Surgeon Spotlight

Skilled physicians, researchers and innovators – foot and ankle surgeons are at the top of their game.

Alan MacGill, DPM, FACFAS

Coral Springs, FL

Dr. MacGill specializes in foot and ankle trauma and reconstructive surgery. He is the Residency Director at Northwest Medical Center in Margate, Florida. In addition to his clinical practice, he has presented numerous poster abstracts at national surgical conferences and has given award-winning case presentations at state scientific meetings. Above all, Dr. MacGill is committed to providing patients the full spectrum of care – from conservative management to complex surgical intervention.

In Dr. MacGill’s words

My practice philosophy centers on communication. When I’m sent a new patient, I ensure there’s continued communication throughout the plan of care.

Peter Blume, DPM, FACFAS

New Haven, CT

Dr. Blume has been in practice for 22 years and is a leading specialist in diabetic limb preservation at Yale New Haven Hospital. His interest in limb preservation began when he completed his residency at a Veterans Affairs Center followed by a fellowship in foot plastic surgery. During that time, Dr. Blume learned the importance of an integrated healthcare team in treating at-risk patients. In addition, Dr. Blume has written more than 200 articles on a variety of issues related to wound reconstruction and has conducted multiple clinical trials in his area of specialty.

In Dr. Blume’s words

One thing that provides a template for success is engaging a multidisciplinary team. When the team is integrated and works well together, it makes it easier to determine a solution for the patient.

Emily Cook, DPM, FACFAS

Boston, MA

Dr. Cook, an attending foot and ankle surgeon and director of resident training at the Mount Auburn Hospital, a teaching hospital of Harvard Medical School, in Cambridge, Massachusetts, is an expert in the treatment of ankle arthritis and correction of conditions such as ankle sprains, foot and ankle fractures, bunions and hammertoes. Every day, she uses cutting-edge techniques to address sports-induced injuries, limb deformities and flatfoot-related problems in both the adult and pediatric populations. She is also an avid researcher in the foot and ankle surgery field and is passionate about advancing resident education. She strongly believes that medical knowledge is generational and that each advance makes the next generation more effective than the one before.

In Dr. Cook’s words

Having a collaborative patient team is critical to meeting patient goals. As a profession, our collective efforts can optimize patient outcomes.

Sandeep Patel, DPM, FACFAS

Alamo, CA

Dr. Patel has a practice in northern California and is an attending surgeon at a residency program within The Kaiser Permanente Medical Group. He focuses on reconstructive surgery and trauma and has completed numerous clinical research projects in these areas of specialty. He has a passion for mentoring residents and guiding their journey to becoming skilled practitioners.

In Dr. Patel’s words

Having a good working relationship with referrers is huge because it openly dictates patient outcomes.

Thanh Dinh, DPM, FACFAS

Boston, MA

Dr. Dinh is Assistant Professor of Surgery at Harvard Medical School and Director of Residency Education at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center. She sees patients from infancy into their golden years, with a clinical focus on sports medicine, pediatric deformities and complicated diabetic foot disorders. In her practice, Dr. Dinh works with a variety of healthcare professionals to provide multidisciplinary care to her patients. She communicates with her referrers to ensure a seamless and comprehensive delivery of care.

In Dr. Dinh’s words

My philosophy is to treat every patient like an individual. Clinical guidelines are important to provide guidance in decision making, but patient centered care involves respecting and acknowledging patient needs and preferences in the framework of treatment options.

Michael VanPelt, DPM, FACFAS

Dallas, TX

Dr. VanPelt has a passion for sports and athletic injuries of the foot and ankle. His practice is comprised of sports injuries, foot and ankle trauma, post traumatic reconstruction and adult foot and ankle reconstruction. He completed his three years of residency training at The University of Texas Health Science Center San Antonio followed by an additional one-year fellowship in podiatric sports medicine and surgery at Barry University in Miami, Florida. During his fellowship at Barry University in Miami, he served as one of the team podiatrists for the Miami Heat, the University of Miami men’s and women’s basketball teams and Barry University Athletics department. Now he is an Assistant Professor of Orthopaedic Surgery at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center and Parkland Memorial Hospital in Dallas, Texas. He was the first podiatric foot and ankle surgeon hired as full-time faculty in the Department of Orthopaedic Surgery at the university nine years ago.

In Dr. VanPelt’s words

My main goal is to provide the best possible care for the patient and keep an open line of communication so that the referring provider is comfortable with me treating their patient.

Sean Grambart, DPM, FACFAS

Champaign, IL

Dr. Grambart practices at the Carle Physician Group and Foundation Hospital and is also an instructor in the College of Medicine at the University of Illinois at Champaign-Urbana. He currently serves as the 65th President of the American College of Foot and Ankle Surgeons (ACFAS). Whether it’s helping a patient with diabetes or performing a trauma or reconstructive surgery, Dr. Grambart enjoys treating patients like family and forging long-term relationships with them.

In Dr. Grambart’s words

When you have a team approach, everyone is in the loop. It’s a matter of communication.

Finding a Local Foot & Ankle Surgeon is Easy

To find an ACFAS foot and ankle surgeon near you, use our Find a Foot & Ankle Surgeon tool.

Find a Foot & Ankle Surgeon