The Voice of Podiatrists

September 11, 2006 #2,685 Editor-Barry Block, DPM, JD

A service of Podiatry Management http://www.podiatrym.com
E-mail us by hitting the reply key.
COPYRIGHT 2006- No part of PM News can be reproduced without the
express written permission of Kane Communications, Inc.

Editor’s note: The following note from the editor was published in PM News and circulated via the Internet throughout the world.

It is just after 3 AM here in New York City and I simply can't sleep. Looking out the window of my bedroom on the 17th floor, there is an unobstructed view of the Manhattan skyline. I search again for the once familiar sight of the two tall white buildings that marked the lower end of the skyscraper-filled island. All I see are some eerie search lights of the rescue crews.

Like everyone else, I have been in shock all day, particularly since I witnessed in real-time the morbid views of the second plane hitting the World Trade Center and the sequential collapse of both towers.

The gamut of emotions runs from shock, fear, sadness, to anger. Barely one half-century after the Holocaust, despite all our technological advances, man remains uncivilized.

The realization sets in that the terrorists who committed this crime could have and still could set off a nuclear bomb, killing millions. The safety and security we have taken for granted in America is and will never be the same.

My phone has been ringing all day. Family and friends call to determine that everyone is safe. My mom calls to tell me my brother was scheduled to be at the WTC at 9 AM and was at the subway station when the first plane hit. Had the plane hit five minutes later, he would have been on an elevator headed for certain death.

Unfortunately, many thousands were not so lucky, including many employees of Blue Cross /Blue Shield, which only a few years ago moved from midtown to this location. There will many tears shed as the names of those murdered in this horrific disaster become known, many unnecessary funerals to attend. So many innocent lives lost for no reason. So many families destroyed.

Later this morning, my wife and I will donate blood and attempt to do what we can in this time of crisis. We know the entire podiatric community will collectively pray for those affected by this catastrophe and provide whatever support is needed.

9/11 Serves as Impetus for Disabled CA Podiatrist’s Freedom Tour

When Steve Matlin set out to see America, there was nothing to stop him. There were no guards, no fences, no rules to keep him from wandering east to west, north to south. So he packed up his motor home and hit the road on Sept. 11, 2003. After all, America is free. "I decided to pick a historic date, so I'd always remember it," said Matlin, 62, of Los Angeles, CA. "I couldn't think of a date that meant more than this."

Dr. Stephen Matlin and his dog Steve

Disabled since 1995, the podiatrist battled boredom until a Jack Nicholson movie, "About Schmidt," inspired him to start traveling. Going at a pace of about 200 miles a day, he and his service dog, Peter, haven't looked back. "I wanted to see the country the way nobody else has seen the country," he said. "I'm proud of our country. We have the capacity to be kind and strong, but still defend ourselves when someone attacks us."

Traveling around, Matlin has seen many things that make the country great. On a sweltering August afternoon in Springfield, IL, he rested on a shady bench at Abraham Lincoln's tomb in the Oak Ridge Cemetery, a place where harried tourists spend a few quiet moments, snap some pictures and cross one more item from their "things to see" lists.

He said he's never in a hurry when he visits monuments like Mt. Rushmore and battlefields in Gettysburg and museums for everything from airplanes to football to caskets. He picks places at random from a wrinkled map and then soaks up the history, the details, the trivia. To him, if something sounds interesting, if somebody built a monument for it, it's worth taking a look. "There's so much good about this country, so many things that people don't take time to appreciate and learn," he said.

Source: Robin Acton, Pittsburgh Tribune-Review, [9/10/06]

Query: Lamisil and Macular Degeneration?

I have a patient who is considering Lamisil therapy for onychomycosis. She has been diagnosed with asymptomatic macular degeneration and is concerned about the medication causing visual problems. Through multiple searches I have been unable to find any documented cases of Lamisil causing macular degeneration to get worse or become symptomatic. Does anyone have any experience with this?

Richard Silverstein, DPM, Havre de Grace, MD, ERsilver1@aol.com

RE: 9/11
From: Earl Cherniak, DPM

This date has special significance for my wife, Renee and me. Our lives were spared that day when so many of our fellow Americans lost theirs. It was on that day, we checked in at Logan Airport in Boston for a non-stop 8:00 a.m. flight to Los Angeles. We were on Delta flight 1989. There were 2 other flights destined for L.A. at the same time; United and American. The United passengers sat next to us at Logan. It was mind-boggling to realize afterwards that the perpetrators, the terrorists, were sitting next to us at Logan as well as all their poor victims.

In flight, our plane was ordered to land in Cleveland. After landing on a tarmac away from the main terminal our plane was thoroughly inspected. We and all our fellow passengers on the plane were taken to a separate building at Cleveland Hopkins International Airport (the officials thought there might be terrorists on our plane) since the other 2 planes went into the New York Trade Center. After all this, we finally found out about the disaster in New York.

We all the prayed for those who lost their lives and thanked God for sparing us. A few passengers on our plane had friends on the other planes who were all going to a meeting in Los Angeles.

We thought of the shoddy inspection we had of ourselves and luggage at Logan that day. Renee and I thought back, at the time, how it compared to the one we had in Israel 20 years earlier. When we went back to Boston in 2003, it had improved but still had a lot to be desired and improved.

We empathize with the families of the many of our fellow Americans who lost loved ones on September 11, 2001.

Earl L. Cherniak, D.P.M., D.Sc. (Hon), Los Angeles, CA

Drearlcherniak@aol.com

RE: Scope of Practice
From: W. David Herbert DPM,JD

Periodically I notice that the "scope of practice" of non MD/DO health care providers comes up in various health care publications. Because my wife is just finishing a graduate degree in nursing, I have seen this issue discussed in various nursing publications.

I detect a movement in the nursing profession that has not really been fully articulated or at least not for general dissemination among all health care providers. It involves the authority and autonomy of the boards of nursing. Apparently a number of leaders in the nursing profession believe that the nursing board in each state should have complete control and say over what the scope of practice of a nurse (e.g. nurse practitioners, mid-wives,etc.) should be. This would obviously preclude a state's medical board from regulating the practice of these individuals!

Just imagine if the board of podiatric medicine could do that! For a number of reasons, I believe this may eventually happen!

W. David Herbert DPM, JD, Monterey, CA, docnurse5@sbcglobal.net

PRACTICE FOR SALE/ASSOCIATE/PARTNERSHIP - WASHINGTON, DC

A 26 year old practice for sale in hospital's attached medical building. Fully equipped. All aspects of podiatric medicine;surgery. Large diabetic practice with wound care clinic. Large referral base with loyal patients. Charcot, forefoot, rearfoot, orthopedics. Residency required for privileges. Moving but will stay for transition. Associateship until purchase. Will finance sale with adequate down-payment. Serious inquires only. Contact scottr0666@yahoo.com

ASSOCIATE POSITION IN TEXAS, DFW AREA

PSR-24 trained podiatrist seeking a FT associate position with possibility of future partnership. Trained in all aspects of podiatric medicine including forefoot and rearfoot surgery, and diabetic limb salvage. Email: fixfeet@hotmail.com

ASSOCIATE POSITION-INDEPENDENT CONTRACTOR – FLORIDA

Florida License / Medicare and Medicaid numbers in effect and active. High income potential for hard working, ethical and honest DPM great for semi-retired. Transportation a must. FAX CV or Resume to 1-727-785-4697.

HOUSE CALL PRACTICE FOR SALE – SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA

House Call practice for sale which includes approx. 400 patients and continued referrals. Perfect for solo practitioner. Extremely easy and profitable practice to run. Yearly gross of over $200K. Current DPM is retiring. Financials will also be provided. Please contact ccipinc@ccipinc.net

ASSOCIATE POSITION - NEW ENGLAND

Terrific Opportunity Now Available in growing New England practice. Well established and respected practice with new, large office space, latest technology, very helpful staff, loyal patients and solid referral base. Close proximity to hospitals with modern surgical suites. Opportunity for shared ownership. Prefer 24 month PSR with clinical practice experience or an experienced doctor looking to improve their situation. E-mail CV and particulars to NEAFC3@aol.com

PRACTICE FOR SALE – SOUTHERN INDIANA

Established, respected solo podiatry practice immediately available in scenic southern Indiana. Fully equipped attractive building conveniently located on an active corner with great staff, loyal patients and excellent referral base. Includes relationships with local assisted living and nursing homes. Practice and building available for $200,000. Serious inquiries preferred e-mail to: dhall@cmbuck.com

PRACTICE FOR SALE - BERKELEY CALIFORNIA

Well-established office in professional medical building; Biomechanics, Geriatrics and General Podiatry; Excellent growth potential for surgery; Payor base MC, PPO, and self-pay (NO HMOs); Reliable referrals from local physicians; Electronic billing in-house; Transition terms negotiable. Send letter of intent to: foot4sale@sbcglobal.net

ASSOCIATE POSITION - AUSTIN TX MOBILE PRACTICE

Full or part-time; Texas license. Fine working conditions with excellent support staff and pay. Mobile podiatry clinic and House calls. http://www.footmobile.com Fax CV 210.495.6484

ASSOCIATE POSITON - SOUTHEAST TENNESSEE/ NORTH GEORGIA

Immediate position available or will wait for the right individual. Unique practice opportunity in growing multi-physician/multi-office practice. Well established/cutting edge within the medical community. Close proximity to hospitals as well as opportunity to become involved with a free standing podiatric surgical center. Must be BQ/BC. Minimum PSR/24. Competitive salary, bonus structure and benefits. E-mail CV to afcjen@hotmail.com

ASSOCIATE POSITION – NEW ENGLAND

Opportunity in growing New England practice. Well established and respected practice with large office and surgicenter, latest technology, great staff, loyal patients and solid referral base. Close proximity to hospitals, full scope practice. Opportunity for partnership. Prefer 24 month PSR with clinical practice experience or an experienced doctor looking to improve their situation. E-mail CV and contact info to: footdoc@usa.net

DOCTOR’S OFFICE LARGE ROOM FOR RENT NY (FLATIRON) $2000

Medical office space available to share in a great building in the Flatiron District of NYC. Amenities include: 24-hour doorman and elevator access. Room is large, recently renovated, has a sink with working plumbing, central air (CAC), and audio with volume control. Space is also available at the reception bay. Rent- $2000/month if full-time; less if part-time. All utilities except phone included. Dr. Christopher Anselmi 212-475-8104 anselmic@hss.edu

WEEKLY SPECIAL - One week of ads (6x) for only $75

PM Classified Ads Reach over 8,500 DPM's and Students

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 8,000 DPM's. Write bblock@podiatrym.com for details. Note: For commercial or display ads contact David Kagan at (800) 284-5451 dekagan@aol.com

• To Post a message, send it to:    bblock@podiatrym.com
• Notes should be original and may not be submitted to other publications or listservs without our express written permission.
• Notes must be in the following form:
  RE: (Topic)
  From: (your name, DPM)
  Body of letter. Be concise. Limit to 250 words or less). Use Spellchecker
  Your name, DPM City/State
• Subscribers are reminded that they have an ethical obligation to disclose any potential conflicts of interest when commenting on any product, procedure, or service.