fax CV to (617) 567-0822

ASSOCIATE POSITION WANTED -SOUTHEAST

Board Certified PSR/36 trained in FF/RF with clinical experience looking for a practice opportunity in the South East. Ethical, well trained with great bedside manners. Looking to join a large multispecialty group or a practice with a large referral base. Practice must be ethical and well respected in the community. Please contact flyfishingdoc@yahoo.com.

ASSOCIATE POSITION AZ - METRO PHOENIX

Busy expanding practice seeking surgical and/or non-surgical podiatrist. F/T or P/T. Motivated, personable, ethical. Send CV along with salary expectations to email dpmpcaz@yahoo.com

WELL ESTABLISHED PODIATRY PRACTICE IN MT. AIRY, NC

Dr. John H. Hodges had a well established practice in Mt. Airy, NC that is either for sale or in need of an associate/partner to take over patient care. Dr. Hodges unexpectedly passed away, leaving approximately 3,500 patients. This is a unique opportunity to be able to begin work in a busy podiatric practice. If interested, contact Carolyn McMackin at (336)577-2886 or cmcmackin@triad.rr.com

POSITION AVAILABLE - SOUTHEAST TENNESSEE/ NORTH GEORGIA

Immediate position available or will wait for the right individual. Unique practice opportunity in growing multi-physician/multi-office practice. Well established/cutting edge within the medical community. Close proximity to hospitals as well as opportunity to become involved with a free standing podiatric surgical center. Must be BQ/BC. Minimum PSR/24. Competitive salary, bonus structure and benefits. E-mail CV to afcjen@hotmail.com

OFFICE TO SHARE AND RENT - PLAINVIEW, LONG ISLAND (S. OYSTER BAY RD.)

3 treatment rooms, JACHO certified operating room, MRI extremity unit and x ray equipment on premises, turn-key operation -no investment- call 516- 4761815 or email podo2345@aol.com

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