The Voice of Podiatrists

Serving Over 12,000 Podiatrists Daily

September 24, 2010 #3,966 Publisher-Barry Block, DPM, JD

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MI Podiatrists Express Concern About Skecher's Claims

They may be big and clunky, but Skechers claims its Shape-up fitness shoes can help you "get in shape without setting foot in a gym." Area podiatrists, however, expressed concern. Dr. Louis White, says the shoes can only help people with certain conditions, such as those with arthritic joints." For the average person, they are not a good thing," he says. "God's design is better than any design we can come up with."

Dr. Mathew Page

Podiatrist Mathew Page agrees. "In certain patients they're perfectly fine, but in some cases, I emphasize caution," Page says. He believes that people could tend to work muscles not ordinarily used and can "overdo a good thing."

Source: Nancy Hastings, Jackson Citizen Patriot [9/22/10]

APMA President Discusses Back-to-School Shoe Buying

"Notebooks, pens and new clothes aren't the only fresh supplies children need when heading back to school. Quality shoes that provide the support growing feet need are among the most important purchases on any back-to-school shopping list," says Dr. Kathleen Stone, president of the American Podiatric Medical Association (APMA).
 

Dr. Kathleen Stone

"Healthy feet and comfortable shoes play important roles in children's overall health," Stone says. "Parents should monitor their children's foot health and seek the advice of a podiatrist if they notice a problem. Podiatrists are specially trained to diagnose and treat ailments of the foot and ankles in people of all ages."

Source: Novato Advance [9/22/10]

 Keynotes Colombian Military Medical Conference 

Professor David G. Armstrong, Podiatric Surgeon and Director of the University of Arizona Department of Surgery's Southern Arizona Limb Salvage Alliance (SALSA), delivered a timely keynote to Colombian military and civilian leaders during a symposium held this morning in Bogota. Armstrong, lecturing via video from University Medical Center, was enthusiastic about the program, noting, "To see the interest in advancing care for people with acute and chronic wounds of all types in this hemisphere is hugely heartening.

Dr. David G. Armstrong Lecturing via Video to Colombian Military and Civilian leaders

The symposium, which is designed to bring physicians, military and policy leaders together, was held in the Military Medical Center with guests from throughout Latin America.

MI Podiatrist with 3 wives Jailed Over Child Support

A prominent metro-Detroit podiatrist who made national headlines when his wife learned he had two other wives is in the Oakland County jail tonight after a judge found him in contempt for failing to pay child and spousal support.

Dr. Kenneth Mitchell, 49, formerly of Rochester Hills, had been ordered to pay his soon-to-be ex-wife, Faye Miller, $10,000 by Sept. 1, as well as her attorney fees. When he failed to do so, Oakland County Circuit judge Cheryl Matthews signed a bench warrant. Mitchell filed a motion seeking a reduction in support, and showed up in court today so that his attorney could argue the motion. Matthews, noting the bench warrant, had him handcuffed and ordered him jailed for 14 days.

Source: L.L. Brasier, Detroit Free Press [9/22/10]

Doctors Quickly Moving to Electronic Health Records

Healthcare providers are rapidly moving into the digital age for patient information. The financial incentive is too great to ignore, say experts. The federal government’s economic stimulus program last year called for hospitals and physicians to create an electronic health record for every American by 2014. Physicians qualifying under the Medicare incentive can receive up to $44,000, and those qualifying under the Medicaid portion can get up to $64,000.

Records shouldn’t belong in a file cabinet, says Joseph Carr, chief information officer at the New Jersey Hospital Association. In the event of a natural disaster, such as a fire, the loss of paper records can be a scary reality. During Hurricane Katrina, for instance, many evacuees lost their paper medical records, he says. Consequently, they and their physicians no longer have documentation of their medical histories.

Source: Carmen Juri, The Newark Star-Ledger [9/22/10]

Toast to Motivate

Why wait until the holidays to raise a glass to your staff’s successes and bright future? Break your team out of its end of summer doldrums by bringing in a sparkling beverage—cider or grape juice will work just fine—to toast your team. Pick a random date or mark an important milestone in your practices’s history. Pop a cork or two, offer a few words of congratulations or praise, and then ask your staffers to join you as you raise your glass. Allow others to offer toasts, too, and watch morale rise.

Source: Adapted from Managing to Have Fun, Matt Weinstein, Simon & Schuster via Communication Briefings

Query: Midmark Chair Repair

Can anyone recommend a company to repair my Midmark 117 chair that is reasonable in price? I believe it is the cylinder that is leaking oil.  A previous repairman added trip charges, $200 per hour labor, and did not have the part with him which necessitated a return trip with all the additional charges.

Joe Borden, DPM, Reseda, CA

Query: Charge for Filling Out Disability Form

I have recently received a request to fill out a Social Security Disability form for a patient. I have no problems with filling these out, but they do take some time. Is it unreasonable to charge an hourly rate (e.g., $300) to estimate a charge? The patient will ultimately be responsible for this payment.

Paul Kesselman, DPM, Woodside, NY

Editor's comment: PM News does not provide legal advice. Physicians are entitled to fair compensation for their time, including non-treatment activities, such as reviewing records for malpractice cases, and filling out non-treatment-related forms. This policy differs from billing patients for filling out insurance forms because, in that activity, the physician directly benefits from the services rendered. In the case of filling out a disability form, only the patient benefits. Of course, these costs should be modest and reflect only charges for the actual amount of time taken. One must also consider the possibility of losing a good patient because of this charge. 

RE: LFTs for Lamisil (Elliot Udell, DPM)
From: Barry Mullen, DPM

I echo much of Dr. Udell's commentary regarding Dr. Secord's Lamisil post and share Dr. Secord's overall philosophy regarding its prescribing. As I recall, the incidence of hepatic side-effects in Lamisil's original study was one in 25,000...this, despite a flawed study in which many patients were already medically compromised, likely creating falsely elevated ratios. The overall issue isn't whether Lamisil is safe.

Rhetorical proof comes from that study. The main issue is Lamisil's required duration of therapy to achieve clinical response. If hepatic function is becoming compromised, it's critical to catch this rare side-effect early in the treatment course. Since current FDA guidelines indicate...

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

RE: Co-operative Marketing of Podiatry (Brian Kiel, DPM)
From: Mathew M. John, DPM

I want to commend this group of podiatrists coming together to promote the profession and ultimately themselves among the public of greater Memphis. We often rely completely upon our local and national organizations to do all the work of promoting our profession as the premier providers of foot and ankle care. But we can take it one step further by personally educating our own patients and referral physicians through various marketing means.

I still have patients who come in and ask whether I perform foot surgery or take care of ankle sprains. With many of my professional relationships with primary care providers and general orthopedic surgeons, I found it necessary to explain that “Yes, I do treat fractures.” Public education of podiatric medicine and surgery through a collaboration of this type can benefit both the participating physician and the profession in the area being marketed. I would love to see this done in Atlanta.

Mathew M. John, DPM, Marietta, GA, footdoc@afcenters.com

RE: Fat Chance to Heal Infections

An 86 year old lady returned to my office today for follow-up on chronic cellulitis and bilateral ankle ulcers. She was so excited to show me a new cream she discovered for the cure to her problem. I'm always open to learn of new ways to treat old problems, so I asked her to show me what she discovered. She pulled out a tube of cream which touted to be the cure for cellulite. When I tried to explain the difference, she said "cellulitis, cellulite... same thing!"

Albert Nejat, DPM, Los Angeles, CA

NORTHEAST OHIO PODIATRY OPPORTUNITY

Western Reserve Senior Care, an innovative home visit practice that makes visits to seniors in assisted living facilities and SNF’s, is recruiting for a Part-Time Podiatrist. Make a true difference as you make visits to homebound seniors while managing the full scope of podiatric disease. This opportunity offers a perfect balance of superb lifestyle and excellent compensation. Practice is affiliated with world class health systems in Cleveland, OH. Email CV to wmills@westernreserveseniorcare.com

PART TIME PODIATRIST NEEDED-LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA

Busy podiatrist looking for assistance with patients located in facilities, home, office etc. Flexible hours, independence, and great compensation. If interested email CV to homefootcare@hotmail.com or call Terri at 323-353-8103.

IMMEDIATELY AVAILABLE- ASSOCIATE POSITION -CT (FAIRFIELD AND NORTH HAVEN)

Great opportunity. Join one of the largest podiatric groups in Connecticut. Well-established and progressive offices. Electronic medical records, digital x-ray, diagnostic ultrasound, Padnet vascular studies, nerve conduction studies, pinpoint and CO2 lasers, electrical stimulation and ultrasound therapies. Seeking a well-trained, personable, and highly motivated individual. Please send resume and current photo to dr.kassaris@yahoo.com

PART-TIME, LICENSED PODIATRIST - WEST BLOOMFIELD, MICHIGAN
Immediate opening for treating patients in a nursing facility setting. If interested, please e-mail drteetime@aol.com

ASSOCIATE POSITION – LONG ISLAND, NY
 
Associate full-time. Well-established, busy, well-rounded podiatry practice looking for a motivated podiatrist. Suffolk Co. LI NY. Board eligible, Board certified PSR-24/36 trained. Fax resume to 631-581-0857

ASSOCIATE POSITION - WEST COAST, FLORIDA

Outstanding opportunity for PSR-36 graduate to join successful group podiatry practice in Summer 2011. Seeking a sociable, articulate graduate who is confident in rearfoot and ankle reconstructive cases but also enjoys all phases of podiatry. Long-term opportunity for the right candidate with generous pay and benefits. Reply to jwicks@cortezfootandankle.com

ASSOCIATE WANTED - DELRAY BEACH FLORIDA AVAILABLE IMMEDIATELY

Rapidly growing well established practice seeking part-time leading to full-time. PSR 12-36. Great opportunity for highly motivated, personable individual. Please reply by emailing a CV to nursebsf@aol or fax (561) 498-9068.

ASSOCIATE POSITION - TEXAS 
 
IMMEDIATE OPENING for motivated podiatrist with good people skills.  Associateship leading to PARTNERSHIP for the right applicant. Northside San Antonio Texas practice. Attractive office and beginning income. Current TEXAS license a must. CV and letter of interest to sadpmoffice@gmail.com

ASSOCIATE POSITION - FREDERICK, MARYLAND

Well-established group practice is located only 45 minutes from both DC and Baltimore. Immediate opening for a minimum PSR 36 Podiatrist for full time position. We have it all: EMR, digital x-ray, ultrasound, ASC, etc. Excellent salary with bonus structure and benefits. Please email resume to docsbnb@aol.com

ASSOCIATE POSITION - MASSACHUSETTS

Well established, multi-office, group practice, North of Boston, seeking a well-trained (PSR 24/36) Associate to start July, 2011. This is an excellent opportunity for an energetic, hardworking individual with strong surgical and medical skills, desiring a fast-track opportunity for partnership. Our practice is well rounded in all aspects of forefoot/rearfoot reconstructive surgery, pediatrics, sports medicine and general care. Competitive salary and benefit package available. Send a cover letter, CV, and two letters of reference to: drfleishman@nefootankle.com. Visit our website at www.nefootankle.com for more information about our practice.

PRACTICE FOR SALE - MARYLAND, DC SUBURB

Great opportunity. Retiring after 38 years in practice at the same location. Practice is fully equipped with digital x-ray, diagnostic ultrasound, computer network, orthotic scanner and state licensed ambulatory surgical center that is fully equipped. Owner will stay on as needed for easy transition. dpmpracticeforsale@yahoo.com

AMBULATORY SURGICAL CENTER PRIVILEGES AVAILABLE - NJ

Privileges available in a new 2 ORs. New certified multi-specialty ambulatory surgical center in Fairlawn, NJ - 8 minutes to the George Washington bridge. Specializing in podiatric surgery. Center will pick up and return patient home. Syndication is available. Center will accommodate doctors in Manhattan, Queens, Brooklyn, Bronx, Staten Island, and long Island. Will assist in getting NJ License. Call for information (516)476-1815 e-mail podo2345@aol.com. To view center, go to FAIRLAWNASC.SHUTTERFLY.COM

MEDICAL SPACE AVAILABLE- MANHATTAN

Multispecialty Medical Building with 24/7 doorman. Prime Luxury Building and Location, Gramercy, Stuyvesant, Peter Cooper Area. 305 Second Avenue (17th-18th). Prior tenants past 23 years; podiatrist, dentist (plumbing/electric intact), internist. Ideal for podiatry, co-share with dentist, MD, etc. (flexible lease terms). E-Mail; jbdrun@aol.com

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