Press Release Announcing New TPMA President

July 1, 2022

Lacey Clawson, DPM, FACFAS

Dr. Clawson has attended several leadership conferences where she encouraged fellow podiatric physicians to become active in the association and advocated for the profession at the TPMA biannual Legislative Day. She has shown exceptional professionalism and leadership.

Dr. Clawson priorities for her presidency include increasing awareness on careers in podiatric medicine to undergraduate students, attending regional meetings and visiting with members, and continuing to advocate for her profession to the legislature. 

The Texas Podiatric Medical Association (TPMA) is the state’s leading professional organization for today’s podiatrists.  Doctors of Podiatric Medicine (DPMs) are qualified by their education, training, and experience to diagnose and treat conditions affecting the foot and ankle. TPMA represents almost 700 members who are DPMs licensed to practice podiatric medicine in the State of Texas. Our mission is unifying and empowering podiatric physicians in providing excellence in foot and ankle care for all Texans. For more information, visit, www.txpma.org.

Employment Opportunities

May 4, 2022

Texas Podiatrist Seeking Full-Time Podiatrist (Downtown Plano, Waxahachie and Kaufman) -Full-time position for house call centered practice with three offices located in downtown Plano, Waxahachie and Kaufman. Guaranteed salary, health insurance, toll road tag, auto allowance. Allowance for CME, medical liability insurance, 9 month production review for following year pay. Hospital and surgery center privileges on acceptance.

Please submit letter of interest, with curriculum vitae & surgical log to info@agapehousecalls.com or ldhayesdpm@agapefootcare.com. Posted 05.04.22

APMA Health-Care Solutions: Small Group Enrollment Portal Opens July 1!

June 10, 2021

APMA is delighted to announce that the enrollment portal for its health insurance options for small groups (two or more participants) will open July 1.

APMA has partnered with The Ark Group, a national insurance brokerage with more than 100 years of experience, to provide plans for small groups. While Noveta will continue to support large-group offerings, The Ark Group will provide outstanding service and options for small groups.

APMA deeply appreciates your patience and the patience of its members over the course of the COVID-19 pandemic and other delays as we worked to launch health insurance solutions for small groups. APMA understands these delays may have caused frustration and inconvenience for some members. Rest assured that APMA will follow up directly with those small groups that had already expressed interest in small-group options to ensure they receive the highest level of service and support.

https://www.apma.org/Membership/healthcaresolutions.cfm

Your Podiatry Practice and COVID-19

March 23, 2020

Dear member,

As the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic continues, the Texas Podiatric Medical Association wants to share some important information with you and guidance for your practice during this challenging time. Below are some links that we hope will help you deal with the current situation. 

Many podiatrists are searching for answers about how to address COVID-19 in their practices and personal lives. TPMA/APMA is here to help by directing you to the most authoritative and timely news and tools. These resources are available on APMA’s COVID-19 resource page at www.apma.org/covid19 as well as an FAQ page.

PODIATRISTS CAN PROVIDE E/M SERVICES REMOTELY
A resource that may be of interest to you are APMA-developed resources on providing telehealth services. You may need to provide Telephone Services and Online Digital Evaluation and Management Services during this time. CMS has announced major changes to services that podiatrists can furnish remotely under the 1135 waiver authority and Coronavirus Preparedness and Response Supplemental Appropriations Act. This waiver allows Medicare to pay for office, hospital, and other visits furnished via telehealth. This change means podiatrists can submit CPT 99201–99215 when these services are provided remotely. Watch APMA’s webinar for guidance on coding, compliance, and documentation for these service types. As of today, telehealth can be provided for Medicare Part B (Fee for Service) and Medicare Advantage plans only. Rules and Regulations change from day to day so stay tuned for updates.

Additionally, there may be upcoming issues with patients requiring “covered routine foot care” (RFC) and/or diabetic therapeutic shoes (DTS). With regard to the RFC and DTS it is APMA’s understanding that, “DME CMD’s suggest that CMS is having discussions with all the CMD’s on many of the policy issues given that it is not possible for most folks to get into their PCP offices right now. Priority for ill patients not for those who need to be certified for shoes or routine foot care must be given.

Some coders have also suggested that if possible (based on the patient’s history, physical finding, diagnoses and the Novitas Solution’s LCD on RFG) to use non-asterisk (*) diagnoses as these do not require the patient to be seen by their attending within the past six months. This is just a suggestion and may not be appropriate for every patient’s situation. There is also the possibility that these patients can be scheduled farther out after the virus situation and the social distancing is no longer a problem.

THE FAMILIES FIRST CORONAVIRUS RESPONSE ACT WAS SIGNED INTO LAW ON MARCH 18, 2020
In the coming days and weeks, federal regulatory agencies, including the Department of Labor (DOL) and Health and Human Services (HHS), will provide guidance on how to execute or implement the new requirements. In the meantime, employers and advisors must rely on a good faith interpretation of the act’s text. View the Families First Act

ADDITIONAL LINKS:

TEXAS DEPARTMENT OF STATE HEALTH SERVICES

• COVID-19 – Information for Hospitals & Healthcare Professionals
• Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19)

TEXAS DEPARTMENT OF LICENSING AND REGULATION

• TDLR TAKES ACTION IN RESPONSE TO COVID-19 THREAT

CENTERS FOR DISEASE CONTROL AND PREVENTION (CDC)

• The CDC WEBSITE has an abundance of information concerning COVID-19. The below link has information regarding healthcare setting recommendations: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/infection-control/control-recommendations.html 

WORLD HEALTH ORGANIZATION (WHO)

• Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19) Outbreak

JOHNS HOPKINS UNIVERSITY & MEDICINE

• Coronavirus Resource Center (includes tracker)

CENTERS FOR MEDICARE & MEDICAID SERVICES

• COVID-19 Emergency Declaration Health Care Providers Fact Sheet
• Medicare Telehealth Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
• Medicare Telemedicine Health Care Provider Fact Sheet

TEXAS WORKFORCE COMMISSION

• TWC webpage has resources and information on actions taken by the commission in response to COVID-19. This page will be continuously updated with answers to questions about operating your business during this time. Please visit https://twc.texas.gov/news/covid-19-resources-employers.

CYBERSECURITY

• Be aware there are fake emails coming in posing as COVID-19 informationals; these emails/sites direct you to install an applet in order to view “current” data but instead it installs a malicious program. Please be wary of any unfamiliar sites asking you to download or install anything. You can read more about it here.

Stay well and safe,

Melinda Daise
Executive Director

Steven P. Brancheau
Chief Medical Officer

September 26, 2019

Kent State University College of Podiatric Medicine to induct TPMA members into its Hall of Fame during 2019 Alumni Reunion Weekend

July 31, 2019

Independence, OH – April 18, 2019 – Kent State University College of Podiatric Medicine (KSUCPM) in partnership with the Ohio Podiatric Medical Student Association (OPMSA) will host its Annual Alumni Reunion Weekend Thursday, August 15 – Sunday, August 18th. The weekend-long celebration will consist of the North Coast Foot & Ankle Symposium CME Program hosted at the College, a reunion event on Friday evening, and the Hall of Fame Awards Dinner, wherein 1976 alumnus Jay D. Lifshen, DPM will be honored with a posthumous induction into the College’s Hall of Fame Society and 1980 KSUCPM alumnus Steven P. Brancheau, DPM, FACFAS, along with one other, will be inducted into the Hall of Fame Society.

The Annual Alumni & Hall of Fame Awards Dinner on Saturday, August 17th will be held from 6:30 – 10PM at the Cleveland Museum of Natural History in University Circle. The college will recognize several of its alumni with awards including including KSUCPM Distinguished Alumni – Christopher F. Hyer, DPM ’00; KSUCPM Service Award- David H. Gross, DPM ’71 and Donna M. Pacchioni, EMBA; and Young Physician Professional Achievement Award- William T. DeCarbo, DPM ‘04. In addition to Dr. Lifshen’s posthumous induction, KSUCPM will welcome Steven P. Brancheau, DPM ’80, as well as Winfield E. Butlin, DPM ’64 into the Hall of Fame Society.

Founded in 1916, Kent State University College of Podiatric Medicine is one of nine accredited podiatry colleges in the nation, and is a four-year, graduate level medical college, granting the degree of Doctor of Podiatric Medicine. The mission of CPM is to educate students to be highly competent doctors of podiatric medicine who will excel in residency training.

Please join KSUCPM in congratulating Dr. Lifshen and Dr. Brancheau on their many accomplishments and induction into its Hall of Fame Society! All proceeds will benefit the OPMSA Outstanding Podiatric Medical Student Award. For Alumni Reunion Weekend ticket information, please contact Alyssa Shepherd, KSUCPM Advancement Services Manager, at 216-916-7547 or at ashephe8@kent.edu. Online registration for all events is now available at www.kent.edu/cpm/2019ARW.

##ENDS##

Contact: Madalynne Stanic
Special Assistant, CPM
216-643-8053 ; mstanic2@kent.edu

.

TPMA Offices Sustain Water Damage

May 7, 2019

Dear Members,

Please be advised, the TPMA offices sustained water damage from a severe roof leak due to the intense storm that blew through Austin on Friday, May 3rd (click the link to see photos).

The phone system and fax machine are currently down, however we do have limited access to email. If you need to get a hold of staff, contact us at:

Brian Carpenter, DPM – brian@txpma.org
Melinda Daise – melinda@txpma.org
Kristen Evon – membership@txpma.org

Please bear with us as we get our office back up and running at full speed!

2019 TPMA Call for Nominations

March 25, 2019

TPMA NOMINATING COMMITTEE
SEEKING QUALIFIED LEADERSHIP CANDIDATES

The Nominating Committee is composed of one member from each Region elected in caucus at the Annual Meeting and one member elected by the Board of Directors from the Board. The immediate Past President serves as Chairman of the committee.

The Nominating Committee shall meet on May 1, 2019 to recommend a slate of candidates for elective office: President Elect, First Vice President and Second Vice President to be elected at the Annual Meeting held at the Hyatt Regency Lost Pines Resort and Spa in Cedar Creek, TX on June 27-30, 2019.

The Nominating Committee may also present names to be considered for Delegates and Alternates to the American Podiatric Medical Association House of Delegates.

Any nominee for Delegate or Alternate to the American Podiatric Medical Association House of Delegates must have been a member of the TPMA for at least five years.

If you or you have someone in mind who will take a leadership role in TPMA, please send their name to melinda@txpma.org before April 19, 2019 for consideration.

AWARDS COMMITTEE SEEKING NOMINATIONS FOR AWARDS

The Awards Committee shall consist of a chairman, who is appointed yearly by the President, who shall work with the Regional Directors in evaluating the members practicing within their respective regions who have been nominated to receive awards. The President at his discretion may appoint other committee members. As the TPMA has numerous members who give of their time and effort to strengthen and preserve the Association, the following awards are established to recognize these members based on their contributions and services rendered: Merit Award, Distinguished Service Award, Young Practitioner of the Year, Special Appreciation Award and Advocate of the Year Award.

To qualify for any of the above-mentioned awards, the individual must have served as an active member of the TPMA for at least five years, and shall be rated according to the following point system:

(1) Exemplary contributions to TPMA – 30 points
(2) Exemplary contributions to affiliate, local, state, regional, and/or national associations – 30 points
(3) Educational qualifications, continuing education and vocational activities – 20 points
(4) Community, civic, religious and service organization activities – 10 points

If you or you have someone in mind who is deserving of the above awards, please send their name to melinda@txpma.org before April 19, 2019 for consideration.