The Voice of Podiatrists

Serving Over 11,000 Podiatrists Daily

September 12, 2008 #3,346 Editor-Barry Block, DPM, JD

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Editor’s note: On this, the 7th anniversary of 9/11, we continue our proud tradition of publishing the following note from the editor, which was published in PM News on 9/12/01 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.

World Trade Center 9/11/08

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 be 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.

Positano Keynotes at NYCPM White Coat Ceremony

Amid much pomp and circumstance, 94 new podiatric medical students at the New York College of Podiatric Medicine (NYCPM) were formally welcomed into the profession with the traditional White Coat Ceremony. APMA president Dr. Ross Taubman addressed this diverse and talented group of future podiatrists by reminding them that “despite the importance of becoming a podiatrist, their first priority was to their families.”

Dr. Rock G. Positano

Keynote speaker Rock Positano, MSc, MPH, DPM, Class of 1988 followed up on this theme by telling the NYCPM Class of 2012 that “there’s more to podiatry than foot and ankle surgery.” He underscored that point by relating a personal experience in which he had utilized his podiatric training to diagnose a non-podiatric problem, thus saving the life of famed singer Neil Young.

NYCPM Class of 2012 Takes the Hippocratic Oath

NYCPM awarded Steven Goldman, DPM, Class of ’82 the Distinguished Service Award for his many years of service to the college. Dr. Goldman’s daughter Sari Goldman is a proud member of the Class of 2012.

FL Podiatrist Named "Podiatric Medical Advisor" of New Internet Portal

Elysium Internet CEO Scott Gallagher has announced that William J. Beaton, Jr., DPM has agreed to become the "Podiatric Medical Advisor" to Podiatrists.com. Gallagher said, “With more than 45 years of experience in the field of Podiatry, we look forward to working closely with Dr. Beaton in developing Podiatrists.com into the industry’s most exclusive online podiatric destination on the Internet."

Dr. William Beaton, Jr.

William J. Beaton, Jr., DPM commented, "I am honored to have been selected by podiatrists.com to represent the podiatric medical profession. I believe Podiatrists.com has created the most comprehensive and robust podiatry website for consumers seeking expert podiatric medical care on the Internet. At no time in the history of podiatry has the Internet provided such an opportunity for our profession. It is estimated that nearly 10 million consumers a day use the Internet seeking healthcare-related information. Podiatrists.com has now closed a gap by providing this community the means of finding a local podiatrist by offering a cost-effective way to enable every podiatrist a web presence on the Internet."

Dr. Beaton was awarded the 2008 Podiatrist of the Year Award from the Florida Podiatric Medical Association, an award he has received a total of five times. Dr. Beaton has recently been selected as a recipient of the 2008 American Medical Association's Meritorious Service Award. This award is an honor reserved only for those individuals who demonstrate outstanding accomplishments on the local, state or regional level in scientific, professional, or civic endeavors that have a profound impact on podiatric medicine. Dr. Beaton will be accepting his award at the Florida Podiatric Medical Association Science & Management Symposium (SAM) held in Orlando, Florida January 14 - 18, 2009.

Presentaton Tips

Never put more words on a slide than you would on a T-shirt.

If you're making a presentation to a large group, let members know from the start if you intend to provide handouts or copies of important points after you are finished. In that way, you'll avoid their having to take lots of unnecessary notes.

Sources: Adapted from Slide Rules by Antony Jay in Meeting News.

Query: Arthroplasty of Proximal Phalanx?

I have a 40 year old male with a very painful keratotic lesion under the hallux interphalangeal joint. He has a flexible forefoot valgus with adequate ROM of the 1st MPJ and ankle. I removed a hallux interphalangeal sesamoid 10 years ago and did a partial plantar condylectomy 4 years ago. I have tried multiple orthoses without relief.

Arthroplasty of Proximal Phalanx?

I have done Kellers in the past for diabetic ulcers under this area, which have been successful. I am wondering if anyone has done an arthroplasty at the head of the proximal phalanx for such a condition, and what has been their result long-term.

Sandy Schustek, DPM, Charlottesville, VA

Query: Plexiglass Sesamoid Axial Poser

My practice had a very nice clear 1/4" thick plexiglass sesamoid axial poser for many years. I don't recall where it was purchased from. We kept it stored between the orthoposer and the adjoining wall. Recently, a particularly rotund young patient stepped between the wall and the orthoposer and crushed it. My staff has been unable to find a similar replacement. Does anyone know of a supplier who sells these clear, single unit axial posers, as opposed to the solid white multi-part posers which patients seem to have much more difficulty standing on?

Brad Shollenberger, DPM, Hamburg, PA

RE: Verapamil for Plantar Fascia Nodules (Jim Clark, DPM)
From: Multiple Respondents

I have a plantar fibroma myself. We have a local compounding pharmacist who makes up a 15% transdermal verapamil gel. He gave me a tube to try, and I must say it has worked for me. It took about 2 weeks for the "pain" to go away. It's been about one month and it now is shrinking and softening quite rapidly. Mine never was really painful, just tender to palpation.

R. Alex Dellinger, DPM, Little Rock, AR, raddpm@yahoo.com

I have used the topical verapamil in both the patch and in a paste form. Some compounding pharmacies will make it for your patients. I have seen decreased pain/symptoms and some decrease in size although I have never seen them disappear.

Nicole Hancock, DPM, Denton and Lewisville, TX, nhancock@completefootandanklecare.com

Check out pdlabs.net for info on this. I looked into it a couple of years ago. The price at that time was $255 for a 30-day supply, $690 for a 90-day supply and $1,200 for a 180-day supply. Most need to use it for 6-12 months. The company sends the patient a universal claim form and they need to submit this to their insurance for reimbursement. I was never able to try this on a patient due to lack of coverage. For what it’s worth, I inject these with dexamethasone or celestone with good results (and it pays better).

Patrick Barnes, DPM, Council Bluffs, IA, drbarnes@cbfootcare.com

RE: False Testimony by Expert Witness.( John Doolan, DPM)
From: Multiple Respondents

I want to acknowledge Dr. Doolan for having the courage to bring this up in a public forum. Certainly discussion of this issue will help all of us. The question was raised concerning what recourse we have when a witness testifies against us and is lying under oath. Although not an attorney, I would imagine that the laws of perjury would apply to anyone who lies under oath. There is another avenue that can and should be pursued. A colleague of mine, who experienced a "hired gun" lying under oath, brought that person in front of the state society ethics committee and the false witness was censured for doing this.

Now, this might appear on the surface to have been been hard work for a meaningless verdict from a legally meaningless body of colleagues; however, it turned out to be extremely effective. There was now documentation from a respected body of our peers that a particular "hired gun" was falsely testifying against his colleagues. This information could be made available in court and as a result, this person lost his credibility as an expert witness. A plaintiff or defense attorney would not want to hire an expert witness and risk losing a case if such defaming documentation is available.

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

Little or no recourse is available to those who have been smeared by the blatant lies of those podiatric prostitutes who hold themselves out as expert witnesses. I had a similar situation of a podiatrist lying and distorting the truth in court. Our flawed legal system allows these snakes to conduct their deception without fear of retribution; all the while draining resources from our insurance companies while enriching themselves.

I encourage every physician to write about their own experiences in this and similar forums in order to share the names of those who would diminish our profession for their own gain. These persons are not team players; colleagues who support their peers, respect their mentors, and foster the young physicians. They are solitary jackals wasting their time and talents to enrich PI lawyers. How many John Edwards does this country need?

Robert M Cropper, DPM, Sarasota, FL, Ftdrbob@aol.com

I am not an attorney and do not intend this post to act as legal advice; however, based on the evidence you present in your defense, you could contact the State Education Department and file a complaint against this doctor. I suggest that you speak with legal counsel first to find out what the ramifications of this course of action may lead too. I had a situation may years ago when I was slandered by another member of the profession who tried to prevent me from getting a hospital appointment. I did take legal action, which resulted in this doctor getting his just due. Sometimes, it is worth being vindicated for being accused of something false.

Steven H. Goldstein, DPM, Royal Palm Springs, FL, stevefootdt1@cs.com

RE: Patient Cell Phone Policy (Dale Shrum, DPM)
From: Multiple Respondents

When a patient enters our office, we have them check their cell phones and weapons at our front desk and we return them as they leave our office.

Vincent L. Travisano, DPM, St. Louis, MO, VLTSTL711@aol.com

We have signs posted in each exam room, and in the reception area, asking patients/family members to please turn off cell phones. Our only exception is when there are emergency situations which would require a person be reached immediately. If, during an examination, the patient’s cell phone rings and they answer it, I leave the exam room and see other patients for a period of 15 minutes. If after 15 minutes, they are still on the phone (and that has happened!), I ask my assistant to kindly but firmly tell the patient that they must leave the exam room and be placed in the reception area. When I get around to completing my examination, I advise the patient that if their cell phone rings and they answer it, I will no longer be available for them that day. Most (but not all) get the hint.

Of course, I also practice what I preach, and do not carry my cell phone into exam rooms.

Robert Boudreau, DPM, Tyler, TX, rbftdoc@aol.com .

We don't have a problem with hearing conversations in adjacent treatment rooms. When we built our office, we buffered all treatment areas with sound-proof walls. We also have a sign in our waiting room that states no cell phones are allowed in the treatment rooms. Of course, to some, signs are merely suggestions. My feeling on cell phones is that they have become a necessity in our society but they have also become an unconscious means to rudeness. That fact that we are accepting of a person speaking to someone while conducting, what should be an interpersonal exchange, is beyond my comprehension. The fact remains that we have a choice to terminate a conversation, or not answer the phone in the first place. Anything short of that is extremely rude.

Here are the scenarios I encounter. I walk into a room and someone is on their cell phone. I stand for a few seconds and wait for them to terminate their conversation. If they don’t, I close the door and that person has now bought themselves a longer waiting time to be seen. My staff will appropriately direct the patient. Another is the patient I have begun treatment on who answers a call. Although it’s beyond my comprehension that they even answer to say I’ll call you back, I let it go. If they start a conversation, I walk out of the room. This has only happened a couple of times. They are usually embarrassed and I give them a lecture on manners. It usually helps to turn the situation around and ask them how they would feel if they were telling me their problem and I answered a call.

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

ASSOCIATE POSITION - NORTHERN VIRGINIA/DC SUBURB

Excellent practice associate leading to partnership opportunity for PSR 24-36 foot and ankle surgically-trained physician. Currently 4-doctor/2 office practice in fast-growing area, expanding to 5 doctors. Hard working, personable, highly-motivated individuals needed. Great opportunity with excellent salary and benefits. No nursing homes.Top hospitals. Fax CV with references to 703-491-9994

ASSOCIATE POSITION - CALIFORNIA

Looking for OUTSTANDING 3-year residency-trained Dr. July 2009. This is the first Concierge odiatry practice in the U.S. Applicant MUST have been in top 10% of their class, Have excellent residency training and personality to match, {the total package}. This practice is about excellence and service. Contact. Ivar E. Roth DPM/MPH, ifabs@earthlink.net 949-650-1147

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

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 – VIRGINIA

Well-established 2-office private practice in central Virginia, completely automated, modern, full scope of foot and ankle care. Position requires hindfoot/ankle reconstructive and trauma surgery experience. External fixation experience helpful. ABPS BQ/BC. Competitive base salary, incentive plan, malpractice, health insurance, retirement plan, vacation & other benefits. Partnership option available. Forward CV and letter of intent to: admin@vfasa.com

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

WEEKLY SPECIAL - One week of ads (5x) for $89 One month of ads (20x) for $340 .

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IMMEDIATE POSITION AVAILABLE TN/GA

We're in search of a motivated, well-trained DPM who is great with patients. Our well-established multi-doctor, multi-office practice is located in Southeast Tennessee/North Georgia. Must have Tennessee or Georgia license. Please reply via email to ikraus@sprynet.com

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