11/26/2025
PODIATRISTS IN THE NEWS
MD Podiatrist Discusses Benefits of Walking as We Age
Lacing up your sneakers and hitting the pavement for a brisk walk can be an incredibly effective, invigorating workout. But if walking is your go-to form of physical activity, you may find yourself wondering, "Is walking enough exercise to stay fit after 40?"
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Dr. Mikel Daniels |
"Walking is particularly beneficial for maintaining functional strength and balance, both of which tend to decline with age," Mikel Daniels, DPM, a board-certified podiatrist, president and chief medical officer of WeTreatFeet Podiatry, says. "It requires coordination and weight shifting that stimulates joint function and neuromuscular control. This helps prevent falls. Regular walking can reduce joint stiffness, improve circulation, improve strength, and enhance balance."
Source: Alexa Mellardo, Parade [11/23/25]
11/22/2025
PODIATRISTS IN THE NEWS - PART 2
ME Podiatrist Named in Top 50 Women Leaders of Maine
Women We Admire has announced The Top 50 Women Leaders of Maine for 2025. Maine’s identity reaches well beyond its iconic coastline. Among those honored is Melissa Williams, DPM, Associate Chief of Surgery of the VA Maine Healthcare System. Dr. Williams is a board-certified foot surgeon specializing in podiatric medicine and surgery. In addition to her current role, she serves as chief of section and podiatrist for the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, providing foot and ankle medical and surgical treatments.
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Dr. Melissa Williams |
Dr. Williams earned her Doctor of Podiatric Medicine from Kent State University College of Podiatric Medicine. She also completed a three-year surgical residency at Christiana Care Health Services in Wilmington, Delaware.
Source: Women We Admire [11/20/25]
11/22/2025
PODIATRISTS IN THE NEWS - PART 1
Increase in Ankle Injuries During Cold Weather: MI Podiatrist
As temperatures drop across Michigan, podiatrists at Legacy Foot & Ankle are sounding the alarm: winter weather can significantly worsen ankle pain, stiffness, and inflammation. With icy sidewalks, reduced circulation, and increased risks of slips and falls, the cold season often brings a surge of patients struggling with new or worsening ankle inuries.
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Dr. Joe Aoun |
Board-certified podiatrist Joe Aoun, DPM, founder of Legacy Foot & Ankle, reports a sharp rise in ankle pain cases every year between late November and March. “Cold weather makes tissues less flexible and more vulnerable to strain. Combine that with unstable surfaces like snow and ice, and you have the perfect recipe for ankle injuries,” says Dr. Aoun.
Source: Fox59 News [11/19/25]
11/21/2025
PODIATRISTS IN THE NEWS
Ankle Replacement Has Significant Advantages Over Fusion: PA Podiatrist
Daniel Plesniarski’s ankle problems started when he was a kid, with frequent sprains. By the time he reached retirement age, it had become a real problem. But he put off getting treatment, in part because a doctor at another hospital system recommended he get the joint fused. “I didn’t want an ankle fusion,” Plesniarski says. “I didn’t want to lose the ability to move my ankle.” Today, the pain and swelling are gone and the 72-year-old Andreas man says his ankle feels good as new, thanks to foot and ankle surgeon Elliot Busch, DPM, with Lehigh Valley Orthopedic Institute, along with the team at Lehigh Valley Hospital–Carbon.
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Dr. Elliot Busch |
“For patients who have ankle arthritis, ankle replacement is a fantastic treatment option that can give people their quality of life back,” says Dr. Busch. Replacing the ankle joint rather than fusing it has several advantages, he says. Fusions remove the pain by removing the joint and letting the bones grow together. But this can affect the way someone walks, Dr. Busch says, causing stress on other joints and possibly leading to “transfer arthritis” and eventual fusions of those joints as well.
Source: Paul Wirth, Lehigh Valley Health Network [11/18/25]
11/18/2025
PODIATRISTS IN THE NEWS
Sister Clinicians Highlight Cross-Specialty Collaboration in Dermatology and Podiatry
At the 2025 Elevate-Derm Fall Conference in Tampa, Florida, Shanna Miranti, MPAS, PA-C, and her sister, Larissa Schmidt, DPM, highlighted how often podiatry and dermatology overlap when clinicians are managing challenging skin and nail conditions. Their conversation demonstrated the practical value of exchanging insights across specialties and showed how those day-to-day intersections can improve patient care.
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(L-R) Dr. Larissa Schmidt and Shanna Miranti |
Dr. Schmidt, the immediate past president of the Florida Podiatric Medical Association, advised dermatology clinicians seeking local partners to engage with regional podiatric societies, emphasizing that podiatrists are enthusiastic collaborators as new therapies and technologies evolve. The sisters—third-generation podiatrists in their family—closed with a shared message: dermatology and podiatry share significant clinical overlap, and strengthening these interprofessional ties ultimately improves patient care across both specialties.
Source: Dermatology Times [11/15/25]
11/18/2025
INTERNATIONAL PODIATRISTS IN THE NEWS
Italian Podiatrist Was Beach Volleyball Champion
Riccardo Fenili, 50, was an excellent volleyball player and a beach volleyball champion, winning four Italian titles with four different teammates. Today, he has a completely different career. When I had an injury in 2007 and had surgery, a well-known orthopedist prescribed me a pair of insoles that hadn't been made very professionally. I had some doubts, and from that moment on, I started to do some research. I discovered that podiatry was practically non-existent in Italy, unlike in the rest of the world.
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Riccardo Fenili |
"I felt like giving it a try. For years, I'd been trying to do something besides volleyball, to figure out what I wanted to study. I studied podiatry, and I loved it. All movement starts with the foot. At first, it was about the sport, but now I enjoy caring for an elderly person much more [than volleyball players]. It's immensely rewarding."
Source: Doriano Rabotti, Quotidiano Sportivo [11/15/25]
11/13/2025
PODIATRISTS IN THE NEWS
Diabetic Wounds Challenge Physicians to Alter Care
The U.S. has a diabetic wound problem. “The problem is often that clinicians don’t look at the whole patient; they just look at the hole in the patient,” said Matthew J. Regulski, DPM, director of the Wound Care Institute of Ocean County and wound care podiatry specialist at RWJBarnabas Health, both in Toms River, New Jersey. The solution? Assess and refer.
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(L-R) Drs. Matthew Regulski and Richard Sherman |
As time is of the essence, clinical evaluation, pulse assessment, and probing the wound are the extent of the PCP’s initial role in this primary stage, said Richard Sherman, DPM, MBA, a podiatric surgeon in the Division of Vascular Surgery and Endovascular Therapy at Johns Hopkins Hospital, and assistant professor of surgery at Johns Hopkins Medicine, both in Baltimore. He said that he sees patients daily whose wounds have persisted due to inappropriate or ineffective initial treatment.
Source: Liz Scherer, Medscape [11/11/25]
11/13/2025
INTERNATIONAL PODIATRISTS IN THE NEWS
Lack of Regulation Contributing to Podiatrist Shortage in Newfoundland
The head of the Newfoundland and Labrador Federation of Podiatric Medicine is calling on the newly formed provincial government to create a regulated college for its members. Currently, there are only 11 podiatrists in Newfoundland and Labrador, all of whom are in the metro region. Dr. Kathryn O’Rielly says that many doctors are completing their schooling in Ontario and not returning home because they cannot practice to their full scope.
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Dr. Kathryn O’Rielly |
She says Newfoundland and Labrador is the only province that does not have its own college. “We are very under-serviced. Most places would have one podiatrist per 10,000 people and right now we have 11 members here in our province practicing,” she told VOCM News. “However, because of the decrease in the scope and practice here, it does not draw any desire for people to leave other provinces such as Ontario.”
Source: VOCM [11/11/25]
11/12/2025
INTERNATIONAL PODIATRISTS IN THE NEWS
Aussie Podiatrist Studying to Become General Practitioner
Stawell podiatrist Andrew Nashed is taking a big step in his medical career as he studies to become a GP. Grampians Health is working with Nashed to help him complete as much of his placement work as possible at its Stawell campus and at its medical center.
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Andrew Nashed |
Nashed has almost finished his first year of studies at Deakin University in Ararat and has already completed several placements including a day placement at Stawell under the guidance of Grampians Health Radiographer Sky Yang.
Source: Craig Wilson, The Stawell Times News [11/10/25]
11/10/2025
PODIATRISTS IN THE NEWS
MIS Bunion Surgery Means Less Downtime: NJ Podiatrist
Some people may choose to delay or avoid traditional corrective bunion surgery due to concerns about the procedure and recovery. But, there is another option – a minimally invasive bunion correction technique. “This isn’t your old-fashioned bunionectomy,” says Bayshore Medical Center podiatrist Mark DeCotiis, DPM. “Minimally invasive bunionectomy involves a smaller incision and a faster recovery, meaning people can get back to work and everyday activities faster.”
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Dr. Mark DeCotiis |
Recovery times vary based on the individual, but Dr. DeCotiis says that most people who undergo a minimally invasive bunionectomy procedure can expect:
Crutches for about five days before transitioning to a walking boot.
At 1-2 weeks post-op, most people are able to start physical therapy.
By week three, most people are back to wearing a regular sneaker.
Source: Hackensack Meridian Health
11/05/2025
PODIATRISTS IN THE NEWS
NJ Podiatrist Saves Foot of Motorcycle Accident Victim
On November 2nd, Blairstown, NJ EMS Chief Stephen Guiliana, DPM responded to a serious motorcycle accident with severe injuries. On scene, Dr. Guiliana identified the injury as a dislocated ankle with a pulseless and cyanotic foot.
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Dr. Stephen Guiliana |
After the patient was sedated by medics, Dr. Guiliana performed a successful emergency closed reduction of the ankle at the scene, restoring circulation and saving the limb. The patient was then airlifted to Morristown Medical Center for advanced care and surgery. Dr. Guiliana is Chief Executive Officer and partner of New Jersey Foot & Ankle Institute in Succasunna, NJ.
10/31/2025
PODIATRISTS IN THE NEWS
Plantar Fasciitis Rarely Requires Surgical Intervention: NY Podiatrist
The symptoms associated with plantar fasciitis can really interfere in your day-to-day life. It’s also one of the most common types of heel and foot pain, according to Michael J. Trepal, DPM, professor of surgical sciences and academic dean at the New York College of Podiatric Medicine of Touro University. It is often accompanied by a stabbing or sharp shooting pain centered around the bottom of the foot. Plantar fasciitis is an inflammatory, and in many cases, degenerative condition affecting the broad thick ligament on the bottom of the foot which helps to hold up the arch, Dr. Trepal told HuffPost.
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Dr. Michael Trepal |
Fortunately, Dr. Trepal said that plantar fasciitis can go away on its own, rarely requires surgical intervention, and can be effectively managed with over-the-counter aids. However, both experts cautioned that if pain persists for more than a few weeks, you should seek professional advice.
Source: Tessa Flores and Lourdes Avila Uribe, HuffPost [10/30/25]
10/28/2025
PODIATRISTS IN THE NEWS
TX Podiatrist Discusses Gout
If you wake up at night with severe toe pain, it could be a sign of gout—which Anne Sharkey, DPM is seeing more and more in her office. The telltale symptom: a red, hot, swollen big toe that’s extremely tender and painful. “You don't even want a bed sheet to touch it,” she says. “Patients call the office frantic in the morning, like, ‘I didn't do anything and I woke up in the middle of the night, and I have this excruciating pain in my foot.’” They often show up to their appointment barefoot, she adds, unable to withstand the sensation of anything touching their foot.
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Dr. Anne Sharkey |
Gout is diagnosed through a physical exam and lab tests, and patients need steroids or oral anti-inflammatories to get their pain under control, in addition to ongoing medication management and dietary changes.
Source: Angela Haupt, Time
10/23/2025
RESPONSES/COMMENTS (VA PODIATRISTS IN THE NEWS)
From: Jeffrey M. Robbins, DPM
Please note that Kittra Owens, DPM has been Chief of Staff at the Montgomery VAMC for a few years now. I am confident that there will be more [podiatrists becoming Chiefs of Staff at VAMCs] to come.
Jeffrey M. Robbins, DPM, Former National Podiatric Medical Director, Department of Veterans Affairs
10/22/2025
VA PODIATRISTS IN THE NEWS
From: Evan F. Meltzer, DPM (retired)
Congratulations to Dr. Quijano on his appointment of Chief of Staff at the Iron Mountain VAMC. Podiatrists have been deemed qualified for such a position for several years but the appointment of Dr. Quijano is the first podiatrist I’ve heard of who was selected for this prestigious position.
I hope to see further announcements of podiatrists who also have been selected for leadership positions in the VA, including becoming the Director of a VAMC.
Evan F. Meltzer, DPM (retired), Rio Rancho, NM
10/21/2025
VA PODIATRISTS IN THE NEWS
MI Podiatrist Appointed Chief of Staff at Iron Mountain VA MC
The Oscar G. Johnson VA Medical Center has announced the appointment of Victor Quijano, DPM, PhD as the chief of staff of the facility effective Oct. 6. As chief of staff, Dr. Quijano oversees all medical staff including physicians, dentists, psychiatrists, psychologists, social workers, physician assistants, nurse practitioners, and other specialties. In addition, he supervises support services including radiology, health profession trainee education, and credentialing and privileging.
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Dr. Victor Quijano |
Dr. Quijano has over 22 years of healthcare experience, eight of which are in leadership roles, both in the Department of Veterans Affairs and the private sector. Prior to assuming this position, he served as the deputy chief of staff – hospital services at the VA Eastern Colorado Health Care System. In addition, he previously served as the chief of surgery in Colorado and chief of podiatry in Portland, Oregon.
Source: Bud Sargent, The Mining Journal [10/18/25]
10/14/2025
PODIATRISTS IN THE NEWS
“Your Feet Never Go on Vacation": NY Podiatrist
“Your feet never go on vacation. They are constantly working and never on holiday. The best travel insurance is healthy feet," says podiatrist Rock G. Positano, DPM. ”According to Dr. Positano, a painful foot can ruin a $40,000 vacation even before it starts, so why aren’t people more pro-active when it comes to protecting the “Michelin tires” of the body?
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Dr. Rock G. Positano |
“People often ignore and under-estimate how important the feet are, especially when going on vacations that often require a tremendous amount of walking and standing, climbing hills, and uneven terrain,” he says. “What baffles me is the patient who comes to see us at our center at HSS, complaining of foot and ankle pain, the week or even the day before they are leaving on their voyage.”
Source: Sivani Vora, Forbes [10/12/25]
10/10/2025
HOSPITAL PODIATRISTS IN THE NEWS
CA Podiatrist Delivers Grand Rounds at Alma Mater
Life came full circle for David G. Armstrong, DPM, MD, PhD, a Distinguished Professor of Surgery at Keck School of Medicine of USC, when he gave the General Surgery Grand Rounds lecture at the University of Texas at San Antonio (UTSA) on Monday, October 6. The audience included UTSA's Department of General Surgery, and Divisions of Vascular Surgery, Plastic Surgery, and Podiatric Surgery. Dr. Armstrong completed his fellowship at UTSA in 1996 and then joined the faculty through 2000.
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(L-R) Drs. Lawrence Harkless and David Armstrong at UTSA |
His topic, "Team, Tools, and Technology to Prevent the Preventable; Amputations in Diabetes," was also attended by one of his mentors, Lawrence B. Harkless, DPM, Professor Emeritus at UTSA. Dr. Armstrong frequently discusses the role of mentorship on an educator's academic progeny, but perhaps the two most special attendees were his biologic progeny: Alexandria Armstrong, DPM, the chief resident in podiatric medicine and surgery at UTSA, and Natalie Armstrong, a PhD candidate at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health.
10/09/2025
PODIATRISTS IN THE NEWS
NY Podiatrist Discusses Onychomycosis and Athlete's Foot
Yolanda Ragland, DPM has some commandments for two of the most common issues that have people rushing to their podiatrist. While both ailments are very contagious, some people are inherently immune. Still, she advises everyone to wash and dry in between their toes thoroughly, as well as add a protective layer of anti-fungal cream or gel to help keep fungus at bay as fungus is able to survive by spores, which she describes as being “very hardy.”
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Dr. Yolanda Ragland |
“If you walk on a spore and then put your foot right into a shoe that is nice and moist and dark, that is the perfect medium for that spore to germinate into a fungus and it’s impossible to fully get rid of the spores. You can’t wash or bleach it away; it can only be eradicated under super high temperature or pressure,” Dr. Ragland said. “As we age, our immunity also decreases, so we see a lot more fungal nails and infections in our geriatric population; so it becomes more important than ever to think about hygiene as we get older.”
Source: Julie Sagoskin, New York Post [10/7/25]
10/08/2025
PODIATRISTS IN THE NEWS
TX Podiatrist Discusses Posterior Tibial Tendon Dysfunction
Women over 40 often show up in Anne Sharkey, DPM's office complaining of swelling and pain in one of their feet. They tell her they feel like they sprained their ankle, but they didn't do anything that would have caused such an injury. When she examines them while they’re standing up, one foot looks normal, while the arch on the swollen one is flat. Many of these patients are dealing with failure of the posterior tibial tendon, which is the tendon that provides support to your arch while you’re in motion. Menopause can increase the risk.
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Dr. Anne Sharkey |
“We’re seeing a relationship between the decline in estrogen and tendon dysfunction,” Dr. Sharkey says. Patients do best when they seek treatment right away; usually, that means a combination of physical therapy, a cast or boot, and orthotics. However, “Sometimes we catch it really late because people just didn’t realize, or they thought it was a sprain and walked through it for years,” she says. “Then there’s surgeries and reconstructions to bring that tendon back to where it was.”
Source: Angela Haupt, Time
10/07/2025
INTERNATIONAL PODIATRISTS IN THE NEWS
Kiwi Podiatrist Prevents Limb Loss from Diabetes
Diabetes is costing a record number of New Zealanders their toes, feet and legs. Health authorities know most amputations can be avoided - so what’s being done? Lawrence Kingi is on the frontline of a diabetes epidemic that now causes nearly 1,200 amputations a year in New Zealand. The podiatrist helps prevent the devastating operations by treating foot injuries before they become infected to the point of no return.
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Lawrence Kingi |
When Stuff shadows Kingi, his work includes cutting out a corn from the sole of a badly swollen foot belonging to a woman who winces in pain. He’s happy to get the same reaction when freeing an ingrown toe nail bothering another patient. “It’s painful, which is so good - because if you’re a diabetic and you have no feeling, then that is the drama. He can still feel it, so he will come back.”
Source: Nicholas Jones, Stuff [10/5/25]
10/02/2025
PODIATRISTS IN THE NEWS
AZ Podiatrist Discusses How to Avoid Swollen Feet After Flying
Sitting in an enclosed area, such as a plane, train, or car, with limited room to move for a few hours can lead to swelling of your legs and ankles. “The longer you sit still, the more gravity pulls fluid down to your feet and ankles,” says Lauren Wurster, DPM, a doctor of podiatric medicine and an Arizona-based podiatrist. “Also, the position you are sitting in, with your legs bent, increases the pressure on the veins and increases swelling.”
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Dr. Lauren Wurster |
The position of your legs when you are seated increases pressure in your leg veins, so avoid staying locked in one position for too long. Dr. Wurster advises shifting your seated position frequently. Once you’ve landed, you can use a lot of the same methods to reduce swelling. “Stay hydrated, move around, and wear compression socks,” says Wurster. “Also, be mindful of what you're eating and avoid foods too high in sodium, because that can also add to further swelling.”
Source: Christina Frank, Everyday Health [9/29/25]
09/29/2025
PODIATRISTS IN THE NEWS
People with Diabetes Face Unique Risks: KS Podiatrist
We spend a lot of time on our feet, which makes it only natural we can have a variety of issues with them. “I see the issues just walking down the street. It’s very common. A lot of people are embarrassed about their feet so a lot of them don’t come in until the problem has gotten quite down the road,” said Henry Goppert, DPM, a podiatrist leading the recently re-opened Cotton O’Neil Foot and Ankle Clinic.
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Dr. Henry Goppert |
Dr. Goppert does foot checks for people with diabetes, who face unique risks. “If you have high blood sugar level, the proteins in blood actually are inhibited. You don’t really heal at all, wound-wise or incision-wise, for about 24 hours,” Dr. Goppert said. “It also can lead to nerve issues, nerve damage.”
Source: Melissa Brunner, WIBW [9/25/25]
09/24/2025
PODIATRISTS IN THE NEWS
MI Podiatrist Discusses New Neuroma Surgical Techniques
According to Conway McLean, DPM, "One of the latest developments in the surgical treatment of neuromas is a technique which spares the nerve, instead attempting to minimize the physical pressure on the nerve. This method is associated with an extremely low complication rate in the small studies to date. This is not surprising since the incision is quite small and the nerve isn’t traumatized. The ligament which connects the two metatarsal bones is cut, removing one of the three structures trapping the nerve."
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Dr. Conway McLean |
"Other concepts and methods are being investigated in an effort to make neuroma surgery safer. One such concept involves destruction of the nerve through the application of high intensity radio waves. These have the ability to shrink up soft tissues. This again does not need a large incision, minimizing the degree of trauma, easing post-operative pain. Further studies are needed to better define the success rate and possible complications," says Dr. McLean.
Source: Marquette Mining Journal [9/23/25]
09/23/2025
PODIATRISTS IN THE NEWS
TX Podiatrist Discusses New Non-Opioid Painkiller
UT Health San Antonio’s Multispecialty and Research Hospital has become the first in Texas to authorize the use of a newly approved non-opioid drug for managing pain after orthopaedic and podiatric surgeries. The medication, suzetrigine (marketed as Journavx), is not classified as a controlled substance and avoids the side-effects commonly associated with opioids.
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Dr. Lee Rogers |
The type of post-surgical pain associated with orthopaedics is the target indication for the newly approved medication, said Lee C. Rogers, DPM, clinical associate professor of orthopaedics and chief of podiatry at UT Health San Antonio. “It could be spine, or a total joint, or a bunion,” Rogers said. “This is a way to use innovative and effective pain management approaches that avoid opioids and their side-effects.”
Source: Steven Lee, SciTech Daily [9/20/25]
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