Podiatric Medical News

PODIATRIC QUICK POLL

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PODIATRISTS IN THE NEWS

IL Podiatrist Discusses Causes, Treatment, and Prevention of Warts

“Plantar warts are one of the most common skin lesions we’ll see in our office,” says Marc Leonard, DPM, an OSF HealthCare podiatrist. Dr. Leonard says plantar warts (also called plantar verruca) are caused by a virus that gets into the bottom of your foot. The warts can spread easily. “It looks like a callus. You see little growths. Sometimes they even satellite out, and we’ll get other little growths around that original lesion,” Dr. Leonard explains.

Dr. Marc Leonard

Dr. Leonard’s advice is to treat the issue early. If you see a wart, make an appointment with a podiatrist. Treatment generally takes two steps. First, providers shave off the excess skin. Then, they apply acid to the feet. “It’s an acid that almost blows up that outer layer of tissue. Then, we decompress it,” Dr. Leonard says. “Even with that, it still takes several treatments.” If wart-covered feet and multiple acid treatments don’t sound like fun, there are easy prevention steps. For dirty places like bathrooms and locker rooms, wear a slip-on-type shoe like a shower shoe, or flip-flop.

Source: Tim Ditman, River Bender [9/24/26]

PODIATRIC SUPER GROUPS

Upperline Health Expands TN Market with Acquisition of Hutchison Foot Clinic

Upperline Health announced that Paul Hutchison, DPM, has joined its growing network of specialty providers in Memphis, Tennessee, effective September 23, 2026. His addition reflects Upperline Health's ongoing commitment to expanding access to high-quality specialty care throughout the Memphis area.

Dr. Paul Hutchison

Upperline Health is one of the nation's largest specialty care providers, delivering whole-person care in specialty settings.

RELEVANT RESEARCH

Podiatrists and Orthopedists Publish Landmark Study on Female Soccer Players

Karli Richards, DPM, MHA, published the results of her first soccer shoe survey, along with Amol Saxena, DPM, MPH, Miranda Royds, DPM (PGY2 INOVA), orthopedic resident Lennart Gerdesmeyer, and La Sapienza Rome, Chief of Orthopedics and Traumatology Nicola Maffulli. The survey is titled, “Football Cleats and Injury Patterns in 14- to 19-Year-Old Female Football Players: The Effect of Surface, Gender-Specific Shoe Gear and Cleat Pattern” and appeared in Sports Health, a multi-disciplinary journal.

(L-R) Dr. Karli Richards, Two-time Olympic Gold Medalist Edwin Moses and Dr. Amol Saxena

The study performed via survey on 99 female soccer players ages 14-19 showed that they were twice as likely to be injured wearing cleated shoes designed for males. In addition, they were also almost twice as likely to be injured on firm ground. There are currently only four shoe companies making female-specific soccer cleats. Dr. Richards has presented her findings at several international conferences and won first place at the Annual Meeting of the German Association for Foot & Ankle Surgery last December. The most common injury found in the survey is an ankle sprain, followed by an ACL tear. The authors are currently performing a larger study.

PODIATRISTS IN INDUSTRY

Aria Care Partners Appoints MO Podiatrist as CMO of Podiatry

Aria Care Partners has appointed Veda Lewis-Simmons, DPM, MHA, as chief medical officer (CMO) of podiatry. The role oversees operational effectiveness and clinical quality of the company's onsite podiatry services for skilled nursing facilities.

Dr. Veda Lewis-Simmons

Dr. Lewis-Simmons holds a master's degree in healthcare administration and a Doctor of Podiatric Medicine and Surgery from Des Moines University. She completed her residency at University of Texas Health Science Center in San Antonio and is board certified by the American Board of Multiple Specialties in Podiatry.

Source: Morningstar [9/24/26]

RESPONSES/COMMENTS (CLINICAL) - PART 1A

RE: GLP-1 Medications and Podiatric Medicine and Surgery (Rod Tomczak, DPM, MD, EdD)

From: Kazu Suzuki, DPM

In response to the claim that GLP1 RA causes blindness, it is important to evaluate this assertion critically. A comprehensive meta-analysis conducted (Diabetes Care 2026), encompassing 1.5 million patients, revealed that the absolute excess risk of optic neuropathy associated with GLP-1 use was only approximately 0.037%. This optic neuropathy event, which typically occurs in fractions of a percent per 100,000 person-years, poses a relatively low risk.

The American Academy of Ophthalmology has stated that the current evidence does not support a blanket warning for the entire U.S. population. A 2025 study conducted by Mass General Brigham and Harvard Medical School found an association between semaglutide and NAION, but it did not establish causation. It is noteworthy that patients with diabetes already have an elevated baseline risk of vision complications. Randomized evidence demonstrates that GLP-1 RA effectively reduces the risk of death from major cardiovascular events, kidney failure, liver failure, and all-cause mortality. These reductions range from 12% to 20%. This medication has the potential to save lives.

In the field of limb preservation, multiple independent observational cohorts (from various countries) have now associated GLP-1 RA therapy with significantly reduced amputations. These cohorts generally show a 20% to 50% reduction in a major adverse limb event (MALE) or amputations. This is why I recommend GLP-1 RA to all of my obese and/or diabetic patients. I inform my patients about the potential eye complications, particularly if they have a history of significant eye disease. I emphasize the importance of reporting any sudden visual loss immediately. However, for an appropriate high-risk diabetic patient, the evidence strongly supports treatment rather than withholding it.

Kazu Suzuki, DPM, Los Angeles, CA

RESPONSES/COMMENTS (CLINICAL) - PART 1B

RE: GLP-1 Medications and Podiatric Medicine and Surgery (Rod Tomczak, DPM, MD, EdD)

From: David Secord, DPM

In my residency, I wanted to be able to do fundoscopic examination with aplomb and spent a lot of time at Wills Eye Hospital, working with the instructors; I think that I became very good at it. As the best condition for fundoscopic examination is with the eye dilated, I used phenylephrine to dilate the eye for examination. In the office, this took some coordination with the patient for transport after the exam and—as I couldn’t bill for it—was done just to serve the patient.

My malpractice carrier advised me that despite my academic interests in retinal changes associated with diabetes mellitus, I was better served referring these folks out of house for the examination. In a way, this was unfortunate, as I had a large number of my patients tell me that they had never had retinal changes discussed with them by their primary, even though retinal changes had been discussed over recent labs. A/V nicking, cotton wool spots, even the occasional retinal bleeding with partial detachment of the retina was caught in my office and sent back to the primary. Rather than feel challenged, I commonly received letters acknowledging my efforts and my thoroughness. That exuberance was not shared by my malpractice carrier.

David Secord, DPM, McAllen, TX

RESPONSES/COMMENTS (NON-CLINICAL)

RE: Podiatry is a Vocation

From: Rod Tomczak, DPM, MD, EdD

I think we’ve been looking at podiatry from a tangential perspective, an angle that deceives and sometimes confuses people. I posit that podiatry is a vocation in the purest, sweetest, and most misunderstood of professions. It is confusing and rewarding, gratifying and frustrating, pleasing, and unattractive to some, but not others.

A vocation calls you, you don’t choose it. You can enter the vocation which usually requires a long, frustrating road to achieve. The best-known vocation is the ministry which requires years of disciplined training in the seminary. The purpose of the seminary is to weed out those individuals who will not be happy in the ministry. The human being who will be happy and flourish in the ministry is happy and joyful in the training, rarely suffering a miserable day. When asked why a seminarian leaves the formation for ministry, the usual answer is, “You just know.” It’s the same reason one enters the seminary, “You just know.” One thing you notice about effective ministers, rabbis, and priests is they are almost always happy, content, and project an aura of enjoyment to those around them. They are not angry, miserable, and do not carry a...

Editor's note: Dr. Tomczak's extended-length letter appears here.

RESPONSES/COMMENTS (OBITUARIES)- PART 1A

RE: The Passing of Lowell Weil, Sr., DPM

From: Steven J Berlin, DPM

It is always a sad day in podiatry when they lose a giant in the profession who has done wonderful things for our profession and patients. We were very good friends for over 60 years, working together in the earlier years of practice. We became acquainted from our residency program at Civic Hospital in Detroit from the early years of podiatric surgery. Together, we both did things striving to enhance podiatry for many years, from residency training to advancements in surgery, and helping to train many of our younger colleagues.

It is great to hear about all the wonderful things said about Lowell in Podiatric Medical News. I also want to send my sincere condolences to his wife and family. It's also nice to see his son Lowell Weil, Jr., DPM picking up the flames where his dad may have had to stop. My deepest sympathy for his loss.

Steven J Berlin, DPM

RESPONSES/COMMENTS (OBITUARIES)- PART 1B

RE: The Passing of Lowell Weil, Sr., DPM

From: Joshua Gerbert, DPM

While it was difficult to learn of the passing of Lowell Weil Senior, those of us who knew him know that he took podiatry to a new level as a medical specialty. He was a dedicated teacher, residency director, and a world renowned lecturer who spread innovative surgical podiatric procedures. His place in the history of podiatry is well-established. I had the opportunity to lecture with him in the U.S. and in Europe and serve on many national podiatric committees.

I also enjoyed the many years in which we shared patients and their care between San Francisco and Chicago. My condolences to his wife Nancy and son Lowell Junior who has taken over his dad’s role. Many thanks, Lowell, for the inspiration you gave me in constantly trying new views in treating podiatric deformities. Rest in peace.

Joshua Gerbert, DPM (retired), Big Island of Hawaii

YOU CAN'T MAKE THESE THINGS UP

RE: Outrageous Shoes of the Day

"America Runs on Dunkin!"

Source: Submitted by Dr. David Alper

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MEETINGS & WEBINARS

CLASSIFIED ADS - PRACTICES FOR SALE OR WANTED, EQUIPMENT FOR SALE

PODIATRIC MEDICAL NEWS CLASSIFIED ADS REACH OVER 23,000 DPMs AND STUDENTS

Whether you have used equipment to sell or are offering an associate position, Podiatric Medical News classified ads are the fastest, most-effective way of reaching over 23,000 subscribers. For details, click here or write to: bblock@podiatricnews.com or call (718) 897-9700.

PRACTICE FOR SALE - WATKINSVILLE, GA

Thirty year established podiatry practice with solid revenue and referral base, loyal patients, and seamless transition. Seller will continue to practice to ease transition. Located in a vibrant medical market near desirable Watkinsville, offering excellent quality of life. Contact: MCrosby518@gmail.com

EQUIPMENT WANTED - JAN-L MAX-4 DRILLS

Small podiatry practice looking to purchase used, but fully functioning, handheld nail drills. Jan-L Max-4 drill with sheath and hose to fit 100A vacuum. Kindly contact Melanie at 803-781-3500 if you have these items for sale.

EQUIPMENT FOR SALE - SURGICAL POWER EQUIPMENT

Surgical power equipment for sale: Like new Stryker Core 2 TPX system, enough for 4 work stations. Purchased in 2024, used less than 20 times. 4 hand switches, Core 2 power unit, 8 cords, 4 Sagittal saws, 4 drivers, 4 drills, 4 collets. Paid $67K, would take $50K OBO. Ahandp8@gmail.com

PRACTICE WANTED - LOS ANGELES, CA

Established cash-buyer podiatrist seeking a profitable podiatry office or group practice to purchase with strong patient volume with opportunity for continued growth. Flexible transaction and structure. Practice owners considering retirement, transition, or sale, please contact: podiatry001@gmail.com

CLASSIFIED ADS - ASSOCIATE AND FACULTY POSITIONS, AND FELLOWSHIPS

PODIATRIC MEDICAL NEWS CLASSIFIED ADS REACH OVER 23,000 DPMs AND STUDENTS

Whether you have used equipment to sell or are offering an associate position, Podiatric Medical News classified ads are the fastest, most-effective way of reaching over 23,000 subscribers. For details, click here or write to: bblock@podiatricnews.com or call (718) 897-9700 .

ASSOCIATE POSITION - CALIFORNIA

Largest group in the Central Valley is seeking associate in Visalia/Hanford. Must be highly motivated with good patient skills and personality. Must be board qualified or certified salary excellent with all paid benefits/incentives including malpractice/401k and profit sharing, and will help with student loan repayment. Compassionate and well-trained for immediate position. Office based, Surgery Center and hospital-based with no rest homes. Bilingual in English and Spanish preferred. Offering a permanent position in a multi-million dollar hi-tech practice. Please e-mail CV and short bio to acampos@wetreatyourfeet.com

ASSOCIATE POSITION - FLORIDA

Full scope Florida practice, integrated into the physician referral loops with innovative office ancillaries and comprehensive patient care. Details: podiatryinparadise.com

ASSOCIATE PODIATRIST OPPORTUNITIES - CT, DE, FL, IL, MD, NC, NJ, OH, PA, TX, VA, WA & WV

US Foot & Ankle Specialists (USFAS), the nation's largest podiatric group, is hiring! We have current and upcoming opportunities for doctors ready to join now, as well as positions planned for 2027. Join a growing team committed to advanced technology, exceptional patient care, professional development, and long-term career growth. Must be licensed or in the process of obtaining licensure. To learn more, email your cover letter and resume to: recruiting@us-fas.com

FOOT & ANKLE SURGEON - MANHATTAN, NY

Join Gotham Footcare, a thriving Manhattan practice offering competitive compensation, health benefits, and a $10,000 relocation bonus. Board-Eligible or Board-Certified candidates are required; strong surgical skills are preferred. Email your CV to ana@gothamfootcare.com

ASSOCIATE POSITION- HUDSON VALLEY NY

Thriving for over 50 years, Family Footcare Group LLP seeks a full-time Podiatrist for its Hudson Valley, NY locations. Role covers lower extremity care, wound treatment, and surgeries. Requires DPM, accredited residency, and board eligible. Offers partnership track, competitive pay, health insurance, CME, relocation, and PTO. Send CV to gatlas@footcaregroup.com

PODIATRIC SURGEON WANTED - AUSTIN, TX

Thriving practice seeking a board-certified/eligible Podiatric Surgeon to start ASAP. Enjoy a lucrative, percentage-based contract with benefits, including CME allowances and covered license fees. Live and work in a vibrant city. Take the next step and email your CV to nbfas@yahoo.com

FULL-TIME ASSOCIATE PODIATRIST OPPORTUNITY - SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA

Loma Linda Foot and Ankle Center is a busy, well-established, physician-owned podiatry practice seeking a full-time Associate Podiatrist to join our growing team. We are looking for a motivated, compassionate, and ethical physician with excellent clinical and surgical skills who is committed to providing outstanding patient care. Qualifications: *DPM degree from an accredited institution *Completion of a minimum 24-month surgical residency *Board Qualified or Board Certified (preferred) *Strong work ethic and excellent communication skills *California license (or eligible for licensure) Interested candidates are encouraged to submit their CV to: llfootankle@gmail.com

MOBILE PODIATRY POSITIONS - AL, AZ, GA, IA, KS, MO, NE, OK, SC & TN

Build a rewarding podiatry career at any stage with Aria Care Partners. Join our team as a Mobile Podiatrist serving residents in skilled nursing facilities. Focus on clinical care while we provide administrative support. Daily base rate plus competitive compensation. Grow with greater purpose, autonomy, flexibility, and professional support while making a meaningful impact for an often-underserved population. New graduates and experienced Podiatrists are welcome. Send your resume to: kcampbell@aria.care

PODIATRIST OPPORTUNITY - KANSAS CITY, MO

Start February 2027 | $180K-$300K+ with Bonus Structure | Path to Partnership Physician-owned independent private practice (non-private equity) is looking for a podiatrist to join our 3-doctor team as our 4th physician. For a full job description contact Kelly@ ktrautman@footkc.com

FULL-TIME CHAIR FOR THE DEPARTMENT OF PODIATRIC MEDICINE & SURGERY

The Dr. William M. Scholl College of Podiatric Medicine at Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine and Science is seeking a Full-Time Chair for the Department of Podiatric Medicine & Surgery. The Chair will lead faculty, drive academic excellence, and oversee clinical experiences in a collaborative environment. Generous benefits! ($120K-$140K). jacquelyn.ortiz@rosalindfranklin.edu

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