The Voice of Podiatrists

Serving Over 12,000 Podiatrists Daily

December 15, 2009 #3,727 Publisher-Barry Block, DPM, JD

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WEBSITE UPGRADE - MEETING NOTICES

If you are planning to attend podiatry meetings in 2010, we suggest you visit our new upgraded meetings page http://www.podiatrym.com/meetings.pdf   Here you'll find a calendar of upcoming podiatric meetings.   

IL Podiatrist Offers Advice for Foot Health During the Holidays

If you have a foot or ankle problem, you are not alone. Four out of every five Americans suffer some sort of foot problem during their lives. These problems can eventually cause pain throughout the skeletal structure, and manifest themselves as pain in the knee, hip, or back. How your feet feel can be a reflection of your general health. If they hurt, they may be signaling more serious conditions. They may be your first indication of serious medical problems such as: arthritis, diabetes, nerve, and circulatory disorders.

Dr. Ashley Keren

Dr. Ashley Keren of the Happy Feet Clinic in Buffalo Grove, IL, offers practical tips for the holiday season, so you can keep your feet healthy and avoid unnecessary stress and complications. Lots of holiday shopping usually means lots of walking, which add up to painful feet! She recommends that you moisturize, stretch, and massage your feet. This will release tension, increase circulation, and rejuvenate the skin after a long day on your feet.

Source: WESQ.com [12/12/09]

CA Podiatrist Still Making Free Throws at 87

Dr. Tom Amberry, a junior college All-American basketball player in the 1940s, frequents coaching clinics around the country and instructs players to keep their shoulders and feet square when they step to the line. A few coaches questioned the 87-year-old retired podiatrist's philosophy, until they learned that he set a Guinness world record by making 2,750 consecutive free throws without a miss in 1993. He was 72.

Dr. Tom Amberry

Amberry said today's players don't value free throws the way they should, plus "they're shootin 'em all wrong." "You want to shoot straight ahead," said Amberry, who was hired by the Chicago Bulls in 2002. "You envision your arm 15-foot long and dropping it in the basket." Players tend to focus on a routine sometimes more than on form, which Amberry said has to be the top priority.

Source: Myron P. Medcalf, Star Tribune [12/12/09]

FL Podiatrist Publishes Recipe Book

Lori Vinikoor, of West Delray, recently completed a recipe book with a funny title made with seriously healthy ingredients: Auntie Oxidant's Recipes of the Tropics. "My ability to create recipes with antioxidants and other helpful ingredients that work well together and taste so delicious comes from a combination of my scientific background and my childhood years helping my grandmother can tomatoes and pick vegetables on the farms of New Jersey where I grew up," said Vinikoor, a retired podiatrist.

Dr. Lori Vinikoor

"We had lots of fun mixing and tasting those recipes," she said. "I have several parties during the year for friends and relatives. I tried the recipes on them and listened to their opinions to perfect the recipes before I included them in my book."

Vinikoor graduated from Rutgers University with a degree in zoology, then went to the New York College of Podiatric Medicine. She and her husband, Joel Vinikoor, live on a farm, where they cultivate tropical fruit trees and raise horses.

Source: Mort Mazor, Florida Sun-Sentinel [12/11/09]

CA Podiatrist Preserves Legacy of His Photographer Partner

As a photographer, Victor Arimondi was a rarity in that there were more pictures of him out there than pictures by him. The late Arimondi was an Italian fashion model before he came to San Francisco in the early 1980s and started working the other side of the camera.  His body of work was in progress when Arimondi died in 2001, with negatives still drying in his darkroom, three months after learning he was HIV-positive.

Dr. Donald Hershman

"It was like he was hit by a car," says Donald Hershman, Arimondi's partner. He was 58, and following a flurry of obituary-style gallery shows, Arimondi's photography was pulled from circulation by Hershman, 55, a San Francisco podiatrist. "I didn't just want to sell his work," he says. "I wanted a legacy."

Eight years later, that legacy is coming to light. "A Compassionate Eye: The Work of Victor Arimondi" has been extended through Jan. 7 at the James C. Hormel Gay and Lesbian Center, Main Library in San Francisco. "He had a Van Gogh personality. He was not a normal person," says Hershman, who has hopes for a show at the New York Public Library and a book. "I want the work secured in the world of art where it belongs," he says. "I want Victor to be recognized."

Source: Sam Whiting, San Francisco Chronicle [12/12/09]

Impact of Senate Healthcare Bill on Physicians

The Senate national health system reform bill -- the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act -- includes several significant physician-related provisions. It would:

• Raise Medicare physician pay by 0.5% in 2010, but allow a 23% cut in 2011.
• Pay 10% Medicare bonuses for primary care services provided from 2011 through 2016 by physicians and others practicing in health professional shortage areas. Half of the bonuses would be offset through across-the-board reductions in other services.
• Impose a 5% tax on elective cosmetic surgical procedures, with exceptions for deformities related to "a congenital abnormality, a personal injury resulting from an accident or trauma, or disfiguring disease."
• Charge the Health and Human Services secretary with creating a value-based payment modifier separate from the Medicare physician fee schedule by Jan. 1, 2012, for initial implementation on Jan. 1, 2015.
• Extend payment for the Medicare Physician Quality Reporting Initiative through 2014, with possible 1% bonuses in 2011 and 0.5% bonuses in 2012, 2013 and 2014. Physicians who do not report quality data by 2014 would receive a 1.5% cut in 2015, phasing up to 2% in 2016 and beyond.
• Create an independent, 15-member Independent Medicare Advisory Board to propose methods to limit Medicare spending growth. The plans could not reduce pay for hospitals, hospices and durable medical equipment suppliers. The board's recommendations would go into effect unless Congress adopts an alternative measure achieving the same level of savings.
• Impose recertification fees for physicians and institutions participating in Medicare. Individual doctors would pay $200 every five years. 

Sources: Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, Congressional Budget Office, Office of the Senate Majority Leader, American Medical Association

RE: Strengthening the Feet Will Not Correct Biomechanical Problems (Ray McClanahan, DPM)
From: Bruce Williams, DPM, Stephen Pribut, DPM

Dr. McClanahan, states that, “there is no evidence for any of these assertions” in reference to ”Athletic footwear is healthy for runners, and some runners need shoes to guide them, and correct their pronation.”  He then goes on to state, but not cite, the large amount of published literature that states, “Faulty gait patterns, overpronation, foot weakness, and chronic injuries in runners are caused by footwear, not corrected by footwear."

The paper that Dr. McClanahan chose to reference, the only paper, was primarily authored by someone with a vested interest in the sale of “barefoot” running shoes. You can follow this link to where it is discussed in more detail.

Unfortunately for Dr. McClanahan, it appears that his primary interest is in selling a product as well. I look forward to his citing published works or studies that will ratify his claims. 

Bruce Williams, DPM, Merrillville, IN,  bwilliams@airbaud.net

A journalist writing a few sentences from a two year old, 40 minute interview does not constitute a "published opinion". Nor can a few sentences adequately cover complex issues.

Ray McClanahan, jumped to the conclusion that my opinion and standard podiatric thought is that less than ideal biomechanics and improper shoes create running injuries. Studies have not...

Editor's note: Dr. Pribut's extended-length letter can be read at: http://www.podiatrym.com/letters2.cfm?id=31187&start=1

RE: The Prescribing of Uric Acid Lowering Drugs (Barry Mullen, DPM)
From:  Elliot Udell, DPM, Pete Harvey, DPM

Dr. Mullen makes excellent points with regard to whether it might be best for an internist to be the one to treat a patient's hyperuricemia, however, there is another question. Is it legal for a podiatrist to prescribe uric acid lowering medications? What is sparking this question for me, at this point in time, is that there is a new uric acid lowering medication called Uloric. The sales rep has been visiting my office and letting me know that my colleagues are indeed prescribing this for their patients. 

I would like to know definitively what the law is with regard to our prescribing, Uloric, allopurinol, probenecid, or any other uric acid lowering drug that might be developed in the future. To date, I have only received  opinions on whether it should or should not be within our scope of practice, and opinions on what might be best for a patient. I'd like to know if there is a way of finding out definitively as to what the law is with regard to our prescribing these drugs. To be blunt, I have never had or would I expect a sales rep to come into my office trying to convince me to prescribe glucose-lowering drugs. It's clear cut that the treatment of diabetes is legally out of bounds for us. 
 
Elliot Udell, DPM, Hicksville, NY, Elliotu@aol.com
 
Dr. Mullen’s comments are well received. My original treatment comment was made with the assumption that ALL podiatric physicians automatically see to it that any patient presenting with an acute gouty attack has subsequent follow-up with his/her physician for proper medical management of hyperuricemia of whatever origin. In my office, all patients are urged to see their physician the next day. If they do not have a family doctor, an appointment is made for them.

Most of our acute gout patients have been referred to us by the hospital ER or the patient’s own physician. It is my job to stop the pain today and then refer the patient for further evaluation. Regarding the selection of injectibles, the one I mentioned does not work one out of five times or sometimes. It works every time. I can safely tell patients that they will feel better in the next few days. Dr. Mullen infers that I assume full medical management of gout. This is an incorrect assumption.

Pete Harvey, DPM, Wichita Falls, TX, pmh@wffeet.com

RE: National Pathology Services (Steven Block, DPM)
From: Michael Forman, DPM

I have been using BAKO for some of our specimens. Brad Bakotic is a DPM/DO who is incredibly supportive of podiatry and its colleges to the tune of hundreds of thousands of dollars. I believe in supporting those who support us. We are extremely pleased with BAKO on many levels and recommend them highly.

Michael Forman, DPM, Cleveland, OH, im4man@aol.com

RE: Foot Powder Wins Mayoral Election

Controversy is raging in Picoaza, Ecuador because a foot powder named Pulvapies was elected mayor of this town of 4,000.

A foot deodorant firm decided during recent mayoral election campaigns to use the slogan: “vote for any candidate, but if you want well-being and hygiene, vote for Pulvapies.” On the eve of the election, the company distributed a leaflet the same size and color as the official voting papers, saying “For Mayor, Honorable Pulvapies.”

When the votes were counted, the town had elected Pulvapies mayor.

Editor’s note: This is a true story which occurred in 1967.
 
Source: Snoopes.com via Dr. Neil M. Scheffler

ASSOCIATE POSITION - FREDERICK, MD

ASSOCIATE POSITION - SOUTHEAST GEORGIA & SOUTH CAROLINA

Seeking recent residency graduate to join practice. Must be PSR-24/36 trained. Multiple locations. Full range of services with new facility. Fax cover letter & CV to (843) 208-3348 or E-mail to melissafoot@pol.net

PODIATRISTS 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 Jake Shimansky, Director of Physician Recruitment. Phone-773-342-5221 FAX 773-486-3548-E-Mail jshimansky@homephysicians.com www.homephysicians.com

ASSOCIATE POSITION - NW IOWA (SIOUX CITY AREA)

Well-established, diverse, growing practice. Excellent referral base. Seeking an ethical, hardworking, motivated, caring podiatrist to fill a full-time position. Multiple hospital affiliations. Generous income with room for growth, leading to partnership for the right candidate. See our community www.siouxlandchamber.com. Fax CV, resume, three references to 712-258-9977.

ASSOCIATE 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

PRACTICE WANTED- NYC/LI AREA

I am an ABPS board certified podiatrist seeking to purchase a well established practice. I am looking for the current practitioner to help with the transition. All offers will be considered. Complete confidentiality will be upheld. Please contact poddr45@yahoo.com for more information. This advertisement is not affiliated with a broker.

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 a full-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

PRACTICE FOR SALE - FLORIDA—CENTRAL/SOUTH

Turn-key operation grossing $570,000 annually based on one full-time doctor. Great opportunity for growing the top-line. Surgery is only 14% of the professional man-hours; it can significantly increase income. Medicare makes up 64% of revenues. Seller will assist with transition. Call 863-688-1725, ask for Chas.

PRACTICE FOR SALE - CENTRAL SOUTH CAROLINA

Practice grossing $400,000 annually based on one full-time doctor with two offices. Surgery is currently about 10-15% but can easily be increased. Medicare makes up 52% of revenues. May be able to take over practice with no money down. Interested parties email to footdocsc@gmail.com

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