The Voice of Podiatrists

Serving Over 10,000 Podiatrists Daily

December 13, 2007 #3,116 Editor-Barry Block, DPM, JD

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OK Podiatrist Stresses Prevention For Cherokees With Diabetes

In the fight against diabetes, the Cherokee Nation acts big by thinking small. Instead of initiating a sweeping program in its 14-county jurisdiction in Northeastern Oklahoma when it received a large increase in diabetes-related federal funds six years ago, the tribe went the opposite direction. It now assists community centers and schools financially and reaches out elsewhere, signing up as many people as it can to walk, run, dance, hike, and learn to cook and eat better.

Dr. David Randall

Dr. David Randall, chief of podiatry for the tribe, said he has seen the results of the diabetes program in fewer amputations and better access to foot care. Among the improvements in foot medicine are monthly shoe clinics and availability of high-quality, professionally fit shoes, regardless of ability to pay. "It is far easier to prevent a problem than to salvage it (the foot) after a problem has come about," he said.

What's the response? The tribe has confronted diabetes "full force," he added. Patients are more "proactive" and they no longer have a fatalistic attitude about the disease. The tribe also focuses on places where changes can have a wide impact; in many rural areas, the school serves as the de-facto center of community life, so opening up gyms and walking tracks, serves children and adults.

Jeff Raymond, The Oklahoman [12/9/07]

NY Podiatrist Funds Season’s Greetings Banners

As the Monticello Village Board argued over the authorization of $1,100 in funding for holiday street banners Monday, local podiatrist Marc Hudes said that his company, Medical Associates, would pay for them. The board gladly accepted.

Dr. Marc Hudes

The banners, which will read "Season's Greetings," will go up on Broadway this month. Hudes said he was looking to support a village he believes is headed in the right direction.

Source: Times – Herald –Record [12/11/07]

Do More To Kick Staph Infections: APIC members

A lot is being done to combat the spread of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus, or MRSA, infections, but a lot more can and should be done, according to 2,100 members of the Association of Professionals in Infection Control who responded to an online poll last month. The poll was done in conjunction with the publication of a report in the December edition of the Journal of Infection Control indicating that 46 of every 1,000 inpatients in the nation’s healthcare facilities are infected or colonized with the MRSA bug. The findings, which indicated MRSA prevalence to be eight times higher than previously estimated.

About one-fifth of the association’s members responded to the poll with about 59% stating that their facility has adopted or is in the process of adopting MRSA interventions. Half also said not enough is being done. Of the 41% who work where no interventions are being done or implemented, 19% said they lacked resources to carry out interventions while others cited a lack of support from hospital leadership, not enough time or not enough staff.

Interventions include identifying high-risk areas in the facility; patient surveillance and isolation; better hand hygiene; more use of gloves, gowns and masks; and cleaning and decontaminating equipment and the environment.

Source: Andis Robeznieks, Modern Healthcare [12/12/07]

Query: Lamisil MIC Levels With Cladosporium Sp.

I have a healthy female patient with a final culture result of Cladosporium sp. Lamisil orally can work against this dermatiaceous fungi but the MIC is 5 ug/ml. Does anyone know if this MIC is attainable with the standard does of 200 mg. daily?

Mark J. Tuccio DPM, Jamestown, NY

Query: Podiatrists Dispensing Non-Diabetic Shoes

Do podiatrists who dispense regular shoes use a separate room to do so? What brands are most popular and how is time set aside time for fitting and dispensation? Do you have displays in their fitting room? What is the estimated cost to begin such a venture?

Ira E Bennett DPM, RPh, New Port Richey, FL

RE: Don't Judge Running Shoes By Price Tag
From: Cary M. Zinkin, DPM

The edited article appearing here has somewhat changed the meaning of the original article posted in the British Journal of Sports Medicine and reported on WSB- TV.com. The study British study used running shoes costing between $75 and $150 per pair. These shoes would not be for casual wear or "light" or weekend runners but ones sought out by serious long distance runners. While a $75 running shoe might be the right choice for one runner, the $150 pair would be best for another, never, should a serious or long distance runner consider that a cheap $15 shoe be just as comfortable or safe as the highly technologically advanced running shoes available today at the higher price.

Cary M. Zinkin, DPM, Deerfield Beach, FL, CZinkin@aol.com

I also agree with Dr. Rogers assessment of the "hoops" imposed by the ABPS. The surgical boards need to be more realistic and "podiatric-friendly" instead of intimidating and exclusionary. Other medical specialties allow their cases accumulated during their residency to count for their requirements. Without surgical board certification it is almost impossible for a practitioner to get on insurance plans and hospitals staffs.

Most of the subject material on the exam is not applicable to what is seen in practice and the requirements for sitting for ABPS are unfair as well. Being board certified does not necessarily make one a better podiatrist just because he or she can pass the exam. We need to be more sympathetic and understanding to our younger colleagues, as they are our future. ('An empty belly, has no ethics'.)

David S. Wolf, DPM, Houston, TX, RebDovid@aol.com

I sympathize with Name Withheld in his struggle to become board certified. It definitely must be frustrating but the requirements are clearly stated what is necessary to become board certified. Board certification is not supposed to be easy. If it were easy, then everybody would be doing it and the board would lose credibility.

I take pride in being board certified by the American Board of Podiatric Surgery and relaxing the requirements for this individual or that situation would quite frankly piss me off. Many doctors have had the same complaints but did what they had to do to get certified. Guidelines are necessary and the evolution of the standards has helped our profession. In fact, making them more stringent is probably in order.

I am not trying to be arrogant, but come on. In order for podiatry to rise above, get equal parity in the medical community, we need to prove that we are legitimate medical specialists. It would only strengthen us for word to get out that, hey, that doctor is board certified, he must know what he is doing. There are too many questionable certifying boards out there. This is happening in other realms and lawyers are having a field day, e.g., GP's taking weekend courses in liposuction, getting their certificate, and killing people on Monday morning.

Eugene A. Batelli, DPM, Lodi, NJ, ebatelli2001@yahoo.com

When it came time to go for board certification, I contacted the ABPS to ask if a Surgical Fellowship would allow me to sit for their boards. The answer I was given was rather rude (not JUST a No). They said I'd have to go back and drop everything to do a 2 year surgical residency to sit for their board.

Rather than do that, I discovered another board that certifies in podiatric surgery. They were more concerned with your skills and experience, rather than their own archaic guidelines. Happily, I am now Board Certified in Podiatric Surgery as well as Primary Podiatric Care through the ABMSP (American Board of Multiple Specialties in Podiatry). They are also the only board that certifies in Diabetic Foot Wounds (and soon Ultrasonography)

This is from their website: "The American Board of Multiple Specialties in Podiatry is the only podiatric certification program accredited by the National Commission for Certifying Agencies (NCCA), a national accreditation body for certification programs, and the Board is in the process of applying for accreditation from the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) under the ISO International Standards for Accreditation for Bodies Operating Certification of Persons."

I would look here if ABPS has made your life difficult.

Noah A. Blumofe, DPM, Santa Monica, CA, nblumofe@hotmail.com

ASSOCIATE POSITION – VIRGINIA

Must have Virginia license. Requires 24 to 36 month Residency. Permanent position with potential buy in. Includes all phases of Practice excluding nursing homes. Competitive Salary and Benefit package. Please send Resume including salary requirements and availability date to needpodjob@yahoo.com

ASSOCIATE PART-TIME POSITION MARYLAND

Part-time, Leading to a full time position. A well-established, successful podiatry group in Washington Suburban area of Maryland , Ownership opportunity. Surgery Center on-site. Great office staff. Flexible schedule. Great opportunity. Biomechanics and or Surgical residency experience preferred. Fax Curriculum to 240 465 0332. Email pmrypmry@yahoo.com. Call 240 604 4564.

ASSOCIATE WANTED – NEW YORK IMMEDIATE OPENING

Busy multi-dimensional practice; 70 miles north of New York City . Currently five (5)-doctor practice. looking to expand – all phases of podiatric medicine. contact: (845) 454-8308 EXT: 106

FULL OR PART-TIME POSITION WANTED – LOS ANGELES COUNTY

Well-trained podiatrist looking for a full or part-time position in Los Angeles County area. Professional, motivated, courteous and interacts well with patients and staff. Recently completed Kaiser 3-year surgical training program. CV and letters of recommendation available upon request. samiam_dpm@yahoo.com or 818-693-4790.

A well-established, ethical solo podiatry practice wishes to expand its current surgical services by hiring a full time associate with PSR-24/36 training which includes strong surgical rear-foot and ankle reconstruction, diabetic limb salvage (AZ is a no amputation state) and ER trauma. ABPS qualified/certification required. Applicant must be personable and caring to patients. Practice in an office base within a state-of-the-art orthopedic surgical hospital environment and plenty of future expansion capabilities for a bright, eager, reliable associate. Email complete CV with current references and photo to footdoc352@cox.net

PRACTICE FOR SALE-CENTRAL WYOMING

Come enjoy the great outdoors. Growing practice. Established referral patterns. Full hospital privileges available. No nursing home care. No HMO’s. Few PPO’s. Great opportunity for surgical growth for the right individual. Currently grossing $200,000+ with 20 hours patient contact. E-mail for more info at mvfc@wyoming.com

ASSOCIATE POSITION - CHICAGOLAND AREA

We are a large multi office practice that covers from the Chicago area to Northwest Indiana. We are currently looking for two hard working motivated individuals to join our practice in these two areas. It is a long-term opportunity with unlimited growth potential in all phases of podiatry for the right person. Please contact for more information @ m-lacey@footexperts.com

Home Physicians, a medical group specializing in house calls is looking to hire podiatrists. We are located in Chicago and Northwest Indiana. 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 -- www.homephysicians.com

PRACTICE FOR SALE (OR ASSOCIATE POSITION) - QUEENS, NY

Practice available. Terms available to work as an associate towards partner/ownership, or buy practice outright. Excellent opportunity for motivated podiatrist. Busy practice grossing $400K without surgery. Medicare 70%. Surgically trained podiatrist can significantly increase income. Close to hospitals and transportation. Call (646) 373-8921.

PRACTICE FOR SALE - SOUTH CAROLINA

Upstate SC practice of 25 years. Retiring. High Volume. 65% routine foot care, 35% surgery. Several nursing homes. Plenty of opportunity for growth. Grosses over $450,000.00 yearly. Hospital and Surgery Center privileges. Financials available upon request. Serious inquiries only! Beautiful area. Contact: Carolinafootdoctor@yahoo.com

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