Posted :  (264) June 4, 2000 LETTERS  Podiatry Online NewsFlash ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||| LETTERS ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||| _____________________________ From: Jerry Falke, DPM Subj: Dr. Gale and The Board Your magnanimous gesture to entertain the North Dakota Board of Podiatric Medicine's rationale for their actions against Dr. Gale will, by necessity, fall upon deaf ears. Many years ago I was a Member and, later, President of a State Board of Podiatric Medicine. The issues brought before us, deliberated and decided, even in those prehistoric ages, were privileged. Board members were afforded legal protections from vengeful attacks, law suits and other legal entanglements, but those protections were contingent upon each members willingness to accept the risks of public misunderstanding, and not divulge any privileged information, no matter how unimportant it may have seemed. As Len Simmons so aptly stated, "there are usually at least 2 sides to a story...lots of gray...usually not as black and white as ..(the)...story might imply." Perhaps everyone's efforts would be better directed at the Federation of State Boards in an effort to encourage them to investigate the allegations against their member Board. In any case, I wish Dr. Gale and his family well. His case clearly demonstrates what may transpire when aberrant individuals or groups are given the power to control the lives and futures of others. Sincerely, Jerry Falke, DPM FalkeG@aol.com _____________________________ \\//\\//\\//\\//\\//\\//\\//\\//\\//\\//\\//\\//\\//\\//\\//\\//\\//\\// From: Brian Gale, DPM Re: Jerry Falke's comments I appreciate the comments from Dr. Falke and will see if the Federation of Boards will look into this for us. That is an avenue that has not been suggested previously and hopefully will get us some positive results. Unfortunately, I have been told that the individuals on this board in question have been slandering me publicly and privately for many years. My opinion is that they have chosen to say to certain people that they can't talk about the issues while they manipulate others with their lies. In the meantime we continue to gather support and legal information. The Board's attorney is currently stalling the process of the appeal. I am starting my "retraining" next week at a cost of about $1600 and there are 5 of these I am supposed to complete before I can have the restrictions on my license lifted. I am still waiting for the ND Podiatry Board members or their attorney to address several letters that my attorney has written on my behalf to clarify what surgical procedures I can and can not do. Although the Board members have not responded to these repeated inquiries, the Board secretary Lee Hofsommer, DPM  has written Blue Cross Blue Shield of North Dakota to have a list of surgical procedures that I have billed for sent to them. While I haven't performed any procedures they said I couldn't perform, they can easily take one of the procedures that wasn't specifically listed and that I have been asking about and consider the fact that I have done it and use that as an excuse to immediately revoke my license. It has been this type of a game ever since 1993. When will it end? Brian Gale, DPM, FACFAS Bgale9@home.com www.briangale.com