The Voice of Podiatrists

Serving Over 11,000 Podiatrists Daily

August 03, 2009 #3,612 Publisher-Barry Block, DPM, JD

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2009 Scientific Meeting Concludes, Seattle in 2010 Awaits

After four days packed full of scientific lectures and fun-filled events, the beautiful city of Toronto said goodbye to America's podiatrists. Each day began with well-attended breakfast symposiums from  world-class lecturers. Saturday night's concluding festivity was a wine and beer tasting event at which Toronto podiatrist and President of the Federation of Internatinal podiatrists, Robert Chelin, DPM was presented APMA's Achievement Award for his role in making this meeting a  success.     

Dr. Robert Chelin (l) and Dr. Ronald Jensen

Additional  credit goes to Frank Spinosa, DPM and the Scientific Committee, Jim Christina, DPM, Director of Scientific Affairs, Anne Martinez, APMA's meeting planner, Glenn Gastwirth, DPM, Executive Director, and the entire hard-working staff of APMA for making this undertaking possible.  Now, all eyes look forward to next year's meeting in Seattle, the gem of the Pacific Northwest (July 15-18, 2010).  

AAPSM Presents Awards at APMA Annual Meeting

The following awards were presented by the American Academy of Podiatric Sports Medicine at the recently concluded APMA Scientific Meeting in Toronto:

Dr. Jeffrey Ross(L) and Dr. Matthew Werd

AAPSM Fellow and Past President, Jeffrey Ross, DPM received the Robert M. Barnes, DPM Distinguished Service Award. This award was presented to Dr. Ross in view of his many years of service to the Academy, to the profession, and for the public. His work and interests have ranged from ski medicine, to runners, to diabetics. His passion for his work and his boundless energy are always on display wherever he goes. He is a tireless advocate on the virtues of exercise, healthy living, and methodical and careful foot care.

Simon Bartold (L) and Dr. Bruce Williams

The AAPSM presented Simon Bartold with this year's Richard Schuster Award. This award is presented to an individudal for outstanding research, education, and leadership in the field of podiatric sports medicine.

Dr. John Connors (L), Khalid Khannouchi and Dr. Bruce Williams

The AAPSM presented this year's Golden Foot Award to Khalid Khannouchi. Khalid is one of the most accomplished distance runners of all time. He has broken the world record in the marathon three times. He is the first runner ever to run 2:05 in the marathon.

Landmark Massachusetts Health Reforms Showing Cracks in Access, Coverage

Health system reform is hitting a few snags in Massachusetts at a time when many policy-makers are eyeing the state for clues as to how federal reform efforts could play out.

A lawsuit by Boston Medical Center alleges that the state has significantly underfunded the safety net hospital to finance expansions of Massachusetts' 2006 universal coverage initiative. Meanwhile, budget shortfalls threaten coverage for legal immigrants and others insured under the reforms.

The BMC lawsuit, filed July 15 in Suffolk Superior Court, accuses the Executive Office of Health and Human Services of illegally cutting the hospital's Medicaid payments and redistributing the money. It also alleges that health officials inappropriately funded new coverage expansions by diverting a portion of money set aside to maintain safety net hospital funding levels during the transition to the universal program.

Source: Amy Lynn Sorrel and Doug Trapp, AMNews [8/3/09]

RE: Coumadin Therapy and Foot & Ankle Surgery
From: Michael M. Rosenblatt, DPM

As podiatrists, we are not licensed to provide management for Coumadin or anti-coagulant therapy for our patients. This is usually in the realm of internal medicine or family practice. Yet, we encounter these patients very frequently in our practices, and often do surgical procedures for them. So, the question comes up naturally: “Should I stop anti-coagulant therapy during the period either before, during, or after my foot and ankle surgery? “

I submit the answer should always be no. Recently, I lost a dear friend who suffered a massive cerebral blood clot after routine knee replacement surgery. There was a “little” bleeding in the surgery site, mostly minuscule that could have been easily controlled by elevation and local anesthetic injections with a little epinephrine, in the worst case. Unfortunately, his coumadin was stopped. He died the next day.  
 
I know that anecdotal information is not relevant to this discussion, so I will provide these data: according to the Warfarin Society of America, for 10 million prescriptions for warfarin, only one person died from the direct effects of anti-coagulation therapy in 2004. (Reference: Wysowski DK et al. Bleeding Complications with Warfarin Use. Arch Intern Med. 2007;167:1414-9). There are a number of drug interactions with Coumadin that podiatrists should be aware of, whether or not the prescribing internist is.

In my practice, I never suggested stopping anti-coagulant therapy in preparation for a foot or ankle surgery. I also never had a patient die from a blood clot after my procedure either, in 28 years of surgical practice. Had they stopped it, I would have cancelled the surgery. I never had any difficulty in controlling post-operative bleeding.

Michael M. Rosenblatt, DPM, San Jose, CA, Rosey1@prodigy.net

RE: 2009 APMA Scientific Meeting
From: Elliot Udell, DPM

This was a world class event. I had the honor of lecturing at the meeting, as well as moderating three other presentations. There were over 1,200 podiatrists present, and every aspect of podiatry from podiatric medicine, to dermatology, to bone surgery was well represented. It was impossible to go to every lecture, but the APMA did give out CDs of the lectures. There were also lots of booths with new and exciting treatments being promoted. Kudos to the people of the APMA who put together such a spectacular event. 
 
Elliot Udell, DPM, Hicksville, NY, Elliotu@aol.com

RE: Online Scheduling for Multiple Offices (Mark Wolpa, DPM)
From: Larry Kosova, DPM

Eppointmentplus (eppointmentplus.com/about.html) should be able to achieve your goals. You can use it as an on-line appointment maker and scheduler. You can use your smart phone to see your schedule. Your patients can fill out medical history, make appointments, and get automatic reminders via e-mail of their appointments. Doing multiple offices is the easy part. My patients think we are so hi-tech, and appreciate the convenience of the product. Data is stored on a third-party server. This program is very cost-effective.

Larry Kosova, DPM, Chicago, IL, lkosova@yahoo.com

RE: Dragon Naturally Problem (Bruce Krell, DPM, Burton J. Katzen, DPM)
From: Charles Morelli, DPM, Larry Kosova, DPM

Having used Dragon for almost 10 years now, I too continue to be amused from time to time how certain words and phrases get transcribed. Yes, it can be very amusing and embarassing at the same time. I recently bought a second office and decided to install an new upgraded version of the program at that site. Unfortunately, I haven't figured out how to move my dictionary and voice files to that office, nor am I sure of which file(s) I need to copy and then re-install so that this data can be in both locations. This would prevent me from having to "retrain" the program all over again and if any one knows, I'd appreciate the info. But....no matter how hard I try, a "below knee" cast usually becomes a "bologna" cast, and I no longer even try to dictate "pusy exudate." 
 
Charles Morelli, DPM, Mamaroneck, NY, podiodoc@gmail.com

Dr. Krell’s version of Word is probably corrupted. Uninstall it from everywhere in your computer, including the registry, and then reinstall. You might have to reinstall the entire Office suite for it to take effect.
 
Dr. Katzen’s advice is slightly misleading. I have been using speech products since about 1998. You need a good microphone (not ones at Best Buy), and a good sound card, and good processor on your computer to achieve good success. Also, the microphone that the product comes with is horrible and should be used as a back-up. Better microphones will decrease your errors (emicrophones.com).
 
As a new user, using a recorder is not advisable. They are prone to have 3-5% error rates built in. After training with version 10, you should be around 98% free. You might need more initial training, but for most, the 10 minutes if fine. Version 10 also has an update that most likely is not included on your disk. You have to go to Nuance website and download it to fix bugs, etc. in the software. It is worth it. You have to enunciate your words better with version 10 also.
 
Add words to your vocabulary and forget the training of words. This will yield higher rates for you. Even add words you are having trouble with in sentences with words before and after the word. You can add your own list of words that you need for prescription or medical terms to improve on this or/and scan in previously dictated chart notes (typed in Word). 100-500 charts is good.
 
Dr. Katzen is correct in saying that the non-medical versions are not bad for a new user, but you do have to add words, depending on what type of practice you have. The medical version is just quicker to get your words right.
 
Larry Kosova, DPM, Chicago, IL, lkosova@yahoo.com

RE: Talk About Shooting Yourself in the Foot

Bullet in Shoe

A .45 caliber round makes a pretty big hole, I can just imagine how the conversation went: "Check out my new .45, it has a really great trigger pull"...nice squeeze ...Bang!!!!...Oh Shit...OUCH!"

Bullet in Foot

Source: Submitted by Charles Morelli, DPM, Mamaroneck, NY

FOR SALE: MICROVASC UNIT

Excellent Condition, Never Used, New 14K, BEST OFFER. All-Pro 2010 X-Ray processor, used, great condition, Includes cassettes BEST OFFER
NYCPodiatry@gmail.com

ASSOCIATE POSITIONS - CALIFORNIA

Podiatrist needed for busy North Hollywood office. Part-time Monday-Friday 8am-2:30pm. No weekends and no call. Pay negotiable. New podiatrists are encouraged to apply. Please email resume and salary request to Coasttocoastpodiatry@yahoo.com

PRACTICE FOR SALE - FLORIDA—CENTRAL/SOUTH

Turn-key operation grossing $570,000 annually based on one full-time doctor. Great opportunity for growing the top-line. Surgery is only 14% of the professional man-hours; it can significantly increase income. Medicare makes up 64% of revenues. Seller will assist with transition. Call 863-688-1725, ask for Chas.

ASSOCIATE POSITION - FLORIDA

Busy practice in East Central Florida in search of full-time podiatrist to perform routine foot care in office and nursing home. Competitive salary and full benefits available. Reply to jrdpm@bellsouth.net

LOCUM TENENS – TEXAS

Looking for locum tenens to work about 3 weeks for me while I am out for an operation. Need Texas license and obviously need malpractice.  Tentative dates are: Last week in August 09 - first two weeks of September. Need to be able to see variety of post-op patients, and otherwise, general podiatric practice and common office procedure (nail, etc.) skills. Salary/terms negotiable. If interested, please call, 409-466-7401 and mention this ad.

ASSOCIATE POSITION - FLORIDA

Busy practice in East Central Florida in search of full-time podiatrist to perform routine foot care in office and nursing home. Competitive salary and full benefits available. Reply to jrdpm@bellsouth.net

PRACTICE OPPORTUNITY - CINCINNATI, OH
 
Well-established practice located in medical/professional building minutes from hospital. Many referrals, three satellite clinics and two assisted living facilities to keep you busy. Associate leaving due to family emergency-need to either find an associate or sell ASAP. Contact bjadpm@hotmail.com for more details.

NEEDED CHICAGO -- NW IND & BALTIMORE/WASHINGTON, DC PODIATRISTS 

Home Physicians, a medical group specializing in house calls is looking to hire podiatrists in Chicago, Northwest Indiana, and Baltimore, MD. 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 – ILLINOIS 
 
Quality Podiatry Group provides quality services to residents at long term care facilities. We are currently offering full-time or part-time positions for motivated ethical podiatrists. Immediate openings available. If interested, fax curriculum vitae to 312 225-9366 or e-mail feetwork@aol.com

ASSOCIATE POSITION – PACIFIC NORTHWEST

Russian-speaking podiatrist needed. Looking for well-rounded, recently out of residency, podiatrist. Would you like to raise your family in our beautiful Pacific Northwest? We are well-established and fast growing multi-office practice with all aspects of podiatry. Attractive compensation, malpractice and medical insurance provided. Call 206-661-9644.

ASSOCIATE POSITION - WASHINGTON — WEST PUGET SOUND

Well-established, two-doctor practice in all phases of treatment looking to replace associate who is leaving the area. Looking for energetic, affable, surgically-trained DPM to take over associate position leading to partnership. Satellite office and adjacent multi-disciplinary ASC available for use and possible partnership. Silverdale rated 92nd in best 100 locations in Money/CNN 2009 poll. See link . Contact and résumé at pwa@kitsappodiatry.com

PRACTICE FOR SALE - ALABAMA, GULF COAST 
 
Established 26 year old practice. Owner desires to sell and relocate. Operated 25 hours per week. Mixture of surgery and general podiatry. MD referrals. Surgery center and hospitals in close proximity. Highly profitable. Priced to sell. Will lease office to buyer. Call Mike Crosby at 888-776-2430 or email mcrosby@providerresources.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, ABPS Qualified minimum needed to obtain hospital privileges. Associate position is open for partnership or purchase. Contact robert.nunberg@comcast.net 

PRACTICE FOR SALE – WESTCHESTER COUNTY, NY

Established 30+ year old practice. Well respected podiatrist in beautiful Westchester County Owner ill and needs a quick sale. Mixture of surgery and general podiatry. Hospitals in close proximity. Will lease office to buyer. Call Mali McGrinder at 914-434-1663.

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 a full-time podiatrist in a multi practice location in Chicago. Must have two years of surgical residency. Please e-mail resume to fmassuda@footexperts.com

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