Note: the PodiatryMeetings.com Insider Newsletter is filled with pictures and images. Be sure you have enabled images to display for the best experience.

I know, I know... I'm 2 days late in sending this newsletter. BUT - it was for good reasons!

1) I was at the AMIFAS Seminar last week making sure it's one of the best seminars in our industry (nailed it!)

2) I had some super cool ideas I needed to finalize before this was ready to be shared with the world.

Buckle up, this issue is packed full. Grab a cup of coffee or a margarita and let's dive in.

Be sure to scroll through to the end - there's content for Podiatrists, Meeting Planners, and Vendors/Exhibitors sprinkled throughout this month's Insider Newsletter!

Elevate Your Podiatry Practice: Maximizing Patient Care with Durable Medical Equipment

Dr. Elizabeth Daughtry

North Carolina

In this era of healthcare, practitioners find the need to pursue other methods to supplement revenue to continue in private practice successfully. One method that can enhance patient care and outcomes while boosting potential revenue for your podiatric practice is offering various Durable Medical Equipment (DME) in the office. SureFit offers a full range of advanced DME to elevate the standard of care you provide. 

Click here for 7 ways you can use DME effectively in your podiatry practice.

FOR DPMs

From Novice to Rockstar - OTC Dispensing

Cody Meier, MHA, DOO

Lexington Podiatry | Modern Podiatrist | Toe Tactics

Current Climate

As we all know, over-the-counter product dispensing is growing quickly within the podiatry community. As insurance continues to cut services and increase patient prices, we’re expected to extenuate, diversify and maintain a high level of service. Many podiatrists are embracing the new norm, accommodating their patients and diversifying their revenue through OTC.

Where to Start

Are you currently dispensing OTC? If so, how much of your annual revenue does it account for? Use the formula below to either gauge where you are or when you could be. A rockstar in OTC dispensing should shoot for 10%.

(# of clinical visits * % of visits OTC is dispensed) * Average visit cost = Monthly OTC Revenue

Want an idea of what you’re missing out on? Here’s some sample numbers:

(534 * 60%) * $48 = $15,379.20 * 12 months = $184,550.40

Building your Base

So, how do you go from novice to rockstar? It should go without saying but it all starts with your product selection. There are two important points to remember:

1.   Be a believer. So often do we hear providers reference themselves selling a product, rather than dispensing it. You are not a salesperson. If you don’t believe the product/product line is adding value to your patient’s treatment plan, don’t carry it. OTC should be considered part of your treatment plan and if you’re unable to see a certain product in that way, it’s not worth your effort.
2.   Connect with it. Your brand is everything and everything affects your brand. There’s so much variability between product lines that do the same thing. Some are more scientifically marketed while others are spa-like. Find one that matches or enhances your brand, and you’ll feel more connected to it.
3.   Operations. Always consider the systems used by these lines. Find a vendor that puts themselves in your shoes and does their best to eliminate your administrative burden. Vendors are becoming more creative on how to enhance their brand through creative, time saving methods – seek them out.

CLICK HERE TO READ MORE...

INTRODUCING - The PodiatryMeetings.com

Icons & Innovators Award - NEW Periodic Feature

Icons and Innovators isn’t just a title—it’s a mark of distinction. This exclusive recognition is reserved for trailblazers, game-changers, and visionaries who don’t just follow industry trends—they set them. These are the individuals and companies redefining excellence, pushing boundaries, and leaving an undeniable impact on their field.

Earning a spot in Icons and Innovators means more than just standing out—it means standing above. It’s a tribute to those whose ideas, leadership, and ingenuity shape the future, inspiring others to aim higher, think bolder, and create lasting legacies.

Only the best make the cut. Do you have what it takes?

Congratulations to Vinny Bianco, from Bianco Bros. Instruments, winner of the very first PodiatryMeetings.com Icons & Innovators award! Reach out to Vinny to congratulate him: BiancoB@aol.com or (718) 680-4492

SAVE THE DATE -

March 10: Leveraging Over-the-Counter Orthotics for Effective, Cost-Efficient Pain Relief, presented by Nicholas Campitelli, DPM, FACFAS, sponsored by PowerStep

March 24: Incorporating ESWT Shockwave Into Your Practice, sponsored by SureFit

April 7: Dr. Chris Milkie returns with a webinar all about MARKETING - my favorite topic!



Never miss a webinar! Subscribe to our webinar calendar to add our events to your preferred calendar. CLICK HERE

UPCOMING PODIATRY CONFERENCES

THE INDUSTRY'S MOST COMPREHENSIVE EVENT RESOURCE

click images below for upcoming meetings

CLICK HERE TO VIEW THE COMPLETE CALENDAR

I've been busy lately! In January I was on-site at the FPMA SAM conference and last week, February 26-28, I was in Orlando again for the Academy of Minimally Invasive Foot & Ankle Surgery (AMIFAS) Cadaver Lab Seminar.

While there, I had the pleasure of getting to know John Zagurasky and Jamie Hovey (we missed Justin Hovey!), from AIMx Podiatry. I'm excited to partner with them through PodiatryMeetings.com and bring their innovative solutions to this community! Be on the lookout for more soon.

Let the good times roll...

NERD ALERT!

After way too much trial and error, I FINALLY cracked the code on automating conference reviews using Airtable! No more manual data formatting—just a quick approval and seamless updates.

What does this mean?

Every conference review submitted since 2018 will be carried over & published.

The main ratings page is under construction while I migrate everything (bear with me—it’s worth it!).

You can already submit new reviews using the fresh, automated form!

This is what PodiatryMeetings.com was built on, and I can’t wait to bring it back in full force. EEK! Stay tuned, and go ahead and rate, review, and share your experiences like never before!

CLICK HERE TO RATE A CONFERENCE

FOR MEETING PLANNERS

Rethinking Sponsored Happy Hours: More Than Just Extra Revenue

For years, I saw sponsored happy hours and dinners as a nice bonus—extra sponsorship dollars without eating into valuable CECH hours. But recently, I’ve realized they’re so much more than that.

As conference planners, we need to work more closely with sponsors to create unforgettable, well-attended happy hours. Why? Because these events aren’t just about boosting revenue or giving sponsors a flashy moment in front of attendees. They set the tone for the entire seminar. A well-executed happy hour leaves attendees feeling connected, engaged, and, well… happy. And that energy carries over into the rest of the event.

Let’s be honest—medical seminars can sometimes feel stiff and isolating. But throw in a dynamic networking event every evening? Suddenly, attendees are more excited, more engaged, and more eager for what’s ahead. The best part? Sponsors are picking up the tab while your conference reaps all the benefits of an energized, well-connected audience.

Bottom line: A killer happy hour isn’t just a perk—it’s a strategic move that makes your event more valuable for everyone involved.

ATTENTION MEETING PLANNERS!

Have you seen our calendar?

CLICK HERE TO SEE IF WE HAVE YOUR CONFERENCE LISTED

We want to list your upcoming conference on our comprehensive podiatry meeting calendar.

Send us your meeting information by clicking here!

FOR EXHIBITORS/PODIATRY VENDORS

How many Zoom or Microsoft Teams meetings do you sit through each week?

I have been on the hunt recently for an AI assistant to join my Zoom calls and take notes for me so I can be more engaged in the meeting rather than focused on taking notes.

Enter my new bestie… Read.ai. You know I love my techy tools. Not only does this guy automatically join all the meetings on my calendar, he records a video of it, transcribes the video, gives me a summary of the meeting, breaks the transcript down into chapters and topics, and gives me a list of all the action items. I can easily share the summary, action items, and other notes with everyone else on the call too. But my favorite part is the Coaching element.

The Coaching section tells me what my talking pace was, how many filler words I used (“um”, “like”, “you know”) and how many times I interrupted another speaker! I highly recommend you give it a shot.



Bonus for DPM speakers - use the coaching feedback to improve your online lectures.