Speaker Biographies

(as of May 19, 2014)

Matthew Almeida, C. Ped., CPA, BOCO, BOC Pedorthist

Biography to come
 

Teresa Alpert-Leibman, BOCO, C. Ped., PMAc

Teresa Alpert-Leibman joined the Rubin Institute for Advanced Orthopedics after 30 years in private practice.  She is the Orthotist at RIAO, working directly with Dr. Bradley Lamm, renowned foot and ankle surgeon specializing in limb lengthening, foot deformities, and ankle reconstruction.  As part of the team, she assists with orthotic application, removal and post-operative patient care following surgery.
 

Graham Archer, C. Ped. (C)

Graham Archer is a Canadian Certified Pedorthist in Vancouver, British Columbia, and has been practicing pedorthics for 12 years.  He is Vice President at Kintec, a leading edge pedorthic and specialty retail facility, leading a team of twelve pedorthists.  Graham is the primary developer of Kiwi Software, a clinical management software designed specifically for pedorthists.
 

Stacey Brennan, MD

Biography to come
 

Camillo Buratto, DPM

Dr. Camillo Buratto is the soul and mind of Podartis.  A prominent figure in the field of orthopedic techniques for over two decades, Dr. Buratto divides his time between managing director of Podartis and guest speaker in various medical meetings related to the fields of orthotics and podiatry in general.

Specializing in biomechanics, orthopedics and rehabilitation for serious illnesses, Dr. Buratto has focused his attention on the rehabilitation of the diabetic and rheumatic foot as an early advocate of utilizing orthotic solutions now widely adopted.  Among them, in 1988, the first self-moulding shoe; in 1992 the first temporary shoe with an outsole in talism; and, in 1995, the first series of research on the use of standard footwear for diabetic foot treatment.  More recently, the introduction of Flexpell in the early 2000s, the biomechanical insoles with localized offloading in 2006, and, in 2010, the important recognition by the prestigious magazine Diabetes Care about the removable cast Stabil D for the treatment of the acute phase of diabetic foot.
 

Doug Chartier

Doug Chartier is the special projects coordinator at Western Media, LLC, publisher of The O & P Edge, the leading magazine of the orthotics, prosthetics, and pedorthics industry.  He collaborates with O P & P professionals to plan, edit, and produce their own marketing material to reach referral sources, patients and payers.  He also occasionally contributes content to The O & P Edge.  He holds a bachelor’s degree in English from the University of Colorado at Colorado Springs.
 

Joseph C. D’Amico, DPM, FAACFAOM, FAAPSM, FACFAP

Louis J. DeCaro, DPM

Dr. Louis DeCaro is a Doctor of Podiatric Medicine & Surgery specializing in pediatrics with a special interest in sports medicine and biomechanics for both adults and pediatrics.   He is currently in private practice with an office in West Hatfield, MA, and is a member of the surgical & medical staff at Holyoke Hospital and Franklin Medical Center.

Dr. DeCaro is the Director and originator of the Adult Gait Labs Biomechanics Clinic which takes place biweekly at his office. The clinic began in 2004 at Cooley Dickinson Hospital. Monthly, alongside Ms. Roberta Nole and a multidisciplinary team, including but not limited to physical therapists (both pediatric and Adult), massage therapists, chiropractors, and orthotists. The team evaluates the most challenging of biomechanics patients and helps to find them answers through orthoses and therapy.

Dr. DeCaro lectures internationally and nationally several times a year to peers and specialists associated with adult and pediatric biomechanics. He also routinely lectures to both adult and pediatric organizations, groups, and schools.

Dr. DeCaro is also the current Vice President of the American College of Foot and Ankle Pediatrics.

Alison J. Garten, DPM, C. Ped.

Dr. Alison J. Garten is a native of Cary, North Carolina.  She received her Bachelors of Science in Biology at East Carolina University, Greenville, NC.  She completed her Doctorate of Podiatric Medicine from Temple University School of Podiatric Medicine in Philadelphia.  She completed two years of podiatric surgical residency at Montgomery Hospital in Philadelphia and then continued training at Washington Hospital Center in Washington, DC, which provided extensive training in diabetic limb salvage and elective fore- and rear foot reconstruction.  Dr. Garten is a Certified Pedorthist and is Board Certified in Foot Surgery.  She serves as an appointed member of the District of Columbia Board of Podiatry, as well as Co-Vice President of the American Association for Women Podiatrists.  She is currently an associate of DC Foot and Ankle Associates and Panel Physicians at Healogics Wound Center.
 

Filippo Goi

Filippo Goi obtained his Master’s Degree in Sports and Exercise Sciences from the University of Milan obtained in 2012.  Hailing from the village of Montonate (Varese), he is the youngest member of Vibram’s historic Tester Team, a global group of athletes and sports enthusiasts who test Vibram products in the most extreme conditions imaginable. The Vibram Tester Team is the last line of defense in the product development cycle and gives final approval on whether a product is ready for commercialization.

An Italian Federal Ski Instructor since 2006 (after years of competition), he coaches a senior boys alpine ski team in the north of the Lombardy region every weekend in the winter season. Filippo is currently spearheading biomechanical research in Vibram’s Albizzate lab and National Instruments graphics programming related to data analysis applied for compound and product validation. Filippo also enjoys climbing, trail running and mountain biking.
 

Allan B. Grossman, DPM, FACFAS, FAPWCA

Dr. Allan Grossman completed his residency at Cambridge Hospital/Harvard Medical School, and a fellowship in orthopedic trauma.  He is a Fellow of the American College of Foot and Ankle Surgeons and a Diplomate of the American Board of Podiatric Surgery and the American Board of Podiatric Orthopedics.  Dr. Grossman is a member of the teaching faculty at the Pinnacle Health Department of Medicine and Family Practice; Associate Professor at the Drexel/Hahnemann Medical School; and, Adjunct Faculty Cambridge Hospital/Harvard Medical School.  Dr. Grossman has been published in numerous medical journals and lectures nationally.  Dr. Grossman is also in private practice at the Harrisburg Foot and Ankle Center in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania.
 

Louis N. Iannuzzi, PT, DPT, C. Ped.

Dr. Louis N. Iannuzzi received his BS in Zoology from the University of Wisconsin in Milwaukee in 1978, followed by his BS/Certificate in Physical Therapy from New York University in 1980, and his DPT from Boston University in 2011. Among his many professional accomplishments, Dr. Iannuzzi spent 20 years as the Chief Physical Therapist of the NY Regional Ambulatory Hansen's Disease Program; served as an Adjunct Professor for both New York University and the College of Staten Island; and, acted as a Clinical Consultant for Staten Island University Hospital's Diabetes Treatment Center. Currently, Dr. Iannuzzi serves as the Clinical Wound Specialist at Bellevue Hospital Center's Department of Dermatology, and most recently at the Hospital for Joint Diseases Diabetic Foot & Ankle Center. Dr. Iannuzzi also spent 25 years as a highly decorated Commissioned Officer with the United States Public Health Service (USPHS), retiring in early 2006 with the rank of Captain following an extended deployment during the 2005 Hurricane Katrina and Rita disaster relief missions in Louisiana and Mississippi. Other USPHS projects in which Dr. Iannuzzi participated include World Trade Center Relief, NY Habitat for Humanity, and the Sierra Leone Amputee Project. In addition, Dr. Iannuzzi is a Corps Specialist in Insensitive Limb Management related to Leprosy and Diabetes, as well as a board certified pedorthist since 1990. His research interests include wound care, pathomechanics, electromyography, and electrotherapy. In collaboration with Dr. Smita Rao and Dr. Miguel Sanchez, Dr. Iannuzzi is currently assessing the efficacy of rocker sole shoes in individuals with venous ulcers through a research grant awarded by the New York Physical Therapy Association.
 

Dennis Janisse, C. Ped.

Dennis Janisse is the President and CEO of National Pedorthic Services, Inc., in Milwaukee, WI.  He is a Clinical Assistant Professor in the Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation and the Medical College of Wisconsin.  Dennis is a past President of the Pedorthic Footcare Association and is an internationally recognized pedorthic educator and author.
 

Erick Janisse, CO, C. Ped.

Erick Janisse is an ABC-certified pedorthist and an ABC-certified orthotist.  He is the Clinical Director of Pedorthics for Orthotic and Prosthetic Design, Inc., in St. Louis, MO.  Mr. Janisse works extensively with both amateur and professional athletes and teams.  In addition, he has a special interest in patients with diabetes.  Mr. Janisse is a respected speaker, having lectured across the United States and internationally.  He has been regularly invited to speak about pedorthics at Ball State University, the Medical College of Wisconsin, Scott & White Hospital and Washington University’s Physical Therapy Program. He has also been faculty for many specialty courses of the American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society.
 

Bryan B. Kagan, DPM

Dr. Bryan B. Kagan is a forensic podiatrist in White Plains, NY.  He is an adjunct professor of forensic podiatry at the New York College of Podiatric Medicine and is leading a research team there.  He has lectured nationally and published numerous articles on forensics.  He is the Secretary/Treasurer of the American Society of Forensic Podiatry and is on the Science and Practice Subcommittee of Podiatry of the International Association for Identification.  Dr. Kagan presents on forensic podiatry nationally, has been published in numerous professional journals, and is a member of numerous professional societies.
 

Geza F. Kogler, Ph. D.

Dr. Geza Kogler received a baccalaureate degree from Wayne State University in Detroit and a Ph. D. degree in Bioengineering from the University of Strathclyde in Glasgow, Scotland.  He is the Director of the Clinical Biomechanics Laboratory at the Georgia Institute of Technology, and serves as an instructor for the Master of Science in Prosthetics and Orthotics program, and advises students in the Doctoral programs within the School of Applied Physiology.  Dr. Kogler has received numerous national and international awards for his research related to foot biomechanics.  Dr. Kogler’s research interests include powered orthoses, interface mechanics for exoskeletal robotics, foot/ankle biomechanics and lower extremity orthotics.
 

James Lawson

Jim is the American Board for Certification in Orthotics, Prosthetics and Pedorthics (ABC) Outreach Development Manager and, in that role, he devotes his time to working with business owners, helping them navigate the accreditation process and improve their businesses.  He also works with university students prior to their ABC certification exams.  Jim represents and speaks at national, regional and state O & P conferences as well as universities, colleges and O & P education programs nationwide.
 

Roy Lidtke, DPM

Dr. Lidtke majored in Physics at the University of Northern Iowa in Cedar Falls from 1982 -1987. He attended medical school at the University of Osteopathic Medicine and Health Sciences (Des Moines University) where he received a Doctor of Podiatric Medicine (DPM) degree in 1991. He completed his residency in Podiatric Orthopedic in 1992 at the College of Podiatric Medicine and Surgery in Des Moines, and was invited to become a faculty member at the College where he started the Human Performance Lab to study ambulation related disorders. In 1997, he was recruited to the William M. Scholl College of Podiatric Medicine in Chicago where he accepted a faculty appointment and Director of their Gait Analysis Lab. In 2000, he was appointed as Visiting Professor of Orthopedic Surgery at Rush-Presbyterian-St. Luke’s Medical center to continue with his research interests. In 2002, he shared a dual appointment as Assistant Professor of Podiatric Orthopedics at the William M. Scholl College of Podiatric Medicine at Finch University/ The Chicago Medical School (Rosalind Franklin University of Science and Medicine) and as Assistant Professor of Internal Medicine, Section of Rheumatology. He still holds his faculty appointment at Rush University Medical Center where he continues to be involved in government sponsored research. Dr. Lidtke is currently Director of Center for Clinical Biomechanics, Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation at St. Luke’s Hospital in Cedar Rapids Iowa.
 

Jeremy Long, BOC Pedorthist

Jeremy Long is a BOC Pedorthist, who has been in the footwear field since 1988, covering multiple settings and disciplines.  He gained his pedorthic credential in 2005 after having spent years working both in Reebok's Technical Services Division and performing specialty fitting work in the skate/snow sports fields.  He has been working in podiatric and O&P facilities for the past 10 years, specializing in a broad spectrum of pedorthic care. 

Jeremy utilizes personal practice and clinical/research evidence in producing pedorthic strategies to create positive patient outcomes.  He has extensive experience working with elite athletes and geriatric populations.  His lectures cover all scopes within pedorthics, and presented to those in pedorthic, podiatric, and orthopedic audiences. 

Jeremy presently is on the Pedorthic Footcare Association Board of Directors, and serves on its Council on Pedorthic Education.  He also practices pedorthics at Van Dyke & Bacon, an 80 year old certified pedorthic facility.
 

Stephen A. McDonald, C. Ped.

Stephen A. McDonald is a Board Certified Pedorthist working at Jackson Hole Sports in Teton Village, Wyoming.  Specializing in ski boot fitting and sports pedorthics, Stephen has been featured in ski magazines and other publications.  He owns Jackson Hole Boot Camp, a pedorthic education company.  Regularly skiing more than 125+ days each season, he is the author of The Book on Ski Boots.
 

James B. McGuire, DPM, PT, C. Ped.

Dr. James McGuire DPM, PT, CPed, FAPWHc is the director of the Leonard Abrams Center for Advanced Wound Healing and an Associate Professor of the Department of Podiatric Medicine and Orthopedics at the Temple University School of Podiatric Medicine, located in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

Dr. McGuire earned his DPM degree from the Temple University School of Podiatric Medicine in 1981. He completed a residency in podiatric surgery in Baltimore, MD. He is a fellow and founding member of the American Professional Wound Care Association and the Academy of Physicians in Wound Healing, and serves on the board of the Council for Medical Education and Testing. Dr. McGuire is a licensed Physical Therapist, a certified Pedorthist, and is Certified in Wound Care by the Council for Medical Education and Testing (CMET). He is also board certified by both the American Board of Podiatric Surgery (ABPS) and the American Board of Podiatric Medicine (ABPM).
 

Dean Mason, C. Ped., CO

Dean Mason is the owner of North Shore Pedorthics in Lorain, OH.  He is Treasurer of the Pedorthic Footcare Association, chairs its Government Affairs Committee, and is a frequent contributor to Current Pedorthics magazine.  Dean was certified in 1998 and became cross credentialed as an orthotists in 2001.  His practice focuses on home care patients, receiving referrals from home health and therapy companies in addition to standard sources of referrals.
 

Jonathan Moore, DPM, MS

Bijan Najafi, Ph.D., M.Sc.

Melodie Phillips, Ph. D.

Dr. Melodie Phillips is an Associate Professor of Marketing at Middle Tennessee State University.  Her area of specialty is promotion and, specifically, advertising, social media promotions and public relations.  She earned her Ph. D. at Louisiana State University, her MBA at the University of Miami, and her BA in marketing from the University of South Florida.  She has been published in the Journal of Services Marketing, Journal of Business Ethics, and the Journal of Prosthetics and Orthotics.
 

Rick Ravel, C. Ped.

Rick Ravel is President of Karavel Shoe Stores, Inc., in Austin, TX.  Second generation owner,
Karavel Shoes was started in March of 1937 in Austin as the 2nd Buster Brown Shoe Store and has evolved into the Karavel Shoes Comfort Center consisting of over 15,000 sq. ft of comfort footwear and accessories for women and men, New Balance Round Rock, New Balance Southpark Meadow and Karavel Shoes Southpark Meadow.  Rick was born in Texas and graduated from the University of Texas with a General Business Degree.  Rick has been involved with numerous organizations, including serving on the boards of the Pedorthic Footcare Association, National Shoe Retailers Association (including NSRA Chairperson), Rotary Club of Austin and Ballet Austin.  Rick has lectured numerous times at previous PFA Symposia.
 

Donna Robertson, ATC, C. Ped., MS

Donna Robertson is an education consultant to Foot Solutions Corporation as a pedorthic specialist with unique skills in the sports pedorthic area, involving injury assessment, prevention and rehabilitation, custom foot orthotics, footwear selections, and advanced pedorthic solutions.  Donna has worked with many sports professionals and is well known throughout the U.S. for her work and lectures.  She has been a featured speaker for many medical community associations.  She received her BS degree in health, physical education and recreation from the University of North Alabama in 1974, earned her Master’s degree in health in 1978, certification as an athletic trainer in 1977 and certification in pedorthics in 1987.  Donna worked with the foot and ankle medical team as a pedorthist at the 2004 Olympic Games in Athens, Greece.
 

James Sajdak, C. Ped.

Robert S. Schwartz, C. Ped.

Robert Schwartz is president and CEO of Eneslow Pedorthic Enterprises, Inc., which operates Eneslow, The Foot Comfort Center; the Eneslow Pedorthic Institute; and, www.eneslow.com.  Mr. Schwartz is a recognized leader in the footwear and foot care industries, and in his local community.  He created the Eneslow Pedorthic Institute (EPI) in 1995 as an educational institute to further the cause of conservative foot care to health professionals and the public.  EPI conducts therapeutic shoe fitting, pedorthic pre-certification, and retail business training courses at its facilities in Manhattan.  In addition, he is the managing director and serves on the board and executive committee of the 23rd Street Association, a New York City civic and trade organization.  Currently, he serves as an adjunct instructor in the Department of Orthopedic Sciences at the New York College of Podiatric Medicine (NYCPM).  He participates on the faculty of Aetrex University, and on the advisory board of foot.com and the Pedorthic Newswire.  He has been a faculty member of the pedorthic programs at Northwestern University, New York University, UCLA, Ball State University, and the Shoe Service Institute of America.  Mr. Schwartz is a past president of the Pedorthic Footcare Association, served on PFA’s Board of Directors from 1980 to 1990, and as education chair from 1985 to 1993.
 

Jonathan Shaffer

Biography to come
 

Aaron Sorensen, CPO, BS-Prosthetics/Orthotics, MBA

Aaron Sorensen owns a Tennessee-based prosthetic and orthotic practice as well as a medical billing company that specializes in handling all aspects of the billing process for prosthetic, orthotic and pedorthic companies. Aaron has a BS in Prosthetics and Orthotics from Florida International University and he received his MBA from Middle Tennessee State University in 1996.  He is certified by American Board for Certification in Orthotics, Prosthetics and Pedorthics, and is actively involved in patient care as well as consulting on billing and administrative issues.
 

Andrew Ullman, BSME, MSM

Andrew Ullman holds a B.S. degree in Mechanical Engineering from Southern Methodist University and an M.S. in Management from the Georgia Institute of Technology.  He has over 15 years’ experience in import/distribution of orthotic materials and pre-fabricated foot orthotics as well as central fabrication of orthotics.