The Voice of Podiatrists

October 20, 2006 #2,719 Editor-Barry Block, DPM, JD

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Rosalind Franklin University 's CLEAR, Cleveland Clinic, and NIH Partner with International Endocrinologists to Bridge Diabetes/Amputation Divide

The Center for Lower Extremity Ambulatory Research (CLEAR) and Cleveland Clinic Foundation have teamed up with the International Society of Endocrinologists to develop a novel program for training international physicians in the latest techniques in healing wounds and amputation prevention. The program, funded by the NIH's Fogarty International Center, is the first of its kind. The first two international fellows, Drs. Mohamed Amara and Magdy Megallaa, both endocrinologists from Egypt , arrived at Rosalind Franklin University 's renowned Center for Lower Extremity Ambulatory Research this week for a three-month crash course in limb preservation.

Back row: Magdy Megallaa, MD, and Mohamed Amara , MD. Front row: David G. Armstrong, DPM, PhD, and Stephanie C. Wu, DPM , MS

Back row: Magdy Megallaa, MD, and Mohamed Amara , MD. Front row: David G. Armstrong, DPM, PhD, and Stephanie C. Wu, DPM , MS

The program, under the direction of Prof. Richard Santen of the International Society of Endocrinologists, will next send the fellows for two month's experience to the Cleveland Clinic's diabetic foot unit, under the direction of Professor Peter Cavanagh. Dr. Armstrong continued, "I'm absolutely thrilled that Drs. Santen, Cavanagh and I could succeed in timing these fine young Egyptian physicians' trip to America so that they could experience a proper Chicago/Cleveland winter."

Root to be Installed as President of NJPMS

Sharon M. Root will become the 87th president of the New Jersey Podiatric Medical Society Saturday, upon taking the oath of office at the annual installation and dinner and dance held at the East Brunswick Chateau. Root graduated magna cum laude from the New York College of Podiatric Medicine. She completed her residency in podiatric surgery at the Bryn Mawr Hospital in Bryn Mawr, PA. She is board certified in primary podiatric medicine by the American Board of Podiatric Orthopedics and Primary Podiatric Medicine.

Dr. Sharon M. Root

Root is affiliated with St. Clare's Hospital in Denville and Morristown Memorial Hospital in Morristown. Her private practice is located in Succasunna.

In addition to the installation of Root, Dr. Marc Haspel of Clifton will become president elect; Dr. John DePalma of Medford will become vice president; Dr. Steven Maffei of Mercerville will become treasurer and Dr. James Ricketti of Hamilton Square will become secretary.

Source: Bridgewater Courier-News (NJ) [10/18/06]

632,000 Former Dual Eligibles Must Apply For Rx Benefit

About 632,000 Medicare beneficiaries who were automatically enrolled by the government in the Medicare prescription drug benefit for 2006 will not be automatically re-enrolled in 2007 and will have to sign up for Medicare drug plans on their own, the AP/San Francisco Chronicle reports. When the drug benefit began, drug coverage for dual eligibles – beneficiaries eligible for both Medicare and Medicaid -- was transferred from state Medicaid programs to Medicare, and the federal government automatically enrolled dual eligibles in private Medicare drug plans. Some of those beneficiaries are no longer enrolled in state Medicaid programs and therefore will not be automatically enrolled into Medicare drug plans for 2007, according to CMS.

Source: AP/San Francisco Chronicle via American Health Line [10/19/06]

Query: Impaired Patients

What should be done if a patient shows up at our offices in a state that appears to be impaired due to medications or alcohol? If the patient is on prescription drugs or smells of alcohol, is there a responsibility that directs what should be done in relation to trying to stop him/her from driving if they drove to the office?

Andrew Levy, DPM, Palm Beach Gardens, FL

RE: Think Like a Patient?
From: Narmo L. Ortiz, Jr., DPM

When I read Dr. Hultman’s article (October, 2006) I said to myself: "What is the real message? Are we supposed to actually think like a patient, or are we to plan for better management of our patient's visits in order to improve profit?" Personally, the latter of the two is the one that applies, but, may I raise the other underlying issue that may constantly be thrown into our sub conscience: the issue of why we continue to be "victimized" as physicians, even in subtle and mysterious ways?

It was interesting to see that Dr. Hultman cited Ms. Dekker's example as the "typical office visit." While this may be true for a lot of general medical practices, it does not occur in most podiatry practices. Her article entitled: "Your 15 Minutes, My Day", is another example of how physicians are treated in today's "American medical society". We are constantly being bombarded with accusations of lack of management and practice skills, doubt, second-guessing, demanding patients, impatience, etc.

Is it really the doctor or the American society and system as a whole? Case in point: Human behavior towards doctors and medicine is a classic example: we expect to be seen and treated for a medical ailment right now, for free or at minimum cost, while we in turn can wait for hours or days for our cars to be fixed, our pets to be treated by a vet, be in long lines to an amusement park, a concert event or other entertainment venue, and pay right then and there for whatever is the cost!

Unless the medical system as a whole is fixed, please do not ask us to "Think Like a Patient", in many respects we really do, we have enough problems with "Patients Thinking Like a Doctor".

Narmo L. Ortiz, Jr., DPM, Cape Coral, FL, nlortizdpm@earthlink.net

RE: Practice Brochure (Chuck Ross, DPM)

For development and printing of a practice brochure I suggest you contact Newsletters Ink Plus. You can contact them at www.newslettersink.com or 800-379-5585. I have also been doing an office newsletter for them which has been a seamless process and a good return on investment.

Hal Ornstein, DPM, Howell, NJ Chairman, American Academy of Podiatric Practice Management, toetoe@optonline.com

RE: End ABPS Board Certification at 60 (Arden Smith, DPM)
From: Barry Mullen, DPM

At some point in our lives, through the aging process, our reflexes, motor skills, and hand/eye coordination begin to decline. At what point does that deterioration compromise our medical care, or worse, actually become dangerous to our patients? So, ask yourself this question; how comfortable would you feel getting into an automobile with someone who hasn't demonstrated a minimum acceptable level of competence once they've reached an age where various physical attributes begin to decline? If your answer is what I think it is, then that certainly answers the question as to whether it is or isn't appropriate to mandate continued testing for podiatric board re-certification, both on a didactic, and more importantly, on a practical level.

I graduated in 1981. I look forward to the re-certification process. Re-certifying, alone, is far from the sole motivating force that drives me to keep abreast...I'll be damned if I don't do everything within my power to remain on the cutting edge of what's happening within my profession. It's my obligation to my patients if I purport myself to be a foot care expert. This is my chosen profession....why wouldn't I want to be the best I can be?

Clearly...You have a choice. If your focus is about maintaining the highest level of surgical care and doing what's clearly in the best interests for your patients, as it should be, then you need to do whatever it takes to pass the exam. If you choose not to keep up, not re-certify, or demonstrate an unacceptable competence level by failing to pass, then perhaps it is high time you relinquish your elite status and cease and desist from performing those surgical procedures you are no longer qualified to perform until you prove that you can.

Barry Mullen, DPM, Hackettstown, NJ, YAZY630@aol.com

Editor’s Note: This topic is now closed

I knew that I had a satisfied patient when after fitting her with shoes, a women told me, "you know these are really not too ugly."

Josh White, DPM, New York, NY

HOUSE CALL PRACTICE OPPORTUNITY- CHICAGO / NORTHWEST INDIANA

Chicago-Home Physicians specializes in house calls to the elderly homebound. Full and part-time positions available in Chicago/Northwest IN. Competitive Compensation, including malpractice. Contact Scott Schneider. Phone-773-292-4800. Fax-773-486-3548. E-mail sschneider@homephysicians.com www.homephysicians.com

WELL ESTABLISHED PODIATRY PRACTICE IN MT. AIRY, NC

Dr. John H. Hodges had a well established podiatry practice in Mt. Airy, North Carolina that is either for sale or in need of an associate/partner to come on board to take over patient care. Dr. Hodges unexpectedly passed away in January 2006, leaving approximately 3,500 patients without a podiatrist to care for them. This is a unique opportunity to be able to begin work in an extremely busy podiatric practice. If interested, contact Carolyn McMackin at (336)577-2886 or cmcmackin@triad.rr.com

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

ASSOCIATE POSITION - BRONX, NY

Podiatrist wanted two days a week(with full-time growth potential). One day working in a busy Bronx office, one day making house calls. Base salary + incentives. Golden opportunity for a podiatrist to join up with a very ethical, hard-working and successful DPM. Please email CV to: Scottdeis@aol.com

ASSOCIATE POSITION – ARIZONA

Excellent opportunity for an experienced looking for a change or young podiatrist looking to jump start their practice. Podiatry practice is well established over 25 years, successful and a large volume in the Phoenix metro area. A current AZ License preferred as the position is available immediately. The right person will join as a salary associate leading to partial ownership in the group practice. Position available immediately. Email CV and inquiries to:scfcs@cox.net

PODIATRY POSITION IN ALABAMA

Excellent opportunity for immediate opening with AL licensee. Practice is very busy, 2 locations in West AL. Opportunity of six figures first year with contract for stock ownership. Great place to practice and raise a family. Get started with no hassles of a start-up practice. Very modern offices with ongoing management. Fax resume to (205) 330-9920 and visit our website at www.myfeethurt.com

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