The Voice of Podiatrists

Serving Over 11,000 Podiatrists Daily

August 22, 2008 #3,330 Editor-Barry Block, DPM, JD

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IL Podiatrist Named President of NPMA

Dr. Carlos F. Smith was elected president of the National Podiatric Medical Association at the association's annual meeting and scientific conference held June 26-27, 2008, in Orlando.

Dr. Carlos Smith

Smith is CEO/Medical Director of Centers for Foot and Ankle Care in Chicago. He has served on the Board of Directors of the NPMA since 2000 and served as Vice President and Scientific Conference Chair of the association. Smith resides in the city with his wife, Debra, and daughter, Carla Davea.

Source: The Chicago Defender [8/20/08]

NWPF Honors Three

On a recent Saturday evening, Dr. G. Dock Dockery, Director, Northwest Podiatric Foundation for Education & Research, USA, presented the NWPF Annual Awards at the Graduation Ceremony of the Seattle Swedish Podiatric Surgical Residency Program, held at the Chateau St. Michelle Winery, Woodinville, Washington.

Dr. Brad Bakotic

The recipient of the NWPF National Service Award (for efforts to promote podiatric medicine and surgery on a national and international level through service on national committees, presentation of lectures and publication of scientific information) was Bradley Bakotic, DPM, DO.

Dr. Edward Blahous, Jr.

The recipient of the NWPF Member Award (for efforts to advance podiatric medicine and surgery to colleagues and increase public awareness, and for providing an excellent role model for your peers) was Edward Blahous, Jr. DPM.

Dr. Cherie H. Johnson

The recipient of the NWPF Outstanding Teaching Award (for the advancement of podiatric medicine and surgery through dedication to continued medical education and the teaching of surgery to podiatric residents) was Cherie H. Johnson, DPM.

Medicare E-Prescribing Incentive Could Spread to Commercial Side

New financial incentives for the electronic submission of Medicare prescriptions could prompt physicians to replace paper pads with PDAs. It also could encourage commercial carriers to launch similar efforts to promote the use of e-prescribing among network providers.

On July 21, as part of the Medicare reform law enacted this month, HHS outlined its strategy to boost Medicare payments for doctors who e-prescribe. For two years, beginning in 2009, Medicare will offer a 2% incentive payment to eligible physicians. The financial incentive will drop to 1% in 2011 and 2012, and to 0.5% in 2013. HHS has not yet identified how many or what percentage of prescriptions a physician will need to submit electronically to qualify for the incentives. Physicians who do not use the technology will see Medicare reimbursements reduced by 1% in 2012, 1.5% in 2013 and 2% in 2014.

The new law could prompt commercial insurers to consider similar financial incentives to their most valued physicians, says Anthony Schueth, CEO and managing partner of Point-of-Care Partners, a Coral Springs, Fla.-based consulting firm. "Many commercial payers have been waiting to see what incentives CMS would offer. What they've proposed is a different type of model that could be used as a benchmark for private health plans." Commercial payers, he explains, will need to determine if they are willing to contribute additional incentives or if some sort of financial penalty might make sense. Financial incentives could go a long way in encouraging e-prescribing.

Source: Steve Davis, Health Plan Week [8/19/08]

Improved Time Management

Manage deadlines more easily when you divide your "to-do" list into two columns; one for short-term activities and the other for long-term projects. As long as each long-term project has at least one short-term goal that you are working on, you should make steady progress.

Source: Adapted from 365 Ways to Simplify Your Work Life by Odette Pollar.

Query: ClinixMD Medical Records System

I would like to know if anyone has any experience with the ClinixMD system. We are a multi-speciality group.

David H. Long, DPM, Paris, TN

RE: Low-Grade Fibrosarcoma (Doug Mason, DPM)
From: Multiple Respondents

Dr. Mason has hopefully performed a pre-operative MRI with contrast and did an incisional biopsy with frozen section to determine if it was a malignancy in the first place. However, it sounds like the lesion was excised and that any concern for malignancy developed after the biopsy results were obtained.

Fortunately, it involved a toe, so the musculoskeletal oncology surgeon that he must refer the patient to will be able to do an appropriate wide excision, staging and direct chemotherapy or radiation as might be needed. If the lesion was near the ankle, the patient might be needlessly getting a leg amputation.

By removing ANY soft tissue mass without benefit of pre-op MRI with contrast, plain films, and not doing a frozen section incisional procedure first, you may be creating a situation wherein a patient is left with a defect from a removed malignancy where margins of resection cannot be determined and the resulting wide excision surgery much more drastic than it had to be. Some malignant tumors must be treated with chemotherapy and or radiation first before total excision. Some may have already have metastasized, and some patients even get to the stage of a major amputation before anyone took time to get oncology consultation and staging. This of course, is a nightmare when it is found that the patient is seeded with tumor. Open incisional biopsy is the BEST way to go!

Bryan Markinson, DPM, NY, NY, bryan.markinson@mountsinai.org

A scan of the medical literature reveals that low-grade fibrosarcomas can and have metastasized. Irrespective of how low the percentage of metastasis may be, people have died from this type of cancer. You deserve to be acknowledged for making the diagnosis. Let the patient and the family know what a podiatrist did for this patient and then find the best bone oncology center in your state and send the patient there immediately. A top- notch bone oncology center will know whether and where to look for potential metastasis. They will also know whether further surgical removal of tissue is warranted and whether the patient should have chemo and/or radiotherapy. I also request that you publish photos of the lesion as well as any pathology slides.

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

Since malignancies are something that we do not deal with everyday in our practices, a consultation with an oncologist on the patient's behalf would be beneficial and appropriate.

Steven H. Goldstein, DPM, Royal Palm Beach, FL, stevefootdr1@cs.com

RE: Intra-Office Communication System (Ira J. Gottlieb, DPM)
From: Multiple Respondents

I recommend Expeditor Light systems (Expeditor.com). This system has performed almost flawlessly for us x 15 years, is easy to alter or add to , and you have the choice of lights, sound, or both. We couldn't live without it.

Bob Hatcher, DPM, Raleigh, NC, Bob.RFC@intrex.net

You can try to set up an IM system through something like Yahoo or whatever browser you like to use. You would have to carry something like a smart phone around with you to get messages.

The other product that has a tracking system is:eppointments.com/patient_tracking.html.

For example, you can order x-rays, etc. and your staff would be notified to take the x-rays for Ms. Peters in room three. You would have to have monitors in certain areas or have your staff check the monitors to see what you are ordering. This system works very well.

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

We use JTECH’s system; (561-997-0772) It is much like the medic alert, you press the button and a signal is sent to the office help’s beeper that is set to buzz. The system has a range of a couple of miles.

Laurence C. Rogers, DPM, Rochester, IN, larrydpm@rtcol.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

MINNESOTA - IMMEDIATE OPENING

Well-established practice with 8 offices in the Minneapolis metro area seeking a highly motivated PSR 24/36 trained podiatrist for a full time or part time associate position. ABPS certified, qualified or eligible preferred. Excellent income potential with benefits including health insurance, malpractice insurance, relocation expense, association dues, license fees, hospital dues, continuing education expense. Possible buy-in or buy-out in future. Heavy emphasis on surgery and sports medicine with minimal RFC. Please e-mail CV to footandankledoc22@hotmail.com

PRACTICE FOR SALE - MINNESOTA

Minnesota-2 well established prime office locations for sale in the Minneapolis suburbs. Great income potential with large MD referral base .Can purchase one or both offices together. 175k gross/ each office. Owner will help with transition. Please e-mail minnesotadpm@live.com

ALL PRO 2010 X-RAY PROCESSOR FOR SALE

2 years old, excellent condition, monthly maintenance/cleaning done by NJ X-Ray. Includes processor, leveling base, chemical draining hoses, water hose, two 10x12 x-ray cassettes and 1 box of brand new x-ray film. Instruction manual and extra washers/parts also included. Asking price $2,200 + shipping costs. Please email nefootandankle@optonline.net for all inquiries.

ASSOCIATE POSITION OPPORTUNITY IN MULTI SPECIALITY GROUP PRACTICE - ILLINOIS

Christie Clinic is a large Multi-Specialty Group practice located in Champaign, Illinois. We are seeking a PSR-36 ABPS Board Certified or Board Eligible podiatrist to join a well-established Podiatry department. Must be competent in all phases of podiatric care, Surgical and Conservative. This position will involve rotating through multiple office locations with surgical privileges available at two medical centers and two outpatient surgery centers. Very competitive salary, bonus plan, vacation, and health/mp insurances. Forward CV to wpierce@chrisiteclinic.com

PODIATRIST NEEDED - NEW YORK

Podiatrist (DPM) needed for busy multi-specialty practice located in Great Neck, NY 11021 Must be experienced in all phases of podiatric medicine. Must have all licenses and certifications. Fax 516-829-9674 Nancy

PRACTICE OPPORTUNITY – DENVER, CO

Denver, Colorado. Metro Denver practice opportunity. Details: Email: g_gill@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 – 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 - WEST CENTRAL MN

Associateship possibly leading to equity ownership. Compensation package of $100,000. Option for partnership or purchase as soon as associate feels ready. 260 402-7490.

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