The Voice of Podiatrists

Serving Over 13,500 Podiatrists Daily

June 15, 2012 #4,489 Publisher-Barry Block, DPM, JD

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Diabetes UK launches the 'Putting Feet First' Campaign

Diabetes UK said as many as 80% of the 199 amputated lower limbs could have been saved. It comes as Diabetes Week launches, with a focus on raising awareness of the complications that people living with the condition can encounter. Iain Foster, National Director at Diabetes UK Northern Ireland, said many people with diabetes are not aware of the risk of losing a limb. Diabetes UK encouraged them to have their feet checked annually.

Sam Wright, who was diagnosed with type two diabetes 10 years ago, said he might have avoided losing his leg if he had gone for regular checkups. "In March 2009, my life changed forever," the 56-year-old explained. "This is when my left leg was amputated, just below the knee. All this could possibly have been avoided if I had seen a podiatrist on a regular basis. I can't emphasise enough the importance of foot care and would encourage anyone with diabetes to see a podiatrist on a regular basis - to stop these disasters from occurring.

Source: UTV [6/11/12]

CA Podiatrist Files Complaint Against Congressman for Mailing Abuse

The Democrat facing Congressman Howard "Buck" McKeon, R-Santa Clarita, in November's general election, has filed a formal complaint against the incumbent claiming that McKeon used a mailer to help his wife in her bid for a seat in the state Assembly. The congressman's mailed advertisement, according to Dr. Lee Rogers, informed constituents not to confuse state Assembly candidate Paul Strickland with State Senator Tony Strickland, neither of whom were running against the congressman. 

Dr. Lee Rogers

On June 4, the day before the California primary, Rogers put his concerns in writing and mailed them to the Federal Elections Commission in Washington, alleging the congressman's wife Patricia McKeon was helped in her bid for the 38th State Assembly seat with funds generated by her husband which were used to publish the mailer.

Source: Jim Holt, The Santa Clarita Valley Signal [6/12/12]

NY Podiatrist Awards iPod in Good Deeds Essay Contest

Dr. Mary Carlson believes that many good deeds done each day are going un-rewarded. “We all know that negativity will not improve a situation, but complimenting or rewarding a job well done will actually prompt more of those good activities,” says Dr. Carlson. That said, Carlson launched a “Good Deed Contest” back in January of this year. The contest was open to youths 18 years of age and under. Children were urged to join the Good Deed Contest by submitting an essay about a good deed they have accomplished. 

Dr. Mary Carlson with Christopher Frangopoulos and other finalists.

Dr. Carlson collected a large number of excellent essays about good activities performed. It was a close competition, but the winning essay was submitted by 7 year old  1st grade student, Christopher Frangopoulos from Roslyn. Frangopoulos, was awarded the grand prize, a brand new Apple iPod on Tuesday June 12, at Carlson’s office in Williston Park.

33 Podiatrists Inducted Into SVS

The Society for Vascular Surgery (SVS) inducted the first 33 DPMs as physician members on June 8 during SVS’ annual meeting. This is a landmark achievement and is one of a number of collaborative efforts between APMA and SVS, which include joint development of diabetic foot practice guidelines, an SVS letter of support to Congress for the passage of Title XIX legislation, professional education and research collaboration, and a joint special edition of JAPMA/Journal of Vascular Surgery.

APMA was represented at the meeting by President Joseph Caporusso, DPM, immediate past president Mike King, DPM, and CEO Glenn Gastwirth, DPM. They were invited guests at the SVS business meeting and an open forum on SVS administration and SVS health policy initiatives, as well as scientific lectures and exhibits. They were also guests at the presidential address by Richard Cambria, MD, outgoing SVS president. APMA will continue to meet with SVS leadership at least once a year to discuss joint initiatives.

Source: APMA Weekly Focus [6/13/12]

Handle Complainers Constructively

Coach any grumblers or whiners on your staff to become empowered problem-solvers. Respond to their complaints this way:

•  Acknowledge how they feel before moving forward. Say: “I understand that is frustrating for you. I’m eager to hear your ideas for resolving the issue.” Don’t dismiss their emotions.
•  Express confidence in their abilities. Say: “I know you can find a way to resolve this.” Offer to brainstorm with them, but don’t take charge of finding the solution yourself. Instead, build their problem-solving skills.
•  Guide their thinking if they seem stuck on complaining. Ask them to finish a sentence such as “We could …” or “I will …”

Train your team members to look for solutions by asking for their ideas even when they aren’t complaining.

Source: Adapted from “Leaders, 6 Positive Replies to Transform Complaints Into Action,” Kate Nasser, Smart SenseAbilities via Communication Briefings

RE: Bilateral Pain Sub 2nd Mets (Harry Cotler, DPM)
From: Susan Bartos

Is the patient experiencing the typical symptoms of sciatica  - tingling, dull ache, or a burning sensation in his legs? Is his sciatica bilateral? Is his extreme foot pain/sensitivity due to the sciatica, or possibly another cause, such as fibromyalgia? If the bilateral, sub met 2nd is localized callusing, then an accommodative orthotic – designed for at-risk pathologies – can be modified to offload those calluses, and may provide some relief.

If the MRI indicates possible fibromatosis, a benign soft tissue tumor, the patient may need another course of action. MRIs are effective in showing the extent of the lesion, but cannot reveal the tissue composition. The recognition of the imaging characteristics of plantar fibromatoses can help in the clinical diagnosis. Surgery is often discouraged as post-surgical biopsies are predominantly cellular and frequently misdiagnosed as fibrosarcoma. Since the lesion is not encapsulated, clinical margins are difficult to define.

As such, portions of the diseased tissue may be left in the foot after surgery. Inadequate excision is the leading cause of recurrence. In a few cases, shockwaves have been reported to at least reduce pain and enable walking again. Currently, the injection of collagenase is in the process of FDA approval. Successful treatment with cryotherapy has been also reported. Cortisone injections, such as triamcinolone, and clobetasol ointments have been shown to stall the progression of the disease temporarily.

Susan Bartos, President, Earthwalk Orthotics, Inc., eworthotics@neo.rr.com

RE: Call for Practice Management Preceptors
From: Hal Ornstein, DPM

The American Academy of Podiatric Practice Management (AAPPM) is working hard to provide a meaningful experience to the graduates of our podiatry schools who have not matched in a residency program this year. We have created the Practice Management Preceptorship (PMP) that will place a graduate in a private practice setting to learn how to effectively and properly run a practice. This will also help to increase their chances of getting a residency next year.

We understand that this preceptorship program is not a solution to the residency shortage but it at least gives these graduates an opportunity while applying for a residency next year. We did this last year, and a high majority of the preceptees did get a residency starting this month!

Currently, a recent graduate who will...

Editor's Note: Dr. Ornstein's extended-length letter can be read here.

RE: Unified Post-Graduate Training (Bryan Markinson, DPM)
From: David Gurvis, DPM, Ron Raducanu, DPM

Kudos to Dr. Markinson for calling it for how it was and is. I am board certified, and have watched the evolution of the same problems Dr. Markinson enumerates. There was a concerted effort to convince all hospitals that the certification (italics mine) was the only method of showing competency.
 
Bryan's history is accurate. The future can change, but only when we all get along and stop the two-tier mentality.
 
David Gurvis, DPM, Avon, IN, deg1@comcast.net

I definitely have seen this as well, and agree with Bryan 100%. I have also seen another scenario played out as well where now, one of the elder statesmen of podiatry in the community holds a relatively powerful position in the hospital system he have been working in for 25 years. All of a sudden, the bylaws change to only allow very well trained and RRA-certified only practitioners in the community get privileges at that hospital. At the same time, they make sure to include verbiage in the bylaws to protect those who have held certain privileges "grandfather" themselves into maintaining their current privileges. In some communities, there are no such trained new practitioners except one or two, and guess who they work with?

I don't agree with any of these scenarios, which is why I've been speaking about a unified board and unified certification for ALL of us since I came out of residency in 2002.

Ron Raducanu, DPM, Philadelphia, PA, kidsfeet@gmail.com

RE: "Unified" Post-Graduate Training
From: Jon Purdy, DPM

I can’t begin to fathom the confusion a regressive sub-division of podiatry would create. The foot and ankle is a complex structure but, my goodness, are we then going to propose separate schooling for the left versus right foot? One should know what they are getting into when they go into a specific medical field. What they choose to do with it after training is up to them. Most orthopedic counterparts don’t do back surgery or even hand or foot surgery. The money and simplicity is in the knees, hips, and shoulders, and guess where most orthopedists concentrate? As of now, I don’t think their associations are considering two-year residencies concentrating only on knees, hips, and shoulders.

Podiatry is begging for solidarity and inclusion. The best way to do that is to unify training, so when it comes to medical and surgical treatment of the foot and ankle, we can say to our medical counterparts, “Yep, podiatry does that.” If the individual decides to concentrate on more specialized aspects of podiatry, then...

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

RE: Success Tips from the Masters (Bryan Markinson, DPM)
From: Bret M. Ribotsky, DPM

Maybe it is time for "outside the box thinking". If you have been following the newest trend in dentistry, make sure you're not holding hot coffee when you read this article from the LA Times.

There are dental therapists who are filling the role of dentists. They are filling cavities, pulling teeth, and performing root canals. Due to the lack of dentists or the dental profession unwilling to lower their fees, the entrepreneurial world has developed an answer. Lower trained, lower paid people are providing the care that is needed.

I believe we are at a precipice for our profession. In the past, we moved from RPR, POR, PSR12, PSR24, PSR24+ to a common training. Was this the correct decision? Are we all harmonized? Is the goal of project 2015 of parity just...

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

RE: Barefoot Running More Efficient (Howard E Friedman, DPM)
From: Kevin A. Kirby, DPM

Dr. Friedman made the unsupported statement, "When practiced judiciously, minimalist shoe wear can help strengthen foot muscles and foot health in some cases." This type of misinformation that minimalist shoes strengthen feet seems to be commonly believed by many barefoot and minimalist shoe advocates, even though there is not a single scientific research study that supports the claim that shoes with thinner soles somehow strengthen feet.
 
Using the same confirmation bias, the barefoot and minimalist advocates also commonly claim that foot orthoses weaken the feet. There is not a shred of scientific research that supports the claim that foot orthoses somehow weaken feet over time. In fact, of the two published scientific studies that have investigated changes in foot and leg strength after a period of wearing orthoses, two of them have shown a significant increase in foot and leg muscle strength after wearing foot orthoses (Jung DY, Koh EK, Kwon OY: Effect of foot orthoses and short-foot exercise on the cross-sectional area of the abductor hallucis muscle in subjects with pes planus:  A randomized controlled trial. J Back Musculoskelet Rehabil, 24(4):225-231, 2011;  Mayer F, Hirshmuller A, Muller S, Schuberth M, Baur H:  Effects of short-term treatment strategies over 4 weeks in Achilles tendinopathy. Br J Sports Med, 41 (7):e1-e5, 2007).
 
We must be vocal as a profession to provide the public with scientifically factual information regarding the effects of shoes on feet because, if we don't provide this information to protect the public, who will?
 
Kevin A. Kirby, DPM, Sacramento, CA, kevinakirby@comcast.net

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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 516 476-1815 PODO2345@AOL.COM

PRACTICE FOR SALE - BALTIMORE, MARYLAND

Established 40+ year old well-rounded practice of both surgical and non-surgical care with special emphasis on sports medicine. Medicare and BS/private insurance base, no Medical assistance. Needs to transition to a confident well trained individual. Purchase can include building. Contact:podiatrypracticesale@gmail.com

ASSOCIATE POSITION – PHOENIX, WEST VALLEY SUBURBS
 
A well-established, solo-physician practice seeking a Full Time Associate Podiatrist. Applicant should be well trained physician with sound surgical skills and applicant must have completed a 24-36 month residency, & be board eligible/certified. Practice offers a state of the art practice setting, with a good general mix of all aspects of podiatric medicine and surgery. Competitive salary and benefits. Partnership opportunities available. Fax resume: 623-935-5783 or email to: AzPodiatrist@gmail.com
 

ASSOCIATE POSITION - NYC BORO

Podiatrist needed for NYC practice. Must be on Health First, Health Plus, GHI, Affinity, or, most of these plans. All phases of podiatry. Excellent opportunity. E-mail resume to include current employment. rrranch7@yahoo.com
PRACTICE FOR SALE- LONG ISLAND part-time. Inquiries rranch7@yahoo.com

ASSOCIATE POSITION - MASSACHUSSETTS

Looking for an extremely hard working podiatry associate for part-time work, opportunity for full time. Busy and expanding podiatry practice in the Merrimack Valley. Will work in both office and nursing home setting. In office, we have laser technology, electronic medical records, diagnostic ultrasound, x-rays, etc. Please email us at resumesent11@comcast.net if you have interest in this position. If we find the right person, this opportunity could lead to partnership. Looking forward to hearing from you.

ASSOCIATE POSITION - ST AUGUSTINE, FL

A well-established, solo-physician in St Augustine, FL; is seeking a full-time associate. Applicant should be well-trained with sound surgical skills, applicant must be board eligible/certified. Practice offers a state-of-the-art practice setting, with a good general mix of all aspects of podiatric medicine and surgery. Competitive salary. E-mail resume to drfootwound@gmail.com

ASSOCIATE POSITION - SOUTHEASTERN MICHIGAN

Immediate opening for a full time/part-time PSR 24/36 podiatrist in a 30 year old, well established practice with an excellent reputation and referral base. State-of-the-art office with EMR, digital x-ray, diagnostic ultrasound and beautiful office. Generous base salary, malpractice insurance, health insurance, benefits and bonus structure. A well rounded and energetic podiatric surgeon needed for this group of 4 board certified podiatric physicians and surgeons. Please send CV to: michiganfootandankle@gmail.com

ASSOCIATE POSITION - GEORGIA  

Podiatrist needed in the State of Georgia to start ASAP. At least one year post residency experience preferred. Contact Dr. Azuka Nwaedozie at (404) 908 9042 or email me at anwaedozie@aol.com.

ASSOCIATE POSITION- WASHINGTON

A well-established practice with 4 locations in and around Seattle is seeking a full time/part-time associate podiatrist. Position involves clinical, nursing homes, laser therapy. Applicant should be well trained physician and a motivated, energetic self-starter, completed minimum a 24-month residency. Please send inquiries to isbinc2006@gmail.com

ASSOCIATE POSITION - OHIO

Ohio practice with excellent reputation and patient base seeks to hire a Podiatric Surgeon. The offices are state of the art including Digital X-Ray, EMR, Diagnostic ultrasound, Padnet Vascular Testing, CO- 2 Lasers all aspects of DME. The base salary is $120,000 with a bonus structure and benefits also would like to have this individual buy into the practice eventually. Please send CV to Ohiopodiatrist@aol.com

ASSOCIATE POSITION - WORCESTER MASSACHUSETTS

Podiatry practice in Worcester Massachusetts is looking for an associate podiatrist. Busy 2-person practice. High surgical numbers. No nursing homes. Call to hear free recorded message for more information. Call 641.715.3800 Access Code 32299 and message 4 to learn about the practice. Visit our website www.centralmasspodiatry.com

ASSOCIATE POSITION - OHIO

Ohio practice with excellent reputation and patient base seeks to hire a Podiatric Surgeon. The offices are state of the art including Digital X-Ray, EMR, Diagnostic ultrasound, Padnet Vascular Testing, CO- 2 Lasers all aspects of DME. The base salary is $120,000 with a bonus structure and benefits also would like to have this individual buy into the practice eventually. Please send CV to: Ohiopodiatrist@aol.com

ASSOCIATE POSITION  - BRONX, NY

Full-time highly motivated, ethical, hard-working associate wanted for multiple office locations commencing 8/2012.  All phases of podiatric medicine (Surgery, Biomechanics, DME, Palliative Care). Competitive base salary, malpractice insurance, bonus structure. Please email resumes to:bronxpodiatrist1@gmail.com

ASSOCIATE POSITIONS – NEW YORK CITY

Looking for someone with some working experience in a podiatric office. Two sessions (1/2 day) a week for July and August for Upper West Side of Manhattan. References a must. One 8 AM to 12, one 12 to 5 PM. Reply to fabienne.rottenberg@gmail.com

ASSOCIATE POSITION AVAILABLE - NORTH CAROLINA

New associate position available that may lead to partnership. We are a very busy practice providing care in both office and hospital settings. We are fully integrated in a large tertiary teaching hospital. We are located in the beautiful mountains of western North Carolina. Research opportunities are available. Applicant should be ethical, personable, hard working, and committed to quality in patient care. We are offering a competitive salary with bonus opportunities and a wide range of benefits. All interested candidates should send a CV to MFAS828@aol.com

ASSOCIATE POSITION - YORK, PA

Three-office practice with hospital, surgical center & nursing home privileges. EMR since 2000. Digital x-ray, ultrasound, progressive practice. Competitive salary and benefits offered. Practice offers good mix of surgery, wound care, and general podiatry. Open to associate with potential future buy-in. Please forward your information and CV to footdocpa@aol.com

ASSOCIATE POSITION - SAN JUAN, PUERTO RICO

Well-established practice seeking associate with opportunity for buy-in. Must have a minimum of 2 years surgical residency, or have 10 years practice experience with rear foot surgical skills. Great opportunity for growth with in-house surgical center, 2 hospitals within walking distance & more. Puerto Rican License required. Send CV/Resume to admin1@podiatrycenterpr.com

ASSOCIATE POSITION - NEW YORK

WORK SMARTER NOT HARDER. Join a modern, well-established 42-year-old podiatric medical/surgical practice within a multi-specialty office. Located just 20 minutes from NYC. Must be responsible, compassionate, driven, and self-starter. Enjoy cross-referrals from other specialists and support of medical assistants, office managers, and medical billers with over 50 years combined experience. Utilize modern technology: state-of-the-art diagnostic ultrasonography, fluoroscopy, ESWT (machine is owned by practice), physical therapy, x-ray, circulation testing, NCV, and in-office operatory suite. Very strong and effective advertising/marketing program. No nursing homes, No HMOs, No Medicaid, No Medicare. Must be licensed for podiatry in New York. Send cover letter/CV to: linchpindpm@yahoo.com

ASSOCIATE POSITION - CENTRAL NEW JERSEY

Podiatry office in Central NJ- Looking for a three year surgically trained associate who has entrepreneurial spirit for a very busy office. You will see new patients and have the potential to become board certified in two years. Partnership guaranteed within three years for the right person. Must be very outgoing and personable. Great opportunity for a person who is confident and a go getter." Please fax your CV to: 732-968-8821.

ASSOCIATE POSITION - SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA

Full-time/Part-time, motivated, outgoing associate wanted for immediate job opening. Multi-office, multi-doctor practice based in Orange County, is looking for hard-working individual to treat wide range of patients. PSR 24 training a must and Spanish speaking a definite advantage. Email your CV toocpodiatryoffice@gmail.com

ASSOCIATE POSITION - CENTRAL FLORIDA

Busy, two office group practice seeking a full-time, self motivated and hard working podiatry associate. Good mixture of general podiatry and surgery. Applicant should be PMS 36/Board Qualified/Certified. Competitive salary and benefits are offered. Please email CV to: toesrus7@yahoo.com

EQUIPMENT FOR SALE

Retiring from practice. Equipment For sale. Mini x-ray. One year old Ultrasound with MS arterial/venous X-ray plates. Great condition Ritter chairs. Drills, surgical tools. So much. Just ask, I probably have it:  Footcare@comcast.net

  EQUIPMENT FOR SALE  : EPAT

(Extracorporeal Pulse Activation Treatment) for sale. D-Actor 200. This machine is still new. Purchased in late 2011.( new machines>30K). It is the conservative alternative to surgery. Treats Plantar Fasciitis, Heel spurs, Achilles Tendonitis, Joint pain. Great Buy. $17,995 or best offer. Please call 713-541-3199 for more information. or email contactus@houstonfootankle.com

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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 13,500 DPM's. Write to bblock@podiatrym.com or call (718) 897-9700 for details. Weekly ad rates start as low as $115 for a 50-word ad. 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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