The Voice of Podiatrists

Serving Over 14,000 Podiatrists Daily

May 11, 2013 #4,767 Publisher-Barry Block, DPM, JD

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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. This question submitted by Dr. Michael Forman. TODAY IS THE LAST DAY TO VOTE.

Quick Poll
What type of radiography system does your office use?
Click HERE for Results

KY Podiatrist Selected to Attend the US Army Command and General Staff College

Alexander Estrada, DPM has been selected to be one of the few civilian attendees to the “School of Advanced Military Studies”, one of the four U.S. Army schools for leadership development. The student body is small but diverse and comprises members of each of the U.S. Armed Forces, various U.S. Government agencies, and allied military forces. Graduates are colloquially known as "Jedi Knights". This training is designed to produce "leaders with the flexibility of mind to solve complex operational and strategic problems in peace, conflict, and war.”

Dr. Alexander Estrada

Dr. Estrada is currently the Podiatry Section Chief of the Department of Veterans Affairs, Lexington, Kentucky. He is a graduate of the New York College of Podiatric Medicine and was a member of the trauma team at The New York Hospital during the September 11, 2001 disaster and served in the medical relief efforts at “Ground Zero”. He also participated in the rescue efforts for U.S. Airways Flight 1549 “Miracle on the Hudson” in January of 2009.

NY Podiatrist Celebrates 25 Years in Practice

A Clifton Park podiatrist who still makes house calls is celebrating 25 years in practice at Adirondack FootCare. Dr. Salvatore Galluzzo, 55, a resident of Burnt Hills, said it has been a long road for the Queens NY native, to go from a meat packer to becoming a pharmacist and then moving on to podiatry. When he was in undergraduate school, he used to go to work at 4 a.m. as a butcher before heading off to classes.

Dr. Salvatore Galluzzo

As a podiatrist, Galluzzo has had an interesting career. He refuses to abandon his older patients, making house calls whenever asked to see that his elderly clients’ feet remain in tip-top shape. And as a young podiatrist practicing in Queens, he treated Mafia Don John Gotti.

Source: Glenn Griffith, cnweekly [5/9/13]

GA Podiatrist Opens New Office

A new Barrow County podiatry office will hold a ribbon-cutting ceremony on Friday, May 10. The medical practice, Premier Podiatry headed by Dr. Jonnica Dozier, is the fourth business to open at Gateway Station, a 14,000-square-foot development that fronts Ga. Highway 316.

Dr. Jonnica Dozier and New Office (Photo: Deanna Allen)

Dr. Dozier earned her doctorate at Barry University School of Graduate Medical Sciences where she was recognized as a Merit Scholar for her academic achievements. She completed a three-year surgical residency at the Atlanta Veterans Affairs Medical Center in Decatur, Georgia where she served as Chief Resident during her final year.

Source:  Deanna Allen, Barrow Patch  [5/9/13]

WaterLase iPlus Laser Gets FDA Clearance for Soft Tissue Surgery

Biolase Inc. has announced that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration has cleared the WaterLase iPlus all-tissue laser for use as a surgical instrument for soft-tissue procedures in orthopedic and podiatric surgery.

The company said the iPlus has been specifically cleared for incision, excision, resection, ablation, vaporization, coagulation, and hemostasis, with or without an arthroscope, in contact and non-contact with tissue, in orthopedic and podiatric surgery, including soft and cartilaginous tissue in small and large joints.

Source: RTT News [5/8/13]

Query: Dragon Problem

I have Dragon version 9.5 Medical and a Phillips Speech Mike Pro+.  Unfortunately, I developed a corrupt Dragon user file. Since I was going to have to re-train the program, I decided to upgrade to an  HP with Dual Core processor running Windows 7. Now, I frequently have text typed as compound words when they should not be, or the program "dings" and leaves out parts of words or sentences. For, example I might say, "I counseled the patient regarding the long and difficult recovery." The program types "I counseled the patient regarding the long and diff........(ding)."
 
I have tried changing different user settings to no avail. As a solution, I might upgrade to the newest version of Dragon; however, I use this same version (9.5) on a different Windows 7 PC in my other office without any problems. Suggestions?
 
Craig Breslauer, DPM, Palm City, FL

Query: Medicare 2% Sequestration Reduction

On April 1, 2013, Medicare reduced payments by 2% on the doctor's eligible amount (sequestration). While the dollar amount is small per claim, it is significant when all the claims for my practice are added together. Can the 2% Medicare sequestration adjustment be balance billed to a patient? The documentation on the CMS website does not address this issue.

David Kapan, Practice Administrator, Office of Greg Rubinstein, DPM, Teaneck, NJ

Response: No, you cannot bill the patient. The sequestration did not affect the allowed amount. Medicare still keeps the same fee schedule, the patient still pays their 20% (or secondary insurance), but the actual Medicare payment at the 80% level was reduced by 2%.

In our system, the way I posted this was by putting the paid amount in the paid column and the 2% in a "withheld" column, just as you would if they actually withheld a payment...but the patient 20% still remains the same. We just took a 2% hit from the actual Medicare payment. Basically, we are getting paid 78%.

Melissa Moon, Office Manager, Office of Steve Carter, DPM, Covington, GA

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RE: Overlapping 2nd Digit Status Post Bunionectomy
From: Barry Mullen, DPM

Assuming this 77 year old patient is very active, and that considerable 1st MTP joint pain exists, the "KISS" approach calls for either a 1st MTP fusion or Keller arthroplasty, coupled with a partial 2nd metatarsal head resection and plantar plate repair, if torn (likely).

Barry Mullen, DPM, Hackettstown, NJ, yazy630@aol.com

RE: Overlapping 2nd Digit Status Post Bunionectomy
From: Don Peacock, DPM)

I wanted to show a nice correction I got on a bunion deformity with the patient on whom I felt uncomfortable with doing a 1st metatarsal osteotomy. In your case, you would have to remove the fixation in the first metatarsal. This can complicate the redo procedure for the patient. On the elderly patient, I’m going to show I performed a minimally invasive bunionectomy and Akin through and through.

Pre- and Post-op X-Rays, Akin Performed Minimally Invasive

I used the same incision percutaneously to perform the bunionectomy and the Akin. The interesting result with her x-rays is that...

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

RE: Smart Patient With Smart Phone (Bret Ribotsky, DPM)
From: Jeffrey Kass, DPM

I had the exact situation occur in my office that Dr. Ribotsky describes.

Jeffrey Kass, DPM, Forest Hills, NY, jeffckass@aol.com

RE: Smart Patient With Smart Phone (Bret Ribotsky, DPM)
From: Paul Kesselman, DPM

Use of digital cameras by patients in the office to take pictures of their x-rays and foot condition prior to surgery is certainly nothing new to most of us. Smart phones, however, have certainly taken this issue to a new height and it was only a matter of time before patients started shopping for our very services, while sitting in our very offices.

Excluding the use of digital cameras was easy by maintaining a policy of excluding...

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

RE: Dr. Lidtke's Remarks (George C. Trachtenberg, MS, DPM)
From: Roy H. Lidtke, DPM

I am not sure what Dr. Trachtenberg means by "all the research." All the research is available at ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed

I am a clinician and a researcher. As a researcher, I use the scientific method to establish a finding at the 95% confidence level that the finding is true. At Rush University, we do an NIH-sponsored level of research and publish in journals that have a high impact factor, where the editors and reviewers make sure our methodology and conclusions are correct.

So, as a researcher, I can tell you that wearing the Flex OA shoe does decrease the loads on the...

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

EQUIPMENT FOR SALE - NEW AEROLASE YAG LASER

Brand new Aerolase Yag Laser Bought Feb 2013- Never Used Paid $35,000. Will sell for $25,000. Contact Kathy (352) 867-1155 or Michael after 7pm (352) 816-1155.

EQUIPMENT FOR SALE - CUTTING EDGE MPL  THERAPEUTIC "COOL" LASER

Purchased 04/2010 Purchase price $27,000 Asking $13,000 (Image 1, Image 2, Image 3). Our doctors just haven't been using it enough. email mrobsondpm@aol.com

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

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

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.

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 - CALIFORNIA

Established foot and ankle specialty group looking for an experienced podiatrist. This position entails making rounds at local hospitals, skilled nursing facilities and having scheduled office appointments. Must be comfortable with all aspects of podiatric care and will be doing no less than the hiring partners. Full-time position with a competitive salary.  Looking for someone with a great bedside manner, energetic and will to go the extra mile to make a positive difference. Send CV to administrator@footnankledoc.com

ASSOCIATE POSITION - NEW JERSEY

Looking for full time/part time associate in busy 3 office practice.  Offices are located in Union, Hudson, and Bergen counties. Competitive salary with benefits. Excellent growth opportunity. Please send C.V. to njpodiatry33@gmail.com.

ASSOCIATE POSITION - VIRGINIA

Well-established practice in Arlington Virginia looking for first year associate DPM perhaps leading to purchase of office. Office is one block from metro and has onsite private parking for patients. Present owner is retiring but will aid with smooth transition. This practice has been in the same location for the 40 years and has an excellent referral base. Must be licensed to practice in the state of Virginia. Please contact drmichaelfine@aol.com. Cell Phone 703-582-5999.

PODIATRISTS NEEDED - LOS ANGELES, CA
 
Home Foot Care, Inc. Is looking for motivated podiatrists to provide quality mobile care to our home-bound patients. Flexible schedule, independence, great compensation. If interested, please email resume to homefootcare@hotmail.com

ASSOCIATE POSITION- HUDSON VALLEY REGION, NY

Hudson Valley Foot Associates has a great opportunity available! We’re a high-volume, diversified, multi-office group practice utilizing state-of-the-art modalities. Great growth for a personable and motivated DPM. Please visit www.hvfa.com and forward cover letter with CV to info@hvfa.com.

ASSOCIATE POSITION - SOUTH EAST FLORIDA

Large established podiatry practice looking for a part-time associate. Experienced or recent graduates considered. Serious inquiries may contact us at podiatryg@yahoo.com

ASSOCIATE POSITION - WASHINGTON, DC/ MD SUBURBS

Prominent, established two office practice seeking well rounded, personable, ethical individual with sharp medical and surgical skills. Must be 24/36 month trained, ABPS qualified or certified. Partnership opportunity with ownership potential. Competitive salary with benefits package. Please send CV to ponyrunner66@gmail.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

ASSOCIATE POSITION - SOUTH EAST FLORIDA

Large established podiatry practice looking for a part-time associate. Experienced or recent graduates considered. Serious inquiries may contact us at podiatryg@yahoo.com

ASSOCIATE POSITION - WASHINGTON, DC/ MD SUBURBS

Prominent, established two office practice seeking well rounded, personable, ethical individual with sharp medical and surgical skills. Must be 24/36 month trained, ABPS qualified or certified. Partnership opportunity with ownership potential. Competitive salary with benefits package. Please send CV to ponyrunner66@gmail.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

ASSOCIATE POSITION - HAMPTON ROADS VIRGINIA

Needs to be highly motivated, INDEPENDENT and surgically-trained to join a successful 40+ year practice surrounded with water sports, beaches and hiking. PSR24/36; well versed in forefoot and rearfoot surgery, diabetic wound care, sports medicine and diagnostic ultrasound. Please email CV & cover letter to fixafoot@cox.net

ASSOCIATE POSITION - MASSACHUSSETS

Located near Boston. 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 - MONTANA

Needed podiatric surgeon skilled in reconstructive procedures for complex deformities of the foot and ankle. All benefits are generous. Position provides an opportunity for immediate case load and professional fulfillment in a nationally profiled practice in Montana. 3 year PM&S or equivalent. Inquire at www.Selectapplications.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 - LAS VEGAS, NV

Need a Nevada licensed podiatrist to cover IN OFFICE for month of June 2013. Starting Date June 1, surgical experience not a requirement. Salary is negotiable. doctor@viawest.net

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

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.

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.

PM News Classified Ads Reach over 14,000 DPMs and Students

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