The Voice of Podiatrists

Serving Over 9,500 Podiatrists Daily

May 17, 2007 #2,938 Editor-Barry Block, DPM, JD

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TX Podiatrist Brings Mobile Podiatry Clinic to Patients

Many of podiatrist Larry Cohen's patients are old and infirm, living in nursing homes or assisted living facilities. For them, traveling to his office can be difficult, if not impossible. Treating them where they live also was unacceptable. "We tried making house calls, but it's unhygienic," says Cohen. "We couldn't bring all the equipment we needed, and it's tough on the doctors, too, with all the bending and lifting they had to do."

Dr. Larry Cohen

After hearing about a mobile veterinary clinic in town, Cohen decided a podiatry clinic on wheels would combine the best of an office visit with the convenience of a house call. Getting one built, however, was another story. "I looked for a prototype van, but couldn't find anything like what I wanted," he says. "So we had to design one almost from scratch." After Cohen found a company in Columbus, Ohio, willing to work with him, it took two months to transform his dream into reality. At the end of November, the Alamo Area Mobile Podiatry Clinic took to the road.

Mobile Podiatry Van

"Our floor plan is unique," Cohen says of the 38-foot-long motor coach he says cost "in the neighborhood of $180,000" to build and outfit. The van has two snug but well-equipped treatment areas, each with a motorized chair. There's an X-ray machine, a small waiting area and a hydraulic wheelchair lift.

Source: Richard A. Marini, San Antonio Express-News [5/12/07]

Clinicians Gather in the Netherlands for International Symposium on the Diabetic Foot

Last week, clinicians from more than 90 nations assembled in Noordwijkerhout, The Netherlands, for the 5th International Symposium on the Diabetic Foot. Topics ranged from third-world healthcare policy to complex surgical interventions.

Dr. David Armstrong

“While the epidemic of amputations amongst persons with diabetes has been swept under the rug for generations, the Diabetic Foot has finally reached maturity as a specialty,” noted David G. Armstrong, DPM, PhD, Professor of Surgery at Scholl College at Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine and Science. “Politicians and physicians from Uganda to the USA now realize the value of preventing amputations in persons with diabetes.”

Dr. Armstrong, who was honored as the only podiatrist to give a plenary lecture at the congress, stressed the value of teamwork. “No physician, surgeon or nurse is an island. " This is a team approach. And with that approach, we’re making a difference, worldwide.

MS Podiatrist Retires After 33 Years

When Dr. Bobby Adams opened his practice in Meridian in 1974, his ultimate goal was to leave the community in better hands than when he started. Recently, Adams did just that. After providing more than 30 years of foot care to the community, he has stepped aside to allow his daughter, Dr. Leigh White, and Dr. Scott Hanegan to manage the Foot Clinic of Meridian.

Dr. Bobby Adams

"I've been working since the age of 12. I want to retire now, before I have to," Adams said.
His next move: traveling with his wife of 44-plus years, Andi. After a trip to Alaska in June, the couple will embark on a mission trip to Macedonia in September with fellow members of Fifteenth Avenue Baptist Church. Adams, a native of Winona, was a practicing pharmacist when he decided to go into podiatry. "I wanted to become more involved in direct patient care, rather than product," he said. "I wanted to take care of people."

Adams moved his wife and three children to Chicago, where he began studies at The Scholl College of Podiatric Medicine, which at the time was the Illinois College of Podiatric Medicine."One of the greatest pleasures of my practice life is working with my two daughters," he said. His daughter Allison served as a receptionist for several years. And after several years as a registered nurse, his daughter Leigh decided to study podiatry.

Source: Ida Brown, Jackson Clarion Ledger [5/14/07]

Query: Monitoring Liver Function for High-Dose Vitamin A

I wish to know if patients with or without liver pre-existing liver diseases should be monitored when treating lower extremities warts up to two months with high dosage vitamin A, which is metabolized in the liver.

Giulio V. Zanetti, Podiatrist, Milano (Italy)

RE: Power Point Lectures [Scott Werter, DPM]
From: Betsy M. Herman

APMA has developed a number of PowerPoint lectures for APMA members to download and use for presentations. Currently there are four different topics, “General Podiatric Medicine,” “Arthritis,” “Diabetes and Your Feet,” and two versions of “Sports Medicine.” All of the APMA presentations can be customized to include the doctor’s name, address, website, etc. and we encourage doctors to add their own clinical slides to supplement the presentations.

In addition, APMA now has a full slide databank available online. Here, DPM’s can find clinical slides for use on APMA presentations or any others. All of this material can be found on the APMA website (www.apma.org), in the Member Center under the “Marketing” tab. Doctors who have questions regarding these presentations can contact APMA at APMA_Assist@apma.org

Betsy M. Herman, Marketing & Career Development Specialist, APMA, bherman@apma.org

RE: Obligation to Perform Surgery? (William Vondette, DPM)
From: Sheldon Marne, DPM, James M. Petko, DPM

As another way of looking at the problem, we should have no obligation to shield an error, or incompetence. The only duty you have is to the patient in the chair in front of you. It is time that we understand that patients are in pain due to the actions of some of our colleagues. Rather than relegating our patients to the status of drug seekers, we should hold them to a higher standard. We should do away with the impaired practitioner program and require one strike and you are out. I would hope that if an incompetent of any kind attacked your grandmother or grandchild, you would want them not to be given a chance to harm another human.

I would like to hear an open and frank discussion of the topic. When is it malpractice? Is it only when it affects one of your loved ones?

Sheldon Marne, DPM , Brevard, NC, ncmarnes@msn.com

After 20 years of clinical practice, I prefer the simpler approach to making tough decisions... if my gut says "no" I listen to it. Intelligence holds the scalpel. Wisdom knows when to pick it up. Remember, it's elective surgery. Elective for the patient and elective for the doctor.

James M. Petko, DPM, Falls Church, VA, footdoc@erols.com

Here's a picture of the feet of an elderly Chinese woman who had her feet bound.

Bound Foot

Evan Meltzer, DPM, Browning, MT

EQUIPMENT FOR SALE: CRYOPROBE SYSTEM

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A cryoprobe system (less than one year old and rarely used) from CryoTech is available for only $12,000. This lists for $14,900. The CryoPac system comes complete with two fully sterilizable probes. This system has been used less than 15 times and can be used to treat plantar fasciitis, neuromas, and other foot pathology. E-mail serious inquires to: drsammendicino@gtef.org

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ASSOCIATE POSITION – SAN DIEGO COUNTY

Immediate opening for qualified forefoot surgeon for well-established practice in San Diego County. Opportunity to buy in as well. foothold@msn.com

ASSOCIATE WANTED – NEW YORK IMMEDIATE OPENING

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

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

PRACTICE FOR SALE : LA JOLLA CA (SAN DIEGO) Price reduced!

$287K '06. No HMOs, bone surgery, or insurance panels, so opportunity abounds! Affluent community. General practice, biomechanics, DME. Possible finance Serious/principals only. Cell:858-405-4780, 10-8 PDT. No Sunday calls, please. $129K Selling due to age, health problems. www.SDFootDoctor.com DrRDWorley@yahoo.com

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ASSOCIATE POSITION- SOUTH JERSEY

Associate PT/FT wanted for progressive (EMR, Digital x-ray, Diag U/S ), ethical, full scope group practice. A motivated team player with very good surgical and routine skills. ABPS cert and 24/36 PSR preferred but will take experience into consideration. A very fair benefits /compensation package. CV and references Dalilfeet@AOL.com

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

PRACTICE FOR SALE: IN THE HEART OF FLUSHING, QUEENS, NY

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Busy practice, busy area, great location. Part of a multi-specialty practice, who are automatic sources of referral. In the same building as an ASSISTED LIVING FACILITY, automatic patients, call (212) 688-4680 or e-mail doctor4foot@aol.com for details.

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