The Voice of Podiatrists

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July 11, 2008 #3,295 Editor-Barry Block, DPM, JD

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William H. Kelley, D.P.M.

Dr. A. Ken Foote had an unusual bedside manner. It probably had something to do with the bulbous rubber nose, humongous red-and-yellow shoes and the way he made sponge balls disappear. Everything about him was big" said Barbara “Dr. Jill E. Bean” Sapanara, who will deliver Kelley's eulogy, "including his commitment to everything he did.” A. Ken Foote was the alter ego of Dr. William H. Kelley. The strapping podiatrist from Ramsey became a caring clown after retiring from practice in 1993. Dr. Kelley, 84, died Sunday of congestive heart failure.

Dr. William H. Kelley

Newly retired, Dr. Kelley studied, practiced and went to clown camps and conventions. He sharpened his magic. Under Skinner’s tutelage, he morphed into a cutup named Doc in lab coat and shaggy yellow wig. “I think he was frightening people with his yellow hair,” said Dr. Kelley’s son, Dr. William S. “Bill” Kelley, also a podiatrist.

The elder Dr. Kelley initially was a member of Sgambati’s troupe, Make Someone Happy. The Happy Heartbeats were spun off in 1999 to concentrate on hospital visits. The energetic Dr. Kelley was interviewed about his clowning in the book, “It’s Never too Late to Plant a Tree: Your Guide to Never Retiring.” “Dad left some very big shoes to fill,” said Bill Kelley, who took over his father’s podiatry practice. “No pun intended.”

PM News policy is to request that memorial donations be made to the APMA Education Foundation Student Scholarship Program, 9312 Old Georgetown Rd. Bethesda, MD 20814.

Source: Jay Levin, Bergen County Record & Herald News [7/9/08]

Surfaces Will be Problematic for Olympic Athletes: TUSPM Podiatrist

As the world turns its attention to Beijing this summer for the Olympic Games, thousands of athletes are preparing for the event of their lives. At Temple University’s Health Sciences Center, several experts are available to comment on the mindset of Olympic athletes, their performance, causes and treatments of injuries that may occur. Howard Palamarchuk, D.P.M., director of the sports medicine program at Temple University’s School of Podiatric Medicine, is an expert on injuries of the foot, ankle and knee. A former Olympic-class race walker, Palamarchuk knows firsthand the strain that running, walking and jumping can have on the lower extremities.

Dr. Howard Palamarchuk

"A universal complaint among the athletes this year has been the choice of pavement materials for the long-distance courses [in Beijing],” Palamarchuk said. “Most are made of cast concrete pavement stones — like the ones used on American driveways. It has tremendous impact on the bones of the feet and legs."

He adds that the legs, feet and ankles bear up to one million pounds of pressure during one hour of strenuous activity, and athletes can be sidelined by bone fractures, torn or stretched ligaments and tendons, arch ankle sprains, shin splints, sores and blisters.

APMA Wins Medicare Fee Victory

Yesterday, the Senate passed HR 6331, the Medicare Improvement for Patients and Providers Act of 2008, by a vote of 69 to 30, joining the House in approving this comprehensive Medicare legislation by a veto-proof majority.

This represents a major victory for APMA, which actively lobbied for positive updates for 2008 and 2009 and successfully led the fight to include several DMEPOS provisions in the bill. The association thanked its members for calling Congressional offices in response to APMA's requests for action, as well as those who sent e-mails and faxes and who lobbied Members of Congress in Washington, DC, and their home states.

HR 6331 reverses the 10.6 percent decrease in physician payment rates that took effect July 1 and, among other things, exempts podiatric physicians from DMEPOS supplier accreditation requirements, authorizes DPMs to continue to examine and prescribe DMEPOS, and extends the exceptions process for therapy caps.

Source: APMA eDaily News

Leave Yourself An Electronic Reminder List

To remember to do something work-related at home, leave yourself a message on your home answering machine during the day or send yourself an e-mail. When you arrive home your electronic list will await you. This saves you the trouble of writing things down and carrying pieces of paper home.

Source: Adapted from Peggy Bottorff

Query: Custom-Made Supportive Flip-Flops

Does anyone know of a company that makes custom-made, flip-flops (not sandals). Many of my patients, even against my advice, want to wear flip-flops. Are there any out there that give proper support while still being stylish?

Barrett E Sachs, DPM, Plantation, FL

RE: EHB as a Spacer for Keller Procedure (Greg Caringi, DPM)
From: Bret Ribotsky, DPM

In the 1990’s, I presented the cumulative experience of the Doxey Hatch/VA residency program under Dr. Gregg Young in which Dexon mesh was folded into a wad and placed into the area where the base of the proximal phalanx was (K-wire fixation was used). The thought was that as the time progressed, the Dexon would resorb, and be replaced with soft-tissue; thus, a natural biological spacer.

In the limited number of patients tried, we first learned that if you filled the full gap with the Dexon mesh, you got a dehiscence. Using just a small wad of Dexon that appeared about 30% smaller than the space, gave satisfactory results. Over the years, I have used this technique a few times with very good results, good toe purchase, etc.

I might try the GraftJacket next time, just to compare.

Bret Ribotsky, DPM, Boca Raton, FL, Ribotsky@doctorbret.com

RE: Using a Table In Lieu of a Podiatry Chair (Eric Baskin, DPM)
From: John Moglia, DPM

There are exam tables available with tilt-up or flat capability. In addition, some have fold-up or down leg rests. Call your podiatry equipment supplier for a catalogue.

John Moglia, DPM, Berkeley Hts, NJ, drjohnmoglia@aol.com

RE: APMA Wins Medicare Victory
From: Paul Kesselman, DPM

In my thirty years of involvement in the podiatry profession, I am hard pressed to find a day where I was prouder than I am today, to be a member of APMA.

The passage of HR 6331 by a veto proof margin in....

Editor's Note: To read the complete text of this extended letter see : http://www.podiatrym.com/letters2.cfm?id=20666&start=1

RE: The Value of APMA Membership (Art W. Simonetti, LPN)
From: Multiple Respondents

Art Simonetti, LPN raises an interesting point. Can people share with us why they themselves don't belong to the APMA? I am a strong proponent of the APMA. I don't think we live in a perfect world. I realize we all have our own problems in our own little podiatry worlds. And I don't think the APMA solves every problem.

I do think we would be worse off without the APMA though. Is it the fact that its cost a couple a grand? Is it strictly a money issue? Can people share with us how the APMA has failed them? Maybe this way we could make it a better organization. The more people, the more united - it could only help.

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

Here is a very simple and maybe stupid answer. Every podiatrist should want to be a member of APMA. In fact, I believe that it is stupid not to be a member, but as a “free” American I don’t want to be forced into anything. I see it in the same light that I see mandatory seat belt laws—people should want to wear their seat belts, it is stupid not to, but I don’t like being forced to do it. I guess you could say that I want to have the right to (and respect the rights of others) to do STUPID stuff –like not being a member of APMA.

Tip Sullivan, DPM, Jackson, MS, tsdefeet@msfootcenter.net

Even though membership in the APMA keeps the profession strong and may even be responsible for its very existence, doctors cannot be forced to be members. This applies to other professional societies as well. Medical doctors cannot be forced to be member of the AMA nor can dentists be forced to join their professional society. The APMA represents the best interests of our profession but it is not a legal body. It does not license podiatrists.

Elliot Udell, DPM, Hicksville, NY, Elliotu@aol.com

EQUIPMENT FOR SALE

Recently closed practice looking for quick sale on equipment: one Midmark 117, 2 Midmark 417, stools and an x-ray processor. Please email SeanRosenblum@optonline.net with any questions.

ASSOCIATE POSITION - NORTHWEST CHICAGO AREA

Immediate opening for full-time podiatrist in busy practice, potential for partnership. This practice has been established for over seventy-five years, with current owner for over twenty-five years, and treats a wide range of pathology ranging from conservative through surgical care. Hospital and surgical center privileges are available. Applicant must have 3 year residency, ABPS qualified, hardworking, and enthusiastic. Anyone interested and qualified for this phenomenal opportunity should send resume to gkjaco@aol.com and mark subject "podiatry position."

EQUIPMENT FOR SALE – MIDMARK CHAIR

Midmark 417 Chair, pea green. Bought approximately 8 months ago as an extra chair, barely used, perfect condition. Retail price (new) is $5,500. Offered for $3,500. Please email institutebeaute@aol.com with queries, or call 212-535-0229.

ASSOCIATE POSITION - NEW JERSEY

Established practice in Ocean County seeks hardworking, ethical, energetic and well-trained (PSR 24/36) individual. Must be willing to do all aspects of podiatry! Base salary $100,000 to start plus benefits package. Hospital & surgical center privileges. E-mail CV to NJFeet@aol.com

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 - BOSTON, MA

Associate wanted, Full-time or part-time, for busy long time, well established, and well rounded practice. Good mix of general podiatry and surgery. Office will generate approximately 100+ surgical cases per year. Must have surgical background for this practice, ABPS Qualified minimum needed to obtain hospital privileges. Associate position is open for partnership or purchase. Contact robert.nunberg@comcast.net

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 - CALIFORNIA

Central Valley/Southern CA. Salary excellent with all paid benefits/incentives including malpractice/401k and profit sharing. Surgery Center and hospital based with no HMOs/no rest homes. Bilingual in English and Spanish. Offering a permanent position/partnership in a multi-million dollar hi-tech practice. E-mail CV to: Tonya@wetreatyourfeet.com

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