The Voice of Podiatrists

Serving Over 11,000 Podiatrists Daily

October 12, 2009 #3,672 Publisher-Barry Block, DPM, JD

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We've just posted an article titled: The Obesity Epidemic in Children Is Causing Flatfeet  by Paul Scherer, DPM.

Dr. Paul Scherer

 You can read this informative and useful article at: http://www.podiatrym.com/pmarticle.cfm?id=130

Women are Wearing More Sensible Shoes: MI Podiatrist

Finding a happy medium is crucial to not only physical comfort but healthy feet, said Dr. John M. Voulgaris, a podiatrist with Summit Podiatry Group. The wrong shoes not only create sore and tired feet, but can lead to blisters, bunions and other problems.

Dr. John M. Voulgaris

Wearing a shoe with a sole that's too thin can cause bruising on the ball of the foot, called metatarsalgia. If unchecked, it will likely tear ligaments in the foot, which could create a condition known as hammertoe. Shoes that are too tight can cause inflammation of the toes, leading to a blister that pops, dries and can turn into a corn or callus.

On a positive note, Voulgaris said, "I think women are wearing more sensible shoes, whether it is because of the style or because their choices are health-driven."

Source: Monetta Harr, Jackson Citizen Patriot [10/7/09]

Two Named to Texas Podiatry Board

Gov. Rick Perry has named Drs. H. Ashley Ledger and Charles Jason Hubbard to the State Board of Podiatric Medical Examiners.

Dr. H. Ashley Ledger

H. Ashley Ledger of Killeen is a podiatrist and owner of Ledger Foot and Ankle Clinic. He is a diplomate of the American Board of Podiatric Surgery and a fellow of the American College of Foot and Ankle Surgery. He is also a member of the Killeen, Copperas Cove and Harker Heights chambers of commerce. Ledger received a medical degree in podiatric medicine from the Dr. William M. Scholl College of Podiatric Medicine.

Dr. Charles Jason Hubbard

Charles Jason Hubbard of Austin is a podiatric surgeon, owner of the Center for Feet and Ankle Surgery and chief of podiatry for St. David’s Medical Center. He is an American Board of Podiatric Surgery diplomate, and an associate of the American College of Foot and Ankle Surgeons. Hubbard received a medical degree in podiatric medicine from the Ohio College of Podiatric Medicine.

Source: Texas Governor’s Office via KWTX [10/9/09]

PA Podiatrist Named Medical Director of Wound & Skin Healing Center

The Washington Hospital has announced that James A. Marks, DPM has been named Medical Director of the Wound & Skin Healing Center. As Medical Director, Dr. Marks will consult with the Wound Center staff on policies and procedures, assist with process improvement initiatives, help promote patient, physician and employee satisfaction; participate in public education programs, and maintain state-of-the-art knowledge of wound care techniques.

Dr. James Marks

Dr. Marks is a member of the American Podiatric Medical Association and the Pennsylvania Podiatric Medical Association. He is Board certified in Foot and Ankle Surgery and a Fellow of the American Professional Wound Care Association.
 

Query: PICA Disbursement Tax Question

It will be important to know how the PICA disbursement will be treated. Does anyone know if it is a long-term capital gain? Short-term gain? Return of principal? Or something else? 
 
George Jacobson, DPM, Hollywood, FL

RE: Antibiotics for MRSA [doxycycline] (Bret Ribotsky, DPM)
From: Bret Ribotsky, DPM, Greg Caringi, DPM

Please accept my error in capturing the antibiotic suggested by Dr. Joseph. He said doxycycline as opposed to dicloxacillin. My point was about de-escalating therapy vs. escalating therapy. Any comments? What about patient costs? Insurance coverage?

Bret Ribotsky, DPM, Boca Raton, FL, podiatricsuccess@gmail.com

I am still old school. I watch my patients carefully. If the cephalexin is not working, I culture & "escalate" to a more appropriate MRSA drug. What I find interesting is the increased use of Bactrim empirically by the referring primary physician offices for paronychias and other minor foot infections. I see this especially with the CRNP's for some reason - possibly younger and more recently out of training. I don't find this to be a good choice in many cases and resort to switching them to cephalexin. I greatly respect Dr. Joseph's opinion and will consider using doxycycline as a first-line drug.
 
It is, of course, important to remember that the most important service that you provide your patient is the appropriate incision, drainage and debridement of the abscess or wound. This is often more important than antibiotic choice, and may be sufficient with simple home wound care in some cases.
 
Greg Caringi, DPM, Lansdale, PA, DrGregC@msn.com

RE: Why Are Feet Ticklish? (Tip Sullivan, DPM)
From: Robert Bijak, DPM

Dr. Sullivan asked for sources of information why feet are ticklish. Freshman neuroanatomy and 3rd year neurology notes and books should be reviewed. Guyton's "Principles of Physiology" (nervous system section) gives good information on the spinal tracts and their ascendency to the sensory cortex. 

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

RE: Internet-Based EMR Storage (Tamara Allen, DPM)
From: Bob Kuvent, DPM

Try Carbonite.com for encrypted, secure online storage. It is very reasonable (about $50) and will not only back up your EMR but also every file on your computer (program and data files). You can get rid of external HDD and thumb drives.

Bob Kuvent, DPM, Chandler, AZ, ftfixr@hotmail.com

RE: Alcohol Availability (Sloan Gordon, DPM)
From: Philbert Kuo, DPM

I would ask your local hospital pharmacy to order what you need. I did just that with my hospital outpatient pharmacy and had no problems.

Philbert Kuo, DPM, Chesapeake, VA, philbear@pol.net

Qualifying Routine Foot Care (Greg Amarantos, DPM)
From: Angelo J. Bigelli, DPM

Dr. Amarantos’ comments on routine foot care would never be considered by Medicare...it makes too much sense and is too understandable by doctor and patient. Why would a bureaucracy want to simplify anything?  I've been in practice 28 years and that's how long the APMA has been skirting this issue. Isn't it time for the APMA to act?

Angelo J. Bigelli, DPM, North Providence, RI, toedocri@aol.com

Editor’s note: an extended-length note by Dr. Barry Mullen appears at: http://www.podiatrym.com/letters2.cfm?id=29509&start=1

RE: Obama’s Healthcare Plan (Jonathan Purdy, DPM)
From: Scott Whitman, DPM, Jon Purdy, DPM

I would like to apologize if my post was perceived as a personal attack. My intention was not to imply that Dr. Purdy has memory loss, but that those who use history and the constitution as arguments against consideration of a public role in healthcare reform are denying the government’s role in our prosperity. 

To imply that a public option is socialism, which is involuntary, and therefore anti-democratic and un-American, and that relative to cost our healthcare outcomes are the best, requires one to be consciously or unconsciously selective with their facts. I vote, I have a 401k, and I believe we live in a great country. Dismissing an idea with a label and a self-serving definition is simply unfair. My tone was curt and sarcastic, and for this I am sorry.

Scott Whitman, DPM, Charlotte, NC, sewhitman@gmail.com

I would be interested to hear Dr. Whitman’s definition of socialism.  I believe mine is right on in the context of governmental socialism which is not to be confused with something “socialistic” in nature. It would help to know what part of history or economics I am forgetting in order to comment on it. I would also like to see where I said to eliminate all public insurance and deregulate private insurers. I’ve never said that. 
 
What I have stated is that some regulation of industry is necessary. My general stance on health care change is for the creation of incentives for people to take care of themselves, practice preventive healthcare, and reap the benefits of hard work and societal contribution. 
 
We currently have the best healthcare, and access to it, in the world. What I don’t want to see is socialized medicine creating deaths in waiting lines, denial of treatments, limited access, a scarcity of physicians, and the destruction of our economy in doing so. There is plenty of evidence seen in other country’s socialistic models. If you want the studies I have them.
 
This nation is currently making a one hundred and eighty degree turn away from what brought us to greatness. I believe my recollection of history is right on that one. 

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

RE: Obama’s Healthcare Plan  (Alan Silverstein, DPM)
From: Alan Sherman, DPM, Joe Addante, DPM

Every so often, amidst the noise and complication of a particular discussion, a comment is made that so eloquently states something that you've been thinking, but haven't articulated. The comment by Dr. Silverstein on Obama’s Healthcare Plan, in which he invokes the need, in any great society like the United States of America, for a balance of both capitalism and socialism, to meet our individual and collective needs, was just such a comment.

Do we believe in profit, which is by nature, selfish? You bet we do.  But in a civilized society, we weigh it against the public good and allow it only when it does not deprive the society of what we believe to be their inalienable rights. I don't believe those rights come from the Creator, as did Jefferson. I believe they come from the society, and need to be enforced by the government. As per Dr. Silverstein, we need some social-ism, just another name for civic-ism, to balance out capitalism. We support the police, our public schools, and even our EPA, because darn it, the nature of man is selfish and violent. In the interest of civic-mindedness, we design and maintain systems that protect the majority from the selfishness and violence of the minority. 

Alan Sherman, DPM,  Boca Raton, FL, asherman@presentelearning.com

Thank you Dr. Silverstein for your short pearl of wisdom. So often ideology clouds the wisdom of moderation and blocks the way to solutions of reasonable compromise. Again thank-you from an "ole" timer who saw the evolution of this profession as a process of an incremental series of compromises, patience, and willingness to participate in the labor of proving our worth.

Joe Addante, DPM, Fitchburg, MA, alice.joe@verizon.net
 

EQUIPMENT FOR SALE - AMFIT ORTHOTIC MANUFACTURING MACHINE

Includes digitizer, fabricating mill, new updates have been added and enough supplies to pay for the machine in the long run. At $200 per pair = about $28,000. Selling FOR $25,000, O.B.O, F.O.B. americanfoot@email.com or 405-733-2783.

ASSOCIATE POSITION, VICTORIA, BC

Beautiful Victoria, B.C. Canada on the ocean, fast growing area. Associate for multi-office full scope practice. Reply to dr.cole@shaw.ca

ASSOCIATE POSITION - CHICAGO AREA
 
Well-established, state of the art medical-surgical podiatry practice seeking well-trained motivated individual to work full-time with future partnership possible. Will start with full schedule. PSR-24 a minimum. Email resume to Howard4624@gmail.com

ASSOCIATE POSITION - SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA

Looking for board certified/board eligible ABPS associate to join a multi doctor practice with 2 offices. May lead to eventual buy-in and purchase. Must have minimum 2-year residency and comfortable with rearfoot procedures and diabetic care, ER call. Must be dependable, honest, ethical individual. Send cover letter and CV to familyfootcenter@earthlink.net

OFFICE SPACE/ MRI RENTAL – NYC, LI

Turn-key space available, daily, monthly; East 60th off Park Ave, East 22nd St. off 3rd Ave, Hicksville and/or Plainview Long Island. JACHO-certified operating rooms available, as well as all surgical equipment and anesthesia. Extremity MRI Rental. Stark compliant. All exams read by board certified radiologist. Call for details. 516 476-1815

ASSOCIATE POSITION - CHICAGO AREA

Join one of the most successful, long-established podiatry practices in the Chicago area, with excellent salary and benefits. We have an immediate opening for a full-time podiatrist in a multi practice location in Chicago. Must have two years of surgical residency. Please e-mail resume to fmassuda@footexperts.com

DIABETIC RURAL OUTREACH PROGRAM - FLORIDA AND GEORGIA

Seeking DPM to join our program due to a high demand for Podiatric Care to off-site settings in SNF, ALFs and House Calls. Applicants must be willing to travel and must  have experience. Current State License, Medicare and Medicaid numbers required. Seeking highly motivated individuals who can be team players, yet work independently. Must have strong work ethic and excellent communication skills. APPLY: Fax CV to: 866-258-9993 include 3 professional references. Please provide the geographic area where you can provide services. Further information call 800-779-8551 or email: info@DROPInternational.org. Visit our website  

EQUIPMENT FOR LOCUM TENENS/ASSOCIATE—PHOENIX

Busy multi-location practice in South East Valley seeks immediate well-trained personable individual. Part time Locum position may lead to permanent part-time, full-time, and buy- in potential if desired. Please send letter of interest and C.V. to AzToesRus@aol.com

ASSOCIATE POSITION - WASHINGTON, DC

Interested in working in Washington D.C.? Our group is looking to add a highly motivated, hard working, well trained podiatrist to our practice. Must have surgical training. We have a very busy multi-office practice. We practice state of the art podiatry with EMR and digital radiography. Associate to partner on a fast track for the right person. E-mail CV and cover letter to Washingtonpod@aol.com

ASSOCIATE POSITION (SURGICAL) – CONNECTICUT

Connecticut Surgical Group is seeking a Board-Certified podiatrist to add to our Surgical Podiatry division based in Central Connecticut. This podiatrist will provide all aspects of Podiatric care with a focus on wound and surgical care to a well-established patient base. We require PSR-36 training and board certification or eligibility, excellent surgical and wound care skills, a strong focus on providing compassionate care to our patients, and the ability to work as part of a team in a group practice setting. To apply please visit our website . EOE

ASSOCIATE POSITIONS - INDIANA/OHIO

PrimeSource Healthcare is a leading provider of mobile, on-site healthcare services at long-term and skilled nursing facilities. Our exceptional growth has created an immediate need for traveling, independent contractors of podiatry services in Indiana/Ohio. Earn between $175k and $225k per year. E-mail CV to kwright@pshcs.com. Visit us at pshcs.com.

ASSOCIATE POSITION - FREDERICK, MD
Well-established and growing 2 office state-of-the-art practice located in medical/professional buildings. EMR, Digital X-ray, Ultrasound, DME provider, etc. Competitive Base Salary plus bonus, malpractice, health insurance, etc. PSR 24 minimum/Board Qualified or Certified with ability and desire to take ER call. If interested, forward CV to DOCSBNB@aol.com

PRACTICE FOR SALE - FLORIDA—CENTRAL/SOUTH

Turn-key operation grossing $570,000 annually based on one full-time doctor. Great opportunity for growing the top-line. Surgery is only 14% of the professional man-hours; it can significantly increase income. Medicare makes up 64% of revenues. Seller will assist with transition. Call 863-688-1725, ask for Chas.

ASSOCIATE POSITION - AUSTIN AND SAN ANTONIO AREAS

Seeking well-trained ABPS board certified/qualified foot surgeons for surgical practice with national foot/hand/orthopedic surgery group.  Excellent salary/benefits. Email CV and cover letter to: slb99@pdq.net

NEEDED CHICAGO -- NW IND & BALTIMORE/WASHINGTON, DC PODIATRISTS

Home Physicians, a medical group specializing in house calls is looking to hire podiatrists in Chicago, Northwest Indiana, and Baltimore, MD. 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

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