• How you got started?

• How you work?

• Teach with a lesson—using rich, authentic stories?

Always giving the patient the correct advice , thorough picture of their condition. Sometimes the correct solution may not be the easiest solution.  I had a patient that required a severe bunionectomy at the base of the bone rather then the regular type at the head of the bone, this required 6 wks off the foot to recovery.  She went to another surgeon who gave her what she wanted a simple fix with no time off her feet.    6 months later the bunion returned as did she to the office for a revision.    The moral of the story is that the simple answer may not always be the correct answer. Some surgeons / doctors will do things to appease the patient’s request, hence doctoring themselves and using the doctor as a vehicle to achieve such.  My goal is to always give the Best answer whether it is difficult or not. 

•  Vision

Vision is that one day the profession of podiatry fulfills the quest to have all DPM’s trained equally and have the profession as a whole recognize the true value of our services.  

• Obstacles to overcome. 

Often I hear, what would a foot / ankle orthopedic surgeon do that is different from what you propose?  Why would I have you do the surgery vs an orthopedist?   My answer is seek out the one that does most of these procedures, not the title.  Foot and ankle Orthopedist spends 1 year on the foot / ankle after orthopedic residency while reconstructive podiatrist spends 4 years in podiatric medical school building a strong foundation in biomechanics and foot medicine, then 3 years of surgical residency with concentration on the foot / ankle and now many are going for a 1 year fellowship after such for a total of 4 years of concentrated foot /ankle surgery concentration.     Both professions have great doctors and some not so great ones.     Choose based on reputation , # cases and not the initials would be my best advice.    Check with hospital OR nurses, etc to ask who does more foot / ankle surgeries and who is most successful at them.    Anesthesiologists see the good, bad and ugly in the OR, they can give you an excellent recommendation if you happen to know one.