The Voice of Podiatrists

Serving Over 13,500 Podiatrists Daily

October 21, 2011 #4,285 Publisher-Barry Block, DPM, JD

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Use of High-Heels on the Rise: NY Podiatrists

Even if you'd never wear Alexander McQueen's infamous 10-inch "Armadillo" shoe, the crazy styles seen in fashion shows have a trickle-down effect. "What designers show on the runway definitely influences what's reaching the masses," says Hillary Brenner, DPM, a podiatric surgeon in New York City. In the past few years alone, the average height of a high-heeled shoe has gone from 3 to 5 inches, notes Phyllis Rein, senior vice president of the Fashion Footwear Association of New York.

Drs. Hillary Brenner and Jacqueline Sutera

The outcome for trend-seeking consumers: skyscraping stilettos fight for closet space with ballet flats so flimsy they can be folded into your wallet. And the result is not so pretty. "I used to see about five women a week with foot problems due to poor shoes—now it's about three a day," says Jacqueline Sutera, DPM, a podiatric surgeon in New York City.

Source: Yahoo Shine [10/20/11]

NYCPM Adopts Full Online Electronic Testing

The New York College of Podiatric Medicine (NYCPM) has adopted full online electronic testing, starting with the recently-enrolled freshman Class of 2015. The freshmen were first given installation instructions for the software, an overview, and multiple practice sessions in order for them to gain comfort and familiarity navigating their exams. Then, in early October, the system went live.  All freshman exams are now conducted in the main lecture halls via the students’ laptops and Wi-Fi access.  

NYCPM has recently adopted full online electronic testing

The students, using Windows- or Mac-based laptops, log in, download an exam, launch it and proceed to take it. Exams are ‘secured’ by locking the exam-taker into the exam and not allowing access to the Internet or to any keyboard functions or programs that are not directly tied to the testing software. When done, the student uploads the exam file to a remote server and receives an on-screen confirmation that the file has been successfully received.

NCFAS Announces Basil M. Tucker Scholarship Fund Recipients

The North Carolina Foot & Ankle Society has announced the Basil M. Tucker Scholarship Fund Award recipients. This scholarship honors the memory of Basil M. Tucker, DPM, who passed away in 1998. Dr. Tucker served as president of the North Carolina Podiatric Medical Association in 1956. His son, David B. Tucker, DPM, chairs the scholarship committee. This year's recipients are: 

(L-R) Samantha J. Price, Katherine A. Fuller, Blake A. Weeks, and Joshua D. Bowman

Samantha J. Price, Midwestern University - Smithfield NC
Katherine A. Fuller, Des Moines University -Raleigh NC
Blake A. Weeks, Barry University -Hickory NC
Joshua D. Bowman, Barry University Taylorsville NC

Each will receive a one-time award of $4,000. The scholarship is available to third- and fourth-year podiatry students of any college of podiatric medicine whose permanent residence is within North Carolina. Eligibility is based upon need, grade point average, and class rank. 

MI Podiatrist is Guest Speaker at Polish Foot & Ankle Society Meeting

Dr. Michael E. Graham, podiatric surgeon and creator of HyProCure® , was recently a guest speaker at the 4th Annual Polish Foot and Ankle Society Meeting, held in Jastarnia, Poland. Dr. Graham’s lecture, ”The Biomechanical and Clinical Evaluation of the HyProCure® Extra¬Osseous Talotarsal Stabilization Device,” was well received by the audience. 

(L-R) Professor dr hab. Marek Napiontek and Dr. Michael Graham

The conference was host to many distinguished Orthopedic Foot and Ankle surgeons including Professor dr hab. Marek Napiontek, president of the Polish Foot and Ankle Society and Mariano de Prado, MD, a leading foot surgeon from Spain.

Scottish Podiatrist Faces Disciplinary Hearing for Threats Against Staff

Stuart Darroch, who worked as a podiatrist for South West Glasgow Community Health and Care Partnership, is accused of telling one woman in June 2009 that he would like to shoot her in the head with a sniper rifle and that he could stab her with a “Jedi sword.”

Mr. Darroch is now facing a fitness to practise hearing before the Health Professions Council. He will appear before the conduct and competence committee in Glasgow next Thursday for a two-day hearing into the allegations and faces being suspended or struck off if he is found guilty of misconduct.
 
Source: Herald Scotland [10/20/11]

Final ACO Regs Include Bigger Bonuses

Medicare accountable care organizations could see larger bonuses and face fewer quality measures under rules proposed by the CMS. In final rules for Medicare accountable care organizations, published today, the CMS said it would no longer require all ACOs to face potential penalties, and it increased possible bonuses. The final rule also proposed half the number of quality measures included in draft rules released last March. Under accountable care, healthcare providers that reach quality and cost-saving targets are eligible to share in the savings.

The CMS also proposed an advanced-payment program for small physician-owned and rural hospitals that lack capital to start an accountable care group. Under the program, up to 50 small ACOs will quality for upfront payments that will be paid back as providers reduce Medicare costs. The Center for Medicare and Medicaid Innovation will award up to $170 million under the program.

Source: Melanie Evans, Modern Healthcare [10/20/11] 

RE: Chronic Ankle Ulcers (Pat Caputo, DPM, Mike Boxer, DPM)
From: Jeffrey Kass, DPM

Drs. Caputo and Boxer already gave sage advice regarding possible etiology of the chronic ankle ulcer.  If your local O.R. has a Versajet (Smith & Nephew), these ulcers look like the perfect wounds to use it on. That yellow fibrotic tissue is often very difficult to debride with a scalpel. The Versajet can help give you a nice healthy red granular bed to start fresh with before initiating your treatment protocol.
 
Jeffrey Kass, DPM, Forest Hills, NY, jeffckass@aol.com

RE: Plantar Fibromas
From: William B. Crawford, DPM

Plantar fibromas and fibromatoses are solid, fibroblastic, benign lesions of the plantar aponeurosis. Painful lesions are the result of trauma from plantar pressures or mass effect. I fail to understand the rationale of steroid injection, needling, or the like, into a non-inflammatory solid mass. If it is asymptomatic, leave it alone. If it is chronically painful, remove the lesion. Window the aponeurosis with margin, leaving the subfascial fat, and it will not return in that location. Multi-nodular fibromatoses may require large windowing or resection of most of the aponeurosis slip. Results are uniformly good.  Sometimes conservative treatment is surgery.
 
William B. Crawford, DPM, Ocala, FL, wcrawf1052@embarqmail.com

RE: Mini TightRope for Hallux Valgus
From: Randall Brower, DPM

The first one I did, I actually broke the 2nd met in half attempting to dial in the IM correction. I had to plate and screw the 2nd met fracture and ended up doing a good old modified Austin. Imagine my explanation to the patient. Thank goodness she healed the met fracture well. I have learned to let others fail at flavor-of-the-month toys, and I try the ones that work well for others. Call me a follower now, but it is surgical complications like those that will make a busy surgeon think twice about venturing into uncharted waters.
 
Randall Brower, DPM, Avondale, AZ, footdoctor33@yahoo.com

RE: Stay Away from Trimming Toenails (Peter Vannucchi, DPM)
From: Paul Busman, DPM, RN

I beg to differ with Dr. Vannucchi who wrote: "Our basic vision and endeavor with the new order for things to come should be to further the profession and to keep on advancing regardless of whether we have to go over, under, or through our detractors..." Back in the dark ages, when I graduated NYCPM, our basic vision and endeavor was to do what was best for our patients, not just for our own self-image or betterment. If that required biomechanics or surgery, fine. If it required something as lowly as trimming toenails, that was fine too.  It was something that the patients couldn't do for themselves, it often prevented problems for patients down the road, and it offered a valuable opportunity to assess the patients' dermatological and vascular status. Is that anything to be ashamed of? Dr. Vannucchi, if you don't want to perform this valuable service for your patients, fine, but don't belittle the worth of it to others who do. 

Paul Busman, DPM, RN,  Clifton Park, NY, paul@busmanwhistles.com

RE: Foil Sutured Toenail (Timothy James Henne, DPM)
From: Elliot Udell, DPM

Seeing the photo submitted by Dr. Henne and adding my own experience (where the ER "docs" sutured an avulsed toe nail back to the toe), I am wondering whether the people rendering the treatments are indeed doctors. I'm not being facetious. More and more private facilities as well as hospitals are utilizing PAs. As a patient, I have had lots of experience with PAs. Some have been great. The PA who currently works with my allergist is as knowledgeable as the physician and I prefer him over his boss.

On the other hand, I have had some bad experiences with PAs. At one visit,...

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

RE: Dr. John Giurini's Comments
From: Scholl College Faculty Members

As faculty who are active in research at Scholl College, we would like to commend Dr. Giurini for highlighting the importance of research in the podiatric curriculum. As all facets of medicine continue to transition from an anecdotally-based art form to evidence-based practice, it is crucial that our new practitioners have a sound understanding of the research process. This is why we have integrated research education into all four years of schooling at Scholl.

Beginning in the first year, students take a research course that teaches the principles of conducting sound research and the processes involved in conducting research. In addition to didactic lectures, students...

Editor's Note: This extended-length letter can be read here.

RE: OH Court Rules That Podiatrists Need ABPS Certification for Staff Privileges (Glenn M. Weinraub, DPM)
From: V. Kathleen Satterfield, DPM

Dr. Weinraub references the ACFAS Guidelines and Position Paper about credentialing. As a board member of the American College of Foot and Ankle Orthopedics and Medicine (ACFAOM), I would agree with it - if only there were one word added. That word is "or." 

"ABPS Certification or Qualification in Podiatric Surgery. -or- (my added word) 

Demonstration of training and achieved competency in specific procedures for which the DPM is requesting privileges, such as: 

Current clinical experience
Documented surgical logs or operative reports
Post-graduate continuing medical education
Fellowship documentation (if applicable)
Letters of documentation from training directors
Verification and documentation from collateral sources"

While I respect the fact that...

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

Part-time practice for sale or lease. Flexible terms, will consider lease with option for sale. Structured for a fast sale, first option on real estate. Great opportunity for a start-up or satellite with immediate income. Call 201-573-0555 or 551-574-0776 billfeet@aol.com

PRACTICE FOR SALE - SOUTHERN OH

Busy, well-established, full-time home visit practice. 100% referral-based. Wound care, pain management, routine care & DME’s. Excellent income, low overhead. Great opportunity for husband/wife business team. DPM relocating out-of-state for family. Contact: nanetter@zoomtown.com

PRACTICE FOR SALE – NANAIMO, BRITISH COLUMBIA, CANADA

Have you ever dreamed of owning a practice where...you can see 0-50 patients daily * average 100 new patients monthly * have zero accounts receivable * gross $480 M per year * live in a beautiful community with skiing, hiking, fishing, and boating on your doorstep. This could be yours! If interested contact pistone@telus.net or call 250-754-4192.

PRACTICE FOR SALE - ARKANSAS

Busy, well established practice of 13 years grosses 160K/year for the past 5 years, while working 3.5 days/week. Nursing homes available. 50% Medicare, average of 15 new patients/week. Doctor retiring. Please call 800-983-4194 for more details, or e-mail contactus@podiatrypracticeconsultants.com

Podiatrist needed in Nassau county to start immediately. Flexible hours 2 days a week. Please email pittpod@gmail.com with inquiries.

ASSOCIATE POSITION - LOS ANGELES COUNTY, CA
 
Interested in hiring a part-time leading to full-time podiatrist for northern Los Angeles County busy practice. Possibly leading to associateship. Please e-mail CV to avfootdoc@mail.com or fax to 661-265-1877.
 

ASSOCIATE POSITION - EAST TENNESSEE

30 year old practice with 5 offices in greater Knoxville area seeking ethical, personable, hardworking, team player. Extremely competitive base salary with bonus incentives and benefits. Knoxville is consistently ranked in top 5 places in U.S. Post-residency experience a plus. Please send resume to ddavidphawk@yahoo.com

ASSOCIATE POSITION - FLORIDA/N.W. FLORIDA- TALLAHASSEE AREA

Home of Florida State University. Great university town! Well established full scope solo physician with busy practice. Looking for a full time associate leading to partnership in a short time. Great general practice with 2 locations. Staff privileges with 2 local hospitals and 2 surgery centers. Offering competitive salary, health insurance. Will need forefoot and rearfoot surgical competency. Friendly office with fun staff that’s easy to work with. Call/Text – 850-510-4371.

ASSOCIATE POSITION – IOWA CITY AREA

Well-established, rapidly growing practice. Motivated, ethical and personable with well-trained PSR-24/36. Modern office with complete EMR, digital radiography, diagnostic ultrasound, and laser. Competitive salary/benefits package. If interested please email your CV, letter of intent and references to: NHFootDoc@yahoo.com

ASSOCIATE POSITION - SOUTHWEST FLORIDA

Immediate position for associate to potential partnership available for a surgeon that is BQ/BC by ABPS. Must be a PSR 24 or PM&S 36 graduate. Salary with bonus. Email CV and samples recent cases done recently to: susmitad86@yahoo.com

SOUTHEAST GEORGIA & SOUTH CAROLINA

Seeking associate physician to join practice to cover nursing home facilities. Comprehensive package including Salary, Travel and Bonus benefits. Email cover letter and CV to melissafoot@pol.net.

ASSOCIATE POSITION - SOUTH WEST FLORIDA

Full-time associate positions for an established group practice in Southwest Florida. Willing to train the right new graduates. Job will involved all aspects of podiatric care. You must be ambitious, hard-working and should have good people skills. Please e-mail your resume/CV to contactus@ankleandfoot.net

ASSOCIATE POSITION - SOUTH CAROLINA

Upstate practice seeking PSR-24/36 trained associate. Full-time position with partnership opportunity. Must be ethical, highly-motivated with strong surgical and medical skills. Please send CV to palpodiatry@att.net

ASSOCIATE POSITION - DAYTON, OH

Join a Well-established modern practice in Dayton, Ohio. Excellent reputation and referral base. Base salary $120,000, benefits and bonus structure. EMR, diagnostic ultrasound, Padnet vascular studies, CO2 lasers, all aspects of DME. We seek a surgeon that is well-trained and personable to join our group of 4 podiatric surgeons. Would like to have this individual buy in to the practice eventually. Please send CV and current photo to Ohiodoctors@aol.com

PODIATRY OFFICE TO SHARE - SEATTLE, WASHINGTON 

Fully equipped podiatry office in North Gate area of Seattle. Office located in medical professional building near I-5. Office has 3 treatment rooms, 3 physical therapy rooms, direct digital x-ray, PAD- net, NCV testing equipment, physical therapy equipment. Please contact us: http://podiatrym.com/go.cfm?n=852 Tel. 425-643-8901 isbinc2006@gmail.com

SPACE AVAILABLE - NYC & LI

Ultrasound w/printer, Cryo-Pac w/two probes, Flouroscan w/printer. There may be other surgical equipment as well. Please contact Jolene as young_jolene@yahoo.com

PM News Classified Ads Reach over 13,500 DPM's and Students

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