Foot and Ankle Reconstruction Service
Sherman S. Coleman M.D., brought notoriety to the University of Utah Department of Orthopaedics as it relates to foot and ankle abnormalities by publishing several landmark articles about neuromuscular conditions such as Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease, as well as a vast number of insightful contributions particularly as it relates to children’s orthopaedic foot and ankle care. The Foot and Ankle Reconstruction Service of the University of Utah School of Medicine officially began in 1996 with the hire of Timothy C. Beals, M.D., as the first dedicated subspecialist who had completed a fellowship in foot and ankle reconstruction. Dr. Beals completed his undergraduate work at the University of Puget Sound, medical school at the Oregon Health Sciences University, internship at the University of Utah, residency at University of Washington and a fellowship at Wayne State University in Detroit with Arthur Manoli II, M.D.
In 2005 Charles L. Saltzman M.D. joined the department as Chairman and foot and ankle specialist. Dr Saltzman attended college at Brown University and then matriculated to University of North Carolina in Chapel Hill for his graduate medical education. After receiving his MD degree with distinction, he served his internship and residency training at the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor. He then obtained subspecialty fellowship training at the Mayo-Clinic Scottsdale and trained with the world-famous foot and ankle surgeon, Dr Kenneth A. Johnson.
In 2007 a third member of the Foot and Ankle Reconstruction Service was hired. Florian Nickisch M.D., completed fellowships in Orthopaedic Trauma at Rhode Island Hospital in Providence, and Orthopaedic Foot & Ankle Surgery at the OL Miller Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Institute in Charlotte, North Carolina. Prior to that he received his medical degree in Munich Germany at Ludwig Maximilian University and Medical School internship and residency were done at Brown University in Rhode Island.
In 2008, Naomi Laird, a Physician’s Assistant was added to the Foot and Ankle Service, further enhancing the care of foot and ankle patients. The addition of new faculty has brought innovative perspectives and added a variety of areas of clinical expertise. The Foot and Ankle Reconstruction Service continues to grow to meet the demand for the wide range of services that includes care for conditions related to traumatic injury, osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, diabetes, neuromuscular conditions such as Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease, and a number of other abnormalities. Particular expertise is available for arthroscopically treated conditions and minimally invasive surgery.
The mission of the educational program of the Foot and Ankle Reconstruction Service is defined by a commitment to train the next generation of orthopaedic specialists and attracts some of the best candidates in the country. With an exceptional curriculum, a library of classic articles as well as extensive electronic media resources for individual directed learning, opportunities exist for obtaining hands on experience and intellectual pursuit. The Foot and Ankle Reconstruction Service has a busy clinical program, and also engages in pioneering research, collaborating with multiple disciplines both within the Department of Orthopaedics and other departments at the University of Utah School of Medicine. Educational programs exist for medical students, residents and the service directs a fellowship in foot and ankle reconstruction.
In addition to foot and ankle care, this service also co-directs the Amputee Program at the University of Utah in concert with Rehabilitative Medicine and Vascular Surgery.
