Define success for yourself, as it is different for everyone.

Body language is important. Make the patient feel comfortable and in control of their

own decisions as to their treatment options.

Make things convenient for the patient to improve compliance. Examples include

access to additional resources, in-house disposable supplies, PT care, orthotics,

shoes.

Find the right practice for the individual practitioner.

Keep a journal of likes and dislikes.

Combine best patient care with optimal results while profiting from routine practices.

Establish Protocols and Standard Operating Procedures – don’t reinvent the wheel each time.

Organize instruments/procedure rooms efficiently to optimize time.

Send staff to other offices to learn.

Make a plan. Anne Wakefield — AZPOD

Dr. Weaver’s Top 10 Keys to Success

The AAPPM Quarterly

N E W S L E T T E R D A T E

V O L U M E 3 , J A N U A R Y

2 0 1 0

A National Publication by the Student Chapters of AAPPM

T H E A A P P M Q U A R T E R L Y

I N S I D E T H I S

I S S U E :

Confused about

coding and billing

2

Staying Positive in

Practice and Life

3

Pillars of Success 3

10 Steps to a

successful practice

4

Be aware! Be

Prepared! Be

Proactive!

5

Please make me feel

important

6

Outstanding Club Officer Outstanding Club Member

Kristen Blanchet — BUSPM Wendall Wallace — OCPM

Congratulations to the Dr. Les Appel Leadership Award Winners

From left to right:

Keith Arbuckle,

Julie Chatigny,

Isaac Palacios,

Dr. Benjamin Weaver

Lisa Schoene DPM, ATC, and AAPPM Member graciously invited members of the Scholl Practice Management Club to visit her Gurnee Podiatry and Sports Medicine office on Tuesday 24th, 2009. Dr. Schoene talked about many aspects of having your own practice, here are 5 key points she made:

1st impression & Appearance of Your Waiting room – It’s important to have a new, up to date waiting room with a great atmosphere, up to date magazines and informational material that relates to the type of practice that you want to have (for instance, having plenty of Sports magazines if you want to treat athletes). Dr. Schoene recommends updating your waiting room every 5 years.

Staff – you should interview and hire every employee, they represent you. They must have good customer service skills, not necessarily prior medical office experience. Set rules, have an employee handbook, go over this at regular meetings, set goals and review them with each employee.

Scheduling Specific Appointments – train staff on specific podiatric conditions, figure out how much time you need and adjust time slots. Have a squeeze spot for emergencies.

Supplies – make everything visible to the patients. From creams, pads, braces, shoes, etc. This increases revenue while making patients more compliant, lets you know what the patient is using, and keeps them from having to drive down the street and give money to someone else!

Keep all treatment rooms consistent– keep all supplies at your fingertips and stocked, same place in each room, and if possible music in each room. Keep handouts in each room on all your conditions, cell phone rules on the wall.

The Scholl Practice Management Club greatly appreciated the opportunity to visit Dr. Schoene's office and learn more about the opportunities and difficulties involved in running one's own office!

-Luke Hunter

Scholl AAPPM Student President

An office visit with Dr. Schoene

The AAPPM Quarterly

N E W S L E T T E R D A T E

V O L U M E 3 , J A N U A R Y 2 0 1 0

A National Publication by the Student Chapters of AAPPM

T H E A A P P M Q U A R T E R L Y

I N S I D E T H I S

I S S U E :

Grow Your Herd 2

Externs,

Clerkships and

Residencies..

OH MY!

3

Tips on Hiring

Staff

4

The Four Pillars of

Success

5

Working in a

Multispecialty

6

Pictured from Left to Right:

Treasurer Eric Stors

President-Elect Jennifer Falk,

Chad Schwarz

President Jordan Meyers

Not Pictured: Secretary Nafisa Hasan

P A G E 2

Grow Your Herd

T H E A A P P M Q U A R T E R L Y

“Grow Your Herd,” are words to live by, delivered to the Student Body at Temple by Mr. Chad Schwarz. Chad is the Practice Administrator/Patient & Community Relations Director for the Affiliated Foot & Ankle Center, LLP. Chad is an innovator in the industry, and the first ever full time podiatric marketing and advertising specialist.

He bestowed upon us many gems of wisdom to help promote awareness of who we are, including:

Collecting contact information to help obtain immediate patient flow

Getting involved with podiatric organizations

Create a business card (free at vistaprint.com) stating you are a future podiatrist, and the

year you will graduate

On path to join existing practice? Ask for separate page on their website to begin raising

awareness to current patients and others who visit the site who you are!

Whether you are taking an associate position or starting a new practice, your marketing

goals are the same. In addition, contact individuals such as the Director of Physicians or the Physician Liaison of hospitals where you plan to practice, as well as the Chamber of Commerce, to further promote your name. Getting involved with the community is just another way to keep your name afloat!

Once the glorious light at the end of the tunnel arrives, mail a letter letting people know you are now in practice. Email them and the others in your herd a monthly newsletter, and always store their information in a “database” that you can quickly refer to.

Some fantastic Books to read include, but are not limited to the following: Marketing Your Clinical Practices: Ethically, Effectively & Economically by Neil Baum & Gretchen Henkel. Napoleon Hills Keys to Success: The 17 Principles of Personal Achievement by Napoleon Hill. Juggling

Elephants by Jones Loflin & Todd Musig. The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho.

Don’t forget, opportunity is everywhere! Use all the resources at your fingertips, including Physicians, Physical Therapists, Weight Loss Centers, Shoe Stores, Pedorthists, Sports Stores, Pharmacies, School Nurses, Athletic Trainers, Schools, Health Clubs and Fitness Centers, and that is just the beginning.

Once in practice, always be the “Foot & Ankle Doctor” in and out of the office, and always carry your business cards. Never be too busy to visit physician offices and give presentations to increase referrals. Persistence will get you through the door; presence will keep you in mind!

His closing marks include always being creative, and stay on the cutting edge! Remember, marketing never ends. Your greatest return is from inside the walls of your practice. Focus on giving your existing patients an experience beyond anything they would ever expect!

-Jordan Meyers

TUSPM Class of 2011

P A G E 3 V O L U M E 3 , J A N U A R Y 2 0 1 0

T H E A A P P M Q U A R T E R L Y

Externs, Clerkships and Residencies OH MY! The AAPPM chapter of OCPM was fortunate to have Michael Canales, DPM speak about preparing for the clerkships and residencies. It was a wonderful presentation on what to expect during month long externships and how to seek out the best residency program for yourself. Here were his key points

GPA is important, however not the by all end all.

If you lack a high GPA make sure your CV is filled with many extra-curricular activities, participation in clubs and volunteering.

Know that when you go out on an externship it is all about Team Work. Programs want to see that you can get along with others.

Be familiar with pre and post op notes.

Don't be afraid to ask for help. - Programs want to see that you are motivated to learn.

Make sure to seek out a well rounded residency.

BE ON TIME.

Read up on surgical cases before you go into a procedure even if you only plan on shadowing.

Great questions to ask potential residency programs:

What is the program emphasis - Diabetic ulcers, Trauma, Rearfoot, Forefoot, Diverse

What is the structure of the program

Where are the residents going after their program, are they placing where they want to?

Overall, it comes down to self motivation and what you put into it.!! Jessica Johnson, OCPM 2011

Pictured:

Derek Pantiel, Frank Lucking, Shyla Arya, Lauren Kishman, Wendell Wallace, Dr. Canales, Jessica Johnson, Mia Fiegelist,

Nathan Hamm, James Huish , Rami Fahim

How to get PM NEWS:

P A G E 4

Tips on Hiring Staff

T H E A A P P M Q U A R T E R L Y

On December 1, 2009 the podiatric medical students of Midwestern University were honored with a visit and presentation by the AAPPM Chairman, Dr. Hal Ornstein. His positive attitude was infectious as he directed an informative and entertaining question and answer session. The primary topic of this session was the subject of medical staffing. Dr. Ornstein proclaimed early on in his presentation that having the “right staff” was the most important thing an office could have to ensure success. So the students at AZPOD asked, “How do you find and hire the right staff?”

Dr. Ornstein first informed us that you cannot change people, no matter how hard you try; if they are not friendly and positive when you hire them, no amount of encouragement or energy from you is going to change that. He then concluded his presentation by providing us a list of four things that every doctor should do to ensure a successful staff.

Every office should have an employee manual. This way there is no confusion as to what you expect out of your staff and what your staff should expect out of you.

Be professional. Appreciation drives your staff better than anything, including money.

It’s the little things you do to show you are thankful that go a long way.

Be humble with your staff. Let them know that you a person, just like they are.

Anne Wakefield AZPOD 2012 Pictured: Julie Chatigny, Dr. Hal Ornstein Keith Arbuckle

All podiatric students are entitled to receive PM News, the daily Internet newsletter of Podiatry Management. PM News reaches 11,500 podiatrists and students and provides news, coding information, practice management advice, as well as clinical cases submitted by podiatrists. To subscribe send an e-mail to bblock@podiatrym.com It's best to provide a non-school email address, such as gmail, aol, hotmail, etc., as some school ISPs block PM News.

Barry H. Block, DPM, JD Editor, Podiatry Management Magazine

P A G E 5 V O L U M E 3 , J A N U A R Y 2 0 1 0

T H E A A P P M Q U A R T E R L Y

The Four Pillars of Success The American Academy of Podiatric Practice Management (AAPPM) hosted A

Practice Management Symposium for Residents at Barry University on September 17, 2009. Mini-lectures were presented on topics covering the fundamentals of becoming a new practitioner to improving patient interaction. Offering words of wisdom were Hal Ornstein, DPM, John Guiliana, DPM, MS, and Alison DeWaters, DPM. Many residents and third-year podiatry students attended the event and were enthusiastic about learning and interacting amongst the guest speakers. Dr. Ornstein and Dr. Guiliana teamed up to present “The Four Pillars of Success.”

This inspirational lecture teaches one the foundation to achieve success not only in the aspect as a podiatrist, but as an individual with goals to “move forward” in life, with family, and with inner happiness.

The four pillars of success are:

1) Positive Attitude

2) Stress Management

3) Time Management

4) Ability to Flow with Change

One must acquire a balance of each of these facets to gain and maintain achievement. A positive mental attitude has been shown to reflect onto others and in your activities, then in return reflect back to you good energy and beneficial outcomes. Superior stress and time management are crucial. These traits are learned by knowing your priorities and keeping them at the top of your “To Do List” – no matter what! Assign a part of the day, for example 12-4 pm as “Achieving Success Time” to complete these priorities; keep these hours every day just for that! And of course, don’t forget to include an hour or two for an enjoyable hobby to de-stress. Additionally, unexpected events occur and we cannot account for everything. It is important to be able to adjust your schedule, work with others, and emotionally deal with any changes that occur.

The pillars of success are an individual’s foundation to build on and improve. One can add religious activities, inspirational or self-improvement readings, family to the core aspects to further guide him down a path of achievement.

- Kelli Ashe,

Barry University, Class of 2011

Pictured (left to right):

Dr. Hal Ornstein, Dr. Alison De-Waters, and Dr. John Guiliana

The AAPPM Quarterly Editorial Board

Editor Steven Hawley

Ohio

T H E A A P P M Q U A R T E R L Y

Working in a Multispecialty Group

What is it like to work in a multispecialty group? I have thought about this question many times since starting podiatric medical school. Many of us are probably interested in managing our own practices, being that we are AAPPM members. However, it is important to be informed about the different options in the podiatry field and what type of an experience these practices offer. Dr. James Mahoney, associated professor at CPMS, recently discussed his experience working in a large multispecialty group.

Dr. Mahoney enjoyed many aspects of working in a multi-specialty group. He was able to get a consult easily by just going a couple doors down. He worked with patients that had pathologies that you might not see in a smaller practice setting; since many patients had multiple health concerns leading them to the clinic. Dr. Mahoney enjoyed being able to go to work and just to focus on medicine. He rarely had to deal with any billing problems. His job was to see patients and write his medical notes. His hours and schedule were set for him. There was never a shortage of patients since any foot problems that other specialists in the group found would be sent to him. Dr. Mahoney had an excellent working relationship with the other physicians.

There were also negative aspects to working in the group. One of the biggest issues for all the physicians was taking call. Some physicians would take pay cuts to lessen their call duties. Also, with large practices there are likely to be differing opinions on how to manage things. Problems of staffing for so many physicians can lead to large over-head waste that could have been invested in the practice. Dr. Mahoney realized that he was interested in research and there was just no room for that in the group. He was there because he was profitable for the group; setting aside time for side projects was not part of the schedule.

Think about what type a practice setting will fulfill you and the needs of your patients. Large groups may

offer a more set routine, but there may also be constraints on how you want to practice. The key is to find

the right balance that works for you.

S. Luke Berthelsen, CPMS 2012

P A G E 6

Editor Anne Wakefield

Arizona

Editor Nisha Krishnan

Illinois

Editor Jordan Meyers Pennsylvania

Editor Kelli Ashe

Florida

Editor Luke Berthelsen

Iowa

Co-Chief Editor Mia Fiegelist

Ohio

Co-Chief Editor Jess Johnson

Ohio