Posted to Newsflash Podiatry ONLINE, 7/8/2000

From: Michael M. Rosenblatt, DPM

Subj: THE DEATH OF PODIATRY IN NORTH DAKOTA

I suppose that there are not a lot of podiatrists waiting in line to go to ND. Still, there are some individuals who practice there and may someday want to sell their practices. Some "home town" people might want to go back there to join their families.

As many know, Dr. Brian Gale is at risk of losing his license there, mostly due to enmity with the small cadre of existing podiatrists who don't want him there. They may be successful in getting rid of this fine doctor.

 But responsible members of their Board should think twice. I have examined many of the complaints against him by patients. I have had similar complaints lodged against me when I was in practice. In fact, most of the complaints against me were quite a bit more serious than those against Dr. Gale. There is nothing even close to a reason why his license should be retracted.

If his license is retracted, then I can make a reasonable prediction that no podiatrist would ever take the chance of going to ND. The odds are just not good. The numbers speak for themselves: In any State where there is a VERY small number of doctors, incestuous relationships tend to develop between members. They can be harmful in two ways:

1. A Board will look aside when egregious damages result against patients, because the doctor charged is their "friend."

2. If you get a few doctors angry or jealous of you, almost for any reason, you are definitely at risk of losing your license.

 I would strongly caution any podiatrist considering changing locations to a very small community that if they don't fit in perfectly, they may be in serious trouble. When I started practice, I was considering going to a small town in Oregon. But there were almost no Jewish people there. I would not fit in.

Better just not to take the risk at all.
Stay out of North Dakota.
Don't buy any practices there either.
One Brian Gale is enough.
It could happen to you.

 Michael M. Rosenblatt, DPM San Jose, CA
ROSEY1@prodigy.net