The Voice of Podiatrists

Serving Over 12,500 Podiatrists Daily

July 19, 2011 #4,210 Publisher-Barry Block, DPM, JD

A service of Podiatry Management http://www.podiatrym.com
E-mail us by hitting the reply key.
COPYRIGHT 2011- No part of PM News can be reproduced without the
express written permission of Kane Communications, Inc.

NYCPM Alumni Association Presents 4th Annual Bruce J. Frankel Award

The New York College of Podiatric Medicine’s Alumni Association has announced that Oendrila Kamal has been awarded the Fourth Annual Bruce J. Frankel Alumni Scholarship. This award, given in memory of Dr. Frankel, long-time NYCPM Dean of Students, is given to the entering 4th year student who has done the most for the college and the profession.

Oendrila Kamal (C) receives Bruce Frankel Award from NYCPM Alumni Association Trustees (L-R) Drs. Andrew Shapiro, Arthur Gudeon, Terry Spilken, Debra Weinstock, and Barry Block.

Oendrila is the NYCPM student representative from the class of 2012. She also serves as the editor and format designer of the Student Alumni Report. Along with the plaque, Oendrill was presented with a five hundred dollar scholarship by Arthur Gudeon, DPM, NYCPM Alumni Association president.

TX Podiatrist Trains to Win Another World Championship Duathlon

Dr. Lawrence Czelusta was in tears. He had just accomplished his 40-year mission to be the best in the world. And he couldn't contain his emotions. "It's a feeling of complete joy," Czelusta said. "There are only a few times in my life where I experienced this." It was 2007, and the then-61-year-old Czelusta had just won a World Championship for his age group in the duathlon. "Do you ever just bawl for joy? Weep for joy? That's what it was," Czelusta, 64, said. "I just broke down crying. It was a 40-year quest, done by me."

Dr. Lawrence Czelusta Trains for World Duathlon Championships (Photo Robin Jerstad)

That journey isn't complete, as he trains for the 2011 World Championships in Gijón, Spain, in September. "It's been a kick. It's all been worth it," he said. "To me, running and racing has been my form of self-expression."

Source: Josh Bowe, San Antonio Express-News [7/15/11]

CA Teen Interns at CA Podiatrist's Office

Tiffany Tran, who will be a senior at Piner High School in the fall, is amazed at what human skin can do. During a semester-long internship in podiatrist Dr. Walter D'Costa's office last spring, Tran was first repulsed by what she saw in patients' ulcers and flesh wounds, then fascinated.

Dr. Walter D'Costa

"The first couple of weeks it was pretty gruesome," she said. "After a while, it was pretty cool." "It was incredible," she said of shadowing a doctor for two hours every week and getting a sense of treatments, cures, and care.

Source: Kerrt Benefeld, Santa Rosa Press Democrat [7/17/11]

Editor's Note: PM News is proud to present excerpts from Meet the Masters.

Bret Ribotsky: Do you think we need more podiatrists than we currently have?

Lee Sanders: There is no question that we need more podiatrists and we need to make sure, most importantly, that we have post-graduate training for every single graduate from podiatry school today. There must be uniformity of educational experience so that when you finish your training at a hospital somewhere on the West Coast, that training is not going to be substantially different from someone in the Midwest or on the East Coast.

Dr. Lee Sanders

Right now, there are a lot of podiatrists who are reaching retirement age. There is a need for younger podiatrists. We are bringing new blood into the profession. I am an advocate for increasing the size of our profession and, most importantly, making sure that there is the educational opportunity for every graduate.

Meet the Masters is broadcast each Tuesday Night at 9 PM (EST). This week Meet the Masters is on vacation. You can register for future events by clicking here

Field All Types of Questions

Customize your persuasive pitches according to the kinds of questions patients are likely to ask. Prepare for these four types:

•  “What” questions. People who ask “What” typically want results, speed, and control. They may be somewhat hot-tempered or intimidate you with their directness. Your best approach: Warm up quickly, and use a just-the-facts approach. Offer them options, so they feel in control.
•  “Who” questions. People asking “Who” want you to display enthusiasm and excitement. They generally are upbeat people who may be talkative or become emotional. Your best approach: Use an entertaining, fast-paced approach and don’t offer a ton of details. Compliment prospects, and ask for their opinions.  
•  “How” questions. People who ask “How” want to know you are trustworthy. They may appear indifferent and withdraw if they feel “sales pressure.”  Your best approach: Warm up slowly and use a low-key, but detailed, approach. Show them respect.
•  “Why” questions. People who ask “Why” want you to assure them about quality, safety and logic. They may become a bit aloof or sarcastic. Your best approach: Use an analytical, detailed approach. Offer them adequate time to “think it over.”

Source: Adapted from “Customize Your Presentation Style,” John Boe, The American Salesman Magazine Online Via Communication Briefings

Query: Medicare Number and Moving

Can anyone provide suggestions for a smooth transition when moving an office? Is it best to get a new Medicare number for the new address or keep the existing number? I have the option to continue treatments at the existing location until the move is finalized.

Mike Piccarelli, DPM, Staten Island, NY

RE: Pain in Peroneus Brevis Tendon (Mark Ray, DPM)
From: Robert S. Schwartz, C. Ped.

An important clue is, “She returned to normal shoe wear for a brief period but the pain returned.” Many shoes are designed so that the base of the fifth is pressing against the lateral aspect of the shoe where the shoe is narrower and the seams, welts, and other reinforcements join. This increases shear and pressure to the base of the fifth and styloid process. Inversion forces are exacerbated when the foot extends lateral to the base of the shoe. The lateral side of the shoe has to be wider to accommodate the deformity.

Look for a straight last shoe with a “broad shank” and wide lateral base. Ask your local footwear retailer or pedorthist for specific brands and styles available in the marketplace. A shoe can be customized to broaden the shank on the lateral side, both inside (relasting) and outside (lateral flare and offset). In flexible deformities, a lateral wedge and flare can be added to the outside of the shoe to relieve pain and improve balance and gait.
 
Robert S. Schwartz, C. Ped., NY, NY rss@eneslow.com

RE: Interaction Between NSAID's and SSRI's (Greg Caringi, DPM)
From: Elliot Udell, DPM

Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs are not absolutely contraindicated in patients using selective seratonin uptake inhibitors. The warning that some of the drug interaction programs are giving with these two classes of pharmaceuticals is due to platelet reduction caused by both drugs. The reduction is additive. It's a warning to monitor these patients if they are on both drugs for prolonged lengths of time. Selective seratonin uptake inhibitors tend to be the kinds of drugs that people are on for prolonged lengths of time and sometimes for life. Their primary use is for clinical depression, but  podiatrists prescribe them for neuropathic pain. NSAIDs, on the other hand, due to their GI and potential cardiac side- effects really should only be used for short lengths of time.
 
I would not be bent out of shape if a patient taking Cymbalta were to take an ibuprofen pill once in a while for a migraine headache. People taking selective seratonin inhibitors should have their liver enzymes monitored three times a year. A complete blood count with platelets should probably be added when ordering blood tests, and if a patient is taking NSAIDs along with the SSRIs, then you would pick it up when you get the report from the blood lab.
 
Elliot Udell, DPM, Hicksville, NY, Elliotu@aol.com

RE: Tenosynovitis, Posterior Tibial Tendon (Hartley Miltchin, DPM)
From: Jeffrey Kass, DPM

I would consider an AFO, possibly with a small heel lift. While, you do say orthotics have been tried, they would possibly help with arch height and alleviate stress on the plantar fascia and posterior tibial tendon; they are still allowing these tendons to work. If the problem is inflammation, fluid collection, etc., I would attempt to restrict the movement of the tendon, i.e., an AFO gauntlet.
 
Jeffrey Kass, DPM, Forest Hills, NY jeffckass@aol.com

RE: Voice Dictation System Compatible with Practice Fusion (Larry Dorman, DPM)
From: Adnan Shariff, DPM

Dragon Naturally Speaking is what I recommend. You should be able to dictate directly in the program. If you want to use macros, like I do, then you open notepad by speaking it and transfer text to where you want it to go. You can obtain the pro version with podiatry vocabulary or the much more costly medical version. They are the same except some EMRs only work with the medical version, and accuracy is excellent.

I think that's the best way to have your notes more individualized for each patient. I use a combination of Dragon with IMS, and pointing and clicking.

Adnan Shariff, DPM, Fort Pierce, FL, adnanshariff@yahoo.com

RE: Brad Wenstrup for Congress
From: Randy K. Kaplan, DPM

Brad Wenstrup DPM is running for Congress in Ohio.  This is truly a unique opportunity for us as a profession to help elect a DPM to Congress. There has never been a DPM in Congress....WE CAN CHANGE THIS! Regardless of your own personal party affiliation or political views, he is one of us! We must embrace his campaign with everything we have. His primary is in May 2012; this primary is critical to his success. If he wins the primary, it is probable that he will win the fall election.

In order to be successful, he needs our support and dollars. Dr. Wenstrup is a great American - an amazing guy who served a year as a combat surgeon in Iraq, where he was assistant deputy commander for the 344th Battalion Combat Support Hospital. Imagine a podiatric surgeon scrubbing cases side-by-side with orthopedic, vascular, neurosurgeons, and general surgeons!

Brad can do the same thing in Congress! I urge you to support Dr. Wenstrup in every way that you can. Invite him to speak at your local, state, regional and/or national meetings. Hold a fundraiser at these events for him. Write an article in your society newsletter, tell a friend or a family member, help get the word out on Dr. Wenstrup. Help make podiatric history by electing our first DPM to Congress. I welcome you to meet Dr. Wenstrup at www.usabrad.com.

Randy K. Kaplan, DPM, Royal Oak, MI, rklions@aol.com

ASSOCIATE POSITION – NEW YORK

Busy, well-established for 35 years, multi-site practice in upstate New York looking for licensed podiatrist who is ready for a thriving practice. Must be highly motivated, personable and great with patients. Competitive salary and benefit package. Send CV or letter of interest to associateinfoot@yahoo.com

ASSOCIATE POSITION - NYC, NY

Part/time, full/time associate for busy, well established multi-doctor, multi-office NYC group. Seeking motivated, ethical, NYC licensed DPM with excellent office management and clinical skills in all phases of Podiatry. Board Qualified/Certified preferred. Salary plus incentives, pension/medical/dental. Partnership potential. E-Mail CV to jermaire@aol.com

ASSOCIATE POSITION - NEW YORK CITY & QUEENS

High Income Potential. One of the fastest growing podiatry practices in New York City and Queens seeks a hard-working podiatrist who participates with HealthFirst, Fidelis, Metroplus, and other Medicaid plans. Preferably a Spanish-speaking podiatrist. Contact me at Podocare@aol.com

ASSOCIATE POSITIONS - NW INDIANA

2 Full-Time positions open - One for Northwest Indiana. Must have 2-year surgical residency. Must be motivated and a self-starter. State License required. If interested email: f-massuda@footexperts.com

ASSOCIATE POSITION - NORTHWEST FLORIDA BEACHES

Excellent opportunity for an energetic, compassionate, hardworking individual with superior surgical and medical proficiency. Recent graduate or experienced practitioner. Excellent salary, benefits and partner-buy in offered, full admit privileges and surgical scope. Fax CV to Ecpodiatry@aol.com

EQUIPMENT FOR SALE - CLASS FOUR LASER

I have a class four pain laser for sale. Used for plantar fasciitis, Achilles tendonitis, neuroma, arthritic conditions and even fungus toe nails This laser is portable, re-chargable and can be move from room to room or office to office. This isn't the cold laser that you see. It is a 10 watt laser. We have used this laser on NFL sports players. For those that understand a good laser. E-mail David Zuckerman, DPM for Details and pricing. footcare@comcast.net

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 516 476-1815PODO2345@AOL.COM

TURN-KEY PODIATRIC OFFICE - CALIFORNIA

Fully equipped modern suite with built-ins at Mission Regional Medical Center, Mission Viejo CA. Four treatment rooms, New Midmark chairs, x-ray/processor, phone system & much more. $45,000/assume lease. Call Jackie, 949-493-8020.

PRACTICE FOR SALE - NANAIMO, BRITISH COLUMBIA, CANADA

Have you ever dreamed of owning a practice where... you can see 0-50 patients daily .. .average 100 new patients monthly have zero accounts receivable ... gross $480 M per year .... live in a beautiful community with skiing, hiking, fishing and boating on your doorstep. This could be yours! If interested contact pistone@telus.net or 250-754-4192.

 PM News Classified Ads Reach over 12,500 DPM's and Students

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 12,500 DPM's. Write to bblock@podiatrym.com or call (718) 897-9700 for details. Weekly ad rates start as low as $109 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.

• To Post a message, send it to:    bblock@podiatrym.com
• Notes should be original and may not be submitted to other publications or listservs without our express written permission.
• Notes must be in the following form:
  RE: (Topic)
  From: (your name, DPM)
  Body of letter. Be concise. Limit to 250 words or less). Use Spellchecker
  Your name, DPM City/State
• Subscribers are reminded that they have an ethical obligation to disclose any potential conflicts of interest when commenting on any product, procedure, or service.