2026 Conference Chairs
Co-Chair
Robert G Frykberg, DPM, MPH, MAPWCA, FRSM, FFPM (Glasg)
Clinical Professor and Residency DirectorDepartment 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
Jarrod Shapiro, DPM, FACFAS, FACPM
Private Practice Associate, Empire Foot & Ankle CenterUpland and Riverside
Professor and Associate Dean of Clinical Affairs
Western University of Health Sciences, College of Podiatric Medicine
Assistant Director, Chino Valley Medical Center
PMSR/RRA Podiatric Residency
Jarrod Shapiro, DPM, FACFAS, FACPM is a Board-Certified podiatric foot and ankle physician and surgeon who has been in practice for almost 20 years. He is also a fellow with the American College of Foot and Ankle Surgeons and the American College of Podiatric Medicine. Dr Shapiro has taught at Western University of Health Sciences College of Podiatric Medicine for the past 13 years and is a full professor and associate dean of clinical affairs. He is the assistant director at the Chino Valley Medical Center PMSR/RRA program in Chino, California. Dr Shapiro's training includes a 3-year foot and ankle residency at Botsford Hospital in Farmington Hills, Michigan after graduating from the California College of Podiatric Medicine in San Francisco, CA in 2003. After completing his Doctor of Podiatric Medicine degree at the California College of Podiatric Medicine, he did his 3-year postgraduate training at Botsford General Hospital in Farmington Hills, Michigan from 2003 - 2006. He is also the Editor of PRESENT's Practice Perfect.
2026 Faculty
Brian J Burgess, DPM
Clinical Assistant ProfessorLoyola University
Chicago, IL
Brian Burgess, DPM received his podiatry degree from the Dr William M. Scholl College of Podiatric Medicine in 2009 and completed a three-year podiatric surgical residency at Mercy Hospital and Medical Center in Chicago. He is ABFAS Board Certified in Foot, Rearfoot Reconstruction and Ankle Surgery. Dr Burgess is in private practice with Hinsdale Orthopaedics outside Chicago and is on staff at several Level 1 trauma centers in the area. His practice is largely trauma and post-traumatic reconstruction.
Dominick Casciato, DPM, FACFAS
Staff PodiatristOrlando VA Healthcare System
Assistant Professor University of Central Florida College of Medicine
Orlando, FL
Dominick Casciato, DPM, FACFAS, is a board-certified, fellowship-trained podiatric surgeon at the Orlando VA Medical Center and an Assistant Professor at the University of Central Florida College of Medicine. He completed his residency at the OhioHealth Grant Medical Center in Columbus, Ohio, followed by a fellowship in limb preservation and deformity correction at the University of Maryland. His clinical and research interests focus on limb preservation, complex deformity correction, and outcomes research in foot and ankle surgery. His work also explores the application of artificial intelligence and large language models in surgical decision-making. Dr Casciato is actively involved in resident education and academic leadership within the Department of Veterans Affairs.
John N Evans, DPM, DABFAS, FACFAS
Chief of Podiatry, Beaumont-Corewell Hospital Dearborn, MIChair Emeritus, Health Policy & Practice Committee, American Podiatric Medical Association (APMA)
Medicare (WPS) Carrier Advisory Committee (CAC) Emeritus-Representative, Podiatry, MI
Past Chair, Communications Committee, American Board of Foot and Ankle Surgery
Peripheral Vascular Disease Council, American Heart Association, APMA Representative
John Evans, DPM, FACFAS, DABFAS received his DPM from the Temple University College of Podiatric Medicine and has a BS in Pharmacy from the University of Connecticut. He is board-certified by the American Board of Foot and Ankle Surgery (Foot and Ankle) and is Chief of Podiatry at Corewell Health (Beaumont) Medical Center in Dearborn, Michigan. He has served as Chair of the American Podiatric Medical Association (APMA) Health Policy and Practice Committee and as a Medicare Carrier Advisory Committee (CAC) representative for over 20 years and was the 2018 recipient of the APMA Award of Excellence. He served as the Podiatric representative to the PAD Guidelines Writing Committee of the American Heart Assn. and American College of Cardiology which were published in 2024 and serves as the Podiatric representative of APMA to the AHA PVD Council. He is active with the American Board of Foot and Ankle Surgery, having served on multiple committees including their Board of Directors for eight years, and is the immediate Past-Chair of their Communications Committee. He is active with the American Limb Preservation Society on the Health Equity and Advocacy Committee as Co-Chair of the Research and Data Analysis Sub-Committee, the CLI Global Society, and as faculty for the New Cardiovascular Horizons organization. Dr Evans is a nationally recognized speaker on a variety of topics including Peripheral Arterial Disease, Diabetic Foot, Limb Salvage and Preservation, Physician Burnout, Dealing with the Difficult Patient, and Mindfulness in Medicine. r. Evans is in private practice in southeast Michigan.
Richard N Goad, DPM, MA
McLane Children's Medical CenterBaylor Scott & White Healthcare
Temple, TX
Richard Goad, DPM, MA is currently a podiatrist at Baylor Scott and White in Temple, Texas. He graduated from Austin College and the Scholl College of Podiatric Medicine. He received MA in Bioethics from Trinity International University in 2015. In his spare time, Dr Goad likes to run triathlons.
Caroline J Ko
Kaiser Permanente
Peter W Lam, MD
Orthopaedic and Arthritis Specialist CentreChatswood NSW
Peter Lam, MBBS (Hons) FRACS FAORTHOA, is a nationally and internationally recognized Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Surgeon. Dr Lam uses the latest techniques in minimally invasive surgery (MIS) for the correction of bunions and certain forefoot deformities and arthritis of the big toe metatarsophalangeal joint. He also has particular interest in ligament reconstruction, realignment surgery and treatment of ankle/hindfoot arthritis. Dr Lam performs surgery at North Shore Private Hospital, Castlecrag Private Hospital, St George Private Hospital and East Sydney Private Hospital. Dr Lam graduated from the University of Sydney Medical School with honors and completed his orthopedic training in Sydney. This was followed by further training studying under the supervision of world renowned Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Surgeons, Dr Mark Myerson and Dr Lew Schon in Baltimore, MD, USA. Dr Myerson was the President of the American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society in 2004-2005. Dr Schon was the President of the American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society in 2012-2013.
Daniel Lee, DPM, FACFAS
South Sacramento Medical CenterSacramento, CA
Kelsey J Millonig, DPM
Benjamin Overley, Jr, DPM, FACFAS
Surgical Skills CommitteeSection Editor for Trauma-Journal of Foot and Ankle Surgery
Foot and Ankle Specialist/PMSI Orthopedics
Pottstown, PA
Benjamin Overley, Jr, DPM, FACFAS is the Foot and Ankle Specialist for PMSI Orthopaedics in Pottstown PA. He is a local, regional and national lecturer on topics of Foot and Ankle Surgery. He is the course designer and course chair for the ACFAS Total Ankle Replacement course. He also serves on the Surgical Skills Committee for the ACFAS, peer reviews for The Journal of Foot and Ankle Surgery and is a Trauma Section Editor for the Journal. He is an Iliazarov Fellow and has been trained by Professor Beatt Hintermann in Liestal Switzerland on Total Ankle Replacement. He is proctor and trainer for Salto Talaris, Inbone and Star Total ankle Replacements and is certified to implant the Zimmer Tm Total Ankle. He has authored 3 book chapters on Ankle Arthroscopy and Ankle Replacement for Clinics. He is the founder of the Pennsylvania Ankle Registry and serves as adjunct professor in Trauma and The Total Ankle Replacement course for the Temple University School of Podiatric Medicine. He also is director of the PMSI foot and ankle Fellowship
Mario Ponticello, DPM, DABFAS, MAPWCA
Chief of the Limb Preservation ServiceDirector of the Complex Lower Extremity Surgery and Research Fellowship
Madigan Army Medical Center
Tacoma, WA
Mario Ponticello, DPM, DABFAS, MAPWCA 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.
Alan Sherman, DPM
CEOAlan Sherman, DPM, is a board certified podiatrist who practiced in Delray Beach Florida for 25 years. In 1995, Dr Sherman founded an online community and website called Podiatry Online, which grew to become the largest Internet community and advocacy group for podiatrists in the world. Podiatry Online was acquired by McKesson in 2000, and Dr Sherman continued to run it for 3 years, when he stepped down as Editor. He co-founded PRESENT e-Learning Systems in 2003 with Michael Shore, DPM, which went on to become a leading provider of online CME education and social networking services for health care professionals. Its first product was PRESENT Podiatric Residency Education Online, which standardized the curriculum for podiatric residency programs across the country via its weekly online lecture series and ezine publications. PRESENT e-Learning Systems then created PRESENT Diabetes, who's "Mentor" online CME education and social networking platform provides professional education to over 90,000 diabetes care professionals. PRESENT puts on 5 live podiatry conferences a year, the East and West Superbones Conferences, the Desert Foot Conference for the VA, and the East and West PRESENT Podiatric Residency Education Summits. PRESENT e-Learning System's most recent product is Mentor, an online learning program that is being used to teach residents at Mount Sinai Medical School, Harvard Medical School and the University of Maryland inpatient management of diabetes.
David Sipala, DPM, FACFAS
Boston Medical CenterBrighton, MA
David Sipala, DPM, FACFAS, is a foot and ankle surgeon and Program Director for the Podiatry Residency at BMC Brighton. His surgical expertise includes diabetic limb salvage, elective and reconstructive foot and ankle surgery, and trauma. His path to podiatry began at just 22 years old after a life-changing injury, and he saw firsthand how podiatrists help people maintain their independence and quality of life. Now, as a podiatrist, he seeks to do the same. Dr Sipala’s commitment to resident education started long before he became Program Director. After completing his own training, he continued to support residency programs by inviting residents to scrub into his cases and participating in training across several Boston-area institutions, including Cambridge Health Alliance, Beth Israel, and MetroWest Medical Center in Framingham. Outside the hospital, Dr Sipala keeps his energy high with hobbies that keep him moving, like running and CrossFit. A self-proclaimed foodie, you can also find him exploring new eats around the city in his spare time.
Steven Wells, DPM, PhD, WCC, DWC
Favor Foot Ankle Leg & Wound CenterSouth Amboy, New Jersey
Steven Wells, DPM, PhD, WCC, DWC has been in practice since 1997 offering the finest general podiatric care with specialties in limb salvage, diabetic foot reconstruction surgery, podopediatrics, sports medicine, wound care, arthritic problems, and aesthetics. Dr Wells began his post-secondary education at Lehman College in New York City before earning his Doctorate in Podiatric Medicine from New York College of Podiatric Medicine in 1997. After an internship in 1998 at St. Clare Hospital, Dr Wells completed a residency at Interfaith Medical Center in 1999 and a Fellowship at SUNY Downstate in 2000. Additionally, in 2017, Dr Wells received a PhD in Philosophy from Newburgh College. Dr Wells is Board Certified and licensed to practice Podiatry in both New York and New Jersey, with hospital affiliations at Brookdale Medical Center, Hackensack Meridian, and Richmond University Medical Center. He is both well respected and active in the podiatric community, with memberships in the American Podiatric Medical Association (APMA), the New Jersey Podiatric Medical Association, the American Board of Lower Extremity Surgery, the American Diabetes Association, the National Alliance of Woundcare and Ostomy, and the Academy of Physicians in Wound Healing. Dr Wells is also a former clinical assistant professor in the department of orthopedics at SUNY Downstate Medical Center, and an international lecturer and Surgeon of the Diabetic Foot and Lower Extremity Medicine. Dr Wells is active in doing annual dynamic diabetes education seminars and screenings in several islands of the Caribbean including Jamaica, Belize, Carriacou, Petite Martinique, and Grenada. He is the founder and CEO of the Diabetic Foot Centre Group which is responsible for educating and training physicians, nurses, and health care providers on how to develop multidisciplinary foot centers for the purpose of decreasing lower extremity amputations for diabetes.
Marie L Williams, DPM, DABFAS, DHL
Director, Podiatric Medical EducationAventura Hospital and Medical Center
Aventura, FL
Marie Williams, DPM, DABPS, DHLS, is board certified in foot and ankle surgery and a fellow of the American College of Foot and Ankle Surgery. Dr Williams was the first clinical dean at Barry University School of Podiatric Medicine and is currently an Adjunct Professor for the school. Dr Williams has been in private practice since 1984. She is currently the Chairman of the Department of Podiatry at Aventura Hospital and Medical Center. She has been involved in residency training since 1986 and a Program Director in Podiatric Surgery and Medicine since 1988. Dr Williams is a speaker in the field of foot and ankle surgery as well as limb salvage. She has published several articles on the healing of complex wounds and limb salvage, while also authoring a chapter: Bone Infections in Foot and Ankle Radiology. In August 2014, Dr Williams was inducted into the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame in Springfield, Massachusetts along with her teammates from Immaculata College. Their team, the Mighty Macs, captured three consecutive Championships. They were considered trailblazers for women sports, and in the 70s they help bring about Title 9 and equality for women in sports. In June 2015 they received the trailblazer award in the women