11/26/2024
RESPONSES/COMMENTS (PODIATRISTS IN THE COMMUNITY)
From: William Defeo, DPM,
I recently saw that two of my classmates, Schail Frank and Steve Deitch, retired after 48 and 47 years of practice, respectively. I retired after 46 years. I think I left too soon. What a great profession. Congratulations to both.
William Defeo, DPM, Allentown, PA
06/05/2024
RESPONSES/COMMENTS (PODIATRISTS IN THE COMMUNITY)
From: Alan Sherman, DPM
I would like to thank Al Musella for his tireless, generous, and effective work on connecting patients with cancer with innovative solutions, including clinical trials. He is a real mensch.
Alan Sherman, DPM, Boca Raton, FL
06/04/2024
RESPONSES/COMMENTS (PODIATRISTS IN THE COMMUNITY)
From: David H. Long, DPM, Paris, TN
Congratulations to Randy Crampton, DPM on his retirement. I, like many others, entered this profession due to his influence. He warmly welcomed pre-med students into his office, and took time to promote the profession. Enjoy the retirement Randy, it's much deserved.
David H. Long, DPM, Paris, TN
04/23/2024
RESPONSES/COMMENTS (PODIATRISTS IN THE COMMUNITY)
I’d like to take this opportunity to congratulate Dr. Ronnie Lepow on his retirement. I had the honor and pleasure of serving on the APMA BOT with Dr Lepow. His leadership and dedication to our profession were outstanding. His devotion to bring our profession together and achieve equality with our MD and osteopathic colleagues has led to the success that our profession has obtained today.
Mazel tov, my good friend; enjoy many years in retirement!
Harold Glickman, DPM, past president, APMA
04/22/2024
RESPONSES/COMMENTS (PODIATRISTS IN THE COMMUNITY)
From: Chris Robertozzi, DPM
Congratulations to Dr. Ronnie Lepow on his retirement. He has been an avid advocate for podiatry, not just in the United States but the world. His professional career was one of service above self. I had the good fortune to serve on the APMA Board of Trustees with Ronnie when he was President. He always led by example and was a mentor to me. Thank you for all you have done for this great profession.
Chris Robertozzi, DPM, Newton, NJ
04/17/2024
RESPONSES/COMMENTS (PODIATRISTS IN THE COMMUNITY)
From: Alan Sherman, DPM, Joel Feder, DPM
I would like to add my heartfelt congratulations to the many others that will be coming in for the great Ronald S. Lepow, DPM on his retirement from practice. As patriarch of one of the finest podiatry families, he has given enormously to the profession and leaves behind a legacy that his entire family should be so proud of.
Alan Sherman, DPM, Boca Raton, FL
He has been a true leader in advancing podiatric medicine with years of dedication. We wish him only the best in his well-earned retirement.
Joel Feder, DPM, Retired
02/01/2024
RESPONSES/COMMENTS (PODIATRISTS IN THE COMMUNITY)
From: Tip Sullivan, DPM
I was interested in yesterday’s post which indicated the use of a robot in foot surgery by a young podiatrist who claims to have been trained in this technique. Many of my general surgery and OB/GYN friends use a robot daily but when I searched for the use of a robot in foot surgery there, was not a lot there. I was wondering, are there any residency programs teaching this technique?
Our multispecialty center looked into buying a robot—they are expensive! Is this just another minimal incision technique? I would love to learn more about it and I am sure a large number of PM News readers would be interested.
Tip Sullivan, DPM, Jackson, MS
12/21/2023
RESPONSES/COMMENTS (PODIATRISTS IN THE COMMUNITY)
From: Ivar E. Roth DPM, MPH
I agree with Dr. Gurnick, who I totally respect as a true professional representing our profession, that “properly” made orthotics can be life changing. I prescribe a fair number of orthotics from my office and the interesting thing is that if done properly the patients will be your biggest advocate for your practice.
I was recently told by the orthotic lab that I prescribe more second and third pairs than the original number of orthotics I prescribed. That means one thing... if done well, patients love what orthotics do for them to the point that they come back and often request additional pairs.
Orthotics have become an annuity at my office with me just taking orders for additional pairs without doing any extra work. I say thank God for orthotics and what they can do for our practice and our patients. I wholeheartedly recommend that those NOT prescribing learn to make orthotics properly to help their patients and themselves with this annuity.
Ivar E. Roth DPM, MPH, Newport Beach, CA
12/20/2023
RESPONSES/COMMENTS (PODIATRISTS IN THE COMMUNITY)
From: Keith L. Gurnick, DPM
At CCPM in San Francisco (1976-1980), we were taught biomechanics by the best in the West and we spent time in the mechanical orthotic lab learning how to prescribe and make foot orthotics for our clinic patients. I arrived at my opinions from this and my 41 years of private practice, and my experience both as a practicing podiatrist who prescribes and also often makes many of his own orthotics "in house". I was hands-on in the orthotic manufacturing industry business back in the 1980s as a co-founder and co-owner of a local orthotic lab where at its peak, we were manufacturing about 100 orders daily. I honestly think I personally applied more rearfoot acrylic posts than any one podiatrist in the country, but I could be wrong.
It is always frustrating when I see any patient that has poorly prescribed or poorly manufactured "custom prescription foot orthotics" irrespective of the profession who prescribed and the method of capturing the image of...
Editor's note: Dr. Gurnick's extended-length letter can be read here.
12/19/2023
RESPONSES/COMMENTS (PODIATRISTS IN THE COMMUNITY)
From: Robert Scott Steinberg, DPM
I want to take issue with some of Dr. Gurnick's opinions because he didn't tell us how he arrived at them. Weekly, I see patients presenting with failed orthotic treatments. Nearly 100% have the same defects: Arch height 50% or less of what it should be; shallow heel cups of 2-4 mm; external rearfoot posts that do not extend to the medial and lateral edges of the heel cups. Rarely are any of these orthotics made from a plaster cast.
Seeing what I see, "Plaster casting, 'a unique approach,' is often considered a lost art form." appears to be all too true. More than that, far too many DPMs are unwilling to take the time to cast. They do no more than the chiropractor down the street.
Robert Scott Steinberg, DPM, Schaumburg, IL
12/18/2023
RESPONSES/COMMENTS (PODIATRISTS IN THE COMMUNITY) - PART 1B
From: Keith L. Gurnick, DPM
I would like to commend Dr. Kristina Janson for making orthotics "in-house", and I suspect from her passion that she has obtained the skills and training necessary to properly and safely work with the necessary materials to fabricate orthotics for her patients. And yes, the process of making custom prescription foot orthotics can be labor intensive which is why so many local and national custom foot orthotic laboratories exist, going back to the increased awareness and prescribing of foot orthotics by podiatrists beginning with the boom of the distance running craze back in the late 1960s and early 1970s.
I do have some minor disagreements to her post that I would like to address.
1) There are more than a few podiatrists in the USA that make their own orthotics that have the same passion she has, and desire to make a great patient-specific oriented product and also have the training, experience, and expertise to do so. Sadly, this type of training has been neglected in the education of our podiatry students at our colleges.
2) A majority of podiatrists (that means at least 50%) have switched to 3D printed orthotics. I don't think so.
3) Plaster casting, "a unique approach" it is often considered a lost art form. False. Plaster casting is neither unique, nor a lost art form. 1000s and 1000s of plaster casts are still sent to labs every day to make custom orthotics.
4) Are plaster casts, foam casts, or imaging better to make a custom foot orthotic? It depends mostly on the clinician and the lab, but certainly, I believe that imaging technology is advanced enough to capture "foot nuances".
Keith L. Gurnick, DPM, Los Angeles, CA
08/09/2023
RESPONSES/COMMENTS (PODIATRISTS IN THE COMMUNITY)
From: Ivar E. Roth DPM, MPH
Congratulations to Dr. Markinson concerning his accomplishments.
Ivar E. Roth DPM, MPH, Newport Beach, CA
07/06/2022
RESPONSES/COMMENTS (PODIATRISTS IN THE COMMUNITY)
From: Norman A. Wortzman, DPM, Lloyd Smith, DPM
I would like to join Adam Landsman DPM, PhD and others in congratulating Stuart Kigner, DPM, on his retirement after 38 years of service at Massachusetts General Hospital. Stu graduated from the Pennsylvania College of Podiatric Medicine, now Temple University, in 1981. He completed the Central Massachusetts podiatric residency program prior to joining MGH.
While Stu has focused the majority of his career on the non-surgical treatment of wound patients, he has been an integral part of our efforts to develop the surgical podiatry service currently in place at MGH. Stu has worked closely with the MGH Vascular Service in his efforts to prevent amputations. Stu has also been intimately involved in our podiatric research efforts. He has recently written a manuscript on off-loading diabetic wounds, currently submitted for publication. He will be remaining with the Podiatry Service as a member of our podiatric research team. Not only is Stu a good friend and colleague, but he has been a mentor to me, having served as lead podiatrist and as residency director prior to my assuming the role of Director of Podiatric Services. Congrats Stu on a much deserved retirement. Enjoy your time with your wife, children, and grandchildren.
Norman A. Wortzman, DPM, Boston, MA
I likewise congratulate my Massachusetts colleague, Stu Kigner. His loyalty and accomplishments are noteworthy. The story of MGH podiatry was complex and typical of many battles podiatry has fought. Since I am retired, I no longer know the latest status of our profession at that hospital system. I hope it is better than what I observed. I am sure others will know.
Lloyd Smith, DPM, APMA Past President
07/05/2022
RESPONSES/COMMENTS (PODIATRISTS IN THE COMMUNITY)
From: Michael M. Rosenblatt, DPM
Heartiest congratulations to Dr. Stuart Kigner, DPM who is now retiring after 38 years of employment at Massachusetts General Hospital! I actually had to read this announcement twice to be certain that I understood it.
I admit I was shocked that DPMs have been on the staff of MGH for so many years. It is unlikely that those misinformed DPMs who create a flood of anti-podiatry rhetoric online know anything about this podiatrist's distinguished history. Or that such recognition would even be "possible" for a DPM or have any idea a DPM achieved this status.
Michael M. Rosenblatt, DPM, Henderson, NV
07/04/2022
RESPONSES/COMMENTS (PODIATRISTS IN THE COMMUNITY)
RE: The Retirement of Stuart Kigner, DPM
From: Adam Landsman, DPM
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Dr. Stuart Kigner |
My colleague and friend, Dr. Stuart Kigner retired today after practicing for 38 years at Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH) — the longest time that any podiatrist has ever practiced at MGH!
Adam Landsman, DPM, NY, NY
06/23/2022
RESPONSES/COMMENTS (PODIATRISTS IN THE COMMUNITY)
RE: Take Time to Smell the Roses
From: Judith E Rubin, DPM
After 39 years of practicing podiatric medicine and surgery, I retired on March 31, 2022. That was my way of ending my burnout. I sold my practice to my associate Dr. Amr El Khashab. He has been my associate for the past 5 years. I know that there is more to life than podiatry. After going to college at 16, going through 8 years of college and podiatry school and 2 years as a Northlake resident in Chicago Illinois, I felt it was time to smell the roses. To all my colleagues, I wish you all the best and don’t wait too long. At 67, I don’t know how much more time I have left. I’m not sick but you never know. Keep in touch.
Judith E Rubin, DPM, Houston, TX
03/08/2022
RESPONSES/COMMENTS (PODIATRISTS IN THE COMMUNITY)
From: W. David Herbert DPM, JD
I read about Dr. Tram and his investing priorities. I agree that real estate can be a very good investment. My wife and I have owned about 25 properties, many of them were rental properties. I have owned rental properties in 4 different states. The trick is to own the right rental property in the right state. For example, California is not a good state to be a landlord in.
I believe Wyoming is one of the best states to be a landlord in, even much better than Montana. When investing, do your due diligence, preferably consult a real estate lawyer. Always try to own the property without any liens or mortgages on it!
W. David Herbert, DPM, JD, Billings, MT
12/07/2020
RESPONSES/COMMENTS (PODIATRISTS IN THE COMMUNITY)
From: Jay Sung, DPM
Congrats Dr. Gath for being recognized on your outstanding service to the community.
Jay Sung, DPM, Los Angeles, CA
10/27/2020
RESPONSES/COMMENTS (PODIATRISTS IN THE COMMUNITY)
From: F. Don Chantiles DPM
I would just like to congratulate Gary Gordon on his outstanding past 46 years of practice and his considerable achievements in sports medicine. I graduated with Gary in the class of 1973. It was a small class of approximately 45. We all got to know each other very well due to the class size, and thanks to Elaine Carville, DPM and her connection to the Navy Yard officers club, (as she was a retired Marine lieutenant colonel); we had many fun Friday after class times!
Gary, you are a real tribute to our profession. I hope your retirement is as exciting and as much fun as your professional career.
F. Don Chantiles, DPM. York, PA
10/26/2020
RESPONSES/COMMENTS (PODIATRISTS IN THE COMMUNITY)
RE: Philadelphia Area Podiatrist Retires After 46 Years
From: Alicia Canzanese, DPM
For the past forty-six years, Gary Gordon, DPM, felt privileged to practice podiatric medicine. His decision to retire was not an easy one. He loves the field he chose. He enjoyed his patients, treating and caring for so many, whether it was general podiatric issues, surgery, or sports medicine. During his career, Dr. Gordon has had the opportunity to address local groups, as well as national and international podiatric and sports medicine organizations. He is a past-president of the American Academy of Podiatric Sports Medicine and the American Running Association.
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Dr. Gary Gordon |
He is a true pioneer of podiatric sports medicine in the local area as a volunteer with the Penn Relays for many years and his previous involvement with the Philadelphia 76ers. In what would have been his forty-seventh year of practice, COVID-19 hitting our country forced a lot of unwanted changes, including his decision to retire from practice.
Alicia Canzanese, DPM, Glenside, PA
