The Voice of Podiatrists

Serving Over 12,500 Podiatrists Daily

November 02, 2010 #3,999 Publisher-Barry Block, DPM, JD

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Nail Salons Need to Follow State Regulations: GA Podiatrist

Despite state regulations mandating sanitation procedures, many salons don't take the time to actually clean the filters, inlets, foot plates, or any jet components. "You're hoping that everybody's following those rules and implementations and you can only hope for that," says Alap Shah, DPM. Dr. Shah is a podiatrist and co-owner of Footique in Columbus. This salon, he says, has been built on the concept of safe and sterile foot care. "We're going through a heavy sanitation process in regard to all our equipment, in regard to our furniture, as far as our basins and that type of thing."

Dr. Alap Shah

Shah says that they don't use jetted or whirlpool tubs. Each client gets her own bottle of polish, plus instruments pulled from a sterilization packet. Once used, the tools go through an autoclave, a machine that offers a hospital-like steam, sterilization process. "And that kills the spores, bacteria, viruses, you name it," adds Dr. Shah.

Source: Zaneta Lowe, WTVM [10/29/10]

PA Podiatrist Elected as PCA Board Treasurer

Arthur E. Helfand, DPM, has been elected as treasurer of the Board of Directors of the Philadelphia Corporation of Aging (PCA), a non-profit agency established in 1973 to improve the quality of life for older Philadelphians. He had served the last three years as Chairman of PCA, but was precluded from running for a fourth term because of PCA's Bylaws. Helfand is Professor Emeritus at Temple University, Adjunct Professor of Medicine at the Temple University School of Medicine, and consultant to Temple University’s Institute on Aging.

Dr. Arthur E. Helfand

Helfand formerly served as professor and chair at the Department of Community Health, Aging, and Health Policy at the Temple University School of Podiatric Medicine. He is a former president of the American Podiatric Medical Association and a former chair of the Pennsylvania Diabetes Academy.

NY Podiatrist Lectures at Israeil Integrative Medicine Conference

Dr. Dennis Shavelson recently lectured at The Inaugural International Integrative Medicine Conference in Jerusalem. The Conference was sponsored by The Israeli Society for Complementary Medicine of the Israeli Medical Association and was held at The Jerusalem International Conference Center. Lecturers from Asia, Africa, Europe and North and South America presented to 450 international attendees.

Dr. Dennis Shavelson in Israel

Dr. Shavelson represented the U.S. as "the closed chain specialist." His lecture, entitled “Wellness Biomechanics and Barefoot Running” was translated into five languages and was very well received.

Editor's Note: PM News is proud to present excerpts from Meet the Masters.

Bret Ribotsky: If you could alter the podiatric educational experience from entrance to podiatry school through the end of residency, what would you change?

Dr. Robert Frykberg

Robert Frykberg: I would direct my faculty to stimulate the students more to become independent thinkers, to focus on research, to focus on stimulating the academics and inquisitiveness. I do not see that. It is incredible that students can name 5 to 10 types of bunion surgery, but when you ask them about an antibiotic like ertapenem, a blank stare comes over their faces, which indicates that they are not learning medicines as part of their classes. 

In my mind, surgery is learned in residency. We need to focus on developing physicians rather than schools. Students should learn medicine, pathophysiology, pathology backwards and forwards in school, and learn about surgery afterwards. Let's focus on the basics and biomechanics, which is what separates us from other professions. Learn the surgery later.
 

Dr. Harold Vogler

Meet the Masters is broadcast each Tuesday Night at 9 PM (EST). The next segment  will feature podiatric surgery pioneer Dr. Harold Volgler . You can register for this event by clicking here

Remember the Quid Pro Quo

Build bonds when you ask for a favor. Before you end the conversation, be sure to ask, “Now what can I do for you?”

Source: Adapted from 1,001 Ways to Get Promoted, David Rye, Career Press via Communication Briefings

RE: New Antibiotic Approved
From: Steven Miller, DPM

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration today approved Teflaro (ceftaroline fosamil), an injectable antibiotic to treat adults with community acquired bacterial pneumonia (CABP) and acute bacterial skin and skin structure infections (ABSSSI), including methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA). Teflaro is an antibacterial agent in a class of drugs known as cephalosporins, which act by interfering with the bacterial cell wall.

The safety and effectiveness of Teflaro was evaluated in four, Phase-3 clinical trials in patients ages 18 years and older (two each in CABP and in ABSSSI). In the CABP trials, the comparator antibacterial treatment was Rocephin (ceftriaxone) and in the ABSSSI trials, the comparator antibacterial treatment was Vancocin (vancomycin) plus Azactam (aztreonam). The most commonly reported side-effects in patients treated with Teflaro included diarrhea, nausea, and rash. Teflaro should not be used in patients with sensitivities to cephalosporin antibiotics. FDA News Release, 10/29/10.

Steven Miller, DPM, Chicago, IL, miller613@hotmail.com

RE: Freedom (From Healthcare Premiums) is Near
From: John F. Swaim, DPM, George Jacobson, DPM

Freedom Day is on the horizon in my Northern California practice. I will see the light in three years, and I can't wait! Since purchasing the practice eight years ago, the healthcare premiums for my staff and my family have escalated 135%, and are now residing north of $3,400 per month with a $4,500 deductible. At the average annual increase rate over the next three years, my annual premium will cross the $50,000 per year mark in June of 2013, at which point, I can afford to take out a catastrophic plan and just bank the rest of the premium money and pay cash for outpatient surgery and medications.

I have already spoken with the local hospital and surgery center about pricing on common procedures--quite favorable terms can be obtained with cash. It will be a comedic turn, I admit--fiscally realizing that the insurance company serves no purpose other than to remove large chunks of cash from my pocket, deny coverage for several of my wife's medications, all the while minimizing my own reimbursements. What goes around comes around and regardless of healthcare reform, the end is near, at least for me, and I stand relieved.
 
John F. Swaim, DPM, Redding, CA, PodTexDoc@aol.com

It is really simple. We went from health insurance plans (80/20 %) to a healthcare delivery system. People now expect all their bills to be paid for the cost of their healthcare premium with minimal out-of-pocket expense. It is no longer insurance against catastrophe. It is a delivery system. HMOs, PPOs, POSs, etc. permanently changed the concept of insurance. 80/20 worked for healthcare and mortgages. Why do you think that Medicare was set up as an 80/20 plan? Without the 20% patient contribution, look at what happened.
 
George Jacobson, DPM, Hollywood, FL, fl1sun@msn.com

RE: Yellow Pages Listings in South Florida (George Jacobson, DPM)
From: Dale Feinberg, DPM

The Yellow Pages are a thing of the past. Open your local Yellow Pages and see how veterinarians do not battle each other in their local markets. There are more modern progressive ad avenues that deserve your time and your dime.
 
Dale Feinberg, DPM, Yuma, AZ, hd5bl@aol.com

RE: Pharmaceutical Companies Detailing Podiatrists
From: Thomas Graziano, DPM, MD, Jon Purdy, DPM

When drug companies do not detail you, it is their loss, not yours.  Why would  any physician care or be concerned with the fact that drug reps don't come to your office? You certainly do not rely on them to "teach" you about the efficacy of their drug. Don't worry; it's not a conspiracy.
 
Thomas Graziano, DPM, MD, Clifton, NJ,  TGrazi6236@aol.com

It is interesting to see how much physicians try to police each other. I don’t think there is another profession that comes close. If you want to see conflict of interest, look at the daily dealings of politicians and attorneys whose interactions influence the future of our country as well as our individual rights. Physicians take the Hippocratic oath and attend ethics seminars. If someone is going to be swayed in medical decision-making by a meal or some pens, there are bigger issues...

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

RE: The Future of Medicine (Daniel Grapel, DPM)
From: Stanley Beekman, DPM, Elliot Udell, DPM

I agree with Dr. Grapel that in many cases it would be difficult to turn our practices into an insurance-free entity.  The neighborhood in which a practice is located has a lot to do with this.

Dr. Grapel is more concerned about socialization of medicine than about the insurance companies and how they have changed things for us. I am old enough to remember the times when we would put patients in hospitals the night before a bunion surgery and they would stay in the hospital for days afterwards, until we would tell them it was time to go home. We received a higher reimbursement.  At the time insurance companies made a 15% profit. Obamacare wants to reduce insurance companies’ profits to 20%, which takes effect next year. Why do you think the shills for the insurance company want to REPEAL the bill before it is even in effect? It was not Obama who has decreased our reimbursement. It was the insurance companies.

Dr. Grapel should be more concerned about a more pressing issue, the 21.3% rate reduction by Medicare. I highly recommend that he take a look to see who voted for the pay patch and who didn’t before he votes on election day.

Stanley Beekman, DPM, Cleveland, OH, sbkmn1@gmail.com

Dr. Grapel's statement: "the socialist Obama's administration is helping to destroy this once great health system" is problematic.
 
Yes, the American healthcare system appears to be going to "hell in a handbag", but the legislation proposed by the Obama administration will first kick in four years from now. Whether you love him or hate him, Obama did not cause the problems that physicians and hospitals are currently facing, and legislators from both sides of the aisle now openly admit that the healthcare system in this country is in bad need of treatment.

Those who have read all or most of Obama's legislation have found some very positive things  and some very frightening things in it. I suspect that with a new Congress taking over this coming January, modifications to the current legislation will take place, and hopefully kinks in the healthcare law will be worked out for the benefit of our entire country.
 
Elliot Udell, DPM, Hicksville, NY, Elliotu@aol.com

RE: The Future of Medicine (Joel Lang, DPM)
From: Dennis Shavelson, DPM

Noting that Dr. Lang is retired and disconnected to the reality of Dr. Kornfeld’s topic, the first comment I have is that he has a poor perspective of the fact that we are not in control over our fees and collections. They are being controlled by the government and the insurance companies when we contract to work with them (in-plan) and our real incomes are going to continue to go down unless we can acculturate.

Dr. Lang's calling in-plan “a stable source of income” reflects a lack of appreciation that... 
 
Editor's Note: Dr. Shavelson's extended-length letter can be read here.

RE: PA Podiatrist is Among Doctors Paid By Pharmaceutical Companies on Posted Database
From: Elliot Udell, DPM

When Dr. Warren Joseph indicates  that his lectures are not biased even though his talks are subsidized by pharmaceutical companies, I  totally believe him. For over 20 years, I have seen Dr. Joseph lecture at many podiatry conventions and had the honor of observing him teach students at TUCPM and observed his work with JAPMA. He is not only one of the most talented teachers I have ever known, but is totally dedicated to our profession. The proof in the pudding is that he opens up lectures early on to questions from the audience and does not lead his lectures in the direction of any single antimicrobial agent. He is also brutally honest about what works and what does not.
 
It would be nice if a package of money would fall from heaven or Washington, DC and pay all medical lecturers for their presentations. That would prevent bias.  Unfortunately, this is not about to happen and medical conferences in all specialties depend on outside funding of speakers in order to meet their overhead. Often, representatives  of drug companies will sit in on a lecture funded by their company and if the lecture falls short of being an "infomercial" for their company, they will no longer subsidize that speaker. Professors like Warren Joseph have risen above this, but many others have not. It would be nice if this problem could be corrected. 
 
Elliot Udell, DPM, Hicksville, NY, Elliotu@aol.com

IMMEDIATELY AVAILABLE- ASSOCIATE POSITION - DAYTON, OHIO

ASSOCIATE POSITION – NORTH, CENTRAL & SOUTHERN ILLINOIS

Quality Podiatry Group provides quality services to residents at long term care facilities. We are currently offering full-time or part-time positions for motivated ethical podiatrists. Immediate openings are available. If interested, fax curriculum vitae to 847-674-2113 or e-mail to feetwork@aol.com

ASSOCIATION POSITION - MARYLAND AND DC

Immediate opportunity to join our group in Maryland and DC. Will consider full or part-time. Our practice is general podiatric care with a heavy slant on sports medicine/orthotics. In-office ASC. Must be PSR 24-36. Send cover letter and CV to hgodpm@verizon.net

PART-TIME / FULL-TIME PODIATRIST NEEDED ASAP - CHICAGO

Part-time podiatrist needed for 2 offices in Chicago with an average of 20 hours/week. Must have Illinois license. Must have completed 2 years of surgical residency. If qualified, email to f-massuda@footexperts.com

ASSOCIATE POSITION - NYC, NY

Part/time, full/time associate for busy, well established multi-doctor, multi-office NYC group. Seeking motivated, ethical, NYC licensed DPM with excellent office management and clinical skills in all phases of Podiatry. Board Qualified/Certified preferred. Salary plus incentives, pension/medical/dental. Partnership potential. Fax CV to 631-369-6570.

ASSOCIATE POSITION - SOUTHERN MI (NOT DETROIT!)

Associate To Partner Position-Salary/Bonus/ Benefits. Part of podiatrist group. All phases of surgery, forefoot/rear foot/ankle…whatever you want. Great chance of obtaining all cases needed for board certification in your first year! Area has lots of lakes, change of seasons, within a couple hours of Chicago. If interested email: paulapmac@gmail.com

ASSOCIATE POSITION - PHILADELPHIA, SOUTHERN NEW JERSEY

Seeking motivated, independent foot & ankle surgeon to join large practice. Our multi-office practice covers all aspects of foot and ankle pathology, including heavy hospital volume. Offering competitive salary and benefit package. Send CV and two references to bleich5252@yahoo.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

ASSOCIATESHIP - MARYLAND

A great opportunity to join and gain ownership interest of a well established, diversified practice in Maryland. 2-year residency needed, EHR, ultrasound, ASC, hospital close by with wound care center. Fax resume to 410-749-6807.

PART-TIME/FULL-TIME PODIATRIST NEEDED - INDIANA

Part-time full-time Podiatrist needed for our Indiana offices. Must have Indiana license. Must have completed two years of surgical residency. If qualified email to f-massuda@footexperts.com

IMMEDIATELY AVAILABLE- PHOENIX, AZ

A great opportunity to join and gain ownership interest in a well- established, diversified practice in Phoenix, AZ. Seeking motivated, ethical, well trained, personable AZ licensed DPM with excellent office management and clinical skills in all phases of Podiatry. Practice is state-of-the-art and encompasses all phases of podiatric care. New and established practitioners are welcome, or someone who would be open to merging a smaller practice with ours. Board Qualified/Certified required. Please send CV email phxpod@gmail.com

ASSOCIATE POSITION - CALIFORNIA

Busy, surgically-oriented practice in Bakersfield, CA seeks ABPS qualified/certified surgeon to join our existing two surgeons. Must be hard-working and honest. Strong reconstructive surgical practice with trauma privileges and wound care center/diabetic limb salvage center. Starting in December or January. E-mail CV to aghams2@aol.com

ASSOCIATE POSITION - NORTHERN NEW MEXICO

Associate needed for a dynamic group practice in Northern New Mexico. We are looking for a well-trained 3-year surgical resident to help us build our practice leading to partnership. In New Mexico we have a leg law. Besides a great professional experience, we have the mountains for skiing, fishing, hunting, and horseback riding. Ideal for an experienced podiatrist looking for a location change. Please send a resume to FootandAnkleAssociates@comcast.net

ASSOCIATE POSITION - SOUTHWEST FLORIDA

Immediate opening for the right candidate. Join a well-established podiatric group in Southwest Florida. We are a multi-office practice with EMR, Digital x-ray, and more. Seeking full-time associate that is PM and S-36 trained, personable, independent and highly motivated individual. Must be BC/BS in rearfoot and ankle with confidence in complex reconstructive cases. Full benefits package, competitive salary, excellent lifestyle. Please respond to JLH459@aol.com

TRAUMA FELLOWSHIP - FOOT & ANKLE

Broadlawns Medical Center in Des Moines, IA is currently accepting applications for its 12 month trauma surgery fellowship beginning August 1, 2011. Fellowship to include advanced techniques in all foot and ankle surgery with an emphasis on lower extremity trauma, reconstruction & total joint replacement. Residency training required. Competitive salary and benefits. Please submit a letter of interest, CV, and 3 letters of recommendation to: Ben Olsen, DPM, Director: Foot and Ankle Trauma Fellowship, Broadlawns Medical Center, 1801 Hickman Road, Des Moines, IA 50314, 515-282-7927, bolsen@broadlawns.org

PRACTICE FOR SALE - CONNECTICUT

Outstanding solo practice for sale in northern Fairfield county, CT.  Shared space with other medical professionals. Very low overhead.  Grossing almost $300K on 30 hours per week. Referrals from three different primary care physician offices. If interested e-mail CTPodiatry@gmail.com

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

PM News Classified Ads Reach over 12,500 DPM's and Students

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