Welcome to the first weekly edition of PM Pulse. Every week from here on, we will bring you the five stories your colleagues read most. This week: private equity's move on small practices, AI's arrival in the exam room, and a blunt exchange about what a DPM degree is actually worth.

From the Magazine—October '26

Private equity (PE) firms are actively consolidating the highly fragmented podiatry services market in the U.S. Since more than 96 percent of U.S. podiatry practices are small operations with fewer than five doctors, they make good targets.

By targeting small, independent practices, the PE firms can form large “supergroups” under Management Services Organizations (MSOs). This strategy centralizes administrative, billing, and IT tasks to improve scale and efficiency.

Selling to a PE firm or investors usually means an upfront cash payout, removal of burdensome administrative tasks, and the potential for a second payout—most PE firms and investors are usually in it for the short term.

Paul Kesselman, DPM

A host of developments relevant to DPMs' coding, the momentum of Medicare for all, and federal fraud enforcement—and what each one means for your practice.

PM Pulse Exclusive—Ron Favali

As AI becomes more common in healthcare, podiatry might have some catching up to do. Artificial intelligence has been part of medicine for decades. What is different today is how quickly it is moving into everyday life and clinical practice.

So, where does podiatry fit in?

Paul Kesselman, DPM

One reader described 31 years as a casual contractor at the same facility, passed over while colleagues around him were promoted. Dr. Kesselman's response did not spare him: “Unless you put your name out there, ask for a promotion, show initiative, etc. in most business relationships you will be forgotten.”

It drew one of the week's strongest reader reactions.

The exchange above runs on through a thread that began earlier this month and has not stopped since: is a DPM degree a destination, or a credential you build something else on top of? Readers have answered from hospital IT departments, from extended care facilities, and from practices they sold years ago.

Start at the beginning, then add your own.

PM Pulse wants to hear from you. Submit your questions, concerns, and opinions to [email protected] to share and receive feedback from your colleagues and peers about all aspects of the podiatry sector. All submissions must meet our standards for professionalism and decorum, and submissions may be edited for length and clarity.