The Voice of Podiatrists

September 14, 2006 #2,689 Editor-Barry Block, DPM, JD

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Parents Need to Place Fit and Comfort Over Style: NY Podiatrist

Just because it looks good doesn't mean it is right for you. That should be the motto parents follow when they're choosing footwear for their children's feet. That's because improperly fitting shoes can lead to ongoing problems for a child's growing feet, says Dr. Daniel Park, a podiatrist with Thurber and Thurber in Elmira.

Dr. Daniel Park

"It is essential that shoes fit your child properly. Shoes which are too tight can lead to structural deformities later, such as hammertoes and bunions," he says.

Source: Roberta McCulloch-Dews, Star-Gazette (Elmira, NY) [9/13/06]

MO Podiatrist to Be Featured on HGTV

Dr. William Duke, podiatrist, and his family will be featured on HGTV's Designed to Sell on Sunday, Oct. 15, at 7 p.m. After hearing Dr. Duke had a new position with Jefferson City Medical Group last year, the family began making plans to sell their Chicago area home and move to Jefferson City.

Dr. William Duke

It was at that time that Duke's wife contacted HGTV. The program transforms homes into a more marketable and profitable property. After applying and doing a video tour of their home, the Duke family was selected. In January, the program conducted and filmed five days of painting, exposing hardwood floors, redecorating and purchasing new furniture. At the end of the week and open house was held and the home sold 17 days later.

Source: Jefferson News Tribune [9/13/06]

Stanford Bans Taking Freebies From Drug Companies

They are common fixtures in many medical practices: free pens, mugs, stationery, stethoscopes and doctors' bags, all emblazoned with the logo of a new drug or a pharmaceutical firm. And those catered lunches staffers flock to? It may be courtesy of a major drug supplier. No more -- at least for all staff and students at Stanford University's medical school, hospitals and clinics.

Under a policy announced Tuesday, even free sticky notes violate ethics rules. The rules bar the tiniest gift from pharmaceutical and other industry representatives, including drug samples. The change, widely approved by votes at the medical school and the two hospitals, marks the third time in two years that a major academic medical institution has implemented such a stringent policy.

Source: Rong-Gong Lin II and Mary Engel, Los Angeles Times via Modern Healthcare [9/13/06]

Query: Nitrous Oxide

I am interested in using nitrous xide in my practice. Can someone with experience recommend what type of machine to use and where to get approriate training?

Ivar E. Roth, DPM, Newport Beach, CA, ifabs@earthlink.net

Query: CO2 Laser for Warts

Does anyone use a CO2 laser for warts and porokeratosis? What is your success rate? What brands of compact CO2 lasers are currently being sold and who is a good dealer to purchase one from?

P. Benjamin NIkravesh, DPM, Los Angeles, CA

RE: Shoe Store Attached to Office (Hal Ornstein, DPM)
From: David M. Schwartz, DPM, RPh, Elliot Udell, DPM

Putting a shoe store/running shoe office attachment makes a lot of sense, and affords enhanced patient care. I have recently opened retail accounts with Brooks, New Balance, and Mizuno with surprising success! New Balance has SADMERC approved shoes for diabetic patients, in addition to the local athletic groups seeking orthoses and top off the line running shoes.

Having the shoes on-site can ensure an optimal pairing of foot morphology, orthotic insole, and footwear. Moreover, the shoes draw more "foot traffic" into the office!

David M. Schwartz, DPM, RPh , Rockwall, TX, txfootdr@yahoo.com

Having a shoe store associated with a podiatry office initially brought out a visceral negative response from me. My gut said "no, we podiatrists should have nothing to do with anything that is non medical or people will forget we are doctors."

After giving the matter some thought I see possible merit in the idea. Today, most ophthalmologists in my geographic area have eye class stores as part of their offices. Many dermatologists and plastic surgeons sell non-prescription skin creams out of their practices. Perhaps the time has come for podiatry to get more heavily involved in the sale of prescription and non-prescription footwear. Only time will tell if this is a good idea.

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

RE: Scope of Practice Legislation (Daniel Alan Chaskin, DPM)
From: Richard W. Boone, Sr

Dr. Chaskin's excellent message reminds me of one of my pet peeves about the podiatric medical profession: There is no uniformly accepted definition of the scope of practice of podiatry. With all due respect, unless and until you folks get together on a national basis and decide who you are and what you do for a living you're always going to have problems when you ask your local legislatures to adopt a scope of practice law.

Dr. Block's highly regarded efforts to bring podiatry within the scope of the "M.D." degree are an effort to correct a great many problems which currently beset your profession. But, again with all due respect, many of those same problems could also be addressed by creating a Uniform Scope of Practice Act for Podiatric Medicine and Surgery. And you can do that a lot faster than effecting a degree change.

Richard W. Boone, Sr., Health Care Attorney, Fairfax, VA, RWBoone@aol.com

Last week a new patient came into the office wanting a pair of "ornithotics." Before I could stop myself I heard myself ask him, "Why, do you have pigeon toes?"

Michael Zapf, DPM, Agoura Hills, CA

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

EQUIPMENT WANTED - X-RAY Machine

I am looking for a used x-ray unit, preferably no older than 15 years. EXCEL units or units of this type are appropriate for my needs. If you have a unit, with or without the stand, please e'mail a picture and relevant information to me at drkarendpm@aol.com I can also be reached at 619-892-3549. Shipping would be to Southern CA.

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-office@usa.net

ASSOCIATE WANTED - SOUTH FLORIDA

Miami-Dade and SW Ft. Lauderdale, well established surgical practice needs part-time podiatrists to assist in surgical cases and patient volume. Email response to podfootdocs@aol.com

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

SEEKING 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

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