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December 02, 2008 #3,414 Editor-Barry Block, DPM, JD

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APMA Honors Four with Meritorious Service Awards

The American Podiatric Medical Association (APMA) has awarded its 2008-9 Meritorious Service Awards to four podiatrists. The Meritorious Service Award honors members in good standing in recognition of outstanding accomplishments on the local, state, or regional level in scientific, professional, or civic endeavors who have had a profound impact on podiatric medicine.

Those selected were:

Dr. William Beaton, Jr.

William J. Beaton, DPM (FL) – Past President of the Florida Podiatric Medical Association

Dr. Franklin Kase

Franklin Kase, DPM (CA) – Past President of the California Podiatric Medical Association

Dr. Jodie N. Sengstock

Jodie N. Sengstock, DPM (MI) – President-Elect of the Michigan Podiatric Medical Association

Dr. Janet Simon

Janet Simon, DPM (NM)- Past President of the New Mexico Podiatric Medical Association

NJ Podiatrist is First U.S. Mayor from the Dominican Republic

The election was over, but a campaign sign for Dr. Alex Blanco still lingered on the second floor above a corner barber shop a few doors down from his old apartment — a plywood square, painted white, with his name stenciled in blue like a school project, a humble remnant from a landmark vote.

Dr. Alex Blanco (Photo: Timothy Ivy)

Dr. Blanco’s old landlord spotted him, greeting him with the same congratulatory embrace he met wherever he stopped on a drive around the city that had just elected him mayor. “He made history,” said Max Navarro, 52, who came to Passaic 35 years ago from the Dominican Republic. Dr. Blanco became the first Dominican elected to a mayor’s office in the United States.

After his public swearing-in next week to a new job, with a $72,000 annual salary that marks a significant pay cut, he hopes to still spend a couple of nights a week at his podiatry clinic on Broadway. He will also have to keep campaigning. His term — the balance of former mayor Rivera’s — will end in May.

Source: Kevin Coyne, The New York Times [11/28/08]

CA Podiatrist Organizes Thanksgiving Food Drive

On Thanksgiving Day, while most people were celebrating, Dr. Holly Spohn-Gross was distributing food to the needy. “I’m a physician and I see the direct effect. Economically, it is causing a crisis in our city and I thought this was a great way to help out.”

Dr. Holly Spohn-Gross

“I have patients who can’t afford co-pays and who can’t afford the gas to come to the office. Some patients don’t take their medicines because they can’t afford them, so this is affecting us directly.”

Source: CNN [11/27/08]

Query: AO Fixation Techniques

Could someone recommend a good source (DVD, book, website) on AO internal fixation principles and techniques for the foot?

Mr. Paul Gabriel Scullion, FCPodS, Dublin, Ireland

Query: Practice in England

Can anyone help me obtain information regarding the practice of podiatric medicine and surgery (with special attention to wound care) in England? I am a member of the EU by marriage.

William M. Miller, DPM, Bergenfield, NJ

RE: Efficacy of Alternate Treatment for Heel Pain (Steven Goldstein, DPM)
From: Allen Mark Jacobs, DPM

The recent commentary by Dr. Goldstein regarding the use of Botox for recalcitrant heel pain opined that Botox injections are "dangerous" and should not be used for heel pain as other "new technologies" such as Topaz, cryosurgery, etc. were preferentially available for use by the practitioner.

The fact is that there are NO RCT's to support the use of TOPAZ, or cryosurgery for plantar fasciitis. The mere fact that a company pays someone to lecture at our meetings on their experience with such modalities does not per se validate such therapy as efficacious. The publication of a series of cases by individuals with financial ties to corporations manufacturing such therapies needs to be recalled when reading such publications in non-peer-reviewed "journals", or when attending such lectures. All too frequently, the consulting position or other financial arrangements of the speaker with the product manufacturer are not made clear to the reader or listener. Both expert opinion and small case series are low-level EBM in any event.

Insurance carriers generally do not pay for TOPAZ, cryosurgery, PRP injections, or ECSWT for the management of recalcitrant plantar fasciitis. I have witnessed speakers endorsing such therapies who advise questionable billing practices in order to secure payment ( e.g.- bill as "microtenotomy", or "partial plantar fasciotomy" ) for these procedures.

The data supporting Botox A injection for plantar fasciitis is more robust than that available for TOPAZ or for cryosurgery. The best data available supports any form of plantar fasciotomy for recalcitrant plantar fasciitis (EPF, percutaneous, instep, open).

Allen Mark Jacobs, DPM, St. Louis, MO, allenthepod@sbcglobal.net

RE: Inheriting Employees
From: Name Withheld

Being an employed podiatrist, can I suggest you let the existing doctors practice podiatry the way they have been doing already. Obviously, if you think a patient is going to be harmed by treatment or the lack thereof, then intervene. However, there always is more than one way to treat problems, and as we all know certain procedures work better for some than for others, e.g., different bunionectomy procedures. I worked for several years as an associate just out of residency for one doctor who never said do things this way or that way. He just let me know he was available if I needed help. That allowed me to develop my own way to practice with a caring helpful senior doctor as my colleague, and not as my "boss."

For family reasons, I had to leave the area and now work for another doctor who tries to tell me how to treat this and that, and who treats me like I am a resident, rather than as a colleague. Talk about a frustrating experience for me! Please think things through before you try to manage your employed podiatrists. If you are that concerned about their practice skills, then maybe you shouldn't have associate podiatrists in your practice.

Name Withheld

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.

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

PODIATRIST NEEDED—SEATTLE, WA

Established podiatric practice in Seattle, WA is looking for licensed podiatrist for part-time leading to full-time position. Need help with Adult Family Homes and Nursing Homes as well as in the office. Flexible schedule and attractive compensation. For all details please call 206-661-9644.

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 - 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

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

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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