Foot & Ankle Fellowship
What Is the Foot & Ankle Fellowship Program?
OrthoArizona offers the only foot and ankle fellowship in the Phoenix metro area in addition to being officially accredited and recognized by the American Orthopaedic Foot & Ankle Society (AOFAS). Foot and ankle fellows will partake in a full-encompassing year of well-rounded training that entails everything a graduate will need to successfully begin their own practice. The program’s curriculum will engage fellowship participants in a monthly journal club covering topics based on the AOFAS educational program, biweekly informational conferences focusing on indications and challenging cases that surround the foot and ankle, as well as research opportunities through OrthoArizona Foot and Ankle Institute.
Clinical and surgical experience will be gained through shadowing and engaging in learning opportunities through scheduled interactions with the OrthoArizona foot and ankle fellowship-trained surgical team. Fellows will obtain exposure to a variety of topics of the foot and ankle, such as trauma, ankle/hindfoot, midfoot, forefoot, limb salvage, reconstruction, and sports injuries. OrthoArizona is the orthopedic provider to numerous sports teams, ranging from high school to professional, permitting distinctive opportunities to treat the athletic patient population. Arizona offers a unique patient demographic ranging from pediatrics to a robust geriatric population, allowing foot and ankle fellows exposure to a wide gamut of pathologies.
The OrthoArizona Foot and Ankle Fellowship not only provides an academic and didactic experience to the participating fellows, but it also allows for opportunities to learn about building a successful practice in today’s changing medical environment. OrthoArizona surgeons will provide mentorship and training on topics such as coding and billing as well as other aspects of private practice management.
To apply for OrthoArizona’s Foot and Ankle Fellowship Program, email: students@orthoarizona.org
Kristin Kress, M.D.
Meet Our First Foot & Ankle Fellow!
Kristin Kress, M.D., OrthoArizona’s First Foot & Ankle Fellow!
In August 2020, Dr. Kress became OrthoArizona’s first foot and ankle fellow. Dr. Kress attended Medical School at the Medical College of Wisconsin and orthopedic surgery residency at the University of Vermont Medical Center. Dr. Kress had visited OrthoArizona offices across the valley during her one-year fellowship, including the North and South Gilbert offices and Scottsdale offices. During her first few months, Dr. Kress shadowed our orthopedic foot and ankle surgeons and then transitioned to take on surgical cases and see patients during clinics alongside her orthopedic surgeon mentors, Drs. Jason Lake, Jason Patterson, and David Jaffe. Dr. Kress’ fellowship concluded in August of 2021, and she has noted how much of an impact the fellowship has made on her life, both professionally and personally.
