The Voice of Podiatrists

Serving Over 10,900 Podiatrists Daily

June 23, 2008 #3,279 Editor-Barry Block, DPM, JD

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NY Podiatrist Named Physician of the Year

Raymond Ferguson, DPM, has been awarded the Collaborative Care Award as Physician of the Year at North Shore University Hospital in Great Neck, NY.

Dr. Raymond Ferguson

Ferguson, the chief of the podiatry clinics at North Shore University Hospital, is certified by the American Board of Podiatric Surgery. He is also the on-site residency director of the podiatric surgical residency program at the hospital.

Source: APMA News {June 2008]

Barry Ranked #1 for Graduating Hispanic Students

For the fifth consecutive year, Barry University’s School of Podiatric Medicine has graduated more Hispanic podiatric physicians than any other school in the nation, according to The Hispanic Outlook in Higher Education Magazine. The publication, which is the only Hispanic educational magazine for the higher education community, ranked Barry as No. 1 in its annual Top 100 issue.

Several Hispanic students at Barry discuss podiatry.

The Top 100 ranking lists colleges and universities that awarded the most degrees to Hispanics based on the latest information from the U.S. Department of Education’s National Center for Education Statistics (NCES). Barry’s School of Podiatric Medicine graduated nine Hispanics – five females and four males – in 2007. Barry University was designated as a Hispanic Serving Institution by the United States Department of Education in 2006.

“This statistic exemplifies Barry University’s mission of providing a caring, quality education with service to the community,” said Dr. Chet Evans, dean of the School of Podiatric Medicine. “The idea that our podiatric medical student body should reflect the demographic of our community is an important component of that mission.”

GAO Cites Tax Abuse by Medicare Providers

Nearly 30,000 Medicare providers failed to pay more than $2 billion in federal taxes in 2006, the Government Accountability Office reported. The GAO’s investigation found “abusive and potentially criminal activity” among these providers, such as failing to remit payroll taxes to the Internal Revenue Service. Instead, the money was diverted for other purposes, the GAO reported.

The IRS is authorized to continuously withhold certain federal payments made to delinquent taxpayers, yet the CMS has failed to incorporate most of its Medicare payments into this program. As a result, the government lost opportunities to potentially collect more than $140 million in unpaid taxes in 2006, according to the GAO.

“These tax deadbeats are guilty of shortchanging the government and forcing honest American citizens to shoulder the taxes they are shirking,” said Sen. Carl Levin (D-MI), chairman of the Homeland Security’s investigations panel, in a written statement. Levin said the CMS has agreed to rewire its payment systems “so that the federal tax levy program can step in and take a portion of the payments made to providers to pay off their outstanding tax debt.”

Source: Jennifer Lubell, Modern Healthcare [6/20/08]

Draw Attention to Your Newspaper Ad

If you feel your ad is being noticed, instruct the publisher to print it upside down. This will make your stand out and force readers to rotate the periodical to read it. This technique is most effective if not overused.

Query: Non-Diabetic Orthopedic Shoes

I have been very happy dispensing diabetic shoes in my office. I would really be filling my patients’ needs if I could find a non-diabetic orthopedic shoe line that I could sell as a self-pay item. I am not familiar with any such companies and would like some suggestions.

Joan E. Schiller, DPM, Mentor, OH

RE: Hallux Extensus (Larry Dorman, DPM)
From: Simon Young, DPM

If hallux is dorsi-flexed at 1st MPJ, then the patient should experience pain under 1st MPJ. Since the pain is submet 2 and 3, Dr. Dorman should consider possibly lengthening the 1st Met rather than shortening the other mets.

Simon Young, DPM, NYC, NY, simonyoung@juno.com

RE: High Quality Korex or Rubber Butter Orthotic
From: Steve Gersh DPM, Carl Ganio, DPM

Schuster and Richard Lab in New York fabricates quality Korex and rubber butter orthotics. I've used them over the years and have had only positive experiences with the company. (718)-358-8607.

Steve Gersh DPM, Pasadena, MD, dslsg@verizon.net

If the device came from New York, it may have come from Schuster & Richard. With a picture, tracing, and impression, they should be able to help you. I do not have any affiliation. I make my own leather devices and would be happy to help if they cannot. I learned to work leather from Dr. Schuster.

Carl Ganio, DPM, Vero Beach, FL, drcarlganio@bellsouth.net

RE: Multi-Function Digital Scanner (John Moglia, DPM)
From: Richard A. Simmons, DPM, Ron Hines, DPM

I recommend the Panasonic KX-MB781 that is high-speed (18 ppm) a black and white laser printer. It also scans, copies, and is a fax machine. It has network connectivity which means you can place it anywhere if you have wireless connectivity through your office and it can be accessed by multiple computers.

I have the next model down (KX-MB271) that is not a fax machine and does not have network connectivity. My preference is to scan documents so they can be saved in a computer file then use the computer's internal program to fax documents. I was impressed with the speed of scanning with the Panasonic compared to my HP All-In-One. My HP takes too long and separate mouse clicks to scan compared to one instant click for the Panasonic and at 200 dpi the Panasonic had scanned twenty pages while the HP was still working on page 10.

Richard A. Simmons, DPM, Viera, FL, rasdpm32822@aol.com

We have just purchased and installed a Brother MFC 7840W. The "W" is for wireless and it has its own IP address and can be accessed from each workstation on our wireless network. My receptionist receives faxes to her PC, screens them and imports lab reports, EMG's, EKG's, clearance for general anesthesia, MRI reports, etc. into the patients EHR. I get a notice that I have information to sign off on, review it and all without having to print anything.

All of our work stations can send faxes and letters from within any program through this device. I have recently started faxing referral letters and I find that has been a great boost to my referral base. PCP's, after-hours clinics, ED's, and PA's are quickly faxed a letter, a copy of my findings and treatment recommendations. Multifunction centers have become the hub of busy offices and practitioners usually prefer getting faxes as opposed to letters.

An additional advantage is not having to hear the fax line ring a million times a day. Instead an icon flashes on my receptionist's PC. Brother has an efficient tech support and they have been very helpful at setting up each workstation and answering our questions. It is a laser device, not ink jet, so toner and drums are needed instead of cartridges, but since we seldom print, they should last a long time. We got ours at Office Depot for about $300.

Ron Hines, DPM, Oklahoma City, OK, rwhines@sbcglobal.net

RE: Charging for Prescription Renewals (Brian Kiel, DPM, Richard Boone, Esq.)
From: Barry Mullen, DPM, Richard W. Boone, Sr., Esq.

Mr. Boone brings up a good point regarding abandonment, however, I would re-direct him to the greater medico-legal issue of refilling a medication blindly that might not be appropriate for the patient any longer. Depending on the medical circumstance, medication prescribed and time frame involved from the most recent visit, a follow-up examination PRIOR to refilling medication seems the most prudent course of action. If a patient refuses to come into the office after the physician recommends this, then I submit the patient would be non-compliant and would cite my medical rationale for recommending so.

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

Editor's note: Mr. Boone's response to Dr. Kiel can be read at: http://www.podiatrym.com/letters2.cfm?id=20313&start=1

ASSOCIATE POSITION - BALTIMORE, MARYLAND

Seeking surgically trained individual competent in all phases of podiatric care. Outstanding salary and benefits. F/Tor P/T contact email rsher18@yahoo.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

PRACTICE FOR SALE - MINNESOTA PRIME LAKES AREA

Great place to live and raise a family. 400+K yearly gross with continued growth and potential. Good mix of general podiatry and surgery. Hospital privileges available. Fully computerized, electronic notes with capability to go completely paperless. Recently remodeled office, 5 tx/procedure rooms, well-equipped in owner occupied building (for sale or lease). 260 402-7490.

CASE CONSULTING

Dennis Shavelson, DPM is now accepting referrals of difficult cases involving biomechanics, surgical complications, non-healing wounds diagnostic and treatment dilemma’s and subtalar stenting from DPM’S. Full reporting with second opinion only, rapid return after care and assumption of care options. Medicare and Out-of-Network Only. (212) 288-3668 or drsha@lifestylepodiatry.com

IMMEDIATE OPENING – CHATTANOOGA, TN

Excellent opportunity for a young well-trained personable podiatrist to join a rapidly growing practice. $100,000 salary. PSR-36 minimum required. Live, work and play in a beautiful area with many recreational opportunities including rock climbing, hang-gliding, whitewater paddling, fishing, boating, etc. Option for partnership/ownership track. No nursing homes. No weekends. E-mail cover letter and CV to drsegler@anklecenter.com

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

ASSOCIATE POSITION - SAN ANTONIO, TEXAS

Seeking three-year trained resident for associateship, hopefully leading to partnership. Competent in all phases of podiatry particularly reconstructive rearfoot surgery. Outstanding opportunity for the right individual. Reply to Richard Pollak at 210-692-0279, or fax resume to 210-692-0028 or e-mail drpllk@hotmail.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

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

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