The Voice of Podiatrists

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June 26, 2008 #3,282 Editor-Barry Block, DPM, JD

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CA Podiatrist Recommends Pilates to Stretch and Strengthen Feet

What can you do to strengthen or stretch your feet when you're not wearing shoes? That's where foot doctor Colleen Schwartz comes in. She has merged podiatry with Pilates for a more preventive approach. "We ask a lot of our feet," says Schwartz of Pleasanton, CA. "There are so many bones, there are 26 bones, 33 joints and 100 muscles, ligaments and tendons. And in order to give them the attention they deserve, spending a little time every day can be so beneficial."

Dr. Colleen Schwartz (Photo John Lee/ Aurora Select for NPR)

A little time means just three or four minutes of stretching and toning. And Schwartz says the best time to do this is first thing in the morning, before you even get out of bed. Before even getting out of bed, she starts with an Achilles tendon stretch.

The idea behind a good toe stretch is that the fibers of the Achilles tendon go all the way to the heel. So there's a strong connection between a limber Achilles and a healthy plantar fascia. Schwartz says all the foot exercises she does at home, she does barefoot. When she goes about her daily life outside the home, though, she does advocate wearing shoes.

Source: Allison Aubrey, National Public Radio [6/19/08]

Historic House of OK Podiatrist to Be Featured on HGTV

Chuck Anderson knew he was on to something when he found old love letters in the attic of his historic house at 306 Chautauqua Ave. That find and others led to the Anderson home and two other Oklahoma houses being scheduled to be featured at 4 p.m. Monday on “If Walls Could Talk,” on HGTV.

Dr. Charles (Chuck) Anderson

HGTV learned of Anderson’s story from a Norman Transcript feature, “From Illinois with love,” published Oct. 13, 2007. The story was forwarded to the network by the Norman Chamber of Commerce. The eight-minute segment was filmed Jan. 9. A camera crew spent all day with the Anderson family. The other two houses on the show are in Oklahoma City and McAlester.

“We had to clean up really fast after the ice storm,” said Chuck Anderson, who is a Norman podiatrist and foot surgeon. “We mulched and had to hire someone to haul (downed limbs after the massive Dec. 12 ice storm).”

Source: Carol Cole-Frowe, The Norman Transcript [6/22/08]

Medicare Bill Clears House With Veto-Proof Margin

The House voted 355-59 to approve a bill that would avert a Medicare pay cut to physicians and make other adjustments to the program. Democratic sponsors easily achieved the two-thirds majority needed to stave off a presidential veto.

Much of the legislation is based on a Medicare reform bill from Senate Finance Committee Chairman Max Baucus (D-MT). For example, both bills would stave off a 10% cut to Medicare physician payments for 18 months, providing a payment freeze for the remainder of 2008 starting July 1, and a 1.1% increase for 2009. Funding sources for the bill follow the same combination of cuts to Medicare Advantage, indirect medical education and Medicare Advantage private fee-for-service funding offered in Baucus’ bill.

Source: Jennifer Lubell, Modern Healthcare [6/24/08]

Your Practice Can Benefit From “The Halo Effect”

Richard Steckel, author of Making Money While Making a Difference, believes that strategic philanthropy strengthens a company’s brand image by connecting with consumers’ personal value systems. Steckel calls this “the halo effect.”

“Consumers have a wealth of new products and services to choose from, and it’s tougher than ever keeping them loyal,” says Steckel. “Consumers are starved for evidence that businesses stand for something meaningful, and look for behavior that reflects those values.”

To be effective, "cause marketing" must come from the heart in a way that is genuine and creates an emotional bond with others. You have to be sincere. You have to be honest. You have to actually do good, not just do things that make it look like you're doing good.

Source: Steven Van Yoder, Get Slight Famous Webzine

Query: DVT Prophylaxis for Patent Taking Birth Control Pills

What is an acceptable approach to DVT prophylaxis in a female patient, age 30, taking birth control pills with no other risk factors, preparing for outpatient Morton's neuroma surgery?

Richard Brandel, DPM, St. Louis, MO

Query: DVD on Procedures

Can anyone recommend a procedural DVD on up-to-date injection techniques, soft tissue and bony surgical procedures for both the forefoot and rearfoot, as well as cosmetic procedures.

Stephen Hartman, B.Sc. Podiatric Medicine, Waterloo, Ontario, Canada

RE: Flector Patch (Doug Dickson, DPM)
From: Erin A Jerlin, DPM, Jeffrey Kass, DPM

I have used Flector patches successfully in the treatment of Achilles bursitis and plantar fasciitis on patients that were uncomfortable with cortisone injections. I have found that patients find the cooling effect extremely comforting, and I find the reduction in inflammation to be noted within the first week of treatment. In approximately 30 patients that I have utilized them on, only one patient complained of dizziness and therapy was immediately stopped.

Erin A Jerlin, DPM, Chesapeake, VA,, mermaidsalt@yahoo.com

I have been using the Flector patch for some time. Before the Flector patch, I used Solareze gel topically as an NSAID. I think it’s like anything else...some patients like it, others may not feel it is so helpful...it obviously depends on what you are dispensing it for, as well.

Jeffrey Kass, DPM, Forest Hills, NY, jeffckass@aol.com

RE: Removing A Stayfuse Device (John L Etcheverry, DPM)
From: Chris Seuferling, DPM

Here is a link to the Stayfuse Surgical Technique pdf file click here. On page four you'll find "Optional Device Removal Technique".

Chris Seuferling, DPM, Portland, OR, cseuferling@comcast.net

RE: HR 6331 and Accreditation Exemption Status
From: Paul Kesselman, DPM

I would like to commend the APMA and all the podiatrists who have worked so tirelessly in getting the word out regarding exemption from the DME accreditation process. The hard work of APMA and other organized medicine has passed muster with the US House of Representatives and now it is on to the Senate.

When prompted by APMA, I would ask that every physician reading this letter be compelled to call their US Senator’s office and ask for support of the Senate equivalent of HR 6331. Physicians are already over-regulated, and it makes little sense for physicians to have non-physicians accredit their medical practices.

Paul Kesselman DPM, Woodside, NY, pkesselman@pol.net

RE: Pedorthists Vs. Podiatrists (John Mishasek, C Ped.)
From: Paul Kesselman, DPM

Editor’s note: Dr. Kesselman’s extended-length note can be read at: http://www.podiatrym.com/letters2.cfm?id=20378&start=1

RE: Helping Flood Victims (Bob Warkala, DPM)
From: Hal Ornstein, DPM, Jeffrey Frederick, DPM

Any practitioner who has been significantly affected by the floods in the Midwest will be entitled to a complimentary one year membership in The American Academy of Podiatric Practice Management. You can find a membership application by clicking here. When submitting the application, simply write “complimentary membership – Midwest floods.” We are always proud to stand beside our brothers and sisters in our awesome profession at a time of need. Faith will get you through these challenging times.

Hal Ornstein, DPM, AAPPM Chairman and Jeffrey Frederick, DPM, AAPPM President

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

Part-time or Full-time for group practice Fast track to partnership. Located in Orange & Sullivan County, NY. Commute from adjoining counties to see how it fits. Monroe, NY office is only 1 hour from Manhattan. All phases of podiatric care. Call Dr Marc Hudes 845-807-8864. Check out our practice website

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

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

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

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