From: Daniel Chaskin, DPM
Running Large Language Models (LLMs) locally through Ollama or LM Studio have become the gold standard approach for independent clinics, hospitals, and medical software developers building clinical charting and billing tools.
Because medical data is governed by strict privacy laws like HIPAA, sending patient data to a third-party cloud API (like OpenAI or Anthropic) introduces significant legal, security, and compliance liabilities. Running models locally via Ollama or LM Studio completely eliminates this risk by processing patient notes entirely on-premise, with zero data leaving the clinic's local network.
Daniel Chaskin, DPM, North Bellmore, NY
Editor’s comment: PM News does not provide legal advice. Using the free or plus versions of ChatGPT does not ensure HIPAA compliance because it does not allow for Business Associate Agreements (BAA). The Enterprise and Developer Tools (ChatGPT Enterprise/API) version does allow for BAAs.
06/04/2026
RESPONSES/COMMENTS (AI)
RE: Evaluating Trusted Locally Controlled AI Systems
From: Daniel Chaskin, DPM
The deployment of artificial intelligence within clinical settings should ensure data privacy and clinical accuracy. Emerging open-source platforms—such as LM Studio and Ollama—now enable individual podiatrists to deploy localized, private Large Language Models (LLMs) directly on secure hardware. This architecture allows practitioners to enter evidence-based reference materials into a local database. The LLM can then be queried exclusively against this trusted dataset, minimizing the risk of "hallucinations" while maintaining strict confidentiality.
I believe that the American Podiatric Medical Association should consider actively developing and distributing verified, standardized datasets optimized for members to securely upload into secure LLM systems.
Daniel Chaskin, DPM, North Bellmore, NY
05/20/2026
RESPONSES/COMMENTS (AI)
RE: More AI Uses and Features
From: George Jacobson, DPM
I don't think the profession is using these new AI technologies in their everyday practice. I have been using AI to evaluate all of my personal market holdings and strategies. I can now monitor CEFs and ETFs for destructive NAV patterns with updated tax estimates. It tracks the amount of room for ROTH conversions without pushing into a higher tax bracket while also tracking the ceiling to receive the maximum additional >65-year old's additional tax deductions.
George Jacobson, DPM, Hollywood, FL
05/11/2026
RESPONSES/COMMENTS (AI)
RE: Free OpenEvidence AI for Physicians
OpenEvidence is a free AI for physicians. You have to have an NPI# to join. It even cites references with its answers.
George Jacobson, DPM, Hollywood, FL
04/06/2026
RESPONSES/COMMENTS (AI)
RE: AI In Your Future?
From: Paul Kesselman, DPM
In a recent Becker's Spine Review, there is an interesting quote which should cause concern. "AI is coming fast and being widely employed before it has been refined. AI slop is going to be a big problem. Patients are being guided by an AI agent that generates unrealistic expectations and creates confusion. The surgeon will have to find a way to get ahead of the conversation, but this will be challenging. AI billing agents are communicating with each other (from the practice and from the insurance companies). The result will be a drive to over-simplification, delay, and inaccurate reimbursement."
As one can see, while we as providers think we have the upper hand by using AI to ensure our charting and documentation adheres to the third-party payer policy, the insurance carrier is doing the same thing. Their systems may be more robust than ours, but perhaps not. The AI chatting going back and forth will no doubt, as the article states, create significant delays, inaccurate payments, and outright denials, even for clean claims.
Paul Kesselman, DPM, Oceanside, NY
03/26/2025
RESPONSES/COMMENTS (AI)
RE: An AI Experience for You
From: Martin R. Taubman, DPM, MBA
I’m certain that many of you are familiar with AI and its many uses. However, to some there may still be some confusion of how AI works and just what it does. The following example is the result of my AI query to, “research and provide a complete report of the history of podiatry.” You will be amazed at the results. Not only was a comprehensive history, with references of our profession provided, but if you scroll to the end of the report, you will find a link to an audio “podcast” with simulated humans. On the one hand, this is a terrific tool; however, on the other hand, it is pretty scary. Could this be the future?
Martin R. Taubman, DPM, MBA, San Diego, CA
