The Voice of Podiatrists

Serving Over 11,000 Podiatrists Daily

August 28, 2009 #3,634 Publisher-Barry Block, DPM, JD

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Good Foot Health Starts With Eyes and Ears: NM Podiatrist

Your feet are the furthest part of your body from your eyes, but keeping them healthy starts with your eyes and ears, says Janet E. Simon, DPM, spokesperson for the American Podiatric Medical Association. "Look, listen and feel, if you can," she advises. "Look for any changes in the skin, any areas of blisters, discolorations or injuries. Listen to what your body is telling you."

Dr. Janet Simon

There are basic, easy things you can do to take care of your feet, and foot pain is not normal. "If you have foot pain, it needs to be evaluated by a health care professional," she says. "Don’t wait until your feet hurt to pay attention to them."

Source: Teddi Dineley Johnson, The Nation's Health [August 2009}

Older Women Can Suffer More From Improper Heel Height: TUSPM Podiatrist

At Temple University's School of Podiatric Medicine, researchers are testing the effects of different shoe styles on feet. Equipped with a runway, pressure plates and computer analysis, doctors are working to understand how different types of shoes put pressure on various points of the foot. And they're finding the higher the heel, the more stress on toes and ankles.

Dr. Kathya Zinszer

"We have the chronic effect of actually wearing heels for a long time, that actually affect the muscles, the balance, deformities, and the number one thing is degenerative joint disease," said Dr. Kathya Zinszer, Temple School of Podiatric Medicine.  And as women get older, doctors say, deterioration of bones and muscles may cause the arches in their feet to become lax and lose support, which could lead to pain for more body parts than just the feet. "You're going to notice a lot of ankle pain, a lot of knee pain; you can have hip pain and back pain."

But doctors also say not all flats and flip flops are much better, as they sometimes don't provide enough heel support. They suggest a little heel to give your arch support without causing fallen arches, or flat feet and heel problems.

Source: ABC-TV News [8/25/09]

Orthotic Lab Owner to Ride in MS Bike Tour

Paul Langer, the owner of Footbon Orthotic Laboratory, will be riding his bike for 150 miles in the BikeMS Twin Forks Tour to raise funds for the National Multiple Sclerosis Society.  Paul has been a volunteer and rider in this tour since 1988 and was also its Chairperson for the past eight years.  His wife Yvonne will also be riding again.  Paul undertakes this challenge each year because of a personal connection with MS.  Both he and his brother, Mark, have MS.

Paul Langer (center) with wife Yvonne and The Long G’Island Express

Langer and his team, The Long G’Island Express, have raised hundreds of thousands of dollars from generous sponsors.  Those wishing to ride with The Long G’Island Express or make a financial pledge to support the NMSS can visit his website. 

How to Gauge Morale

Gauge morale by asking staffers to offer 10 examples in response to this question: “What good things have we done around here lately?”

If they have trouble coming up with 10 examples—or if they have to reach too far back in time—you need to boost team spirits.

Source: Communication Briefings 

Query: Leasing Hill Podiatry Chairs

I am considering a lease with buyout of a couple of Hill podiatry chairs. I would like to read some comments regarding experiences others have had with the Hill podiatry chairs and/or leasing with Univest Capital, Inc. 
 
James Rose, DPM, Anderson, SC
 

RE: Protocol NaOH Matricectomy
From: Jeffrey Kass, DPM David E. Gurvis, DPM

I would like to congratulate Dr. Ricketti on his innovative invention. I have used phenol for my entire profession as this was the procedure of choice at NYCPM when I was there and have never been exposed to NAOH. About, 3-4 weeks ago, I switched from phenol in the bottle to the phenol EZ swab. I love the product, find it easy to use, I don't worry about knocking over my phenol bottle, and I am assured of the concentration of the phenol every time. 

Disclosure: I have no affiliation with Pedinol.
 
Jeffrey Kass, DPM, Forest Hills, NY, jeffckass@aol.com

I have no complaint with someone doing either phenol or NaOH matricectomies. I do have a complaint with beating me over the head with the EBM bible….

Editor’s Note: Dr. Gurvis’extended-length note appears at: http://www.podiatrym.com/letters2.cfm?id=28414&start=1
 

RE: Residency Opening For Older Podiatrists? (Robert Bijak, DPM)
From: H. David Gottlieb, DPM

I don't know if there are specifically any PSR's left, but the best thing I ever did was go back for residency training after 20 years of practice. I went into a PM&S24 program and have never looked back. I suggest you [and anyone else interested in a wonderful rewarding experience] go to the CASPR/CRIP section of the American Association of Colleges of Podiatric Medicine at (casprcrip.org) and check out all the programs with openings. Many programs have recently been granted an increase in positions and may have open 2nd and 3rd year positions available, depending on funding.

I did this in 2005, and it seems like quite a few other pods have done the same over the last four years too.

H. David Gottlieb, DPM, Director of Podiatric Medical Education, VA Maryland HealthCare System, hdavidgottliebdpm@gmail.com
 

RE: Income Per Patient (Bret Ribotsky, DPM)
From: Jon Purdy, DPM

My point, Dr. Ribotsky, was that there are far too many factors that go into the end result of “per patient value (PPV)” to be discussed on this site.  Giving a tidbit of information on this forum is surely not going to make any dramatic effect in one’s PPV. Tapping into resources that give you the what, who, how, and when of practice management will.  Joining the American Academy of Podiatric Practice Management (aappm.org) is THE place to find all these answers. We are the practice management arm of the APMA. If it helps to know,  my PPV is $126. 

Jon Purdy, DPM, New Iberia, LA, podiatrist@mindspring.com
 

RE: We're Medical Doctors (Barry Mullen, DPM, Leonard Levy, DPM)
From:  Joe Agostinelli, DPM,

Last I saw, we still have the DPM degree, not the MD degree. The only way to solve this issue is for the DPM degree to "go away." Go to medical school, take a one year "internship" then a three-year "foot and ankle " residency and fellowships in the specialties, if wanted. Problem solved.

We keep being told about the definition of "physician" in Medicare, etc., and still we have unequal hospital privileging, disparity in hospital staffs, patients still not knowing who we are and what we do. We all talk the good game, but until there is one degree/one residency/standard state licensure - this discussion will always come up. Be proud that you are "foot and ankle surgeons", "podiatric surgeons", "podiatrists" - whatever DPM's want to call themselves!

Joe Agostinelli, DPM, Niceville ,FL, jmpa21@cox.net

Both Dr. Mullen and Levy make excellent points about "increased" licensure of podiatrists, but both missed my point. Already, nurse practitioners practice family medicine in the very same guise that many family practice physicians have worked for years. I am not equating a "fellowship" with the training of a board certified internist. Board certified internists would not be expected to perform as gatekeepers in the milieu of universal "free" medicine.

I personally have been treated by nurse practitioners, and so has my wife. We would not see one and expect them to manage severe cardiac manifestations. A surgically trained podiatrist with a fellowship is at least as qualified as a nurse practitioner with prescription writing permission.

The basic issue remains the same: Our Country is absolutely unable to deal with the need for family practice providers in the event of universal "free" medical care. We are not even close. The route of full licensure as an internal medicine specialist or cardiologist remains the same: MD/DO school with internship and full residency.

Fellowship-trained podiatrists would be expected to have at least the same qualifications (actually much more) than nurse practitioners who already are working at HMO's across the U.S. as family practice providers, and have for years. The crowded waiting rooms and 4-6 hour waits will occur if and when Obamacare is passed. That will be the same for all of us, no matter our income. We have something more we can provide. Why not make our skills available to a wider range of patients' needs?

Dr. Levy spoke of my possible "frustration." I am not the least frustrated as a retired podiatrist, and I enjoyed podiatric medicine and surgery immensely. But we are about to step into a new realm of universal healthcare without remotely the necessary ammunition for it.

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

RE: Recommended Ultrasound Text (Sanjay Gandhi, DPM)
From: Mark K. Johnson, DPM

Drs. Wendelken, Cozzarelli, and Thapar have contributed significantly to the body of knowledge concerning diagnostic ultrasound in our profession. Another immensely informative text which includes useful background information and guidelines for foot and ankle is Ultrasound of the Musculoskeletal System by S. Bianchi and C. Martinoli, available from Amazon.

Mark K. Johnson, DPM, West Plains, MO,  DDR004@centurytel.net

ASSOCIATE POSITION - CHICAGO, IL

Hard-working, personable, motivated associate is needed for full or part-time position to work in well established 2-office practice in Chicago and NW suburb. Competitive compensation. New podiatrists are encouraged to apply. Send CV to: anthony.spitz@gmail.com or call 847-971-5926.

ASSOCIATE POSITION - DALLAS/FORT WORTH AREA

Seeking well-trained ABPS board certified/qualified foot surgeon for surgical practice with national foot/hand/orthopedic surgery group. Excellent salary/benefits. E-mail CV and cover letter to: slb99@pdq.net

ASSOCIATE POSITION - NEW JERSEY

Established successful practice in Central New Jersey seeking PT/FT Associate. PSR 24/36. Please forward CV to rpg145@gmail.com or fax 908 753-0199.

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 - FREDERICK, MD

Well-established and growing 2 office state-of-the-art practice located in medical/professional buildings. EMR, Digital X-ray, Ultrasound, DME provider, etc. Competitive Base Salary plus bonus, malpractice, health insurance, etc. PSR 24 minimum/Board Qualified or Certified with ability and desire to take ER call. If interested, forward CV to DOCSBNB@aol.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-VIRGINIA (SOUTHEAST)

Very busy office near Williamsburg. Currently, a satellite office 2 days a week. Great opportunity to make office full-time. Grosses approx. 130,000/year. The office has everything needed to start practicing. All included. Must sell. If interested, e-mail totalfootcareva@hotmail.com

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

ASSOCIATE POSITION – NORTH CAROLINA

Very busy practice in Western North Carolina, seeking Full-time Associate with hospital and surgical training. If interested please fax resume to 828-252-2272 or e-mail to mfas828@aol.com

EQIPMENT FOR SALE - ORTHOTIC FABRICATION SYSTEM

Amfit Orthotic Insole Fabrication System with Footfax SL Contact digitizer- For Sale Machine, Laptop, rolling bag, small inventory of shoes, insoles, all cords, parts and hardware Asking $10k.OBO! Please contact Jeff at Jhunt@psbank.net for further information, pictures.

WANTED: PRACTICE TO PURCHASE IN BERGEN COUNTY NJ

DPM interested in purchasing a practice in NNJ. If you are considering selling/retiring/slowing down etc let's talk and come to a mutually beneficial arrangement. Open to all situations/options. Contact: AdvancedFtCare@aol.com for quick deal.

ASSOCIATE POSITION - MARYLAND

Full time, hard-working, happy and personable Foot Surgeon needed for busy and growing practice in Frederick and Hagerstown Maryland. PM&S-36 or more required. We have a well-rounded, high tech practice with all types of pathology encountered in our two offices and in two local hospitals as well as our on-site accredited and certified ASC. Very competitive compensation. Please send your CV to drmichaels@rfainstitute.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

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