The Voice of Podiatrists

Serving Over 12,500 Podiatrists Daily

July 21, 2011 #4,212 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.

Copper-Soled Socks Show Promise, but More Research Necessary: PA Podiatrist

A 2008 study of 56 chronic sufferers of athlete's foot found significant improvement in symptoms such as itching, swelling, and scaling after 40 days of wearing copper-soled socks. The study, which was published in the journal Foot, was funded by Cupron and by Renfro Corp., a Mount Airy, NC maker of the socks sold by Aetrex and others.

Dr. Warren Joseph

The research shows "some promise," says Philadelphia podiatrist Dr. Warren Joseph, but it needs to be repeated with patients randomized to either a control group or a copper-sock group. If proven effective, a sock with anti-fungal properties could help in the maintenance of toenail fungus and athletes foot, since the same fungus is the cause of both, he adds.

Source: Laura Johannes, Wall Street Journal [7/19/11]

NYCPM Faculty and Students Conduct 7th Annual West Point Boot Fit

Five faculty members from the New York College of Podiatric Medicine (NYCPM), along with twenty of the school’s students, recently worked feverishly to fit the more than 1,400 new cadet candidates of the U.S. Military Academy at West Point with properly-fitting boots. The NYCPM volunteers found cadet candidates with a variety of pre-existing problems, ranging from blisters to bunions, hammertoes and other conditions, and referred them to their company medic. Properly-fitting boots go a long way toward maintaining the cadets’ foot health and, as a result, their overall health and their ability to meet the Academy’s demanding expectations.

NYCPM Student Volunteers

Leading the effort were Col. Michael Neary, DPM, MBA, of the Podiatry Service at Keller Army Community Hospital, and Michael J. Trepal, DPM, NYCPM’s Vice President for Academic Affairs and Dean. Other NYCPM faculty members taking part were Russell G. Volpe, DPM,  Susan M. Rice, DPM, Robert Stabile, DPM, and Jose Loor, DPM. The NYCPM student volunteers were Amarjit Chhatwal; Ilona Ocher; Irina Pisaryuk; John Ellie; Jay Bhuta; Avanti Redkar; Jarna Rathod; Rahul Bhatt; Anthony Ferraro; Jennifer Seifert; John Kannengieser; Shawn Braunagel; Spencer Monaco; Erin Roberson; Dunja Delevska; Michael Collins; Sara El Bashir; Kevin Warner; Lee Greenberg; and Keleigh Muxlow.

Routine Foot Care is Needed for All Diabetics: UK Podiatrist

The importance of maintaining good foot hygiene and regular check-ups to podiatrists was highlighted by a Willetton resident last week as a part of Diabetes Week. Patricia, who has diabetes, almost lost her big toe after a wound on her foot became infected. The 67-year-old had not noticed the cut as her eyesight had become compromised due to diabetes-induced glaucoma. After showing the foot to her daughter, Patricia was treated at a hospital for gangrene and she now regularly has her feet checked.

UK Podiatrist Marcelle Hopkins

Bentley Health Service podiatrist Marcelle Hopkins said people with diabetes often have nerve damage in their feet, meaning that small wounds went unnoticed. “Eighty per cent of lower limb amputations start out as foot ulcers, but with proper care, most of these are preventable,” she said. Ms. Hopkins said people with diabetes should have regular foot checks by a doctor, nurse, or podiatrist to check for any damage. “A yearly foot screening and good foot care routine should begin as soon as a person is diagnosed with diabetes.”
 
Source: Community Newspapers [7/18/11]

IFAF Board Meets and Plans Agenda for 2012

The IFAF Board of Directors met recently for the 2nd quarterly Board meeting. This meeting was held at the Capital Grill, Seattle, in the Washington Room. Standing in front of a portrait of John W. Nordstrom, the Founder of Nordstrom's Department Store, is the entire IFAF Board of Directors.

(L-R) Drs. Marc A. Kravette, Gerald T. Kuwada, Cherie H. Johnson, and Tresha Carter (Director of Administration), Drs. Byron L. Hutchinson, G Dock Dockery (Chairman), and Rex Z. Nilson.

The Board reviewed the IFAF 2011 changes and upcoming 2011-2012  meetings. Discussions included the approval of the new Foundation logo, update of the Bylaws, the addition of peer-reviewers to the Foot and Ankle Online Journal (faoj.org), the continued support for the Yucatan Crippled Children Project, the residency consortium of the Swedish Medical Center and the St. Francis Hospital, and funding of new research proposals for 2012. The International Foot & Ankle Foundation is continuing its commitment to make changes in education and research and be a major supporting group for humanitarian efforts.

Query: Ultimate Practice Builders

Does anybody have any experience with Ultimate Practice Builders that they would like to share.

John Swangim, DPM, La Porte, IN

Query: Billing Service for TrakNet?

Does anyone know of a billing service that uses TrakNet? I am switching to that EMR and am interested in a service that is willing to use that EMR for billing.

Richard Rees, DPM, Bellaire, TX

RE: VOIP (David Kahan, DPM)
From: Raymond F. Posa, MBA

While I have not used the VOIP service from Costco, I actually have been using a service for the last 7 years from a company called Packet8, now called 8x8 (8x8.com).

They also offer various business packages and have their own phone equipment. The quality of all VOIP sevices has improved dramatically over the years, and they offer a real cost savings over traditional phone service. Most VOIP systems run their phones over ethernet cable through your network, and most will not provide a POTS (plain old telephone service) connection. Check with your vendor if this is a feature they offer. If not, then you may still have to retain one old telephone line for dial-up purposes.

Raymond F. Posa, MBA, Group, Farmingdale, NJ, rposa@themantagroup.com

RE: Medicare Number and Moving (Mike Piccarelli, DPM)
From: Robert Kornfeld, DPM

These days, an address change is a major challenge for the Medicare system. While I was still in the Medicare program, I moved my office one quarter of a mile away. One quarter of a mile away! It took SIX months to receive the first reimbursement check at my new office. In the "old days", we could get on the phone, speak to a human, change our address, and poof! Done.
 
Robert Kornfeld, DPM, Manhasset, NY, Holfoot153@aol.com

RE: Barefoot Cuts Should be Treated Within 24 Hours: Ontario Podiatrist
From: Robert Bijak, DPM

Dr. Lanthier talks about podiatric treatment for cuts and puncture wounds. Though podiatrists undoubtedly see these injuries, I am wondering how often podiatrists give tetanus injections to these patients. I've always kept tetanus toxoid in my office and used it for these types of injuries. I rarely hear infectious disease lecturers mention this and wonder if this is the standard of care in podiatry. Of course, I think it should be, but I suspect a good percent of podiatrists do not give these injections. Is this the standard of care?

Robert Bijak, DPM, Clarence Center, NY rbijak@aol.com

RE: Woman Grows Full Size Nipple On Foot

Researchers have found a 22-year-old woman with a full grown nipple on her foot. I don't know if a foot nipple is considered not safe for work, but I'm getting a strange tingling sensation thinking about the possibilities.

Nipple on Foot

While it seems straight from the pages of National Enquirer, the case was recently published in the scientific journal Dermatology Online. Many men and women have third and four vestigial nipples, running along the milk lines that go from the genitals to the breasts. This case is completely unique, however, according to the research paper.

Source: Jesus Diaz, Jezebel [7/18/11} via Robert Wunderlich, DPM

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.

RESIDENCY OPPORTUNITY - MASSACHUSETTS

Mount Auburn Hospital, a teaching hospital of Harvard Medical School (HMS), Cambridge, MA is immediately seeking candidates for a new CPME approved three-year residency in Podiatric Medicine and Surgery Residency (PMSR) with additional Reconstructive Rearfoot and Ankle (RRA) credentialing. The emphasis of this PMSR-RRA well-rounded high volume program includes surgery (particularly complex reconstructive forefoot, rearfoot, and ankle surgery, sports medicine, and trauma), academics, and research. Interested applicants should immediately contact Emily A. Cook, DPM, MPH, CPH atMAH.Residency@gmail.com. Candidates must: start October 1, 2011, have completed a podiatric doctorate, passed parts 1 & 2 of the NBPME.

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.

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 – 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 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

 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.