Nathan D. Vela, DPM, MPH

Dynamic Foot and Ankle Surgeon with extensive experience at Foot, Ankle, and Wound Specialists, PA; the South Florida Institute of Sports Medicine; and training at the DVAMC of Miami excelling in complex surgical techniques of the lower extremity. diabetic limb salvage. Proven leadership and analytical skills enhance patient diagnostics and treatment outcomes. Committed to advancing podiatric medicine through innovative approaches and collaborative teamwork. Compassionate physician with many years of dedicated clinical and surgical experience. Skilled at multitasking and thinking quickly in time of stress. Proficient in pre- and post-operative care and collaborating with other medical professionals. Looking forward for the oppurtunity to serve our US military veterans again.

• Podiatric Physician-State of Florida, PO 3460, 10/28/10, Current
• Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, SC006236, 03/01/10, 12/01/10
• Board Certified in Foot Surgery, 05/01/16, 08/01/26
• Board Certified in Reconstructive Rearfoot and Ankle Surgery, 05/01/16, 08/01/26

• CME lectures regarding pathology seen in the the foot and ankle (NOVA Southeastern University 07/2018), Evaluation and surgical consideration of the Flatfoot (HCA- Westside Medical Center 10/2017)
• Grand Rounds - 'Mechanical Properties of Reconstructed Achilles Tendon', 08/01/09
• Grand Rounds - 'Hallux Valgus', 12/01/09
• Grand Rounds - 'Podopediatrics', 10/01/10
• Grand Rounds - 'Biomechanical Implications of Foot and Ankle Surgery', 04/01/11
• Grand Rounds - 'Internal Fixation', 06/01/11

• Stryker Surgical Solutions Foot & Ankle Course
• Arthrex - Advanced Techniques in Foot and Ankle Surgery Course
• OsteoMed - Advanced Solutions in Foot Surgery Course

• Podiatric Merit Scholarship, 2005-2006
• Dean's Academic Scholarship, 2006-2008
• Chancellor's List, 2005
• FPMSA MVP, 2007-2008
• APMA Educational Foundation Scholarship, 2007-2008
• AAPSM Robert Barnes Memorial Scholarship, 2008

• Weight lifting/Conditioning
• Sports/Coaching
• Music
• Martial Arts (Currently 4th degree black belt in Tae Kwon Do, 2022 ATA World Champion)
• Drawing/Sketching

2009-2012    Residency Research  CT Classification for Ankle Osteoarthritis   Miami, FL

Development of classification system of ankle arthritis grading and developing an appropriate system that is easy to use and can help guide treatment through retrograde case study and imaging review. A total of 14 CT images in three planes were selected and present without patient identifiers to specialists trained in reading CT imaging including Podiatrists, Orthopedists, Musculoskeletal Radiologists, and Rheumatologist. The results of the responses were compared interobserver and intraobserver and were found to be statistically significant.

2010-2011        Residency Research   Peroneal Tendinopathy in the Cavus Foot    Miami, FL

Posterior Tibial Tendon Dysfunction is associated with adult acquired clubfoot, and peroneal tendonopathy correlates with Pes Cavus type foot. A retrospective study of 26 patients from the Miami VAMC and Dr. Michael Cohen's private practice were examined based on radiographic ankles including CIA and Angle of Hibbs and the type of peroneal dysfunction based on symptoms and intra-operative presentation.

2003  Professional Report – MPH   Fort Worth, TX

Border Health: Correlation of North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) effects on the incidence of communicable diseases in the Lower Rio Grande Valley, Texas

Literature research on the incidence of communicable diseases in the population of the Lower Rio Grande area of South Texas due the effects of globalization brought on the environment due to the implementation of the North American Free Trade Agreement. The research was geared towards finding evidence that since the start of the trade agreement, the environment has been so adversely affected by increased traffic and thus pollution that it has lead to an increase in the prevalence of communicable diseases such as Hepatitis, Tuberculosis, HIV/AIDS, etc in the populations of the counties that make up the Lower Rio Grande Valley.

2000 Austin College Biology Dept.   Sherman, TX

Effects of Androstene-4-17-dione in the growth and behavior of the Japanese Quail (Coturnix japonica) Approximate two-month project involving the injection of a measured amount of androstenedione, ethanol, and purified water solution according to the mass of the individual quail. The weights of the quail were recorded everyday and injections were given everyday as well. Statistics were later run on the results.

1999 Austin College Biology Dept.  Sherman, TX

The Impact of Human Activity on the Concentration of Industrial Heavy Metals in Residential Soil

A two month research project in which soil samples were taken from various sites around the Sherman/Denison, Texas area, and were tested using atomic absorption spectroscopy. The soil was first dried using heat and then diluted into a solution of water, nitric acid and sulfuric acid. The solutions were later run through the atomic absorption spectrophotometer.

1999 Driscoll Children's Medical Center    Corpus Christi, TX

Prevalence of Obesity in Hispanic Adolescents 

One-month clinical research project in which I examined one hundred cases records. Looking at body measurements, ethnicity, and diagnosis of obesity, I calculated statistics utilizing T-score and ANOVA analysis to reach my results.

• Son - Daniel R. Vela
• Son- Austin N. Vela
• Date of Birth: 02/15/79