First Ray & Beyond: Recognition, Diagnosis, and Treatment

About the speakers

Mark Mendeszoon, DPM, FACFAS, FACPM | Dr. Mendeszoon is a senior partner at Precision Orthopaedic Specialties in Chardon, Ohio and is the co-owner of Achilles Running Shop in Ohio and PA. He is a professor at Iowa State University, Kent State University, Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine, Miami University, and Ohio University. He is the Director of University Hospitals Geauga Medical Center, advanced foot and ankle fellowship surgery program. He is also the chief of podiatry at Geauga Medical Center. With a strong passion for sports medicine, he is a team doctor for several local high schools as well as a medical consultant to SPIRE Institute and several universities. He’s had the privilege to work with athletes of all levels, including Olympians and professionals.

Larry DiDomineco, DPM, FACFAS| Dr. DiDomenico is Adjunct Professor, Kent State University College of Podiatric Medicine; Section Chief of Podiatric Medicine and Surgery – St. Elizabeth Hospital; Visiting Professor Northeast Ohio Medical University; Director of Residency Training, East Liverpool City Hospital; Director, and Reconstructive Rearfoot & Ankle Surgical Fellowship, Ankle and Foot Care Centers / KSU College of Podiatric Medicine

Amol Saxena, DPM, MPH |Dr. Saxena specializes in Sports Medicine and Foot & Ankle Surgery. He has pioneered several surgical techniques, classifications, and instruments. He has been awarded the Alumnus of the Year and the Honor Medal from Scholl College of Podiatric Medicine. Dr. Saxena is a lifetime honorary member of the German Society for Foot and Ankle Surgery and has been inducted into the Royal College of Physicians & Surgeons FFPM (Glasgow). He has lectured at the American Orthopedic Society for Orthopedic Sports Medicine and has published over 150 articles and chapters including in dozens of orthopedic journals and texts. Dr. Saxena is the editor of “International Advances in Foot and Ankle Surgery”.

Adrienne Estes, DPM | Dr. Adrienne Estes is a podiatric surgeon currently practicing in southern California. She is an Assistant Professor at Western University of Health Sciences, Director of Continuing Medical Education and a practicing physician at Riverside University Health Systems (RUHS). She currently specializes in minimally invasive surgery, complex limb deformity correction, limb salvage, and surgical offloading solutions for diabetic ulcers. She is double board certified by the American Board of Podiatric Medicine and by the American College of Foot and Ankle Surgery.

Alec Dierksheide, DPM | Dr. Dierksheide is a Podiatric Foot & Ankle Surgeon practicing in Fort Myers, FL at OrthoKagan Orthopedic and Neurospine Institute. He is board qualified in Foot & Ankle Surgery by ABFAS and has authored multiple peer-reviewed publications. He has also presented multiple research manuscripts at the ACFAS Annual Scientific Conference the past few years. Dr. Dierksheide is passionate about Sports Medicine and treating athletes of all levels both surgically and non-surgically. Clinical interests also include regenerative medicine and biologics, arthroscopy, reconstructive surgery, trauma, leadership and mentoring the next generation of podiatric surgeons and practitioners.

Joshua Moore, DPM, FACFAS| Dr. Moore is a Professor and Division Head of Clinical Medicine and Surgery at Kent State University’s College of Podiatric Medicine. Dr. Moore graduated from the Des Moines University College of Podiatric Medicine and Surgery and completed a three-year, high volume surgical and trauma residency at University of Medicine and Dentistry, Newark, NJ. Prior to joining the faculty at Kent State, Dr. Moore was an active surgeon and clinician at Temple University in Philadelphia where he served as Assistant Dean of Educational Affairs and Medical Director of Temple’s Foot & Ankle Institute. Dr. Moore lectures nationally, serves on numerous University committees, has several publications to his credit and is an active clinician and surgeon at Cleveland Foot & Ankle Clinics.

Elizabeth Hewitt, DPM, FACFAS| Dr. Hewitt currently practices and is the Chief Operating Officer at Foot and Ankle Physicians of Ohio. She is Board Certified in Foot and Reconstructive Rearfoot/Ankle by the American Board of Podiatric Surgery. She received an Advanced Training Certificate in Tibial and Lower Leg Complex Deformity Correction in Milan Italy. She speaks nationally and has written numerous publications on various podiatric topics.

Michael S. Downey, DPM, FACFAS | Dr. Downey is a Clinical Professor in the Department of Surgery at Temple University School of Podiatric Medicine in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He is the former Division Chief, and a Staff Member at Penn Presbyterian Medical Center in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

Mark Solomon, DPM, FACFAS | Dr. Solomon is a partner of The Pediatric Orthopedic Center in Cedar Knolls, New Jersey. He is the director and founder of the Pediatric Foot and Ankle Fellowship, which is the first DPM/MD/DO fellowship with a pediatric orthopedics group. Dr. Solomon is also a managing and founding partner of POC Creative Works, LLC which is a think tank of pediatric orthopedic surgeons with the combined goal of innovation, research and development of products that help children rehabilitate and recover from orthopedic illnesses and injuries.

Brandon Kitchens, DPM, MBA| Dr. Kitchens received his Doctor of Podiatric Medicine from Barry University. He completed his residency at the University of Louisville Health and completed a University Hospitals Regional Hospitals Advance Foot and Ankle Surgery Fellowship. He practices at Tulsa Bone and Joint Associates. Dr. Kitchens has extensive expertise in treating complex foot and ankle conditions and specializes in advanced wound care techniques,

Elizabeth Sanders, DPM, FACFAS, DABPM| Dr. Sanders is an Assistant Professor of Surgery at Boston University School of Medicine. She graduated from Barry University School of Podiatric Medicine. She completed her residency in Podiatric Medicine and Surgery at Boston Medical Center, followed by a fellowship in foot and ankle advanced reconstructive surgery at University Hospitals in Chardon, Ohio. Dr. Sanders completed a mini fellowship in external fixation at the Russian Ilizarov Scientific Center for Restorative Traumatology and Orthopaedics in Kurgan, Russia. She has given numerous lectures and presentations on innovative surgical techniques, emphasizing limb salvage and reconstructive surgery nationally and internationally.

Jason Snyder, DPM.| Dr. Snyder is a multiple board-certified podiatrist and wound care specialist. He specializes in the conservative and surgical management of various foot and ankle problems affecting children and adults, including diabetic foot care, wound care and reconstructive procedures. In addition to his Brooklyn practice, Dr. Snyder is affiliated with nearby New York City hospitals, including Richmond University Medical Center in Staten Island and Wyckoff Heights Medical Center in Brooklyn. He is the director of podiatry for Gramercy Surgery Center