The Voice of Podiatrists

Serving Over 13,500 Podiatrists Daily

August 28, 2012 #4,550 Publisher-Barry Block, DPM, JD

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NJ Podiatrist Prevents Amputation in Diabetic Patient

“I was at the beach when a seashell got stuck between my flip-flop and foot and cut me,” explains Paul Mirfeld. “I have diabetes, so when the wound began to look bad, I decided to see my doctor to get it checked out.” Paul was admitted to Bayshore Hospital where he received IV antibiotics and was diagnosed with osteomyelitis. “Osteomyelitis can affect anyone, but patients with conditions or medications that weaken the immune system, like diabetes in Paul’s case, can put a person at higher risk,” says Patrick J. Caputo, DPM, the podiatrist at Bayshore who treated Paul.

Dr. Patrick Caputo

Dr. Caputo examined the wound and determined that he could perform surgery on Paul’s toe to remove the infection. A small portion of bone was removed from Paul’s toe without the need for amputation, and after a few weekly follow-up visits with Dr. Caputo at the Center for Wound Healing, Paul was able to enjoy another summer at the beach.

Source: Meridian Health News [Sept/Oct 2012]

NY Podiatrists to Speak at NYCPM White Coat Ceremony

Drs. Barry Block and Michael Neary have been selected to deliver addresses to the incoming class of first-year students of the New York College of Podiatric Medicine (NYCPM). Block is the editor of Podiatry Management and PM News and is a 1976 graduate of NYCPM.

Dr. Barry Block

Col. Neary is Chief of the Podiatry Service at Keller Army Community Hospital, and is currently the highest ranking officer in the Army providing podiatric care. The ceremony will take place at the New York Academy of Medicine on September 11, 2012. 

IL Podiatrist Discusses Football Star's Plantar Fasciitis

Chicago Bears defensive star Julius Peppers wants his play to do his talking. The seven-time Pro Bowl defensive end has plantar fasciitis, although Peppers politely declined to reveal which foot is ailing, if not both. Dr. Rodney Stuck, a podiatrist at Loyola University Medical Center, said the condition rarely requires surgery and usually can be controlled with increased stretching, ice, and shoe inserts.

Dr. Rodney Stuck

"You have to watch for swelling," Stuck said. "If it gets worse, you do have to cut back on activity. The concern is having it tear further, or developing a stress fracture in the heel."

Source: Vaughn McClure, Chicago Tribune [8/25/12]

CMS Announces Participants in Primary-Care Initiative

The CMS named the 500 primary-care practices that will participate in a provider-payer coordination pilot program aimed at improving care for Medicare beneficiaries and other patients. The Comprehensive Primary Care Initiative, which involves seven federally-sponsored regional pilot sites nationwide, will offer bonus payments to participating primary-care physicians who better coordinate their patients' care.

The participating practices are in eight states: Arkansas, Colorado, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Kentucky, Oklahoma, and Oregon. The regions in those states were selected in April based on the percentage of the total population covered by payers who expressed interest in joining the pilot project, according to the CMS. Participating physicians will receive a care management fee, which will average $20 for each beneficiary monthly, to help cover the cost of improved service coordination for patients.

Source: Rich Daly, Modern Healthcare [8/22/12]

Editor's Note: PM News is proud to present excerpts from Meet the Masters.

Bret Ribotsky: What is APMA's number one priority?

Dr. Glenn Gastwirth

Glenn Gastwirth: APMA’s number one strategic priority is the successful achievement of our Vision 2015, and the mission is to be universally recognized as a physician within our education, training, and experience. We are well on course to realize a successful result and vision in 2015. I don’t think that any of us believe it’s going to take us anywhere near 20 years to achieve what we’re looking for in Vision 2015. As a matter of fact, there are pockets of Vision 2015 already realized in many areas of the country.

Dr. Ira Meyers

Meet the Masters is broadcast each Tuesday night at 9 PM (EST). This week's guest is marathon champion and sports medicine expert Dr. Ira Meyers. You can register for future events by clicking here

Lose a Surgery and Gain Patients

Develop a reputation for excellent patient service by assisting patients at all costs, even if that means sending them to another doctor. When patients ask for something you do not have or cannot deliver, suggest other doctors who may better serve them.

Using that counter-intuitive tactic demonstrates that your practice sincerely cares and wants to serve people. Rather than lose patients, word will spread and soon you will acquire a larger following of loyal patients.

Source: Adapted from “How to ‘Not Make a Sale’ and Create a Loyal Customer,” Joe Roselle, Knock-Out-Customer-Service, via Communication Briefings.

Query: Replacement for Benz-All

Now that Benz-All is no longer shipping to CA, has anyone found any replacement that is as good, and as good a value? 

David Kahan, DPM, Sacramento, CA

RE: Compensation in a Wound Care Center (Ed Dosremedios, DPM)
From: Daniel D. Michaels, DPM, MS

If you get money back from the hyperbaric center for sending patients, then this would be a Stark violation if you didn't own the hyperbaric chamber (i.e., the chamber is part of your own practice). Usually at a wound care center in a hospital, you bill for the services you render with the place of service at the hospital so you will receive a reduced amount, as the insurance company has to pay you and a separate fee for the facility.

You can prescribe hyperbarics if you need to, but you would not be compensated for this. You can prescribe wound care supplies, but...

Editor's note: Dr. Michaels' extended-length letter can be read here.

RE: Terminating an Office Manager (Dale Rosenblum, DPM)
From: Edmond F. Mertzenich, DPM

I believe Dr. Rosenblum is very correct on the problem of having a burnt out/unhappy employee. Use proper procedures in the termination process. I can tell you from experience that this type of employee can cause considerable damage to a practice, and it may be hard to recover from the poison that type of person can spread.

Edmond F. Mertzenich, DPM, Rockford, IL, doctoreddpm@frontier.com

RE: Scope of Practice (Paul Kesselman, DPM)
From: Robert Bijak, DPM

Dr. Kesselman misunderstood my post. The point is simple: when you "discuss" professionally as a licensed individual, a presumption of competence is implied to the patient. Dr. Kesselman fails to see the incongruity of "discussing" a systemic condition that we are not allowed to treat under state license regulations. Self-interpretation of your license in podiatry is as false as the concept of "solo scriptura" is in theology.

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

RE: UK Podiatrist Tells Kate Middleton to Fix Her Feet
From: Robert Scott Steinberg, DPM

How unbelievably unprofessional.

Robert Scott Steinberg, DPM, Schaumburg, IL, Doc@FootSportsDoc.com

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 PODO2345@AOL.COM 516 476-1815

ASSOCIATE POSITION - KANSAS CITY

Kansas City may be the perfect move for you and your family. I am looking for an entrepreneurial minded associate who wants to grow and then own part of an already successful practice. If you are the right candidate for this associate position, you will enjoy a competitive compensation package and you will be working with a doctor who is as committed to your success as he is to his own. Go to: www.YourFutureInPodiatry.com for full details.

ASSOCIATE POSITION – NEW YORK
 
Great opportunity to share “state-of-the-art” offices and equipment in mid-town Manhattan and White Plains with Board Certified podiatrist. Out-of-network or participating providers welcome. Please call 212-704-4310 for additional information and fax your CV to 212-704-4311

ASSOCIATE POSITION - NASSAU COUNTY, NEW YORK

Exciting Opportunity! Associate position. Must be Board Qualified. Joining all Board Certified Doctors in foot surgery and reconstructive rear-foot and ankle surgery. Respond to: Podiatryoffice@doctor.com

ASSOCIATE POSITION - NORTHERN, NJ

Part-time or-full time. This position can and will lead to purchase of practice if so desired. Well-equipped modern office. Digital x-ray, ultrasound, etc. Individual must be well-trained and be ABPS Qualified/Certified. Must be competent in general foot care and be able to do routine foot surgery without help. Call: 201-986-1900.

ASSOCIATE POSITION - CHARLOTTE, NC

Charlotte, NC practice with excellent reputation and patient base seeks to hire a podiatric surgeon. Looking for an associate with partnership potential to join our team serving 5 offices located in Charlotte metro area. Please send resume to Charpodiatry@gmail.com.

ASSOCIATE POSITION - OHIO

Ohio practice with excellent reputation and patient base seeks to hire a Podiatric Surgeon. The offices are state of the art including Digital X-Ray, EMR, Diagnostic ultrasound, Padnet Vascular Testing, CO-2 Lasers all aspects of DME. The base salary is $120,000 with a bonus structure and benefits also would like to have this individual buy into the practice eventually. Please send CV to: Ohiopodiatrist@aol.com

ASSOCIATE POSITION – NORTHERN CALIFORNIA/BAY AREA

We’re looking for someone entrepreneurial who can help grow our practice. Must have great people skills, clinical/surgical skills, and positive demeanor. California license required. Send your CV and cover letter to cvpodiatrist@gmail.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, and other Medicaid plans. Contact me at: podocare123@gmail.com

ASSOCIATE POSITION – NEW YORK

Great opportunity to share “state-of-the-art” offices and equipment in mid-town Manhattan and White Plains with Board Certified podiatrist. Out-of-network or participating providers welcome. Please call 212-704-4310 for additional information and fax your CV to 212-704-4311 or email to: ifanelli.hms@verizon.net.

ASSOCIATE POSITION - NORTHWEST IOWA

A well-established, midwest multi-physician practice with strong hospital affiliations seeking FT podiatrist. Applicant should be well trained surgical physician, completed a 12/24 month residency, & board eligible. Practice offers high surgical volume, advanced wound care and good mix of general podiatry. Competitive salary, excellent benefits. Fax resume: 712-258-9977

ASSOCIATE POSITION – SUFFOLK COUNTY, LI

Well-rounded podiatry practice. A business-oriented, mature board eligible/certified podiatrist who is not just looking for a job, but a secure future. Equity position possible. 2 hospitals available. No nursing homes. Competitive package. Please send CV to 631-581-0857.

ASSOCIATE POSITION - SACRAMENTO, CA

Associate position available immediately. Full or Part time. Opportunity for buy-in and full partnership. Full scope of practice with hospital and surgical privileges available. Please call 310.854.0203 or fax 916.732.2280.

EQUIPMENT FOR SALE

Retiring from practice. Equipment For sale. Mini x-ray. One year old Ultrasound with MS arterial/venous X-ray plates. Great condition Ritter chairs. Drills, surgical tools. So much. Just ask, I probably have it: Footcare@comcast.net

EQUIPMENT FOR SALE - PINPOINTE LASER

PinPointe Laser for sale. All accessories included. In service since 2008. Service policy in place, fully transferable. $35,000. tatarb@verizon.net.

PRACTICE FOR SALE - BALTIMORE, MARYLAND

Established 40+ year old well-rounded practice of both surgical and non-surgical care with special emphasis on sports medicine. Medicare and BS/private insurance base, no Medical assistance. Needs to transition to a confident well trained individual. Purchase can include building. Contact: podiatrypracticesale@gmail.com

PRACTICE FOR SALE - NEW YORK

Located in New York, Capital District (Albany, Schenectady, Troy). Grossing 500k+ consistently with less than 10% surgery. 100% EHR Compliant and steady growth. Great opportunity for a doctor or doctors. Will help in the transition process, long-term lease is available. Please email serious inquiries to: PodiatristDoctor@gmail.com

PRACTICE FOR SALE - NEW ROCHELLE, NY

Flexible terms. Stable location, medical co-op, 24 year practice with a stable established patient base. Great opportunity for a self motivated podiatrist wanting immediate income and future stability. Call 551-574-0776 for details.

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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 13,500 DPM's. Write to:bblock@podiatrym.com or call (718) 897-9700 for details. Weekly ad rates start as low as $115 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.

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