A Podiatrist as Chief of Surgery

[jonwill]

I encourage you all to read the article in "Young Members' Exchange" about Dr. Wessels who is chief of surgery at a hospital in Illinois. A while ago, I got in a "discussion" with some SDNers that did not believe that a podiatric physician could hold such a position. Here is yet another example.

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[capo]

I encourage you all to read the article in "Young Members' Exchange" about Dr. Wessels who is chief of surgery at a hospital in Illinois. A while ago, I got in a "discussion" with some SDNers that did not believe that a podiatric physician could hold such a position. Here is yet another example.

jonwill, that is great and I'm glad to see it more and more now! It's awesome to know that older pods, who bitch about the profession and how it was in yesteryear (aka, "the dark ages") now would be proud to know how far this profession has come and is GOING. It's got to give a ton of inspiration and creedo to pods, and fire-up students to do this as a career.

You can now know everyday as you trudge bleary-eyed to school, that this is NOT all for naught. But rather this is a new time and era, and a real secure future in a medical specialty as well. Thanks for the info.

 

[densmore22]

At the hospital I worked at all through undergrad, a podiatrist by the name of Randall Anderson was chief of all the medical staff, not just surgeons, but every practicing physician that had priveledges to work in the hospital-for the exception of the emergency department physicians, who have thier own seperate contract through a seperate agency. Pretty cool if you ask me.

 

[MD2b20004]

At the hospital I worked at all through undergrad, a podiatrist by the name of Randall Anderson was chief of all the medical staff, not just surgeons, but every practicing physician that had priveledges to work in the hospital-for the exception of the emergency department physicians, who have thier own seperate contract through a seperate agency. Pretty cool if you ask me.

You can also be Director of the ER with a nursing degree. Its not what degree you have, but how you use it. If you want to be chief of whatever, it can be done, you will just have to want/deal with more administrative duties and less patient contact. It depends on your goal and comfort zone.

 

[jonwill]

You can also be Director of the ER with a nursing degree. Its not what degree you have, but how you use it. If you want to be chief of whatever, it can be done, you will just have to want/deal with more administrative duties and less patient contact. It depends on your goal and comfort zone.

After watching the podiatric physician at the program that I am currently visiting (chief of medical staff), I'm not sure I ever want to deal with hospital administrative duties!!!

 

[Dr. Foot]

I was really impressed when I read that article the other day. But at the same time suprised that he only did one year of residency. I think our profession will experience a huge turn in the very near future especially with 3 years of residency & fellowship which translate to an extensive training leading to more & more opportuinities throughout the country.

Good luck to all !!!

 

[AZPOD Rocks]

I was really impressed when I read that article the other day. But at the same time suprised that he only did one year of residency. I think our profession will experience a huge turn in the very near future especially with 3 years of residency & fellowship which translate to an extensive training leading to more & more opportuinities throughout the country.

Good luck to all !!!

I am sure you know this already, but until the early 80's only 1 out of 5 pod graduates were able to complete a residency. Of those, nearly all were 1 year positions. So, by virtue of his having completed a residency at all, that shows he was probably one of the more promising graduates.

I agree wholeheartedly about "a huge turn in the very near future especially with 3 years of residency & fellowship which translate to an extensive training leading to more & more opportuinities throughout the country."

I think the changes will be drastic.

AZPOD Rocks

 

[capo]

I think that a non-physician being the chief of all the hospital is despicable. Is this some podunk hospital in the middle of nowhere? I'd really like to see where a non-physician is the chief of the MEDICAL staff; I would certainly avoid that hospital.

Woah, Sensei you seem a little "sensitvie" about this subject?

 

[Dmayor22]

I dont understand either....a Podiatrist is a doctor...maybe not a MD but the school and training we undergo makes us quite capable of being in charge of our peers, key word peers.

 

[capo]

I dont understand either....a Podiatrist is a doctor...maybe not a MD but the school and training we undergo makes us quite capable of being in charge of our peers, key word peers.

Of course, an MBA can be head of a hospital (over ALL medical AND non-med staff) or HMO, etc. so at least DPM's are HIGHLY trained medical staff. How would Sensei feel about a businessman making MEDICAL decisions, like what meds to dispense or what tests to run on patients, as does this businessman to keep costs low

 

[MD2b20004]

Of course, an MBA can be head of a hospital (over ALL medical AND non-med staff) or HMO, etc. so at least DPM's are HIGHLY trained medical staff. How would Sensei feel about a businessman making MEDICAL decisions, like what meds to dispense or what tests to run on patients, as does this businessman to keep costs low

I agree, if you want to be Chief of anything or better yet CEO best to get an MBA from a good program and save yourself a lot of study time and loans. The President of my local private medical school probably can not tell you what a tumor is, he has a law degree and is President of a HUGE MEDICAL SCHOOL and ALL its AFFLIATED HOSPITALS.

 

[Dr. Foot]

THE SAME EXACT GARBAGE AGAIN

 

[capo]

THE SAME EXACT GARBAGE AGAIN

Foot, no I'm agreeing that DPM's can and SHOULD be heads of departments. There is no reason why a DPM can't be head. If a cardiologist can be head or an orthopedic, etc. than why can't a podiatric specialist be head? It matters not the specific discipline but rather, that one has the medical degree in the 1st place!

 

[The_Sensei]

Of course, an MBA can be head of a hospital (over ALL medical AND non-med staff) or HMO, etc. so at least DPM's are HIGHLY trained medical staff. How would Sensei feel about a businessman making MEDICAL decisions, like what meds to dispense or what tests to run on patients, as does this businessman to keep costs low

They do - they are the heads of HMOs and try to dictate medical care all the time. You'll see when you start practicing.

 

[Podman]

Neither myself or my colleagues consider podiatrists our "peers". You basically have to have a pulse and the requisite fees to attend a podiatry school. C'mon now.......

If you're so confident and sure by your claim - did you interview and profile all recent podiatrists by investigating their stats?

Do you honestly think that podiatrists who perform total ankle replacements and achilles tendon lengthening procedures only had a "pulse and the fees" to attend podiatry school? If you really believe that then perhaps you need to expand your horizons and look into our training and education before making ignorant comments like the one you made above.

Frankly, I don't "persecute" you for your comment perse because I'm sure there are more than a few members of the healthcare team who share your point of view - mainly due to ignorance and unawareness of who we are as professionals, and of course its no suprise that you made a comment like that.

I do recommend that you read the first "sticky post" in this forum which entails current and updated information about our profession, scope of practice, and training. Perhaps it will help demonstrate why many other physicians outside of your circle of "peers" consider us as their peers

 

[Dr. Foot]

The_Sensei stated "Neither myself or my colleagues consider podiatrists our "peers" - who the hell you think you are ??? and why you posting on our thread if you don't consider us as good as you are. I don't want to see you on our thread again you heard. Get lost

ciao

 

[Dr_Feelgood]

Don't even respond to jerks like that. All you need to do is click the "report" button below the trolls name and that is that.

 

[AZPOD Rocks]

I think it altogether amusing but sad at how obvious the motives of some individuals are. Such animosity comes from very few sources and is easily deciphered. This vehemence comes from ignorance. Another social malady that can be traced to ignorance is racism.

I did not take the time to view this offensive poster's profile, but I would not trust such an ignorant and angry person to be in a healthcare setting. I would also ardently hope to avoid being considered this individual's peer. How very pathetic to see a supposedly "educated" person caught in this snare.

A favorite poem describes the ensnarement of this "master" well:

"A little learning is a dangerous thing;
Drink deep, or taste not the Pierian spring.
There shallow draughts intoxicate the brain,
And drinking largely sobers us again."
-Alexander Pope

AZPOD Rocks

 

[capo]

I agree, if you want to be Chief of anything or better yet CEO best to get an MBA from a good program and save yourself a lot of study time and loans. The President of my local private medical school probably can not tell you what a tumor is, he has a law degree and is President of a HUGE MEDICAL SCHOOL and ALL its AFFLIATED HOSPITALS.

My point was that DPM's are BETTER trained than businessmen to run clinical medical departments. A med school president doesn't deal w/ med issues (clinically, at least) perse but rather the day to day operations/administration. Thus he can be a lawyer, MBA or any other degree as long as he has experience in admiistration, but not necessarily clinical experience. A department head in a hospital MUST have med knowledge. An HMO, obviously, hires usually on basis of business ability -- NOT medical talent.

So... Chief (of ANY medical setting) and CEO have nothing more in common, except they begin w/ the letter C. What are you trying to say? You won't find too many lawyers running a Dept. of Surgery at a hospital, I assure you. But you most certainly can (and WILL) find DPM's running surg. depts., etc.

 

[MD2b20004]

My point was that DPM's are BETTER trained than businessmen to run clinical medical departments. A med school president doesn't deal w/ med issues (clinically, at least) perse but rather the day to day operations/administration. Thus he can be a lawyer, MBA or any other degree as long as he has experience in admiistration, but not necessarily clinical experience. A department head in a hospital MUST have med knowledge. An HMO, obviously, hires usually on basis of business ability -- NOT medical talent.

So... Chief (of ANY medical setting) and CEO have nothing more in common, except they begin w/ the letter C. What are you trying to say? You won't find too many lawyers running a Dept. of Surgery at a hospital, I assure you. But you most certainly can (and WILL) find DPM's running surg. depts., etc.

What is fair is so much far from reality in America. We are a capitalist/politically centered country. If we were not, than I would say President Bush is below par of being competent to be President of a rat lab.

 

[Podfather]

I served as Chairman of the Department of Surgery for 2 consecutive terms. I was nominated by orthopedics. Times change albeit slowly.

 

[ldsrmdude]

I served as Chairman of the Department of Surgery for 2 consecutive terms. I was nominated by orthopedics. Times change albeit slowly.

And The @Podfather has returned!

 

[air bud]

Long live Podfather