Podiatry Leaders

[Nonunion]

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I would like to see who you all believe have been instrumental in advancing the profession. Iwould like to include senior and junior members. I see lists all of the time but would be interested in hearing from the trenches.

I'll start:
Senior DPMs: Lowell Scott Weil Sr., Guido LaPorta, Gary Dockery, Jack Schuberth, Mary Crawford, Tom Chang, Mike Downey, Byron Hutchinson, Harold Vogler, Sam Mendicino, Alan Catanzariti, Robert Mendicino, Larry Harkless.
Junior DPMs: Jordan Grossman, Jerry Steck, Mike Lee, Eric Barp, Al Ng, Glenn Weinraub, John Steinberg, Lawrence Ford.

Most importantly any DPM who has worked hard to advance the profession, practice ethically, stay positive when faced with adversity/discrimination, teaches, and gives time and money back for the future.

So let's hear from you............................................................

 

[Feli]

Good list, and I don't disagree with any of them, but outside Harkless, you basically just opened an ACFAS brochure and copied the names...

I'd definitely add some of the key educators who gave hundreds of other DPMs high level surgical skills and knowledge tools to get them where they are today. A lot of present and future leaders in podiatry have these guys to thank:
ED McGlamry, Stan Kalish, Earl and Gary Kaplan, Timothy Ford, David Armstrong, John Ruch, Gerard Yu, Larry Fallat, Charles Kissel, Stuart Wertheimer, Allan Banks, Don Green, Lawrence Ford, Irv Kanat, Harold Schoenhaus, DS Malay, etc.

Young guns to keep an eye on:
Zee Husain, Graham Hamilton, Chris Hyer, Klaus Kernbach, Justin Fleming, etc.

 

[zmkelchn]

Lee C Rogers is a pretty big name too in diabetic limb salvage

 

[krabmas]

Gary Jolly was a pretty big leader as well.

 

[diabeticfootdr]

Lee C Rogers is a pretty big name too in diabetic limb salvage

Thanks for the props. As far as limb salvage goes, some well-known authorities are:

Endocrinologists: Andrew Boulton, MD, Peter Sheehan, MD, William Jeffcoate, MD, Edward Jude, MD, Michael Edmunds, MD

Podiatrists: David Armstrong, DPM, PhD, Lee Sanders, DPM, Robert Frykberg, DPM, Lawrence Lavery, DPM, Warren Joseph, DPM, Thomas Zgonis, DPM, Lawrence Harkless, DPM, John Steinberg, DPM, Barry Rosenblum, DPM, John Giurini, DPM

Plastic Surgery: Christopher Attinger, MD

Orthopedics: Dane Wukich, MD,

Vascular Surgery: George Andros, MD, Gary Gibbons, MD, Joe Mills, MD

Infectious Disease: Benjamin Lipsky, MD, Alan Tice, MD

Hyperbaric Oxygen: Jeffrey Niezgoda, MD, Adrienne Smith, MD

Neuropathy/Neurologists: Peter J. Dyck, MD, Peter J.B. Dyck, MD, Philip Low, MD, Rayaz Malik, MD, Dan Ziegler, MD, Aaron Vinik, MD

One can get a good handle and understanding of the diabetic foot literature by reading the authors above. Go to Pubmed.gov and search for some of these.

Note: this is not an all inclusive list, so if someone was left out, it was not intentional - just all I could think of at the moment.

 

[Feli]

...Note: this is not an all inclusive list, so if someone was left out, it was not intentional - just all I could think of at the moment.

It would seem to me that Charles Zelen is a reasonably big contributor to the DM foot salvage literature/lecturing. He's clearly a big pitch man and "consultant" for industry companies, but the two "duties" usually go hand in hand... not always, though.

 

[zmkelchn]

Thanks for the props. As far as limb salvage goes, some well-known authorities are:

Endocrinologists: Andrew Boulton, MD, Peter Sheehan, MD, William Jeffcoate, MD, Edward Jude, MD, Michael Edmunds, MD

Podiatrists: David Armstrong, DPM, PhD, Lee Sanders, DPM, Robert Frykberg, DPM, Lawrence Lavery, DPM, Warren Joseph, DPM, Thomas Zgonis, DPM, Lawrence Harkless, DPM, John Steinberg, DPM, Barry Rosenblum, DPM, John Giurini, DPM

Plastic Surgery: Christopher Attinger, MD

Orthopedics: Dane Wukich, MD,

Vascular Surgery: George Andros, MD, Gary Gibbons, MD, Joe Mills, MD

Infectious Disease: Benjamin Lipsky, MD, Alan Tice, MD

Hyperbaric Oxygen: Jeffrey Niezgoda, MD, Adrienne Smith, MD

Neuropathy/Neurologists: Peter J. Dyck, MD, Peter J.B. Dyck, MD, Philip Low, MD, Rayaz Malik, MD, Dan Ziegler, MD, Aaron Vinik, MD

One can get a good handle and understanding of the diabetic foot literature by reading the authors above. Go to Pubmed.gov and search for some of these.

Note: this is not an all inclusive list, so if someone was left out, it was not intentional - just all I could think of at the moment.

Thanks for the list. I've read a lot of your and Dr. Armstrong’s research. I'm in a local office (shadowing) in southern PA with a doctor who does similar research and nerve decompression surgery to restore feeling in diabetic patients. This field is fairly new to be, but find research in this area very interesting and think it has a very bright future in the years to come, especially as DPMs get more advanced residency training.

 

[PADPM]

diabeticfootdr,

I have never come on this site to "trash" another doctor and still won't. So please don't take my comments the wrong way.

I read your list of doctors, and couldn't agree more, with one exception. I really never understood the inclusion of Warren Joseph on any of these lists. I know him, I like him and I respect him, and beyond the fact that he's made a niche/career of being the only DPM "specializing" in I/D, I really don't know what he's accomplished that's groundbreaking.

It seems that he bases his comments on the current literature and is simply well read. I'm not really confident that his comments are truly based on significant CLINICAL experience vs. what the literature states.

The bottom line is that most of the other doctors you mentioned have altered the way we have practiced, but when one of my patients is admitted with a significant infection, I still consult with an infectious disease specialist, despite listening to/reading Dr. Joseph.

Just my opinion, and sincerely not an attack on Dr. Joseph. I've just always been really confused on exactly what his role is in our profession.

 

[Feli]

... not an attack on Dr. Joseph. I've just always been really confused on exactly what his role is in our profession.

Pimping Zyvox?

 

[PADPM]

Ha....I thought it, but YOU wrote it.....

 

[diabeticfootdr]

Ha....I thought it, but YOU wrote it.....

He was the first podiatrist to be a Fellow of the Infectious Diseases Society of America (FIDSA). He is editor of the Journal of the American Podiatric Medical Association. He is this year's Olmos Award winner. He has also been a coauthor of some of the most important published guidelines for the diabetic foot. Just to name a few.

 

[Cryptoe]

I'd also keep an eye on Vallerie Tallerico, Kyle Peterson, Jonathan Thompson, Tea Nguyen, Adam Lang, Mark Jones, and Gavin Ripp.

 

[INOVAguy]

Not to berate anyone, but to add Charles Zelen to that list is rather silly. The guy has never published any original work and spends all of his time pimping out product for Biomet, etc. Also seems to put ex fix on anything or anyone that can sign a consent.....really not a "leader" of the profession...

 

[PADPM]

Wow. With the your screen name I will have to believe you obviously have contact with and/or know Dr. Zelen. I do not know him to defend him or agree with you.

However, your words are pretty strong considering that this is your first post on this site. I did comment that I did not personally believe that Dr. Joseph was necessarily a "leader" in our profession simply because he is basically the only one that has decided to "specialize" in infectious disease.

Similar to your feelings regarding Dr. Zelen, although Dr. Rogers defended Dr. Joseph regarding many articles he CO-published, I am personally not aware of any original research he has performed.

In MY personal opinion, Dr. Joseph has worked hard, but I once again don't personally believe he's actually contributed a lot to our profession. He understands I/D very well and seems to be a great resource of repeating and reciting the literature. And he has also certainly benefitted from his unique role by getting on the "lecture" circuit and consequently earning income from a lot of different pharmaceutical companies.

In MY opinion, those that have contributed the most to our profession are those that have advanced the profession through some ground-breaking accomplishments, original research, creating educational opportunities, contributing to the educational process of our students/residents in a capacity that is unique, etc.

I believe Drs. Armstrong, Harkless, Lavery, Frykberg, LaPorta, Weil, Schuberth, Jolly, Downey, McGlammary, etc., etc., have all contributed significantly. There's certainly a very long list that I've omitted, but those just popped into my head.

I don't know Dr. Zelen, but since you obviously practice in his geographic location, I hope your feelings are not "personal".

 

[Podfather]

Not to berate anyone, but to add Charles Zelen to that list is rather silly. The guy has never published any original work and spends all of his time pimping out product for Biomet, etc. Also seems to put ex fix on anything or anyone that can sign a consent.....really not a "leader" of the profession...

I agree with your assessment. Unfortunately some of the people who lecture frequently are considered "leaders". There are those who in fact lecture,teach, serve on committees for the good of the profession. There are some who do it purely for personal gain. It is important to carefully listen to what people are saying on the podium and see how much is science and how much is a blatant commercial.

Other "leaders" are driven by personal agendas and are actually wolves in sheeps clothing. They come from a position that they are here to protect the profession but in actuality mean to do it or a portion of it harm. Also in regards to forums we may even have non-DPM competitors who occasionally appear simply to stir the pot.

 

[PADPM]

podfather,

Excellent post. Since I believe we are from the same "era", we're obviously both aware of a group of DPM's that were always on the lecture circuit, especially in the older days. Many of them were simply regurgitating what most of us already knew, and were really lecturing for personal gain as you stated.

It was a great way to have a lot of free paid vacations. Each doctor had his little "niche" and when one sponsored a seminar, he invited all his buddies and vice versa so the cycle continued.

Fortunately, that has slightly changed recently with some evidenced based medicine, stronger research and greater residency training. Most seminer attendees expect more/demand more and aren't in "awe" of the few who used to seem like they were the elite.

But unfortunately there will always continue to be those with hidden agendas, those seeking financial gain or personal recognition. Hopefully, they will be the minority and will be discovered quickly.

 

[diabeticfootdr]

I agree with your assessment. Unfortunately some of the people who lecture frequently are considered "leaders". There are those who in fact lecture,teach, serve on committees for the good of the profession. There are some who do it purely for personal gain. It is important to carefully listen to what people are saying on the podium and see how much is science and how much is a blatant commercial.

Other "leaders" are driven by personal agendas and are actually wolves in sheeps clothing. They come from a position that they are here to protect the profession but in actuality mean to do it or a portion of it harm. Also in regards to forums we may even have non-DPM competitors who occasionally appear simply to stir the pot.

I think it is a double-edged sword. People become consultants for industry because they are respected educators, researchers, or experienced surgeons. It is not the reverse.

There is a lot of bias in publications, lectures, and symposia. Even CME approved ones. That is why disclosures are becoming required. The audience member has to judge the credibility of speaker.

 

[Podfather]

I think it is a double-edged sword. People become consultants for industry because they are respected educators, researchers, or experienced surgeons. It is not the reverse.

There is a lot of bias in publications, lectures, and symposia. Even CME approved ones. That is why disclosures are becoming required. The audience member has to judge the credibility of speaker.

Yes there are ethical respected educators, researchers, or surgeons who hired consultants for their expertise. I have no problem (when it's disclosed) with these people being remunerated for their time.

However, consultants are sometimes selected because they use a lot of the product that they then seem to always support until the next opportunity to capitalize arises. I have seen individuals plug product A and imply product B is less effective. Within a year when the financial support flips then they say just the opposite. Others are selected for their notoreity and a willingness to directly or indirectly plug companies products. Industry is aware of these individuals as well as many within the profession. Just ask anyone who lectures and they will spout off the same names (many who someone not in the loop may even think is a leader).

Just remember people who lecture deserve to paid fairly. Those who do it alot lose income being away. But who pays them and what they do to earn it is where one has to be analytical. Recently at a dinner for our hospital's wound center team ( I was a guest of my colleague who runs the clinic I refer to) a company sponsored noted DPM started the opening slide with the following: Wounds kill more people a year than breast CA, and a score of other deadly diseases. After spitting out my wine I suggested to the nurses that the renal disease, cardiovascular disease, diabetes that many of these wound patients have is what kills them. We all chuckled. Literature was given to support their product. What journal you ask? Podiatry Today Wow! Finally it was demonstarted how much your practice would make if the added 7 dressings/patient (Derma>>>>>> u get it) approved by insurances. And hey if they didn't heal then you could send them to wound care. Ugh.

 

[diabeticfootdr]

Yes there are ethical respected educators, researchers, or surgeons who hired consultants for their expertise. I have no problem (when it's disclosed) with these people being remunerated for their time.

However, consultants are sometimes selected because they use a lot of the product that they then seem to always support until the next opportunity to capitalize arises. I have seen individuals plug product A and imply product B is less effective. Within a year when the financial support flips then they say just the opposite. Others are selected for their notoreity and a willingness to directly or indirectly plug companies products. Industry is aware of these individuals as well as many within the profession. Just ask anyone who lectures and they will spout off the same names (many who someone not in the loop may even think is a leader).

Just remember people who lecture deserve to paid fairly. Those who do it alot lose income being away. But who pays them and what they do to earn it is where one has to be analytical. Recently at a dinner for our hospital's wound center team ( I was a guest of my colleague who runs the clinic I refer to) a company sponsored noted DPM started the opening slide with the following: Wounds kill more people a year than breast CA, and a score of other deadly diseases. After spitting out my wine I suggested to the nurses that the renal disease, cardiovascular disease, diabetes that many of these wound patients have is what kills them. We all chuckled. Literature was given to support their product. What journal you ask? Podiatry Today Wow! Finally it was demonstarted how much your practice would make if the added 7 dressings/patient (Derma>>>>>> u get it) approved by insurances. And hey if they didn't heal then you could send them to wound care. Ugh.

Yes, I agree. There are some people who choose product support based on who's taking them to dinner, who's giving them an honorarium. We all know who they are, for the most part.

The lecturer probably meant that wounds and amputations are markers for a high 5 year mortality. Yes, it's not the wound or the amputation that will cause the mortality directly, but indirectly through a more sedentary lifestyle they will die of other cardiovascular co-morbities which are likely pre-existing.

Podiatry Today is hardly a reputable scientific source. But it is a good place for practicing pods to get the Cliff's notes of the important articles in the literature. The speaker should have used the primary source.

All in all, it's hard to stop the practice of company jumping you are describing. It is mostly incumbent upon the audience to judge the lecturer, just as you did your dinner speaker. But you noted that the DPM was a "company sponsored" lecturer. What's harder is to judge a person giving a scientific lecture at a symposium if they don't fully disclose their conflicts.

 

[Podfather]

Disclosure is important and mandated by the CPME. The only issue and where better enforcement is needed are blatant product plugs, slides with the product placed within them, and CMEs given when the lecture is nothing but a commercial.

 

[krabmas]

I don't know Dr. Zelen, but since you obviously practice in his geographic location, I hope your feelings are not "personal".

Inova is not close to the area where Charles Zelen practices. He is not affiliated with the residency program nor do we work with him. He is an alumni of the program.

 

[PADPM]

Thanks for the clarification, "my bad".

 

[krabmas]

Thanks for the clarification, "my bad".

no worries.