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| PM News | |
The Voice of Podiatrists
Serving Over 15,289 Podiatrists Daily
October 24, 2013 #4,897  Publisher-Barry Block, DPM, JD
A partner of Podiatry Management http://www.podiatrym.com
E-mail us by hitting the reply key.
COPYRIGHT 2013- No part of PM News can be reproduced without the
written permission of Barry Block
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| PM NEWS QUICK POLL | |
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| OUTSIDE INTERESTS | |
Sax Playing FL Podiatrist to Compete on Doctor Idol
It was the last appointment of the day at the end of another long week for Dr. Melvin Price, but the podiatrist was in a mirthful mood. "There's no business like toe business," he said. Or show business. Price knows about both, whether it's fixing soles or playing soul. The 57-year-old has been a foot doctor for nearly 30 years, and he has been a jazz saxophone player longer than that.
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Dr. Melvin Price (photo: Paul Videla) |
In fact, he was going to beat feet to St. Pete Beach for a gig that night with his band, NuJazz. It was a warm-up for "2013 Doctor Idol," a 7 p.m. Friday benefit at Sarasota's Hyatt Regency. Between seeing roughly 100 patients weekly for Manatee County Rural Health Services, playing sax at a couple of gigs a month and weekly band practice, Price is a man on the go. Have horn, will travel. "I couldn't survive without it," Price said, showing off a shiny alto sax. "It's calming. It puts me in a different place. No matter how bad I feel, I feel good when I start playing."
Source: Vin Mannix, Bradenton Herald [10/22/13]
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| PODIATRISTS AND THE LAW | |
WA Podiatrist Sent to Prison for Medicare Fraud
A Yakima podiatrist was sentenced to a year and a day of prison time following his December 2012 conviction on 32 counts of Medicare fraud. Dr. Curtis Holden will also be required to pay $129,000 in restitution. U.S. attorneys had sought two years of incarceration for Holden for routinely “upcoding,” or altering the medical codes on various procedures he performed in order to receive greater reimbursement from Medicare.
Source: Molly Rosbach, Yakima Herald-Republic [10/21/13]
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| INTERNATIONAL MEETING NEWS | |
World Congress of Podiatry is Largest Ever
FIP President, Dr. Joseph Caporusso delivered his opening address at the FIP World Congress of Podiatry in Rome, Italy on October 17th 2013. Dr. Caporusso said, "This has been the best turn-out to date with over 1,000 participants from 40 different countries." Participants consisted of podiatrists, orthopedic, vascular, and general surgeons, dermatologists, and an interventional radiologist. Even the Sultan of Brunei got involved by sending several podiatrists through the offices of his Ministry of Health.
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Dr. Joseph Caporusso |
The World Congress ran for three days and featured three lecture tracks each day. It provided something for everybody from basic podiatry to advanced surgical techniques. Each day featured three tracks of workshops which were jam- packed. Keynote speakers gave excellent presentations on global issues that relate to our profession. On the morning of October 16, Pope Francis blessed the FIP and the foot doctors of the world in his weekly address.
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| MEETING NEWS | |
"Superman" Attends Beach Lectures at GTEF Meeting - KeyWest
Over 100 attendees enjoyed the 4th Annual "No Nonsense" meeting held in Key West last weekend. Director, Dr. Sam Mendicino, AKA "superman" hosted margaritas and case lectures ON THE BEACH!
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(L-R) Jeni Williams, Rachel Johnson, and Dr. Sam Mendicino |
To spice things up, seminar sponsors dressed as Wonder Woman (Rachel Johnson - Dr. Comfort) with sidekick (Jeni Williams - BAKO) also made an appearance! This meeting was a fundraiser for the Houston Podiatric Surgical Residency Programs.
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| QUERIES (CLINICAL) | |
Query: Cost Benefit of Digital Implants
These x-rays represent the attempted PIPJ fusion performed by me 10 years ago. This was back when insurance companies actually paid single specialty surgery center fees very much as they did multi-specialty ones, and it was not a cost issue to use digital implants. I recently saw this patient for a 10-year follow-up. She was very happy with her surgery and had no specific complaints. Digital implants do not last forever, and do not count on them alone to give your digit stability.
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Digital implants 2003 and 2013 |
Given the medical costs of digital implants for PIPJ arthrodesis and the multiple options regarding design, do the benefits outweigh the costs? For 15 years prior, I did digital fusions with axial K-wires cut off just under the distal skin. I am not convinced that digital implants do anything more than look cool on an x-ray and put money into someone else’s pocket. K-wires are $10, digital implants are $600— multiply that by the number that you do in 10 years and we see one reason the cost of surgery is out of control. I am not saying that digital implants do not offer any advantage or are “bad” things to use. I am simply sharing an observation and hopefully stimulating some thought about the cost benefit line.
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| RESPONSES/COMMENTS (CLINICAL) | |
From: Peter Bregman, DPM
Please check the superficial fibular nerve or superficial peroneal nerve (old term). Look for a Tinel's sign up in the leg down the ankle to the toe. It may be in the anterior or lateral compartment. If you find a Tinel's sign, then do a diagnostic block with a little Decadron, and you can confirm and maybe cure this condition.
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| RESPONSES/COMMENTS (NON-CLINICAL) | |
RE: My Office Was Embezzled
From: Name Withheld
For the benefit of those of you out there who haven't experienced this, and in whose offices it may take place (and likely is currently taking place in some), I thought it prudent to open a discussion on staff embezzlement.
Our medium sized group is currently in the middle of working through how much we have lost over a three-year period or so. The number went over six figures today. The practice experienced this about 20 years ago on a minor level and fairly strict prevention measures were established then to prevent recurrence. Of course, we've become a little lax, but...
Editor's note: This extended-length letter can be read here.
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| RESPONSES/COMMENTS (BIOMECANICS) | |
RE: Kudos to Joseph D'Amico, DPM
From: Arthur Lukoff, DPM
I came away from Dr. D'Amico's masterful presentation on how he used biomechanic principles learned from Dr. Schuster to treat and cure Mr. Jerry Seinfeld. As part of the presentation, an F-Scan was used to show the before and after changes in patients' foot function. I asked online what podiatrists who did not have an F-Scan could do?
Imagine my surprise when Dr. D'Amico called my office and invited me to spend time in his office. He said I could get the same results using Schuster's original biomechanical concepts, and that he was still using them. He showed me that the things I had learned in the '70s were still relevant today- such as performing a good biomechanical work-up and how to incorporate it into writing orthotic prescriptions. How unselfish of him.
This may be a good time for the college to offer a refresher course if there is interest in Schuster techniques. Thank you, Joe.
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| RESPONSES/COMMENTS (NEWS STORIES) - PART 1 | |
RE: Prevalence of Vitamin D Deficiency in Patients with Foot and Ankle Injuries (Elliot Udell, DPM)
From: Charles Morelli, DPM
I want to not only echo what was stated by Dr. Udell, but I also require certain patients to add not only vitamin D to their daily regimen of supplements, but to also add Vitamin K2. Any patient having surgery who is suspect, with a history of fractures or any evidence of osteopenia or osteoporosis will be required to take these and have a thorough work-up.
Vitamin K2 is of paramount importance as it not only activates proteins produced by Vitamin D that are necessary for the effective transport of calcium into the bone, but at concentrations of 90 - 120mcg daily, it has been shown to remove calcium from where it should not be (i.e., kidneys, heart, blood vessels). 45mcg is the recommended dose for addressing bone only. I know many of you are not aware of this Vitamin nor are many PCPs, endocrinologists, and rheumatologists, so I encourage all of you to research this and understand its importance, where it can be gotten from our diet (albeit difficult), and its role in explaining the "French paradox".
Briefly, the "French paradox" goes back to when we all thought the reason why the French and northern Italians have a lower prevalence of heart disease was due to their love of red wine. It turns out that this finding can be traced to the cheeses they tend to eat while drinking red wine. Certain fermented cheeses (Gouda and Brie specifically) have very high concentrations of Vitamin K2 and despite the high fat content of these cheeses, the K2 is very effective in keeping the arteries clear.
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From: Robert Kornfeld, DPM
To limit diagnosis of hypovitaminosis D to osteopaenia patients with fractures is, as we say in Brooklyn, bass ackwards. Vitamin D has been shown to decrease insulin resistance, decrease default into chronic inflammation, silence genes of degeneration, and serve as a co-factor in many essential physiologic pathways. It is something that should be quantified at least in every patient you see who is in pain or has a family history of diabetes (or has already been diagnosed). Waiting for fractures due to bone atrophy and then looking at Vit. D levels is the exact reason why our symptom-oriented medical paradigm is failing to control the rising levels of pathology in our society.
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MEETING NOTICES
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| CLASSIFIED ADS |
HOME FOOT CARE, INC. - LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA
Looking for reliable, honest, and motivated podiatrists to join our group to assist with house calls to patient’s home residences, and some group facilities. Candidate must be willing to drive throughout the San Fernando Valley and the greater Los Angeles area. Part/Full time, flexible hours, independence, great compensation! If interested, please email resume to: homefootcare@hotmail.com
ASSOCIATE POSITION - CT (GREENWICH, FAIRFIELD AND NORTH HAVEN)
Join one of the largest podiatric groups in Connecticut. Well-established and progressive offices, including EMR, digital x-ray, vascular and NCV studies, Pinpointe and CO2 lasers, diagnostic ultrasound and electrical stimulation therapy. You can expect a full schedule of patients the day you start, and a very competitive salary. For more info www.greatfootcare.com. Send resume to: Dr.Kassaris@yahoo.com
ASSOCIATE POSITION - FLORIDA
Great opportunity for PSR- 24/36 BE/BC podiatrist with strong surgical skills to join multi-office practice. Hospital privileges available at 648 bed hospital system, 200 bed hospital system and multiple surgical centers. Florida has a great scope of practice law and we rotate for ER call at all 4 hospitals. Candidate needs to be ethical and motivated. Established practitioner or new practitioner OK. Base salary, percentage, benefits including 401K. Fax CV to (239)566-8778 or Email CV to Drgordon@gulfcoastfootcare.com.
PODIATRIST WANTED - LONG ISLAND, NY
Busy Nassau County NY office, experienced in all phases of podiatry, preferably board certified, excellent salary, email CV to jobke@aol.com
ASSOCIATE POSITION – TX
Are you looking for a permanent practice home? Do you have great biomechanics skills and maybe not so interested in ankle surgery? Are you highly motivated and ready to work in the Grapevine, Keller or Bedford area? If you answered yes to any of these questions, email: newfaantassociate@yahoo.com Put Hire Me in the subject line.
ASSOCIATE POSITION - DAYTON, OHIO
Join an established group practice in Dayton, Ohio excellent reputation, large referral base. Base Salary$120,000, benefits and bonus structure. EMR;diagnostic ultrasound; Padnet; CO2 and Cutera Laser for nails, all aspects of DME. We need well trained personable PSR24/36 surgeon. Future Buy-in available. Please send CV to: Ohiomedical@aol.com
ASSOCIATE POSITION - PENNSYLVANIA
Associate Wanted for busy, multifaceted podiatry practice in Chester and Delaware counties, Pennsylvania. Seeking PSR-24/36 trained podiatrist for full/part time associate position. Two offices and hospital privileges. Send CV and letter to: 123bunion@gmail.com
PODIATRIST WANTED - MN
We are seeking highly motivated, experienced and enthusiastic associate’s to join our successful, well-established practice, we currently have 6 locations and plans to add more, throughout Minnesota. The practice incorporates surgery, wound care, sports medicine and general podiatry. This opportunity offers an excellent salary, bonus and % commission with benefits, also an opportunity to become an associate down the road. PPMR/PSR required. Email CV to: kpepple@midwestpodiatrycenters.com
ASSOCIATE POSITION AVAILABLE – NEW YORK AND/OR NEW JERSEY
Hard work, grueling hours, and low pay. Seeking a top producer only. We are seeking motivated and enthusiastic associate to join our well-established practice. Send resume to footcomfort@outlook.com
ASSOCIATE POSITION - CENTRAL FLORIDA
Associate wanted for well-established practice in central Florida. Experienced support staff, malpractice coverage and health insurance provided. Excellent opportunity for a promising future. To apply please go to www.yourcareerinpodiatry.com
RECONSTRUCTIVE FELLOWSHIP POSITION – SOUTHWEST, FL
R U a SuperStar? PM&S36 or PSR24. prerequisite. Hardworking w/o Ego. ABPS BC/BQ required RRA. 1 year Fellowship will entail Ring, Rods, complex reconstructive planning/procedures and practice management. Research projects and posters to present at yearly fellowship conference. Send CV, Tell why you are a superstar. mny1029@gmail.com
CENTRAL KENTUCKY DIABETES MANAGEMENT FELLOWSHIP
Directed by Dr. Jonathan Moore of Cumberland Foot and Ankle Centers of Kentucky, this non-accredited, 1-year fellowship starts in July and offers a wide variety of training opportunities that focus on diabetes, but span a wide variety of pathologies and unique training opportunities. Work hands-on with our office administration team to learn ICD-10. Our on-staff certified orthotist, physical therapist, shoe store staff, MRI director and other team members will make this the most valuable training year of your career. Generous stipend, benefits, and free housing. Learn more at www.myhappyfoot.com (click the Fellowship Tab). Send CVs to jmoore@aappm.org.
EQUIPMENT FOR SALE -DIOWAVE 15 WATT, PORTABLE. 980 LASER
This is a used multiple function laser, plantar fasciitis, Achilles tendonitis, joint pain. nerve pain, post surgical, warts toenail problems , two year plus warranty, MSRP: 18,500 E mail Dr. Zuckerman at: footcare@comcast.net. for questions and pricing .
PRACTICE FOR SALE - CENTRAL NY SYRACUSE SUBURB
Disability forces quick sale of well-established 25+ year practice. Grossing 460,000. Fully equipped with pedorthist on staff. Brick building with apartment above office rented to same tenant 10+ years. Will sell practice and lease space or sell building along with this well rounded practice. High physician referral base. Respond to: instepwithpodiatry@gmail.com
PM News Classified Ads Reach over 14,500 DPMs and Students
Whether you have used equipment to sell or our offering an associate position, PM News classified ads are the fastest, most-effective way of reaching over 14,500 DPMs. for details, click here or write to:bblock@podiatrym.com or call (718) 897-9700 for details. Weekly ad rates start as low as $119 for a 50-word ad. THIS OFFER DOES NOT APPLY TO BUSINESSES PROVIDING PRODUCTS OR SERVICES. Note: For commercial or display ads contact David Kagan at (800) 284-5451.
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| Disclaimers |
Acceptance and publication by this newsletter of an advertisement, news story, or letter does not imply endorsement or approval by Barry Block or Kane Communications of the company, product, content or ideas expressed in this newsletter. Podiatric Medical News does not represent the views, and is a separate entity from Podiatry Management® Magazine and Podiatry Management® Online. Any information pertaining to legal matters should not be considered to be legal advice, which can only be obtained via individual consultation with an attorney. Information about Medicare billing should be confirmed with your State CAC.
THIS MESSAGE IS INTENDED ONLY FOR THE USE OF THE INDIVIDUAL OR
ENTITY TO WHICH IT IS ADDRESSED AND MAY CONTAIN INFORMATION THAT IS
PRIVILEGED, CONFIDENTIAL AND EXEMPT FROM DISCLOSURE.
If the reader of this message is not the intended recipient or an
employee or agent responsible for delivering the message to the
intended recipient, you are hereby notified that any dissemination,
distribution, or copying of this communication is strictly
prohibited. If you have received this communication in error, please
immediately notify me and you are hereby instructed to delete all
electronic copies and destroy all printed copies.
DISCLAIMER: Internet communications cannot be guaranteed to be
either timely or free of viruses.
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