The Voice of Podiatrists

Serving Over 11,000 Podiatrists Daily

November 21, 2008 #3,406 Editor-Barry Block, DPM, JD

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MO Podiatrist Uses Dermagraft for Non-Healing Wounds

Hannibal Regional Hospital has begun offering Dermagraft wound closure, a break-through product for the treatment of diabetic foot ulcers, to patients through the office of Dr. Edward Cline, podiatrist with Hannibal Regional Medical Group. Dermagraft is appropriate for patients with chronic or non-healing wounds of the foot or leg.

Dr. Edward Cline

Dermagraft is a procedure which can be done in the doctor’s office and requires no sutures or anesthesia. This service is reimbursable through several major insurance companies, as well as Medicare for patients suffering from diabetic wounds. A doctor referral is required for the procedure. The procedure helps wounds heal by “rebuilding the first layer of skin,” explained Dr. Cline.

Source: Hannibal Courier-Post [11/18/08]

NYCPM Ceremony Honors 30 With Scholarship Awards

On Tuesday, November 18, members of the Classes of 2010 and 2011, along with faculty, administration, proud parents and other relatives, as well as several distinguished guests, gathered in one of the large lecture halls at the New York College of Podiatric Medicine (NYCPM) to honor thirty high-achieving members of the two classes with scholarship awards and certificates.

NYCPM President & CEO Louis L. Levine congratulates students being honored at the College’s annual Scholarship Awards ceremony.

Robert Eckles, DPM, Dean of Clinical Studies and Graduate Medical Education, opened the ceremony by introducing Louis L. Levine, President and CEO, and Michael J. Trepal, DPM, Vice President for Academic Affairs and Dean, both of whom offered brief remarks. Dr. Eckles also introduced the distinguished guests, who included Robert D. Rampino, DPM, Immediate Past President of the New York State Podiatric Medical Association (NYSPMA); Christian A. Robertozzi, DPM, Past President of the American Podiatric Medical Association (APMA), who presented the Jonathan Robertozzi Foundation Memorial Scholarship; Lawrence Santi, DPM, Past President of the NYSPMA, whose son, Joseph, was one of the students being honored; Len Thaler, Executive Director of the NYSPMA; and Israel Goldstein, DPM, Adjunct Instructor of Primary Podiatric Medicine at NYCPM, who has endowed the Maimonides Award for Academic Excellence and Community Service.

All told, NYCPM awards more than $550,000 in scholarships annually, including awards to graduating seniors. Many of the scholarships are endowed by NYCPM alumni or are sponsored by organizations such as the APMA and the NYSPMA. The awards ceremony itself was generously supported by Alterna LLC, makers of Kerasal® and JointFlex®.

Nominations Being Accepted For AAPSM Athletic Training Award

The American Academy of Podiatric Sports Medicine (AASPM), the largest sports medicine affiliate of the American Podiatric Medical Association, is now accepting nominations for an Award to be presented to an athletic trainer who displays commitment and excellence in the field of sports medicine. This award will be presented at the National Athletic Trainers’ Association annual meeting June 17-20, 2009 in San Antonio, Texas.

All nominees must be members in good standing of the NATA. All nominations should be accompanied by a brief description of qualification(s), not to exceed 200 words. The deadline for submission is March 15, 2009. Please submit nominees to: Ms. Rita Yates, Executive Director, American Academy of Podiatric Sports Medicine, 109 Greenwich Dr, Walkersville, MD 21793 ritayates2@aol.com

Lawmakers Praise Appointment of Daschle for HHS Secretary

Sen. Thomas Daschle

Lawmakers from both sides of the aisle on Capitol Hill lauded former Senate Majority Leader Tom Daschle’s decision to accept President-elect Barack Obama’s offer to be HHS secretary. News of Daschle’s appointment to HHS was reported by various sources, including the Associated Press.

Sen. Orrin Hatch (R-UT), a member of the Finance and Health, Education, Labor & Pensions committees praised the Daschle choice. “He understands both sides of the Hill,” Hatch said, adding that HHS is “one of the most difficult agencies” in government and that the former senator “is a very, very good choice.”

Daschle, an adviser to the law firm of Alston and Bird in Washington, has also been appointed to lead a healthcare policy working group by the Obama-Biden presidential transition team. This decision “speaks volumes about the importance the Obama administration places on working with Congress to enact comprehensive health reform, and on managing our current health programs,” Rep. Pete Stark (D-CA), chairman of the House Ways and Means Health Subcommittee, said in a statement.

Source: Matthew DoBias and Jennifer Lubell, Modern Healthcare [11/19/08]

Query: Chronic Bone Stimulator Use

I have a brittle, blind diabetic patient who suffered Charcot fractures of her talus and calcaneus. She healed with total contact casting, wheelchair, and a bone stimulator. She still has it and has used it every day for a year after her fracture has healed. I do not know she was still doing this, even though I see her every 3 months. The ankle and foot appear fine and x-rays show no change. Are there any known complications from chronic bone stimulator use?

Chuck Anderson, DPM, Norman, OK

Query: Disposal of Narcotics

Does anyone know of the proper method of disposal of expired, emergency-kit narcotics? And, no, we were told that they are not considered hazardous waste.

Todd Rotwein, DPM, Hempstead, NY

RE: NY Podiatrist Overbilled State: Audit
From: Name Withheld, Paul Kesselman, DPM

In these difficult financial times, I am having problems keeping patients when I have to compete with podiatrists in my area who waive the co-pays and deductibles and make every visit covered under Medicare. Every day I hear "Dr. X never charges my friends the co-payment" and "All of my friends go to the podiatrist whenever they want and it is always covered by Medicare - why do you want to charge me?" It is getting hard to practice the right way.

One quick fix for the problem of waived co-pays and deductibles is simple: the insurance company should pay the full amount that they allow, and then bill the patient for the co-pay and deductible. This would immediately result in big savings for the insurance company, as patients will no longer be drawn to the out-of-network providers who don't charge them the co-payments and deductibles, eliminating this type of fraud. This will save the honest practitioner time, aggravation and money, leading more to stay in-network.

Name Withheld

Editor's note: An extended-length letter by Dr. Kesselman appears at: http://www.podiatrym.com/letters2.cfm?id=23217&start=1

RE: ASPS, APMA’s New Surgical Affiliate (Walter Strash, DPM)
From: Multiple Repondents

The sole purpose of the American Society of Podiatric Surgery is to be a surgical education and research affiliate organization that will be a resource for APMA and our profession. There is and will be no attempt to dilute the value or the process necessary to attain board certification. In fact, attaining board certification by the two APMA-recognized boards, ABPS and ABPOPPM, has nothing to do with ASPS membership. In fact, membership in APMA or in an APMA recognized affiliate organization, or any other organization for that matter, has no bearing on eligibility for board certification by the two APMA recognized boards, ABPS and ABPOPPM. APMA affiliate organizations are not credentialing bodies and are not and should not be confused as such.

Ross E. Taubman, DPM, President, APMA, retaubman@apma.org

After reading Dr. Strash's response to Dr. Mandracchia's comments, I am not surprised at his response. It is the typical response of many certified rearfoot and ankle surgeons who are now sitting in the back seat, pointing fingers at the "rest" of their colleagues.
Dr. Strash mentioned he took the rearfoot certification boards after about eight years of further post graduate training and was able to do so before the "cut-off" date and that everyone else should have followed the rules.

What rules? I certainly do not remember a cut-off date for rearfoot certification by ABPS for graduates of one year PSRs. (If there was, I never received a letter from ABPS!) What about the many other colleagues, myself included, who graduated years after Dr. Strash, have sought further training to feel competent and secure in passing the exam, and now find ourselves unable to be examined due to the "cut-off" date?

Dr. Strash should be applauding Dr. Mandracchia's comments. He has been a pinnacle of education in our profession and his comments and position should not be taken lightly. If there is an exam to take, give us all the opportunity to take it; the results will speak for themselves.

Narmo L. Ortiz, Jr., DPM, Cape Coral, FL, nlortizdpm@embarqmail.com

Editor's note: An extended-length note by Dr. Buddecke appears at: http://www.podiatrym.com/letters2.cfm?id=23220&start=1

RE: ASPS, APMA’s New Surgical Affiliate
From: Barry Mullen, DPM, Juliet Burk, DPM

Kudos to Dr.'s Kanat and Kashan. They've both hit the nail on the head regarding this issue and I agree 100% w/ their sentiment. I'm confident I'm one of many former ACFAS fellows who saw right through the smoke and mirrors ACFAS' leadership attempted, resigned following this fiasco. APMA is THE organization that represents ALL podiatrists and fights in the trenches on a daily basis for the betterment of our profession. Somewhere along the way, ACFAS' leadership forgot what their organization's mission statement is and also forgot that they were elected to lead their membership, not dictate to it. Let's hope that the new ASPS fully espouses and endorses APMA's mission statement and acts as the surgical affiliate for its parent organization in a responsive and responsible way...something ACFAS has long since abandoned.

Barry Mullen, DPM, Hackettstown, NJ, yazy630@aol.com

The idea that a surgical affiliate, be it ASPS or ACFAS, can adequately represent the podiatric profession really only highlights a critical shift in podiatric medicine—the devaluation of the primary care podiatrist. I believe that we have fundamentally weakened the profession in the last decade with multiple states requiring surgical residencies in order to even get a license. No wonder the pedorthists and physical therapists are making such gains into our market share. Will a podiatrist who practices primarily biomechanics have a place left to hang a shingle in a few years? There is so much good we can do in our profession in the PREVENTION of surgery that in many ways economically improves our practices.

I practice in Oklahoma, a state where if I were to apply today, I would be unable to even be licensed to practice. But interestingly, I am well-regarded by my patients and community, and much less likely to harm a patient than a podiatrist who practices surgery. YET, I would be denied a license today because of licensure laws designed to protect patients from inadequate care. And I am limited in where I can practice if I ever decided to move. Where is the logic in that? State by state, and dare I say nationally, we are choosing to disenfranchise podiatrists who choose not to do surgery. It would be akin to MD’s outlawing primary care providers. Will this nonsense ever stop? We won’t flourish as a profession until we can decide who we are, and we are not all surgeons.

Juliet Burk, DPM, Muskogee, OK, juliet-burk@cherokee.org

Editor's note: Having presented a representation of opinions on this issue, we are temporarily closing this topic. We will reopen this topic when more details about ASPS become available.

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 part-time podiatrist in a multi practice location in Chicago. Must have two years of surgical residency. Please e-mail resume to f-massuda@footexperts.com

ISO CONSULTING/MANAGERIAL OPPORTUNITIES FLORIDA

Established practitioner, with extensive clinical and practice management experience, is retiring to Florida, and is seeking consulting/managerial opportunities within podiatry or in general health care in the Broward County/Palm Beach County area. Could also provide expertise in product/educational development. Please email responses to retiredpod@gmail.com

EQUIPMENT FOR RENT - EXTREMITY MRI

Now you can rent an extremity MRI, have the scan performed, read by a board-certified radiologist and derive all the income. two convenient locations, Manhattan East 60th street between Park and Lexington, and Plainview, Long Island. Conforms to the Stark amendment; call for information (516) 476-1815.

LOOKING FOR FINANCIAL SECURITY?

Our practice continues to grow and we’re in search of a motivated, well-trained DPM who is great with patients. Our multi-office practice is located in the scenic Hudson Valley region of New York State. This is a great career opportunity for the right person(s), with an excellent compensation package available. Please reply to Hudson Valley Foot Associates, PO Box 3300, Kingston, NY 12402-3300; or email CV and cover letter to: jobs@hvfa.com

ASSOCIATE POSITION – MASSACHUSETTS

Excellent opportunity for a highly-motivated, entrepreneurial individual to join a very successful, rapidly growing multi-office practice, North of Boston. Seeking a PSR-24/36 trained podiatrist to join our group. We offer a competitive salary/benefit package with the opportunity of partnership after one year, for the right individual. Send CV and letter of interest to drfleishman@nefootankle.com

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 full-time podiatrist in a multi practice location in the Chicagoland and Northwest Indiana area. Must have two years of surgical residency. Please e-mail resume to d-kitchens@footexperts.com

ASSOCIATE POSITION –GEORGIA

A well-established practice in South Georgia seeks a full time PSR-24/36 trained podiatrist. Excellent benefit package. Please send CV to agriffin@southernpodiatry.com. For more information, visit our website

ASSOCIATE POSITION AVAILABLE-MIDTOWN MANHATTAN

Looking for Full-time associate to work in well established practices in midtown Manhattan and Forest Hills. Immediate opening for PSR 24-36 surgically trained Podiatrist. Great opportunity with competitive salary along with malpractice benefits. Please send CV to slurie@papapc.net

POSITION - NORTHERN VIRGINIA/DC SUBURB

Excellent associate practice opportunity leading to partnership for PSR 24-36 foot and ankle surgically-trained physician. Currently 4-doctor/2 office practice in fast-growing area, expanding to 5 doctors. Hard working, personable, highly-motivated individuals needed. Great opportunity with excellent salary and benefits. No nursing homes.Top hospitals. Fax CV with references to 703-491-9994

CASE CONSULTING

Dennis Shavelson, DPM is now accepting referrals of difficult cases involving biomechanics, surgical complications, non-healing wounds diagnostic and treatment dilemma’s and subtalar stenting from DPM’S. Full reporting with second opinion only, rapid return after care and assumption of care options. Medicare and Out-of-Network Only. (212) 288-3668 or drsha@lifestylepodiatry.com

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

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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