The Voice of Podiatrists

Serving Over 10,900 Podiatrists Daily

June 16, 2008 #3,273 Editor-Barry Block, DPM, JD

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Seasonal Activities and Footwear Problematic: AL Podiatrist

Podiatrists say that Summer is the season when foot ailments tend to arise. "Often, you've been laying around all winter, and all of a sudden go outside and start gardening or decide to become physically fit and start walking or running, and it may be too much too soon," Florence, AL podiatrist Dr. Jeff Schneider said.

Dr. Jeffrey Schneider

A number of foot problems spring up during the season. An ingrown toenail can develop as a result of switching to summer footgear. "Once it gets infected, it has to be fixed," Schneider said. "Most of the time, the infected area has to be removed." Schneider said he also notices a lot of warts in the spring. Those often can be treated with a topical ointment. "Those and ingrown toenails are easier if you catch them earlier," he said.

The combination of over-activity and a poor-fitting shoe also can cause a pinched nerve. "It can be a burning numbness that goes into the toes when they are put into a shoe. You could also have a pinched nerve at the top of your foot or on your heel," he said.

Source: Bernie Delinski, Times Daily [6/13/08]

OH Father and Son Enjoy Practicing Side-By-Side

The parent and child health-care practice may one day be as obsolete as the house call. Drs. Joel and Brian Novack practiced podiatry together for two years before the younger doctor decided to teach full-time at the Ohio College of Podiatric Medicine. In 1999, after graduating from podiatry school and completing a three-year surgical residency, Brian Novack came to work for his father. Initially, both worked at the practice's Wickliffe and Maple Heights locations.

Drs. Joel and Bryan Novack

Joel Novack paid his son "what a stranger would have paid him at that point," he says. He also didn't take anyone else into his practice because he was waiting for his son to join him. The elder Novack didn't feel he could just give a portion of the practice to his son and still be fair to his other two children who were not working in the business. Instead, Brian Novack bought his father's Wickliffe practice when he decided to become a full-time instructor at the podiatric college.

Joel Novack taught his son the principles of practice management. "I was trained scientifically," Brian explains. "I had no business training. But if you can't pay the rent, you're not going to be in business too long, whether you're a cardiologist or a baker." They also cover for each other when either is on vacation. "Sometimes I assist my son," says Joel. "That's so nice to say."

Source: Marilyn H. Karfeld, Cleveland Jewish News [6/9/08]

CMS Attempts to Address Growing Fraud Problem

The Washington Post on Friday examined Medicare's "growing fraud problem and the need to devote more resources to theft prevention." According to the Post, law enforcement officials estimate that health care fraud costs taxpayers more than $60 billion annually. One "critical aspect of the problem is that Medicare ... automatically pays the vast majority of the bills it receives from companies that possess federally issued supplier numbers," the Post reports. Scholars say that Medicare's current computer and audit systems generally focus on overbilling or unorthodox medical treatments, rather than fraud.

CMS officials are working to improve fraud efforts "by working closely with investigators, removing the requisite billing numbers of nearly 900 companies and imposing new standards in high-fraud areas that would prevent people convicted of felonies from ever receiving a Medicare number," according to the Post. Kimberly Brandt, director of program integrity at CMS, said, "There's always more fraud than we have resources to combat," adding, "We have done a much better job of realigning our resources to attack this problem."

Source: Carrie Johnson, Washington Post via American Health Line [6/13/08]

Make Sure Your Phone Messages Get Answered

These tips will increase the chance that messages left on an answering machine will be returned:

• Speak slowly, loudly, and clearly
• State your name at the beginning and end of the message
• Repeat your telephone number
• Leave the best time to call you back

Query: Acrocyanosis with Blisters

I have an 18 year old female who has a history of purplish/red hands and feet, which is worse in the cold (turns white, then blue) ,but was present last week during 100 degree temps. There is no history of ulcers or other associated symptoms. Last week, she presented with superficial small blisters on her feet and hands. She takes oral contraceptives. Labs done last year were: Chem 17,CBC and Sed rate, ANA, anti-DNA, anti-ENA, T4, TSH, thyroid microsomal antibody. The ANA was positive 1:640, TSH slightly elevated. The diagnosis was benign acrocyanosis. I would greatly appreciate any thoughts as to a differential diagnosis or further work-up.

Sandy Schustek, DPM, Orange, VA

Query: Diagnostic Ultrasound

.

I'd like recommendations and opinions on diagnostic ultrasound machines used in podiatry. What are the important features or drawbacks and overall experiences with picture quality and detail?

Michael A. DeVito, DPM, Oak Lawn, IL

RE: Flexible Foot Model (Samuel Cox, DPM)
From: Avi Kornbluth

We sell a life-size plastic foot strung with elastic cord.

Flexible Foot Skeleton

Our number is 800-869-0900 ext 3088

Avi Kornbluth, Stone Podiatry, GETAVI@aol.com

RE: Appointment Reminder Software (Bill FitzPatrick, DPM)
From: Peter Smith, DPM

A company called DJJ Technology makes an IVR (interactive voice reminder) system that is pretty flexible. It is stand-alone software that will integrate with an appointment scheduling system, and allow you to set reminders for time and days of your choosing (e.g., one day before appt, between 11 and 12 noon). It can be tailored for single doctor vs. multi doctor practices, and priced accordingly. The contact I have is: Brendan Wallace, 631-787-5026. I have no financial interest in this company.

Peter Smith, DPM, Stony Brook, NY, ps84@bc.edu

ASSOCIATE POSITIONS – CALIFORNIA

Coast to Coast Mobile Podiatry Group, California's premier provider of mobile on-site health-care services is seeking hardworking, caring Associates to provide excellent health-care to the greater Los Angeles areas, Organge County, San Bernadino County, Riverside, San Diego, and Santa Barbara. Salary and benefits available. Please email you CV and salary request to coasttocoastpodiatry@yahoo.com

ASSOCIATE POSITION – QUEENS, NY

Associate position leading to partnership. Seeking highly motivated and personable individual, for busy, well-established practice in western Queens. Prefer PSR-36 trained. Must be willing to address all phases of a busy podiatric practice. Please provide references w/ CV. Fax# 516-829-2537, or e-mail to lpbbdw@aol.com

ASSOCIATE POSITION - PITTSBURGH, PA

Excellent opportunity to join busy and established practice for 27 years. Must be graduate of PSR 24+/36 Residency. Terms negotiable. 30-40 hours per week. $100,000+ guaranteed. Please fax resume to (412) 563-0740.

BIOMECHANICS FELLOWSHIP – NEW YORK

Neoteric Biomechanics (patent pending) Nine-Month Fellowship: At The Foot Typing Center® in New York City. Practice, Research, Publish and Credentialize Yourself In This New Paradigm. $36,000 Stipend. New York License Required.Fax Interest to: 212 288 3034 or apply to Dr. Shavelson @ drsha@lifestylepodiatry.com.

ASSOCIATE POSITION – LONG ISLAND

Busy Wantagh, NY office. Motivated, preferably board certified, hard working, experienced in all phases of Podiatry. F/T, P/T hours available. excellent salary, call 516 242 7540 or Fax Resume 516 826 9036 or email jobke@aol.com

ASSOCIATE POSITION WITH OPPORTUNITY FOR PARTNERSHIP NY/PA

Group practice located on NY-PA border with excellent growth in the area’s industrial, retail, and college campuses. Surgical privileges in medical centers in NY and PA. This position will involve rotating through multiple office locations, and wound care centers. Local insurance reimbursement involves mostly private pay PPO models. We are looking for an ABPS Board Qualified podiatrist to join our team. Candidates would need to obtain licenses in NY and PA, and become ABPS certified to maintain hospital privileges. Base salary starting at 85,000.00 with bonus plan incentive, vacation, and health/mp insurances. Forward CV to prefprovider@hotmail.com

PRACTICE FOR SALE – NEW JERSEY

Well-established practice in Teaneck, NJ (10 minutes from GW Bridge). Excellent location (in Medical building) heavy traffic, great visibility and large parking lot. Fully equipped, full-time office with established patients. Grossing over 220K with tremendous growth potential. Office is currently open and busy ready to takeover with seamless transition. For additional information please e-mail doctors@gramercyparkpodiatry.com

ASSOCIATE POSITION – CHICAGO AREA

Join one of the most successful, long-established podiatry practices in the Chicago area, with excellent salary and benefits. We have an immediate opening for full-time podiatrist in a multi practice location in the Chicago land and Northwest Indiana area. Must have two years of surgical residency. Please e-mail resume to d-kitchens@footexperts.com

IMMEDIATE OPENING - MINNEAPOLIS, MN

Associate leading to partner in well-established practice. Seeking personable, skillful, and attentive podiatrist. No nursing homes, evenings or weekends. Competitive compensation package including health insurance, malpractice, short term disability, 401(k), generous vacation, paid holidays, and excellent salary plus bonus! E-mail cover letter and CV to jbremer@associatedpodiatrists.com or fax to (612) 866-5875 attn: Jennifer Bremer

PODIATRISTS NEEDED - CHICAGO --NORTHWEST INDIANA

Home Physicians, a medical group specializing in house calls is looking to hire podiatrists. We are located in Chicago and Northwest Indiana. Full and part time positions are available. Competitive Compensation including malpractice. Contact Scott Schneider. Phone-773-342-4201 FAX 773-486-3548-E-Mail sschneider@homephysicians.com Visit our website

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