2025 Faculty

2025 Conference Chairs

Chairman

Robert G Frykberg, DPM, MPH, MAPWCA, FRSM, FFPM (Glasg)

Clinical Professor and Residency Director
Department of Orthopaedics
UT Health San Antonio, Division of Podiatry
San Antonio, Texas

Robert G Frykberg, DPM, MPH, MAPWCA, FRSM, FFPM (Glasg) is a graduate of the California College of Podiatric Medicine in 1976. Dr Frykberg went on to complete his residency training at the New England Deaconess Hospital in Boston. He served as the President of the Massachusetts Podiatric Medical Society and a Member of the Board of Registration in Podiatry. From 1992 to 1994, he attended the Harvard School of Public Health and graduated with a Master of Public Health degree with a concentration in quantitative methods. After 21 years of private practice, Dr Frykberg accepted the position as Clinical Dean of the Des Moines University College of Podiatric Medicine and Surgery prior to moving to Phoenix. After 15 years of dedicated service to our Veterans, Dr Frykberg has decided to retire from his role as Chief of Podiatry at the Phoenix VA Medical Center and as Director of the Phoenix VA Medical Center Podiatric Residency Program. He continues to hold the academic rank of Professor, University of Arizona College of Medicine-Phoenix and Adjunct Professor, Midwestern University Program in Podiatric Medicine. Currently, Dr Frykberg is Clinical Professor and Residency Director, Department of Orthopaedics, at UT Health San Antonio, Division of Podiatry in San Antonio, Texas. His research and writing interests have included all facets of lower extremity disorders, but are specifically focused on diabetic foot ulcers, infections, Charcot foot, and wound care. The author of nearly 100 peer-reviewed publications, he has also been the Editor of two textbooks: The High-Risk Foot in Diabetes Mellitus (1991) and the Diabetic Charcot Foot (2010). His expertise in the Diabetic Foot translated into hundreds of speaking invitations nationally and internationally with numerous lecture engagements in China, India, Russia, South America, the UK, Vietnam, Japan, Indonesia, Italy, and across Europe.

Co-Chair

Charles Andersen, MD, FACS, FSVS, MAPWCA

Chief of the Vascular/Endovascular Surgery Service (Emeritus)
Chief of the Wound Care Service
Clinical Professor of Surgery UW, USUHS
Madigan Army Medical Center
Tacoma, WA

Charles Andersen, MD, FACS, FSVS, MAPWCA serves as Chief of the Wound Care Service and Medical Director of the Wound Care Clinic at Madigan Army Medical Center, where he also holds the position of Emeritus Chief of the Vascular/Endovascular/Limb Preservation Service. After graduating from Utah State University, Dr Andersen earned his medical degree at the University of Utah, where he also completed an internship and one year of surgical training. He then entered military service, completing his surgical residency at Madigan Army Medical Center and a Vascular Surgery Fellowship at Walter Reed Army Medical Center. During his distinguished 20-year military career, his leadership positions included Program Director in General Surgery and Chief of the Department of Surgery at Madigan Army Medical Center. Following his retirement from the Army, he continued his service as a civilian Chief of the Vascular Surgery Service at Madigan. A prolific contributor to medical literature, Dr Andersen has authored over 150 peer-reviewed publications and delivered more than 500 professional presentations on vascular surgery, limb preservation, and wound care at national and international venues. He serves as Clinical Professor of Surgery at both the University of Washington and the Uniformed Services University of Health Sciences.

Co-Chair

Matthew G Garoufalis, DPM, FASPS, FACPM, CWS, FFPM, RCPS Glasg, FRSM

Professional Foot Care Specialists, PC
Chicago, IL

Matthew G Garoufalis, DPM, FASPS, FACPM, CWS, FFPM RCPS (Glasg), FRSM graduated from Heidelberg College in Tiffin, Ohio with degrees in Biology and Economics and went on to graduate from the Dr Wm M Scholl College of Podiatric Medicine. Dr Garoufalis is a past president of the Illinois Podiatric Medical Association, a Past President of the American Podiatric Medical Association, and is the Immediate Past President of the International Federation of Podiatrists. Dr Garoufalis is Board Certified by the American Board of Podiatric Surgery and American Board of Podiatric Medicine with Added Qualification in Wound Care and Limb Preservation. He is a Founding Fellow of American Society of Podiatric Surgeons and a Fellow of American College of Foot and Ankle Orthopedics and Medicine. He is also a Certified Wound Specialist by the American Board of Wound Management. Dr Garoufalis is a Fellow of the Faculty of Podiatric Medicine of the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Glasgow. He is a noted authored of many articles and, as an invited speaker, has accepted speaking engagements for educational lectures, seminars, and workshops, both nationally and internationally, on a variety of topics pertinent to wound care, podiatric medicine and surgery, and practice management. He is considered a Key Opinion Leader in many areas.

Co-Chair

Thomas Serena, MD, FACS, FACHM, MAPWCA

CEO and Medical Director of the SerenaGroup
Cambridge, MA

Thomas E Serena, MD, FACS, FACHM, MAPWCA CEO and Medical Director of The SerenaGroup, a family of the wound, hyperbaric and research companies, is a Phi Beta Kappa graduate of The College of William and Mary and Penn State Medical School. He completed his residency in Surgery at The Milton S Hershey Medical Center with an additional year of training in Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery at Southern Illinois University. To date, he has opened and operates wound care centers across the United States and globally. Dr Serena has been the lead or Principal investigator in over 100 clinical trials, including gene therapy for critical limb ischemia, antimicrobial dressings, growth factors, topical and parenteral antibiotics, and CTP therapy. He founded the first wound healing cooperative research group that produced more than 12 manuscripts in 2016 alone. In 2011 he developed a diagnostic technique that now bears his name (The Serena Technique). He holds numerous patents on wound care devices and dressings. He is recognized internationally as an expert in the field of wound healing: He has more than 200 published papers and has given more than 1000 invited lectures throughout the world. He has published three medical textbooks and authored numerous book chapters. He has been a member of the Board of Directors of the Wound Healing Society and served two terms on the board of the Association for the Advancement of Wound Care (AAWC) and is now the President. He has also been Vice-President of the American College of Hyperbaric Medicine and President of the American Professional Wound Care Association.

2025 Faculty

Jaminelli Banks, DPM

Advanced Foot Care USA
Phoenix, AZ

Jaminelli Banks, DPM serves as Head of Advanced Foot Care USA, where she leads a multidisciplinary team focused on limb preservation and advanced wound care. A board-certified, fellowship-trained foot and ankle surgeon, Dr Banks specializes in diabetic limb salvage, complex reconstruction, and wound healing. She graduated Summa Cum Laude from the University of New Mexico and earned her Doctor of Podiatric Medicine from Temple University School of Podiatric Medicine before completing her Diabetic Limb Salvage Fellowship at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Department of Plastic Surgery, with additional training in orthopedic surgery. Dr Banks has held faculty positions at White Memorial Medical Center, Midwestern University, and Grand Canyon University, and serves as a peer reviewer for the Journal of Foot & Ankle Surgery and the Journal of the American Podiatric Medical Association. A frequent lecturer at national medical conferences, including Desert Foot, SAWC, and the American Diabetes Association, she is recognized for her clinical research and contributions to improving outcomes in diabetic foot care and limb preservation.

Sung Byun, DPM, FACFAS, DABPM, CAQ

Podiatric Surgeon
Portland VA Medical Center
Portland, OR

Sunghwan Byun, DPM, FACFAS, DABPM CAQ in Amputation Prevention currently works at Portland VA Medical Center as a podiatric surgeon. Dr Byun majored in biology at the George Washington University, and then went on to graduate from Temple University School of Podiatric Medicine in 2010. Dr Byun completed three-year residency of rigorous foot and ankle surgical and medical training including trauma, reconstructive surgery, diabetic limb salvage and preventative care at Virtua Health. During his residency, he was trained under a variety of podiatric surgeons and vascular surgeons including exclusively one to one base with orthopedic surgeon fellowship trained foot and ankle surgery. After completing the residency training, Dr Byun pursued 1 year fellowship training for podiatric Dermatology – Plastic Surgery at St. Luke University Hospital. After finishing the residency training and fellowship training, Dr Byun desired to have further training on diabetic foot limb salvage and reconstructive surgery. He felt a strong connection in his life after facing family experience of limb loss. He accomplished the South Arizona Limb Salvage Alliance (S.A.L.S.A) Fellowship at University of Arizona College of Medicine under mentorship of Dr Armstrong and Dr Mills being his director. After his training, Dr Byun has da a variety of experience with podiatric medicine and surgery with the underserved patient population. Currently, he is working as a Surgeon in Portland VA Medical Center collaborating with the Prevention of Amputation in Veterans Everywhere (P.A.V.E.). He is a board director of Federal Services Podiatric Medical Association (F.S.P.M.A.) and a member of Healthy Equity & Advocacy Committee at American Limb Preservation Socieaty (A.L.P.S.) Dr Byun enjoys being with his family: his wife and twin boys in Oregon as he is spending time with his kids for his soccer practice.

Walter D'Costa, DPM, FAPWCA

Medical Director
Sutter Santa Rosa Wound Care Center
Northern California Foot and Ankle Center
Santa Rosa, CA

Walter D'Costa, DPM, FAPWCA is a distinguished board-certified Foot & Ankle Surgeon based in Santa Rosa, California. Dr D'Costa completed his medical degree at the California School of Podiatric Medicine. His exceptional skill in complex cases, particularly in wound care, has earned him a reputation as an outstanding specialist. In addition to his clinical practice, Dr D'Costa is an active member of several esteemed professional organizations, including the American Podiatric Medical Association, the California Podiatric Medical Association, the American Professional Wound Care Association, and the American College of Clinical Wound Specialists. He is the medical director of the Sutter Santa Rosa Wound Care Center at Memorial Santa Rosa Hospital. He continues to train the next generation of physicians as an associate clinical professor at the University of California San Francisco within the Department of Family Medicine. His involvement in these groups highlights his long-term commitment to advancing podiatric medicine. With a vast career dedicated to his patients, Dr D'Costa brings unparalleled experience and insight.

Patrick DeHeer, DPM, FACFAS, FFPM RCPS (Glasg)

Residency Director, Ascension St. Vincent Hospital
Indianapolis, IN

Patrick A. DeHeer, DPM, FACFAS, FFPM RCPS (Glasg), is a member of the American Podiatric Medical Association (APMA) and a fellow of the American Society of Podiatric Surgeons (ASPS), American College of Foot and Ankle Pediatrics, American College of Foot and Ankle Surgeons (ACFAS), Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Glasgow Fellowship of Faculty of Podiatric Medicine (Glasg), and a Diplomat of the American Board of Foot & Ankle Surgery, certified in foot surgery and reconstructive foot and ankle surgery. He practices in central Indiana as part of the national supergroup Upperline Health and Dr DeHeer serves as the residency director of the podiatric surgical residency program at Ascension St. Vincent Hospital in Indianapolis. In addition, Dr DeHeer served as the team podiatrist for the Indiana Pacers for 30 years, from 1992 to 2022. He is a member of the editorial board of Podiatry Today and a regular blogger for Podiatry Today. He also served as a guest editor for Clinics in Podiatric Medicine and Surgery Pediatric Edition 2013 and for Foot and Ankle Quarterly Clubfoot Edition 2014. Dr DeHeer has published numerous peer-reviewed journal articles and textbook chapters and is an international and national lecturer. He is the inventor of the Equinus Brace™ and a partner in IQ Med, as well as president and founder of Step-By-Step Haiti and Foot Aid. Dr DeHeer’s passion for teaching and providing lower extremity healthcare in developing countries culminated in his recognition by the 2014 International Federation of Podiatrists Humanitarian Award and the 2011 APMA Humanitarian of the Year Award. Dr DeHeer serves as a treasurer on the APMA Board of Trustees, and is currently in his 10th year on the board. Dr DeHeer is the past president of the Indiana Podiatric Medical Association and the continuing education chairperson.

Ryan Dirks, MS, PA, CWS

Chief Executive Officer/Chief Medical Officer
United Wound Healing
Puyallup, WA

Ryan Dirks, MS, PA, CWS serves as Chief Executive Officer and Chief Medical Officer of United Wound Healing in Puyallup, Washington. His journey into healthcare began with a simple yet profound goal: to extend the reach of physicians and bring quality care to underserved communities. As a former NCAA athlete and Olympic hopeful, his competitive spirit initially drew him to sports medicine, where he could combine his love of athletics with patient care. In 2011, a pivotal introduction to skilled nursing wound care revealed his true calling. Recognizing the critical need for specialized wound care in post-acute settings, Dr Dirks founded United Wound Healing to address this gap. As CEO and CMO, he now leads the organization's clinical excellence and strategic vision while remaining deeply connected to his roots, volunteering as a sports medicine provider at local high schools. Outside the office, Dr Dirks cherishes time with his wife and twin sons, maintains his dedication to physical fitness, and finds peace in the Pacific Northwest outdoors through hiking and fly fishing.

Cyaandi Dove, DPM

Director of the Diabetic Foot Clinic
Harold Schnitzer Diabetes Health Center
Oregon Health and Science University
Portland, OR

Cyaandi Dove, DPM serves as Director of the Diabetes Foot Program in the Division of Endocrinology, Diabetes & Clinical Nutrition at Oregon Health & Science University. In this role, she brings together clinical care, research, and innovation to confront one of our most persistent and overlooked challenges: preventing avoidable lower-extremity amputations and improving the lives of patients living with diabetes. As a principal investigator on NIH-funded and industry-sponsored studies, Dr Dove works at the intersection of science and service — advancing new technologies, studying wound healing, and strengthening the evidence base for limb preservation. Her work is rooted in collaboration, from vascular surgery to endocrinology, and guided by a commitment to equity, ensuring that high-risk and underserved communities across Oregon have access to the care and tools they need. Dr Dove serves on the American Limb Preservation Society Board and contributes to the American Diabetes Association’s Amputation Prevention Alliance. At OHSU, her research is shaping comprehensive limb-salvage technologies and strategies that expand what’s possible in the care of patients at greatest risk.

Sarah Ducharme, MD

Ducharme General Surgery PLLC
TMC Wound Care Center
Tucson, AZ

Sarah Ducharme, MD is an Air Force veteran who has been serving the Tucson community since 2005. She grew up in Michigan and England. Her undergraduate degree is from Albion College. She earned her medical degree from Wayne State University School of Medicine. She completed her General Surgery residency in San Antonio at Wilford Hall Medical Center and the University of Texas. Dr Ducharme served in the U.S. Air Force for over 14 years and was honorably discharged in 2011. She operates at Tucson Medical Center, Carondelet St Joseph Hospital and Tucson Surgery Center. Dr Ducharme is the medical director of TMC Wound Care Center. Dr Ducharme is board certified in General Surgery and is a Fellow of the American College of Surgeons. Dr Ducharme provides premier care in all areas of general surgery. She also performs upper and lower endoscopy with an all female team. Dr Ducharme performs advanced wound care in her office and at TMC’s Wound Care Center.

Caroline Fife, MD, FAAFP, CWS

Chief Medical Officer, Intellicure, Inc
Woodland, TX

Caroline Fife, MD, FAAFP, CWS completed a Family Medicine residency at the University of Texas, Southwestern in Dallas followed by a two-year Fellowship in Undersea and Hyperbaric Medicine at Duke University. Until 2013 she was a Professor of Medicine at the University of Texas Health Science Center, Houston where she initiated the Memorial Hermann Center for Wound Healing in 1990, and the Memorial Hermann Center for Lymphedema Therapy in 1998. Since 2013, she has been a Professor of Geriatrics at Baylor College of Medicine in Houston. She is also the Chief Medical Officer of Intellicure, LLC, a Texas-based health information technology company which since 2000, has provided a specialty-specific electronic medical record system to wound and hyperbaric centers across the US. She is the Executive Director of the U.S. Wound Registry, a non-profit organization recognized by CMS as a qualified clinical data registry which has developed a suite of CMS approved wound-care relevant quality measures to enable practitioners in the field to meet the requirements of Medicare

Allan Freedline, DPM

Allan Freedline, DPM is a surgically trained podiatrist who pivoted into a senior executive role at a global wound care company, where he spent over two decades driving innovation and acquisitions. Dr Freedline held key roles in medical education, strategy development, tech scouting, and business development, contributing to over $1.5bn in acquisitions. He also designed and patented a globally sold wound dressing and was on the initial development team for the first single-use, disposable negative-pressure device.

Miki Fujii, MD, PhD

Associate Professor
Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery
Tokyo Medical University Hospital
Tokyo, Japan

Miki Fujii, MD, PhD is a board-certified plastic and reconstructive surgeon specializing in diabetic foot management, with a particular focus on limb salvage and chronic wound healing. She currently serves as Associate Professor at Tokyo Medical University, where she leads clinical and research initiatives aimed at improving outcomes for patients with complex diabetic foot conditions. Dr Fujii earned her medical degree from Kanazawa University and completed her training in reconstructive and regenerative surgical techniques at Kobe University. She further enhanced her expertise through a visiting scholarship at the Southern Arizona Limb Salvage Alliance (SALSA), University of Arizona, under the mentorship of Prof David G. Armstrong

Bogdan Grecea, DPM, AACFAS

Vice President, Surgeon Education, Training and Onboarding
Voom Medical Devices
Brentwood, TN

Bogdan Grecea, DPM, AACFAS is Vice President of Surgeon Education, Training and Onboarding at Voom Medical Devices in Brentwood, Tennessee. He is a board-certified foot and ankle surgeon who earned his Doctor of Podiatric Medicine from Western University of Health Sciences and completed his surgical residency at Kaiser Permanente Santa Clara Medical Center, where he served as Chief Resident. Dr Grecea is certified by the American Board of Foot and Ankle Surgery in both forefoot and rearfoot/ankle surgery and holds licenses in California and New York. He has practiced as a foot and ankle trauma and reconstructive surgeon at multiple prestigious facilities, including Beverly Hills Golden Surgery Center, Cedars-Sinai, and various New York ambulatory surgery centers. During his medical education, Dr Grecea demonstrated strong leadership as Class President and Student Government Association President. He organized the Bay Area Residency Research Symposium and served as a panelist for ACFAS, sharing insights on residency selection.

E. Lynette Gunn, APRN, GCNS-BC, CWCN, CFCN

Chief of Outpatient Nursing Service
Eastern Oklahoma VA HCS

E. Lynette Gunn, APRN, GCNS-BC, CWCN, CFCN serves as Chief of Outpatient Nursing Service at Eastern Oklahoma VA Health Care System. With a Master of Science in Nursing from the University of Oklahoma, she specializes in wound care, ostomy management, and foot care. Previously serving as Facility Telehealth Coordinator and Virtual Wound APRN, she has pioneered innovative telehealth approaches to wound management. Ms. Gunn is board-certified in gerontological clinical nurse specialist practice, wound care, and foot care. She actively contributes to nursing leadership through her roles on the Oklahoma NACNS Board and various national committees, championing amputation prevention and excellence in veteran care through evidence-based practice.

Cathy Harmon, DNP, MSN, FNP-BC, CWOCN, CFCN

Wound and Ostomy Outpatient Clinic Provider
Lake City VA Medical Center
Lake City, FL

Cathy Harmon, DNP, MSN Nrg ED, FNP-BC, CWOCN is the Wound and Ostomy Outpatient Clinic Provider for the Veteran population at the Lake City VA Medical Center in Lake City, FL. The clinic also provides telehealth services to the Veteran population in outlying rural clinics in South Georgia and North Florida. She serves the Veteran population as a memorial to her dad, a combat wounded WWII Veteran.
Dr Harmon earned her nursing degrees

Evelyn Heigh-Rosen, DPM

Clinical Faculty & Assistant Professor
Arizona College of Podiatric Medicine, Midwestern University
Phoenix, AZ

Evelyn Heigh-Rosen, DPM is an Arizona native and received her undergraduate degree in Kinesiology at Arizona State University. She received her Doctor of Podiatric Medicine from the Arizona College of Podiatric Medicine at Midwestern University. Dr Heigh-Rosen completed a comprehensive foot/ankle medical and surgical residency at the Northwell Health Hospital System in Long Island, NY, and went on to continue her training with a fellowship at the UCLA-affiliated podiatry program in Los Angeles. Dr Heigh-Rosen is board-certified by the American Board of Podiatric Medicine as well as the American Board of Wound Management. She is board-qualified by the American College of Foot and Ankle Surgeons. Dr Heigh-Rosen joined the Midwestern University faculty in March of 2022, after 3.5 years of practicing with a large multispecialty group in Phoenix, AZ. Dr Heigh-Rosen has a special interest in both treating and researching dermatologic conditions of the lower extremity. Dr Heigh-Rosen has contributed to the medical literature to improve the care of patients with lower extremity disorders and has presented at national podiatric medical meetings in the wound care arena.

William Brant Hesidence, DPM, DABLES, FAWPHc, UHM

Foot & Ankle Specialists
Gallup, NM

William Hesidence, DPM, DABLES, FAWPHc, UHM is a board-certified podiatric surgeon specializing in wound care and foot and ankle surgery at Foot & Ankle Specialists in Gallup, New Mexico. Born in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, Dr Hesidence began his career studying business and communications at Clarion University before answering the call to military service in 1984. As a Medevac Helicopter Pilot, he demonstrated extraordinary courage under fire, earning the Air Medal with Valor for his service during Desert Storm. Following his military career, Dr Hesidence pursued his passion for healing, earning his Doctor of Podiatric Medicine degree from Barry University in Miami, Florida. He completed his surgical residency at Mt. Sinai Hospital, where he honed his expertise in complex foot and ankle procedures and advanced wound care. Throughout his distinguished career, Dr Hesidence has dedicated himself to serving America's veterans and underserved communities, providing care at VA hospitals and Indian Health Service facilities nationwide. His unique combination of military discipline, surgical precision, and compassionate patient care makes him a trusted provider for complex foot and ankle conditions.

Anil Hingorani, MD

Vascular Institute of New York
Borough Park, Brooklyn, NY

Anil Hingorani, MD is a board-certified vascular surgeon at the Vascular Institute of New York, located in the Borough Park neighborhood of Brooklyn, New York, and an assistant professor at Mount Sinai Medical Center and SUNY Downstate in Brooklyn. Dr Hingorani has more than 20 years of experience treating a wide range of vascular conditions. After graduating from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI) in Rensselaer, New York, with a Bachelor of Science in biology in 1988, Dr Hingorani attended Albany Medical College (AMC) in Albany, New York. Upon graduating in 1992, Dr Hingorani completed his surgical residency at St. Luke's-Roosevelt Hospital Center of Columbia University in New York, followed by a vascular fellowship at Brooklyn's Maimonides Medical Center. Dr Hingorani has broad experience in diagnosing and treating vascular conditions, and his specialties include vascular access, varicose veins, lower limb arterial disease, carotid artery angioplasty and stenting, aortic aneurysm, and vein disorders. In 2019, Dr Hingorani was awarded the Castle Connolly Regional Top Doctor recognition and made the Marquis Who's Who in the World list. He has also authored numerous peer-reviewed publications throughout his career. As a highly respected vascular surgeon in his native state of New York, Dr Hingorani belongs to several professional organizations, including the American Board of Vascular Surgery, the International Union of Angiology, and the Society of Vascular Ultrasound. When he is not working with patients, Dr Hingorani enjoys spending time with his wife, son, and daughter.

Stephanie Hook, DPM, FACPM, FASPS, FFPM RCPS (Glasg)

Executive Director
American Board of Podiatric Medicine
East Syracuse, NY

Stephanie Hook, DPM, FACPM, FASPS, FFPM RCPS (Glasg) is the Executive Director of American Board of Podiatric Medicine (ABPM). She graduated from the Ohio College of Podiatric Medicine. Upon completion of her residency at Catholic Health System/Sisters of Charity Hospital in Buffalo, New York, Dr Hook moved to Central New York, where she was in practice at a podiatry group then Syracuse Orthopedic Specialists. During that time, she was on staff at multiple hospitals and also served as the Podiatry Division Chief at Upstate University Hospital, Community General Campus. She has proudly served on various committees with the American Podiatric Medical Association, the American Association for Women Podiatrists, the American Board of Podiatric Medicine, the American College of Podiatric Medicine, the American Heart Association, and the New York State Podiatric Medical Association. She has also served on the boards of AAWP, ABPM, and NYSPMA. Dr Hook is currently the President of the Central Division of the NYSPMA.

Arpana Jain, MD, FACS

Burn Surgeon and Associate Medical Director
Diane and Bruce Halle Arizona Burn Center
Phoenix, AZ

Arpana Jain, MD, FACS is a Burn Surgeon and Associate Medical Director at the Diane and Bruce Halle Arizona Burn Center. She is also an Assistant Professor of Surgery at the University of Arizona and Creighton University. She serves as the Director of Ambulatory Care at the burn center as well as Medical Director of the Laser Program and Burn Surgery Fellowship. Dr Jain received training in Burn Surgery with emphasis on pediatric burns at the University of California and Shriners Hospital. Her practice includes caring for patients suffering from both acute burn injury and late effects of burns, with a special focus on critically ill burn patients, reconstruction of burn scars, and pediatric burn care. She has authored many journal articles, guidelines, and book chapters and is an internationally recognized leader in burn care.

Christopher Japour, MS, DPM

Podiatry Section Chief
Podiatry Residency Director
VA Illiana Healthcare System
Danville, IL

Christopher Japour, MS, DPM, is podiatry section chief and podiatry residency director at the VA Iliana Healthcare System in Danville, IL. Dr Japour serves as an adjunct clinical instructor for Dr. William Scholl College of Podiatric Medicine. He is board certified by the American Board of Podiatric Medicine, American Board of Foot and Ankle Surgery, and American Board of Lower Extremity Surgeons. Dr Japour received his doctor of podiatric medicine degree from New York College of Podiatry and completed his postgraduate training in podiatric surgery and medicine at New York College of Podiatry and Veteran Affairs Medical Center, Brooklyn, NY. He is Fellowship Trained from Mount Sinai School of Medicine of the City University of New York.

Warren S Joseph, DPM, FIDSA

Adjunct Clinical Professor
Arizona College of Podiatric Medicine at Midwestern University
Glendale, AZ Editor - Journal of the APMA

Warren S. Joseph, DPM, FIDSA is a specialist in the treatment of lower extremity infectious diseases. He received his podiatric degree, magna cum laude, from the W.M. Scholl College of Podiatric Medicine in Chicago. Dr Joseph completed his postgraduate training in podiatric medicine/surgery at St. Joseph's Hospital and a fellowship in infectious diseases at Hahnemann University School of Medicine, both in Philadelphia. He is currently an Adjunct Clinical Professor at the Arizona College of Podiatric Medicine at Midwestern University in Glendale, AZ.
Dr Joseph is a fellow of the Infectious Diseases Society of America and sits on the IDSA Diabetic Foot Infection Guidelines Committee. He is also certified by the American Board of Podiatric Medicine and currently serves as Editor of the Journal of the American Podiatric Medical Association. Dr Joseph lectures extensively, and his presentations have focused on the treatment of bacterial and fungal infections of the lower extremity. He has authored close to 100 publications in the field of lower extremity infections and is the author of the Handbook of Lower Extremity Infections, now in its third edition.

Venu Kavarthapu, MBBS, FRCS

Consultant Orthopaedic Surgeon
King's College Hospital
London, UK
Associate Professor
University of Southern Denmark
President, International Association of Diabetic Foot Surgeons

Venu Kavarthapu, MBBS, FRCS, FRCS (Tr&Orth) was appointed as an orthopaedic consultant at King's College Hospital NHS Trust in London, UK, in 2006. He is the orthopaedic lead of the King's Multidisciplinary Diabetic Foot Unit and has established the functional limb salvage Charcot foot reconstruction service that has been recognized nationally. He also founded the 'Multidisciplinary and Surgical Reconstruction of Charcot Foot Symposium' and 'King's Charcot Foot Reconstruction Cadaver Workshop' course in London. The Diabetic Foot Reconstruction Fellowship that is offered in his unit is popular among foot and ankle trained surgeons. His clinical research interest focuses on Charcot foot and infection clearance surgery of the diabetic foot. He has published extensively on diabetic foot surgery and authored six book chapters on this subject. He is invited to most key diabetic foot meetings and is a dynamic member of several specialist societies. His other responsibilities include Honorary Senior Lecturer at King's College London, Associate Editor of the Journal of Clinical Orthopaedics and Trauma, member of the British Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society Education Committee, Associate Professor at the University of Southern Denmark, and President of the International Association of Diabetic Foot Surgeons.

John Lantis, II, MD, FACS

Site Chief and Professor of Surgery
Mount Sinai West and the Icahn School of Medicine
New York, NY

John C Lantis, II, MD, FACS is the Site Chair and Professor of Surgery at Mount Sinai and the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai. Dr Lantis' clinical practice spans the fields of Vascular/Endovascular Surgery, and lower extremity wound healing. He directs a clinical/basic science research program in the field of lower extremity wound healing and tissue repair and is published extensively. He is a founding member of the American Board of Wound Medicine and Surgery. He currently sits on the editorial board of WOUNDS and the Journal of Wound Care. In addition, he is a reviewer for half a dozen other journals. To date, he is/or has been the principal investigator on more than 55 multicenter and single center chronic wound and vascular surgery trials.

Fermin Rafael Martinez de Jesus, MD

Fermin Rafael Martinez de Jesus, MD was born in Cosamaloapan, Veracruz, Mexico. Since he achieved his Medical Degree in Surgery in 1984 by the Universidad Nacional Autonoma de Mexico, he has devoted his work to improve the scientific foundations of the surgical and medical care to avoid lower extremity amputations in patients complicated with diabetic foot syndrome.
Dr Martinez believes in friendship and hard work citing frequently: To rest to the grave when you pass away. He hates hypocrisy, unloyalty, and ungratefulness. He defines himself as a simple man trying to give the best of himself to other persons. With great energy and scarce economic resources, he built his own Diabetic Foot Center that is known worldwide. Dr Martinez has received many awards and continue working in patients care, research, scholar, and surgical practice.
Prof Fermin Martinez has written more than 50 journal articles, one book, 10 book chapters, and has been the keynote and invited speaker at more than 100 scientific, university and industry symposia, courses, and conferences.

Matthew Mark Melin, MD, FACS, RPVI, FACCWS

University of Minnesota Physicians
Department of Vascular Surgery
Fairview Wound Healing Institute
Edina, MN

Mark Melin MD, FACS, RPVI, FACCWS is a graduate of the University of Minnesota Medical School. He completed his General Surgery residency and Vascular Fellowship at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester Minnesota. Dr Melin is currently at University of Minnesota Physicians, Fairview Wound Healing Institute in Edina, Minnesota.

John David Mullins, MD

Shepherd Center Wound Clinic
Atlanta, GA

John David Mullins, MD is a board-certified plastic and reconstructive surgeon and recent Chairman of the Department of Surgery at Piedmont Atlanta Hospital. A graduate of Emory University School of Medicine and retired U.S. Air Force Colonel, he has decades of experience treating complex injuries and pioneering the use of SoftWave ESWT in surgical and wound care applications.

Ralph J. Napolitano, DPM, CWSP, FACFAS

Director, Wound Care and Healing
OrthoNeuro
New Albany, OH

Ralph J Napolitano, Jr, DPM, CWSP, FACFAS is a double board-certified podiatrist, wound care specialist physician and award-winning researcher with publications spanning over two decades on wound care and healing, surgical limb preservation and wound healing technology. He specializes in medicine, surgery and wound care of the foot, ankle and leg. He is the Director of Wound Care and Healing at OrthoNeuro. He is also an Adjunct Clinical Assistant Professor of Orthopedic Surgery and Podiatry at Ohio University Heritage College of Osteopathic Medicine. Dr Napolitano is a Fellow of the American College of Foot and Ankle Surgeons and a Diplomate of the American Board of Foot and Ankle Surgery and the American Board of Wound Management. He is also a member of the American Limb Preservation Society. He was the first podiatrist in the state of Ohio to earn the board certification Certified Wound Specialist Physician (CWSP). He remains active publishing and lecturing locally, nationally and internationally on wound care and healing. Recently he was awarded 3rd prize at the 2024 Great Debates and Updates Diabetic Foot Symposium for his work with a new all-in-one wound dressing used in conjunction with negative pressure wound therapy systems. Also in 2024, Dr Napolitano and his research team won the “People's Choice Award” at the 2024 Fall Symposium on Advanced Wound Care for their abstract "Bioactive Glass Effectively Heals Complex Lower Extremity Wounds: A Case Series." Their work stood out among nearly 400 entries to secure first place. When not practicing medicine, Dr Napolitano enjoys spending time with his family. His broad interests include music, golf, fishing, and mountain biking. Of particular interest is jazz music. His main instrument is the trumpet. Over the years he has studied, performed, and recorded with members of The Columbus Symphony Orchestra, The Cleveland Symphony Orchestra, The Columbus Jazz Orchestra and the Saturday Night Live Band.

Collin E Pehde, DPM, FASPS

Director, Amputation Prevention and Research Fellowship
Lee J. Sanders Endowed Professor of Lower Extremity Amputation Prevention
Assistant Professor/Clinical Podiatry, Department of Orthopaedics
UT Health San Antonio
San Antonio, TX

Collin Pehde, DPM, FASPS is an Assistant Clinical Professor of Podiatric Medicine and Surgery in the Department of Orthopaedics, Division of Podiatry at UT Health San Antonio. He holds the Lee J. Sanders Professorship in Lower Extremity Amputation Prevention and serves as the Director of the Amputation Prevention and Research Fellowship.
Dr Pehde focuses his practice on the treatment of the diabetic foot. This encompasses preventive high risk diabetic foot care, acute and chronic wound management and advanced foot and ankle orthoplastic reconstructive surgery to prevent major limb amputation. He is dedicated to training medical students, residents, and fellows on their journey to becoming the next generation of podiatric surgeons.

Mario Ponticello, DPM, DABFAS

Chief of the Limb Preservation Service
Director of the Complex Lower Extremity Surgery and Research Fellowship
Madigan Army Medical Center
Tacoma, WA

Mario Ponticello, DPM, DABFAS graduated from Inova Fairfax Hospital Podiatric Surgical Residency in 2008. He then began private practice in Milwaukee, WI for seven years. He has been involved in residency and student education for the last eight years as a prior teaching faculty member at Columbia St Mary's Podiatric Residency Program and Wheaton Franciscan Podiatric Residency Program. In 2015, Dr Ponticello transitioned to Tacoma Washington as the Chief of the Limb Preservation Service and Director of the Complex Lower Extremity Surgery and Research Fellowship at Madigan Army Medical Center.

Anh Quach

PowerStep

Anh Quach brings his technical experience in physical therapy to his current role as Business Development Manager for Foundation Wellness, where he educates healthcare providers on the benefits of PowerStep to drive strategic growth and partnerships.

Pejman Rahimian, PhD, HCLD/CC (ABB), MLS (ASCP)

Assistant Professor
Tarleton State University
Dallas, TX

As the Acting Department Head and Assistant Professor in the School of Health Professions at Tarleton State University, Pejman Rahimian, PhD, HCLD/CC (ABB), MLS (ASCP) leads the Department of Medical Laboratory Sciences, Public Health, and Nutrition Sciences. His work centers on fostering academic excellence, supporting faculty development, and ensuring students receive rigorous, practice-ready training for today’s healthcare and laboratory workforce. With a background as a clinical laboratory director and translational scientist, He brings real-world laboratory, regulatory, and leadership experience into the classroom. Dr Rahimian is committed to creating an environment where students thrive, faculty feel supported, and our programs continue to grow in quality, impact, and national visibility.

Jessica Randolph, DPM

Founder and Owner
OnPoint Podiatry
Glendale, AZ

Jessica Vernola Randolph, DPM is the owner and founder of OnPoint Podiatry in Glendale, AZ. Her practice focuses on all aspects of foot and ankle care. She has a large, diverse patient population, treating individuals requiring advanced lower limb reconstruction to elite professional dancers and highly specialized athletes. She provides targeted care to her individual patients' needs.
Dr Randolph is a native of Phoenix, AZ. She is classically trained in ballet and many different modern dance techniques. She received her Bachelor of Fine Arts in Dance and Choreography from Arizona State University, followed by her Master's in Dance Education for Higher Education from New York University. While living in New York City, she performed and taught for the Isadora Duncan Dance Foundation. While dancing, choreographing, and teaching in New York City, she was first introduced to the field of Dance Medicine.
Dr Randolph returned to Arizona, where she performed, taught, and choreographed as a member of the Movement Source Dance Company for five seasons. After graduating cum laude from Grand Canyon University with a Bachelor of Science with an emphasis in Biology, she went on to earn her Doctorate Degree from Midwestern University in Podiatric Medicine. She then completed a rigorous 3-year surgical residency program at the Carl T. Hayden Phoenix VAMC. Dr Randolph has advanced surgical training in rearfoot reconstruction, limb preservation, advanced wound care, Charcot foot reconstruction, joint arthroscopy, sports medicine, and biomechanics. During her spare time, Dr Randolph remains active in the dance community. She is an avid runner, triathlete, SCUBA diver, and tries to fit in a dance technique class when she can. She is happily married to her best friend, a Veteran of the United States Air Force. Dr and Mr Randolph have two adorable Black Labrador Retrievers, Revan and Malgus, along with a cuddly cat, Jade, who fill their home with love and energy.

Matthew John Regulski, DPM, FFPM RCPS (Glasg), DABMSP

Medical Director
The Wound Care Institute of Ocean County, NJ
Senior Partner
Ocean County Foot and Ankle Surgical Associates
Toms River, NJ

Matthew Regulski, DPM, FFPM RCPS (Glasg), DABMSP is a graduate of Temple University School of Medicine, where he graduated Summa Cum Laude. He performed his residency at the Main Line Health System in Philadelphia, PA, and is currently the Medical Director of the Wound Care Institute of Ocean County, LLC. Dr Regulski is also Co-Director of The Center for Wound Healing & Hyperbaric Medicine at Community Medical Center and is involved at the Wound Care Center at the Kimball Institute. He has been the principal investigator for multiple clinical trials for wound healing, diabetic foot, and venous leg ulcers, and has authored several peer-reviewed articles for the treatment of chronic wound healing and limb-salvage surgery. Dr Regulski is currently on the Board of Directors of the Federation of International Podiatry and is the Scientific Chairman for the Federation of International Podiatry. He is also the Communications Director for the Foot Working Group of the American Diabetes Association. Dr Regulski is a wound care certified physician and fellow of both the Academy of Physicians in Wound Healing and the American Professional Wound Care Association. He is also a National Delegate for the Association for the Advancement of Wound Care and is a member of the Wound Healing Society. An International and National lecturer of wound healing and limb-salvage surgery, Dr Regulski has multiple certifications in wound healing, diabetic wounds, and limb-salvage surgery. Dr Matthew Regulski is a fellow faculty member at the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Glasgow, Scotland.

Lee C Rogers, DPM, FFPM RCPS (Glasg)

Associate Professor/Clinical, Podiatry Division Chief
UT Health San Antonio
San Antonio, TX

Lee C. Rogers, DPM, FFPM RCPS (Glasg) is on the Board of Directors of the American Board of Podiatric Medicine. He helped the ABPM establish the Certificate of Added Qualification in Amputation Prevention and Wound Care in 2017. He is a Fellow of the Faculty of Podiatric Medicine of the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Glasgow. Dr Rogers has authored over 150 peer-reviewed manuscripts and book chapters and focuses on creating systems of excellence for diabetic foot care and limb salvage.

Ksenija Topic, DPM, CCC-Pod IHS

Director of Wound ManagementWinslow, AZ

Ksenija Topic, DPM , CCC-Pod IHS, received her Doctor of Podiatric Medicine degree from Scholl College of Podiatric Medicine at Rosalind Franklin University and completed a three-year surgical residency in Chicago, Illinois. Dr Topic joined Navajo Area IHS in 2007. Dr Topic has started two podiatric programs within the Navajo Area and has worked to establish special pay authority to allow IHS to offer fair market value pay for podiatrists. Dr Topic has been recognized with the IHS Director’s Award. Her interests include maximizing the role of podiatric physicians and surgeons to avoid preventable limb amputations, increasing representation of American Indians and Alaska Natives in the podiatric workforce and developing podiatrists in leadership roles throughout Indian Health Service.

Wendy W Weston, PhD, CTBS

Vice President of R&DPompano Beach, FL

Wendy Weston, PhD, CTBS’s research career began in California with studies on muscle regeneration following spinal cord injury and muscle development in sub-ideal conditions (eg, space flight). She then began working on bone regeneration at Loma Linda VA. D. Weston relocated to Florida to investigate hematopoietic stem cell characteristics and self-renewal in response to micro-environmental factors. Here, she earned her PhD in Molecular Cell and Developmental Biology. Interest in stem cell microenvironments led to studies at Miami VA on the healing effect of mesenchymal stem cell (MSC) exosome and growth factor delivery. Successes in MSC work expanded her interest in the mechanisms of allograft healing in healthy and damaged environments. She was recruited to the biotech sector by Vivex Biomedical for work at the University of Miami Tissue Bank where Dr Weston’s innovation and leadership in product development resulted in highly effective products and multiple patents. She was offered the opportunity to continue her research at the very impressive, well-equipped Cell Therapy Institute at Nova Southeastern University. This allowed her to expand to the evaluation of microvesicles in sarcoma initiation and progression for the purpose of biomarker elucidation. While at NSU, she served the Medical School (NSU MD) on the Curriculum Committee, Pre-clerkship Committee and as the Genomics Thread Director. Her consulting activities in the biotechnology space resulted in strong and prosperous relationships with several companies where she has enjoyed the development and characterization of products for market use. As a member of the American Association of Tissue Banks and a Certified Tissue Bank Specialist, she has served as Vice Chair of Bylaws and Ethics and sits on the Living Donor Council. She has presented internationally and serves as a reviewer for several publications. To date, Dr Weston has 14 granted patents. Currently, Dr Weston is Vice President of Research and Development for BioStem Technologies. In this role, she is optimizing the regenerative and healing capacity of birth tissues in various tissue microenvironments and has submitted more patents on this subject. She has fueled the development of some new products and facilitated the optimization of others, intent on honoring the Gift of birth tissue and healing those in dire need by producing the most effective, safe products possible.

Dane K Wukich, MD, MSc

Professor and Chair of the Department of Prosthetics and Orthotics
UT Southwestern Medical Center
Dallas, TX

Dane K Wukich MD, MSc is Professor and Chair of the Department of Prosthetics and Orthotics at UT Southwestern Medical Center in Dallas. He also serves as the Associate Dean for Innovation and Advancement at the UT Southwestern School of Health Professions. Prior to his current appointment, Dr Wukich held the endowed Dr Charles F. Gregory Distinguished Chair of Orthopaedic Surgery at UT Southwestern Medical Center from 2016 to 2024 during which he guided the department to national ranking as determined by US News and World Report. Dr Wukich has published over 210 manuscripts cited on PubMed and 14 textbook chapters. His SCOPUS H-index is 46 and he has been listed as first or senior corresponding author on 53% of his publications. He served as co-editor of the fifth edition of The Foot in Diabetes which was published in 2020. His scholarly work has been cited 8,601 times and he has lectured in North America, South America, Europe, Asia, and Australia. Dr Wukich received the Roger E. Pecoraro MD Award by the American Diabetes Association, recognizing a researcher who has made scientific contributions and demonstrates an untiring commitment to improving the understanding of detection, treatment, and prevention of diabetic foot complications. Dr Wukich received The Paul Brand MD Award, presented at the Desert Foot Conference, which recognized his contribution to excellence in diabetic foot care. This award is given in Honor of D Brand a missionary surgeon who dedicated his career to treating patients with neuropathic complications, initially in India and later in the US. Dr Wukich has also been honored with the MedStar Georgetown University Distinguished Achievement Award in Diabetic Limb Salvage, which recognized his contributions to education, surgery, and scholarship in this field. His active clinical practice involves caring for underrepresented minority patients Parkland Memorial Hospital in Dallas and military veterans at the North Texas Veterans Administration Medical Center. He graduated with honors from Carnegie-Mellon University in 1978 where he received the Ribosome Award. He received his medical degree from Georgetown University School of Medicine in 1982 and was inducted into Alpha Omega Alpha, the national honor medical society. After completing a general surgery internship at Walter Reed Army Medical Center in 1983, he was deployed to the Federal Republic of Germany and served an orthopaedic preceptorship for two years at the 5th General Hospital Bad Cannstatt. He returned to the US and completed his orthopaedic residency at the Walter Reed Army Medical Center in 1989, subsequently practicing general orthopaedics for 14 years prior to completing an orthopaedic foot and ankle fellowship at The Cleveland Clinic in 2004. Immediately after his fellowship in 2004, Dr Wukich relocated to Pittsburgh, PA and began working at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center where he rose to the rank of Professor at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine. He has performed approximately 100,000 outpatient assessments during his career. Since completing his fellowship in 2004, Dr Wukich has performed more than 16,000 surgical procedures on patients with foot and ankle problems, initially in Pittsburgh and most recently in Dallas. He is currently serves on the Editorial Board of the International Working Group for the Diabetic Foot (IWGDF) and chairs the IWGDF