The Voice of Podiatrists

Serving Over 12,000 Podiatrists Daily

May 17, 2010 #3,859 Publisher-Barry Block, DPM, JD

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Two Podiatrists Reappointed to MI Podiatry Board

Governor Jennifer Granholm has announced the following recent reappointments: 

Dr. Louis Geller

Louis J. Geller, DPM of Huntington Woods, podiatrist and president of Geller Foot Clinic, is reappointed to represent podiatrists for a term expiring June 30, 2014. 

Dr. Scott Hughes

Scott E. Hughes, DPM of Monroe, senior podiatrist and president of Foot & Ankle Specialists, PC, is reappointed to represent podiatrists for a term expiring June 30, 2014.
 
The Michigan Board of Podiatric Medicine and Surgery provides for the licensure and examination of podiatrists and podiatric surgeons.

U.S. Podiatrists Featured at International Foot Symposium in UK

David G. Armstrong, Professor of Surgery and Director of the Southern Arizona Limb Salvage Alliance (SALSA) at the University of Arizona College of Medicine was a featured guest along with clinicians from 26 other nations at the 13th biannual Malvern International Diabetic Foot Symposium.

Dr. David Armstrong at Malvern International Diabetic Foot Symposium

In addition to workshops alongside his long-time collaborator, Prof. Lawrence A. Lavery of UT Southwestern, Armstrong participated in a symposium detailing the "toe and flow" system of care as well as a heated debate with colleague, Prof. William Jeffcoate of Nottingham, on the present and future use of advanced technologies in wound healing. "I'm grateful to Dr. Gerry Rayman and Prof. Boulton for again putting on such a splendid event," noted Armstrong.

Remington Products Company Buys Stable Step, Makers of Powerstep

Mr. Tim Remington, President of Remington Products, Inc. announced today the purchase of the Stable Step Corporation, a privately-held business with headquarters located in Cincinnati, OH. Stable Step sells Powerstep brand pre-fabricated foot orthotics to medical professionals and retail stores throughout the United States. Mr. Remington, in announcing the purchase, said, “We have identified, in our product line and within our internal product development program, a number of product options that we can manufacture and sell under the Powerstep brand name going forward. Also, we are pleased that Dr. Les Appel, the founder and owner of Stable Step, will remain with us as a consultant so that we can benefit from his long experience in creating this very successful company.”

Dr. Les Appel

Dr. Appel, the former President of Stable Step, in his new role as a consultant, will focus his creative energies on new product ideas, as well as helping to market and sell Powerstep products. Mr. Gus McPhie, the current Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer, will be responsible for managing the business. He has been an important contributor to the Powerstep brand’s success over the last several years.

Office Manager Arrested For Identity Theft from PA Podiatrist

Neshannock Township police have charged a former office manager with the theft of approximately $71,000. Nicole Lynn Welsh, 34 was arraigned Wednesday. She was released on a non-monetary bond. Welsh faces 17 felony charges: identity theft, five counts; theft by deception, five counts; forgery, four counts; and access device fraud, three counts. Police said three credit cards, lines of credit and four checks were used without consent.

Dr. Michael Drespling told police he attempted to open a line of credit in June 2009, but was denied because of a poor credit report. The Neshannock podiatrist said he and his accountant interviewed Welsh, who was his office mananger from 2006 to 2009, two months later. “(Welsh) told him she did use the card and that he let her use it,” court records stated. “Drespling denied ever giving Welsh the authorization to use his credit cards (or) checks.” Police said she was fired after the meeting. Welsh allegedly used the funds for purchases at Walmart, Grove City Outlets, Burnett Pools, and other locations.

Source: Patrick E. Litowitz, New Castle News [5/14/10]

Anti-Fraud Efforts Recover $2.5 Billion, Feds Say

The government's efforts to rein in Medicare fraud and abuse recovered $2.5 billion for the program in fiscal 2009, up 29% from $1.9 billion the previous year, according to a new annual report. HHS Secretary Kathleen Sebelius and Attorney General Eric Holder touted that number and others as evidence that the Obama administration's invigorated attention to the problem has paid dividends already, and they highlighted new funding and tools their departments will wield in the fight.

The $2.5 billion collected in fiscal 2009 is attributed to judgments and settlements in previous years as well as 2009, according to the report of the Health Care Fraud and Abuse Control Program. Another $441 million was returned to the treasury as the federal share of Medicaid recoveries.

In the criminal realm of healthcare fraud in fiscal 2009, the Justice Department opened 1,014 new investigations compared with 953 in fiscal 2008. Prosecutors charged 803 defendants and won 583 convictions. Those numbers don't differ significantly from the previous year.

Source: Gregg Blesch, Modern Healthcare [5/14/10]

Query: Patient Information Pamphlets for Generic Terbinafine

Now that Lamisil has gone generic, we can't get patient information pamphlets anymore. Does anyone know how to get them or if the generic company furnishes any patient literature?

Charles Perry, DPM, Cambridge, OH

RE: Juvenile Cartilage Replacement (Syed Ahmed, DPM)
From: Denise M. Mandi, DPM
 
We have been performing DeNovo cartilage grafts at Broadlawns since April of 2009, with very satisfying results. We began with talar dome lesion repair, then went on to replace defects in the 1st MTPJ. This graft is an improvement over previous options, because the hyaline cartilage continues to grow after implantation. Caution must be exercised if using the graft on both surfaces of a joint, as cartilaginous bridging can occur (start early, be gentle, use non-weight-bearing ROM to prevent this, or stage the procedure). We have also used this graft in combination with OsteoCure bone plugs for deeper lesions with great success.

Denise M. Mandi, DPM, Des Moines, IA, dmandi@broadlawns.org

Practice Fusion EMR (Justin H. Sussner, DPM)
From: Multiple Respondents

I just received an email from Sabas Rodriguez at Practice Fusion regarding my recent post on PM News. As a result of the e-mail, I called Sabas. He was kind enough to clarify and correct some of the information that was previously provided to me.

First, the ads are not shown on the patient portal; they are shown on the physician interface. Second, the features that cost extra are electronic claims submission and electronic eligibility checking. Finally, in relation to patients, their income model is to sell de-identified patient information to clients, including drug companies.

I would like to publicly thank Sabas for correcting the incorrect information that was originally provided to me by another representative from Practice Fusion.

Michael Brody, DPM, Commack, NY, mbrody@tldsystems.com

I checked out Practice Fusion. They promote their program as being totally free, and they claim they have 35,000 doctors using their program with many more signing up every day. The company says that they earn their money by having advertisements on the bottom of the screen as you are using it.  Many of the programs we use daily such as Google, Facebook, and even PM News are supported by advertisements.
 
Having been "burnt" by what happened with Medinotes, I am fearful of spending a lot of money on a new program which could be sold tomorrow to another company that will cease supporting the program and offer an upgrade at a "$15,000 dollar" charge. This could theoretically happen to any program since it already happened with Medinotes. Other companies that I am investigating as an alternative to Medinotes will not guarantee in writing that when they develop a large customer base, they too will not sell out and create a similar scenario.
 
With the government promising to pay doctors to incorporate computerized note-taking in their offices, the market is being flooded with new companies offering programs. Many of these companies are after a portion of the money the government is promising to doctors, and hence are charging outrageous fees to start the program, as well as thousands of dollars a year to support the program.  Practice Fusion seems to be a good buy since they claim it is free, however, I learned the hard way that none of these companies can be totally trusted.  At this point in time, I am investigating all options for my EMR needs and won't rule out any program. 
 
Elliot Udell, DPM, Hicksville, NY, Elliotu@aol.com

I am currently working with Practice Fusion and trying their program.  I have had a few instances that required help and they were very responsive. 

I have done extensive research with EMR/PM software and have personally been paperless for five years. No EMR software is perfect, and the software mentioned in the last post requires many more clicks than practice fusion.  Integration with PM options in many cases can be a plus since you are not tied to one company if you want to switch.  There is no issue with your billing data making it to the correct place!  There are standard interface protocols that are very reliable. Most software mentioned is expensive, and transparency is an issue. There are modules that you may need to add and pay yearly or monthly fees.

Here is how they get their revenue. Their main source is the anonymous data which can be sold for big bucks, and we benefit. "We generate revenue by embedding advertising, including pharmaceutical products, into our physician tools. We also incur revenue through the sale of anonymized patient data to research groups, pharmaceuticals, and health plans."

Marc Katz, DPM, Tampa, FL, dr_mkatz@yahoo.com

RE: Nurses to Take USMLE Exam in 2012 (Robert Bijak, DPM)
From: Mike Tritto, DPM

While I don't agree with Dr. Bijak, I must applaud him for his passion pertaining to this issue. The APMA runs because of those who VOLUNTEER their time and effort with similar passion for this issue and others to get things done. It's an enormous sacrifice, but has great rewards when you are actively involved and help resolve issues for the good of the profession. I suggest that Dr. Bijak contact the APMA and see if they have a place to put his energy and ideas to work. Perhaps getting more involved might shed some light on the process and just how much the APMA is actually doing and why. 

Finger pointing and trying to place blame on anyone is counterproductive. Perception of an issue and how it is being handled from the outside is almost always changed when you get on the inside and become well-informed and part of the process. If you are unhappy with the way something is going, take action. This goes for anything in life, including your career. If you want to be something different, there is really nothing stopping you from attaining that goal. If we all put a paddle in the water for a few strokes, we would already be on the other side of the issue looking back, waiting to get on with the next one.
 
Mike Tritto, DPM, Rockville, MD, mtdpm@verizon.net

RE: The Media’s Impression of Podiatry (Dennis R. Frisch, DPM)
From: Robert Bijak, DPM

Dr. Frisch states the "tag line" used by the APMA  is, "Today's podiatrist is a physician, surgeon and specialist."  This sounds impressive, but it is misleading to the public, and could be scrutinized as "unprofessional conduct" in New York. It is illegal in NY for anyone but an MD/DO to use the term physician (section 6521, Article 131).  There is no accommodation for the qualifier "podiatric" physician. Many are using this term inappropriately. The use of the word "surgeon" without qualifying yourself as a limited licensed surgeon (podiatric) misleads the public to think your training is equivalent to a general MD/DO trained surgeon. So, once again the APMA appears to be on the wrong track. No matter how many euphemisms podiatrists use to embellish themselves, only a degree/license change will make it real.

Robert Bijak, DPM, Clarence Center, NY, rbijak@aol.com

ASSOCIATE POSITION - MARYLAND

Podiatrist needed for Maryland practice. Fax resume to 410-749-6807.

PODIATRISTS WANTED BALTIMORE/CHICAGO/NORTHWEST INDIANA

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 Jake Shimansky, Director of Physician Recruitment. Phone 773-342-5221 FAX 773-486-3548 E-Mail jshimansky@homephysicians.com www.homephysicians.com

ASSOCIATE POSITION – GREATER MILWAUKEE, WI

Great opportunity: our busy multi-physician, podiatric group practice, with multiple locations, strong hospital based affiliations and clinical appointments, with teaching faculty positions at PM&S-36 residency programs, is seeking a full-time RRA BQ/BC, PM&S-36 surgically trained doctor. Position will be available for July/August, 2010. Applicant should be well trained in all aspects of conservative care and surgical forefoot, rearfoot, reconstructive surgery, trauma, wound care and limb salvage. Candidate should be ethical, hard working, outgoing and a self-starter. Commensurate pay, income guarantee, with incentives and full benefit package. Definitive plans will be discussed leading to partnership tract. Contact: Daniel Hellman, M.D. @ 414.831.0512 or by e.mail @ hellmandr@gmail.com

ASSOCIATE POSITION - SW FLORIDA, BEAUTIFUL GULF COAST AREA 
 
Well-established podiatry practice with excellent mix office/surgery seeking full-time associate PSR 12-36. Excellent salary & benefits for the right hardworking, personable candidate. Email resume to pudos@aol.com or fax to 239-573-9201.

LOOKING TO PURCHASE PRACTICE IN TEXAS
 
Experienced, surgically-trained podiatrist looking to purchase successful full-time practice in Texas, preferably within 1 hour of Houston. Serious inquiries only. Please send email to faajobs@mail.com.

ASSOCIATE POSITION - TAMPA BAY, FL

Associate needed for a dynamic practice in the Tampa Bay area. Preference given to a PSR 24+ training and must have a Florida license. Well-established practice, high-tech with specialties in sports medicine, surgery and wound care. No nursing homes or HMOs. E-mail: drcosentino@tampabay.rr.com

ASSOCIATE POSITION - MARYLAND

IMMEDIATE Associate needed to join a multi-office podiatry practice in the Baltimore MD Region. Desired candidate should be surgically trained with Board Eligible/Certification. You must be hard-working, ethical, compassionate and confident in your abilities to deal with pathology, patients, staff and fellow physicians. Patient base is already established. Excellent income and growth potential for the right associate. Please forward a cover letter, resume, and surgical log (if a current resident) and availability to FootDocMaryland@Gmail.com

CANADIAN PODIATRISTS COME BACK HOME!

An Edmonton, Alberta group of DPM’s requires an additional Podiatrist. Interest in biomechanics essential. Given Canadian visa restrictions, this position is open only to Canadian Citizens or permanent residents. Very attractive compensation package. Fax C.V. or letter of interest to: (780) 483-5796.

PRACTICE FOR SALE – MAINE

25 year full scope in medical building, podiatrist friendly hospitals, appreciative and cooperative patients, excellent expansion potential, physician referrals. Wonderful place to raise a family. Retiring seller will stay for transition. mainefootdoc@yahoo.com

FUNGAL NAIL LASER FOR RENTAL-  NYC, LONG ISLAND AREA ONLY

Our trained technician comes to your office to treat your patients. Pay only for patients treated, no up-front costs. Laser is FDA-approved for general podiatry use, FDA pending for onychomycosis. Call 516-242-7540

EQUIPMENT FOR SALE – PAD NET 
 
5 month old PAD Net device for sale. Very lightly used with 7 months of the warranty left and an extra set of toe cuffs. Serious calls only. 928-774-4825

ASSOCIATE POSITION - SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA

Busy practice with offices in Pomona and San Bernardino is looking to expand and bring on a part-time or full-time podiatrist. Spanish speaking is helpful, but not imperative. For full-time position, a six figured starting salary with benefits and bonuses is offered.  Office work is needed, and must be willing to do house calls. NO NURSING HOMES, HOWEVER! If interested, please send CV to scpodgroup@gmail.com

ASSOCIATE POSITION - NAPLES, FLORIDA

Great opportunity for PSR- 24/36 BE/BC podiatrist with strong surgical skills to join multi-office, multi-doctor practice. Hospital privileges available at 648 bed hospital system, 200 bed hospital system and multiple surgical centers. We rotate for ER call at all 4 hospitals. Candidate needs to be ethical and motivated. Established practitioner or new practitioner OK. Salary and percentage based on skills and experience, benefits including 401K. Current Florida license a plus. This a wonderful world class community. Fax CV to (239)566-8778 or Email CV to Drgordon@gulfcoastfootcare.com

ASSOCIATE POSITION – NEW YORK

Great Opportunity NY podiatric practice – multiple locations – seeks well-trained, ethical DPM per diem and full-time positions available. Competitive salary. Send resume and CV to: info@advancedfootcare.org

ASSOCIATE POSITION - LAS VEGAS, DALLAS, HOUSTON, AND SAN ANTONIO AREAS

Seeking well trained ABPS board rearfoot/ankle certified/qualified foot surgeons for surgical practice with national foot/hand/orthopedic surgery group. Excellent salary/benefits. Email CV and cover letter to: slb99@pdq.net

1 YEAR PODIATRIC SPORTS MEDICINE FELLOWSHIP  - MONROVIA, CALIFORNIA

Applicants must have completed a podiatric residency program and must have or be eligible for a California license. Annual stipend: $48,000 and $60,000. If interested, please e-mail your resume with cover letter to the Program's management company at victoriamanagers@gmail.com

ASSOCIATE POSITION – MANHATTAN

Part-time, in-network Board Certified or Board Eligible Podiatrist wanted for busy Manhattan practice. Please email CV to parttimepodiatrist@gmail.com

ASSOCIATE POSITION - CONNECTICUT (FAIRFIELD AND NORTH HAVEN)

Great opportunity. Join one of the largest podiatric groups in Connecticut. Associate position leading to partnership. Well-established and progressive offices. Electronic medical records, digital x-ray, diagnostic ultrasound, Padnet vascular studies, nerve conduction studies, pinpoint and CO2 lasers, electrical stimulation and ultrasound therapies. Seeking a well-trained, personable, and highly motivated individual. Please send resume and current photo to dr.kassaris@yahoo.com 

PRACTICE FOR SALE - TENNESSEE

Established 30-year full-scope podiatry practice. Excellent hospital and surgery center privileges with investment opportunities. Fully equipped 2200 sq.ft. office across from hospital. High volume of new patients, DME, and local referral base. Great community for a family and the outdoorsman. Reply to tnfootdr@gmail.com

ASSOCIATE POSITION - PENNSYLVANIA

Western Philadelphia suburbs. 2-Office, Multi-Practitioner Practice ,has full-time position available. Must be ABPS Qualified or Certified. PSR-36 Preferred. Looking for hard-working, well-rounded, personable individual who is interested in all aspects of Podiatry including foot surgery and wound care. Please e-mail Resume to: pod1593@gmail.com

ASSOCIATE POSITION - PRINCETON, NJ

Looking for a full-time associate in a very high volume 2-office practice in the Princeton area in routine/sports/pediatric/surgical podiatric care. Excellent opportunity for a hard-working, ethical, individual with good personal and clinical skills. Candidate needs minimum PSR 24-36, board qualified/certified, and an active NJ state license. Send résumé’s – princetonpodiatry@yahoo.com

ASSOCIATE POSITION NORTH CAROLINA - ASHEVILLE/MOUNTAINS

Well established, multi-doctor, multi-office diverse practice has immediate need for associate doctor leading to partnership. Associate doctor will be very busy from day one. Attractive compensation and benefits. Buy-in potential after one year. Contact at smfc2@charterinternet.com or 828-734-1535

PRACTICE & BUILDING FOR SALE - MIDDLE TENNESSEE

Two locations each with 3 exam rooms, x-ray room, large waiting room, and ample parking. Excellent locations and growth potential. All equipment and furniture included. Website and marketing material included. Seller happy to assist with transition. Grossed 350K last year, priced to sell with financing available 200k. Call 931-446-5724.

SEEKING EMPLOYMENT - SOUTH FLORIDA

Board Certified Foot Surgeon. Had own practice in Texas for twenty years. E-mail:  ehe2852341@yahoo.com

ASSOCIATE POSITION - MINEOLA, NEW YORK 
 
Full-time or Part-time associate position with future partnership potential available with busy multi-office practices on Long Island. Must be proficient in all phases of podiatry with emphasis on surgery, biomechanics and RFC. Minimum standards include either a three-year PSR, or board qualified/certified status with ABPS. Existing hospital privileges with a NY-based facility helpful. Interested doctors are encouraged to e-mail their CV to mets724@gmail.com

PM News Classified Ads Reach over 12,000 DPM's and Students

Whether you have used equipment to sell or our offering an associate position, PM News classified ads are the fastest, most-effective way of reaching over 12,000 DPM's. Write to bblock@podiatrym.com or call (718) 897-9700 for details. THIS OFFER DOES NOT APPLY TO BUSINESSES PROVIDING PRODUCTS OR SERVICES. Note: For commercial or display ads contact David Kagan at (800) 284-5451.

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