Foot and ankle

A note from our research sponsors in the division

Elizabeth Bondi, D.P.M., M.S.
Alex A. Vlasak, M.D.

The Division of Foot and Ankle Surgery provides a unique opportunity to participate in building a world-class research program through the Orthopedic Surgery Medical Student Research Gap Year Program.

Research in the Gap Year Program includes novel and up-to-date treatment modalities for surgical and nonsurgical foot and ankle conditions, with both retrospective and prospective study designs.

Specific research topics include:

  • Achilles tendon pathologies.
  • Ankle cartilage.
  • Chronic exertional leg pain.
  • Osteochondral lesions of the talus.
  • Shockwave treatment.

The gap year fellow works with three or more attending physicians in the division and meets at least weekly to discuss progress on each research project. The fellow guides multiple research projects to fruition, including abstracts, conference presentations and peer-reviewed journal articles.

The Division of Foot and Ankle Surgery accepts one student through the Gap Year Program.