The Voice of Podiatrists

Serving Over 9,500 Podiatrists Daily

August 21, 2007 #3,019 Editor-Barry Block, DPM, JD

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Congratulations to Gene Mirkin, DPM of Kensington, MD our First weekly survey contest winner, who has won CARMD, an easy-to-use handheld diagnostic tool which tells you what’s wrong with your car when the “service engine” light comes on (value $89.95)

ACME MADE Designer Slim Computer Bag

This week's prize is an ACME MADE Designer Slim Computer Bag (Value$149.95) Color may vary. To enter the contest, complete the survey at www.podiatrym.com and send us question #45, along with your name and address. Be sure to vote in the survey for the 2008 inductees in the PM Podiatry Hall of Fame. All entries are eligible for the grand prize of a one-week Windjammer Caribbean Cruise.

From Kick Boxer to Yale-Trained FL Podiatrist

In a manner of speaking, Dr. Loan Lam kicked her way into her specialty profession. It cost her four broken toes sustained during a kick-boxing bout, but as a pre-med student at the time, Lam found herself fascinated with the treatment she received from a podiatrist.

Dr. Loan Lam

Recently, the 29-year-old herself completed residency as a podiatrist, and is at the moment building up a patient base on Marco Island. The Texas-bred Lam remembers having an aptitude for the sciences as well as biology in high school, and found it a natural progression to enter the medical world.

At first she considered medical research, but her desire to be hands-on — as well as the fortuitous kick-boxing accident — steered her in the direction she now knows was the correct one. Educated at Rice University in Houston and later Barry University in Miami, Lam trained at Yale’s New Haven Hospital. It was there that she gained extensive knowledge in the field, delving into the complexities of deformities, joint diseases and lesions caused by neuropathy — or more simply, peripheral nerve damage.

Source: Quentin Roux , Naples Daily News - [8/20/07]

Scholl Makes a CLEAR Sweep at 2007 APMA Research Awards

Researchers at Rosalind Franklin University Scholl Center for Lower Extremity Ambulatory Research (CLEAR) came away with all three top awards at the American Podiatric Medical Association's (APMA) 2007 Scientific Sessions oral abstract presentations. "I am so proud of this team. They represent what is best about this wonderful profession and I'm honored to work with them,” noted David G. Armstrong, DPM, PhD, Director of Scholl College Center for Lower Extremity Ambulatory Research (CLEAR) at the University.

Erin Klein

The top three awards were given to cutting-edge research involving the largest human study to date using adult-derived stem cells in wound healing (Lee Rogers, first author), surgical therapy and wound healing (Armstrong, first author) and the novel use of a device invented at CLEAR designed to allow persons with wounds to exercise and lose weight (Erin Klein, first author.) Ms. Klein was also unique in that she was the only student at the symposium invited to present an oral abstract.

Michael Corcoran

In addition, CLEAR student researcher Michael Corcoran was awarded first prize for his work evaluating different methods of sterilizing surgical instrumentation for use in clinical settings.

Doctors Fear Bill Would Resurrect Punitive Medicare Claims Reviews

Physicians who thought they bade good riddance years ago to Medicare's oft-maligned peer review organizations are nervously eyeing new legislation in Congress that they say would bring back the bad old days of claims review.

Senate Finance Committee Chair Max Baucus (D- MT) and Ranking Republican Charles Grassley (IA) have introduced a quality improvement bill that would create a new group of contractors called Medicare provider review organizations, or MPROs. Although not the same as the PROs of old, they would accomplish the same purpose -- investigating complaints about physicians and other Medicare participants by reviewing claims data to determine if the care in question was medically necessary and provided appropriately.

Medicare quality improvement organizations, which replaced the peer review system in the early 1990s, currently handle such evaluations. But they also work directly with physicians, hospitals and others on proactive quality improvement initiatives that are not from any investigation. The QIOs, whose boards are typically made up mostly of physicians, use much of their Medicare money to help doctors implement better care systems before any trouble arises. This dual role has caused Baucus and Grassley to push their legislation. While the bill would enhance QIOs' quality improvement activities, it would strip away their case review responsibilities and assign them to the new MPROs.

Source: David Glendinning, AMNews [8/27/07]

Query: Danger of Bone Biopsy?

You have a patient admitted to the hospital with myositis, cellulitis and suspected osteomyelitis (through clinical correlation) of the foot. The wound is purulent, malodorous, and shows sinus tracking to bone. The patient says the wound has existed less than 1 week. X-rays are negative for osteomyelitis. You have decided to take the patient to surgery for incision and drainage. If you decide to do a bone biopsy and the bone is clean, have you then created a nidus of infection from the site where you did the biopsy?

David B. Williams, DPM, El Paso, TX

Query: Orthotic Sandals

Does anyone have a good orthotic sandal co. they could recommend?
Cynthia Ferrelli, DPM, Buffalo, NY

RE: Lymphostasis Verruciformis (Elephantiasis Nostra Verrucosa) (Henry Stark, DPM)
From: Alan Kalker, DPM

We had a patient with this condition who did reasonably well with simple compression. An Unna’s boot covered with Webril and Coflex, changed every few days at first. The skin sores healed and the verrucous masses diminished considerably, though they never fully resolved over a period of about 6 weeks. She now uses compression stockings to maintain the skin and reverts back to the Unna’s boots, as needed, if it gets worse.

Alan Kalker, DPM, Middleton, WI, ajkalker@facstaff.wisc.edu

RE: APMA Scientific Meeting/Region III
From: Sharon I. Monter, DPM

I attended the 2007 APMA Scientific Meeting/Region III in Philly this past weekend and as a first-timer to a National APMA seminar I was very impressed. Every aspect was well thought-out, and the lectures and exhibits very informative. I recommend this Meeting to all those who are still wondering if they should attend. See you all next year!

Sharon I. Monter, DPM, Red Bank, NJ, Simdpm@aol.com

MANHATTAN, NY GENERAL PRACTICE FOR SALE

Great Midtown East location near Grand Central Station. 614-918-3000 or email sell_my_practice@yahoo.com"

SIERRA VISTA, ARIZONA PRACTICE FOR SALE

Doctor retiring and willing to stay for long transition to assure the new doctor does very well. Call American Doctor Sales 614-918-3000 or email sell_my_practice@yahoo.com

PORTLAND, OREGON 2-PRACTICE LOCATION FOR SALE

Doctor retiring soon and leaving country. This opportunity is 70 miles east of Portland with little to no competition! Check out gorge.net for the area. Call American Doctor Sales 614-918-3000 or email sell_my_practice@yahoo.com

ASSOCIATE POSITION- NORTH LOS ANGELES COUNTY

Full scope of podiatry. Requires usual skills in surgery, medicine and biomechanics. Must be self-starter and highly motivated. Two full days per week. May soon increase to three days per week. All billing and administrative aspects handled by staff. Can practice autonomously. footguy1@pacbell.net

Staff Privileges at Certified Surgical Facility Available- NY & LI

Certified operating rooms which qualify under the new NY Patient Protection Law (which will require accreditation for in-office procedures) are available in Manhattan East 60th Street and Plainview, LI. Staff privileges still available. Space for rent, turn-key operation no investment available.Call 516 433-4447 for information or e-mail podo2345@aol.com

CRYOPROBE SALE: PRICE REDUCTION!

A cryoprobe system (less than one year old and rarely used) from CryoTech is available for only $11,000. This lists for $14,900.00 new. The CryoPac system comes complete with two fully sterilizable Probes. This system has been used less than 15 times and can be used to treat plantar fascitis, neuromas, and other foot pathology. Please email serious inquires to: drsammendicino@gtef.org

IN-NETWORK POSITION – MIDTOWN NEW YORK CITY

Seeking In-network podiatric physician for midtown locations, to provide: Routine Foot Care Therapeutic Treatment , Minor & Surgical Procedures. Please do not reply if not an in-network doctor. Please submit resume to gelus07@yahoo.com

ASSOCIATE POSITION - VIRGINIA

Immediate full time associate position available. Unlimited income potential. Busy, diverse, 40+yr Hampton Roads practice. Must be compassionate; energetic; and motivated; PSR24/36. Looking for long-term arrangement. Please send letter and CV to fixafoot@cox.net or fax to 757-397-5889; www.podiatryltd.com

ASSOCIATE WANTED – NEW YORK IMMEDIATE OPENING

Busy multi-dimensional practice; 70 miles north of New York City. Currently five (5)-doctor practice. looking to expand – all phases of podiatric medicine. contact: (845) 454-8308 EXT: 106

PRACTICE FOR SALE- SUFFOLK COUNTY, NEW YORK

Selling fully equipped practice with excellent patient database in Huntington, Long Island. All phases of podiatry. Great opportunity for growth. Will stay for transition period. 516-729-4298- drsherm4@aol.com

PER DIEM/ASSOCIATE WANTED - IMMEDIATE OPENING- NY

Associate Position with immediate opening in the Hudson Valley (NY) for multi-office well-rounded podiatric practice including general podiatry, high volume orthotics, and reconstructive surgery. Looking for well trained (PSR- 24/36. Outstanding opportunity to work into partnership. Competitive starting salary, bonus incentives, benefits, and pension. PER DIEM also available for immediate placement. Please submit: CV, letter of intent and references to: footassociate@yahoo.com

ASSOCIATE POSITION – GREATER BOSTON AREA

Full-time comprehensive practice with hospital teaching affiliation west of the greater Boston area looking for motivated, ethical, surgically trained podiatrist. Competitive salary and benefits. Call 508-872-9288

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