2026 Faculty

2026 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.

Chairman

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.

Co-Chair

Charles Andersen, MD, FACS, 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, 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

Ryan Dirks, MS, PA, CWS

Founder and CEO
United Wound Healing
Puyallup, WA
Co-founder
Open Wound Research

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, Ryan 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, Ryan 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.

2026 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.

Anahita Dua, MD, MS, MBA, FACFAS

Vascular Surgeon
Massachusetts General Hospital,
Associate Professor of Surgery
Harvard Medical School
Boston, MA

Anahita Dua, MD, MS, MBA, FACFAS, is an Associate Professor of Surgery at the Massachusetts General Hospital/Harvard Medical School. She is the director of the peripheral artery disease center, associate director of the wound center, clinical director of research and director of the sub-internship in vascular surgery. She is the past director of the vascular lab at the MGH. She developed and currently leads the Limb Evaluation and Amputation Program (LEAP) at the MGH. She also founded and runs the only comprehensive vascular surgery homeless clinic in the country at the MGH. Dr Dua completed her vascular surgery fellowship at Stanford University Hospital, general surgery residency at the Medical College of Wisconsin, and her medical school in the United Kingdom. She has also completed a master's degree (MS) in trauma sciences and a master's in business administration (MBA) in health care management. She also has a certificate in health economics and outcomes research, as well as certificates in drug and device development and Artificial Intelligence (AI) in healthcare from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT). Dr Dua is double board-certified in vascular surgery and general surgery. She is also boarded in advanced wound care and management. Dr Dua has published over 290 peer-reviewed papers and has edited five vascular surgery medical textbooks. She serves on multiple national vascular surgery committees, including the Society for Vascular Surgery, is the past president of the South Asian-American Vascular Society (SAAVS), and is the current president of the Society for Vascular Ultrasound (SVU) Foundation. She is a past presidential leadership scholar under Presidents Bush and Clinton. Dr Dua runs an R01 NIH-funded lab that focuses on anticoagulation and biomarkers that are predictive of thrombosis and hemostasis in patients who have undergone revascularization. Her research focuses on thromboprophylaxis precision and point-of-care medical approaches to anticoagulation for patients post-revascularization. Her clinical and outcomes research focuses primarily on diseases involving peripheral vascular disease, limb salvage, and critical limb ischemia. She is part of a technology development team that creates tools to increase walking distance and wound healing while decreasing pain in patients with peripheral vascular disease. Dr Dua is a self-described animal lover and rescuer of pitbulls. At one point, she housed 14 pitbull puppies and their mother at once. Nowadays, her spare time is spent with her husband, son, daughter, and dog Leo.

Suzie Ehmann, DPT, CLWT, CWS, CLT-LANA

Director of Compression Education
International Lymphedema & Wound Education
Tifton, GA
Co-Author
"S.T.R.I.D.E. Professional Guide to Compression Garment Selection for the Lower Extremity"

Suzie Ehmann, DPT, CLWT, CWS, CLT-LANA is clinical specialist working at Atrium Health Stanly. Over the last 20 years, she has dedicated her practice to the evaluation and comprehensive treatment of patients with lymphatic disorders and chronic non-healing wounds. Dr Ehmann has a focused interest on the science of compression and impact of edema management on functional ability and mobility. Currently she is pursuing her PhD with a focus on the impact of an alternating compression profile. She has spoken nationally and internationally on this topic. Dr Ehmann is a Certified Lymphedema Therapist through the Lymphology Association of North American; a Certified Wound Specialist through the American Board of Wound Management. She is a proud member of the Lymphology Association of North America and the Association for the Advancement of Wound Care. She has been a featured speaker at national and international conferences, such as the Symposium for Advance Wound Care, Wild On Wounds, National Lymphedema Network International Conference, International Lymphatic Framework Conference, European Wound Management Association, International Compression Club and numerous regional lymphedema and wound conferences. In addition, she has authored several articles published in peer reviewed journals.

Kevin Engledow, DO

Assistant Professor Vascular Surgery
UT Health San Antonio
Associate Program Director
Vascular and Endovascular Surgery Fellowship
San Antonio, TX

Kevin Engledow, DO, is an Assistant Professor of Vascular Surgery at UT Health San Antonio, where he also serves as Associate Program Director of the Vascular and Endovascular Surgery Fellowship. He is a board-certified vascular surgeon specializing in the comprehensive management of complex arterial and venous disease, with particular interests in advanced endovascular interventions and limb preservation. Dr Engledow earned his medical degree from the Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine, completed his general surgery residency at Inspira Health Network, and subsequently completed his vascular surgery fellowship at UT Health San Antonio in 2023.

Oriana Haran, MD

Assistant Professor
Division of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery
The University of Texas Health Science Center
San Antonio, TX

Oriana Haran, MD, is a double fellowship-trained plastic and reconstructive surgeon, currently serving as an assistant professor in the Division of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery at The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio. She is the only female plastic surgeon at UT Health San Antonio, uniquely positioned to offer her patients a blend of leading-edge expertise and compassionate, patient-centered care. Haran specializes in breast reconstruction, providing advanced options that include both implants and autologous tissue (using the patient’s own tissue, such as from the abdomen or inner thighs). She is proficient in advanced microsurgical techniques, including deep inferior epigastric perforator (DIEP), superficial inferior epigastric artery (SIEA), diagonal upper gracilis (DUG) and profunda artery perforator (PAP) flaps, which offer patients natural, long-lasting reconstruction results. She is also highly skilled in the prevention and treatment of breast cancer-related lymphedema, making her a trusted ally for women undergoing breast cancer treatment. She has a particular interest in addressing complex issues related to implant-based breast reconstruction, such as post-radiation capsular contracture and implant-associated anaplastic large cell lymphoma (ALCL), ensuring that her patients receive the safest and most effective care possible. Haran is an accomplished academic with a distinguished record of research and publications. Her international training and experience have equipped her to provide her patients with personalized care and innovative solutions. Passionate about empowering women, she offers comprehensive breast reconstruction options tailored to their individual needs and goals, ensuring improved patient outcomes. Haran is fluent in English, Spanish and Hebrew, allowing her to connect with diverse patients. Outside of work, she enjoys playing tennis, traveling and spending quality time with her daughter.

Cathy Harmon, DNP, MSN Nrg ED, CWOCN, CFCN

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

Cathy Harmon, DNP, MSN Nrg ED, FNP-BC, CWON®, CFCN® 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

Martin Johnson, MD

Paul Kesselman, DPM, DABFAS, DABMSP

CEO
Park DPM Consulting LLC
Partner
PARE Coding & Compliance Services
Oceanside, NY

Paul Kesselman, DPM, DABFAS, DABMSP has been in private practice for over 40 years in NYC and LI. He has been consulting for medical manufacturers and for a myriad of medical specialties in the areas of DME and wound care regulations for over 20 years. He is the leader for the APMA DME Workgroup, meets regularly with Medicare officials, and has formed liaisons with other orthotic professionals and lectured nationwide. His monthly column appearing in Podiatry Management is primarily dedicated to coding and compliance issues and has been a contributing author to Practical Endocrinology and other medical publications. He is co-owner of https://codinghelpline.com/ an on-line coding forum for podiatrists. Dr Kesselman recently received a Lifetime Achievement Award from Podiatry Management enshrining him in the Podiatry Hall of Fame.

Kathryn Khandaker, MSN, APRN, CWOCN

Director
Fulton County Wound Care and Hyperbaric Center
Wauseon, OH

Kathy Khandaker, MSN, APRN, CWOCN, is a board-certified Adult Nurse Practitioner and board-certified Wound, Ostomy, and Continence Care specialist with more than 23 years of experience in wound care. She completed her wound care training at the Medical University of South Carolina and has dedicated her professional career to advancing evidence-based wound care practice, clinical excellence, and specialty certification. Kathy has served for the past four years on the Board of Directors for the Wound, Ostomy and Continence Certification Board. In addition, she served eight years on the examination committee, including four years as chair. She has also contributed to the profession through service with Partners in Practice for the Mideast Region of the Wound, Ostomy and Continence Nurses Society. She currently serves as Program Director for the Wound Care and Hyperbaric Center in Wauseon, Ohio.

John Lantis, II, MD, FACS

Site-Chief of Surgery
Mount Sinai West Hospital
Professor of Surgery at 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.

Brian Lepow, DPM

Assistant Professor of Surgery
Baylor College of Medicine
Houston, TX

Brian Lepow, DPM is a board-certified podiatric surgeon practicing in Houston, Texas specializing in Diabetic Foot Amputation Prevention and Limb Salvage. He maintains staff privileges at all major medical institutions in the Houston area. Dr Lepow holds dual academic appointments in the departments of Internal Medicine and Cardiovascular Surgery at McGovern School of Medicine in Houston Texas as well as at the Baylor College of Medicine in the Division of Vascular Surgery and Endovascular Therapy. Dr Lepow is a native Houstonian. He graduated from Westbury High School and attended the University of Arizona in Tucson, Arizona. He earned his medical degree from Barry University School of Podiatric Medicine in Miami, Florida. Dr Lepow completed his surgical residency training at The Mount Sinai Medical Center in New York, where he served as chief resident in Podiatric Medicine and Surgery. Following completion of his residency program he served as Fellow in Diabetic Limb Salvage and Reconstructive Surgery at the University of Arizona. In addition, Dr Lepow held an academic appointment in the department of surgery at the University of Arizona College of Medicine.

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.

Kevin L Riemer, DPM, FACFAS

Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center
Clinical Instructor in Surgery
Harvard Medical School
Boston, MA

Kevin Riemer, DPM, FACFAS, is a board-certified, fellowship-trained podiatric surgeon at the Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center in Boston, MA. He is a clinical instructor in surgery at Harvard Medical School and is the externship director for the podiatry residency program at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center. He completed his residency and fellowship at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center. His clinical and research interests focus on all facets of diabetic foot management, limb preservation, and deformity correction.

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.

Sara Rose-Sauld, DPM

Instructor in Orthopedic Surgery
Massachusetts General Hospital
Boston, MA

Sara Rose-Sauld, DPM is a Podiatric Surgeon who specializes in the management of foot and ankle conditions. She has a background in physical therapy, as a personal trainer and as a former athlete. She earned her Bachelors of Science from Northeastern University in Behavioral Neuroscience and then went on to earn her Doctorate of Podiatric Medicine from Barry University. She completed a three year foot and ankle surgical residency at Palmetto General Hospital in Hialeah, Fl where she trained in podiatric medicine and reconstructive, trauma, and elective surgery of the foot, ankle and lower leg. In her free time she enjoys exercising, nature, and volunteering. In her free time she enjoys exercising, nature, and volunteering.

Pamela Scarborough, PT, DPT, MS, CWS, FAAWC

Principal
PARKS Institute
Austin, TX

Pamela Scarborough, PT, DPT, MS, CWS, FAAWC, is a clinical educator, consultant, author, and nationally recognized speaker with nearly five decades of experience across the healthcare continuum. Her diverse clinical background has shaped a whole-person approach to wound prevention and healing, integrating the science of physiology, mobility, nutrition, chronic disease, inflammation, and functional recovery into patient-centered care. As Principal of PARKS Institute, her professional home for education, consulting, writing, and collaboration, Dr Scarborough is dedicated to advancing the science, education, and practice of healing. She is Founding Faculty of the Wound Certification Prep Course (WCPC), where she has helped prepare thousands of clinicians and healthcare industry professionals for wound board certification. She continues to teach, mentor, develop educational resources, and advance wound and skin integrity knowledge with a focus on post-acute care.

Bhavesh Shah, DPM, EdD, MBA

Director/Senior Surgeon Operation Footprint Director - CFAR Virtual Lecture Series San Antonio, TX

Bhavesh Shah, DPM, EdD, MBA, is a board-certified podiatric physician and surgeon in practice since 2002 and Director/Senior Surgeon of Operation Footprint. Dr Shah received a Bachelor of Science from the University of Illinois in Chicago and then attended Dr. Scholl College of Podiatric Medicine in North Chicago, IL, where he received a Doctorate of Podiatric Medicine in 1998. In 1999, Dr Shah interned at the University of Texas Health Science Center in San Antonio and completed a three-year residency at the Foot and Ankle Institute of Monrovia, California, in 2002. Dr Shah is board-certified in Foot Surgery with the American Board of Foot and Ankle Surgery and is board-certified by the American Board of Lower Extremity Surgery, the American Professional Wound Care Association, and the American College of Foot and Ankle Pediatrics (ACFAP). As the Director/Senior Surgeon of Operation Footprint, a non-profit global organization that provides free surgical care to indigent children in India, Mexico, El Salvador, and Honduras with genetic or acquired conditions of the foot and ankle, Dr Shah performs life-changing surgeries. Under the auspices of Operation Footprint, he also trains local surgeons in complex deformities to help make a lasting difference in the communities they serve around the globe. To learn more about the charitable work Dr Shah and Operation Footprint do worldwide, please visit operationfootprint.org. He is also a Director and Moderator of the Complex Foot & Ankle Reconstruction (CFAR) virtual lecture series. He has finished his MBA and has received his doctorate in education with an emphasis on adult teaching and learning.

Zwelithini Tunyiswa

Chief Executive Officer
Open Wound Research

Zwelithini (Zweli) Tunyiswa serves as Chief Executive Officer of Open Wound Research, a venture he co-founded in 2022. A proficient healthcare management professional and seasoned entrepreneur with expertise in quantitative marketing and data science, Zweli embarked on his journey in wound care in 2011 when he joined Wound Healing Solutions, a prominent post-acute wound-care consultancy. He played a pivotal role in the company's development and eventually became a partner before the consultancy was successfully acquired in late 2022. Drawing on his unique blend of clinical insight and data-driven strategy, Zweli now leads Open Wound Research in advancing evidence-based approaches to wound care management. His career reflects a commitment to bridging the gap between healthcare delivery and business innovation, leveraging analytics to improve patient outcomes and operational efficiency in the wound care sector.

Wendy W Weston, PhD, CTBS

Vice President of Research and DevelopmentPompano Beach, FL

Wendy Weston, PhD, CTBS, began her research career with studies of muscle regeneration following spinal cord injury and muscle development in sub-ideal conditions (eg, spinal cord isolation). Following several years investigating hematopoietic stem cell characteristics and self-renewal in response to micro-environmental factors, she began studying bone development and regeneration. Interest in stem cell microenvironments led her to the investigation of mesenchymal stem cell (MSC) efficacy through exosome delivery and its effect on healing (these mechanisms include growth factor elution from reparative microenvironments, either endogenous or created). Successes in MSC work led Dr Weston to Vivex Biomedical where she expanded her interest in the mechanisms of allograft healing in healthy and damaged environments. As Principal Research Scientist, her work in product development and validation resulted in highly effective products and multiple patents. Dr Weston was offered the opportunity to conduct her research at the very impressive Cell Therapy Institute at Nova Southeastern University where she participated numerous collaborations evaluating the role of microvesicles in sarcoma initiation and progression for the purpose of biomarker elucidation, as well as serving on numerous Medical School admission and evaluation committees. Through consulting activities in the biotechnology space, she developed strong and prosperous relationships with several companies and has developed and characterized several impressive products for market use. Currently, Dr Weston serves as Vice President of Research and Development for BioStem Technologies. In this role, she is investigating the capacity of birth tissues to promote regeneration and healing in various tissue microenvironments, with emphasis on non-healing wounds.

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

Mujun (Myles) Yu, MD, PhD

Mujun (Myles) Yu, MD, PhD
Anatomic Pathologist & Clinical Pathologist
Seattle, WA

After nearly 20 years practicing general surgical pathology, Myles Yu, MD, PhD, shifted his practice in the past three years to focus exclusively on the interpretation of chronic wound biopsies. As such, he may be the only “wound pathologist” in the country. Under the microscope Dr Yu can examine the wounds at much higher resolution, which allows him to assess the healing process more closely and to diagnose different types of wounds including atypical ones with relative ease. Along the way he has made several notable observations that challenge conventional assumptions in wound care. Dr Yu earned his medical degree in China and completed his PhD at Rutgers University and Pathology Residency at University of Massachusetts after immigrating to the United States, where he went on to build his career in pathology.