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03/07/2025
RESPONSES/COMMENTS (OBITUARIES) - PART 1B
From: Steven Spinner, DPM
I had the privilege and honor of being one of Dr. Boxer's "selected" students when I was at NYCPM. That meant that you were invited to his office. I remember sitting in his office until midnight every Tuesday seeing patients. Just watching him interact and treat patients gave me a unique perspective on what it meant to be a "podiatric physician".
He was a "doctor" in a time when most podiatrists simply were not. As Director of my 2nd year residency program at Peninsula Hospital, he also taught me what is was like to be a true member of the medical staff. He was respected by all of his allopathic colleagues. He looked the part, walked the walk, and talked the talk. He elevated our profession at a critical time in our history. Rest in peace Mike.
Steven Spinner, DPM
Other messages in this thread:
03/26/2026
RESPONSES/COMMENTS (OBITUARIES) - PART 1B
I would like to add my voice to the chorus of those acknowledging Hal Ornstein’s contributions to the profession of podiatry and the greater world. My relationship with Hal dated back to his 3rd year in podiatry school when he was trying to raise money for an OCPM yearbook. When Hal and I left that initial meeting, an idea was hatched that led to the creation of the APMSA Corporate Advisory Board, a Residency Program Corporate Advisory Board and, later, to the AAPPM and its Corporate programs.
The idea of inviting companies to invest in educational endeavors fed Hal's appetite, and what started as an ask for $150 turned into a lifetime of teaching and giving. He will be missed but his legacy of lifting podiatry will keep him alive for those who knew him and everyone else who has benefitted from his important work.
Jason Kraus
03/23/2026
RESPONSES/COMMENTS (OBITUARIES) - PART 1B
I am writing with a very heavy heart on the passing of my friend and colleague, Hal Ornstein. Hal’s vision, leadership, and unwavering commitment to others made him an extraordinary person and his impact on so many people, including me, will never be forgotten. He was truly a remarkable man whose kindness and generosity made a lasting difference in my life.
As a respected mentor, the advice he gave me was invaluable in helping my practice grow, thrive, and prosper. His positivity was infectious and he believed that life only gets better with each passing day. As a friend, he was always genuinely concerned for the well-being of my wife, me, and my family. He always said his hello's and goodbye's with a warm loving hug.
I want to express my deepest condolences to his family and to all those who were fortunate enough to know and work with him. I hope they find comfort in the love Hal shared and in the many memories he created. I will keep his family in my heart during this incredibly difficult time. May his memory be forever a blessing as I know it will be. Rest in peace, Hal, I will miss you deeply.
Marc Haspel, DPM
02/18/2026
RESPONSES/COMMENTS (OBITUARIES) - PART 1B
RE: The Passing of Arnold Signer, DPM, The Passing of Stuart Alan Courtney, DPM
It’s a sad day to see two friends and colleagues listed in the obituaries. Arnie Signer served in the APMA delegates with me for many years. He was a friend and trusted individual. It was always fun to reunite at the HOD and elsewhere.
Stu Courtney was a classmate at NYCPM 1974. When I needed emergency orthopedic surgery, his son arrived. We chatted a bit and established my connection. Stu and I talked several times thereafter. His son is still my orthopedist.
May they both rest in peace.
Lloyd Smith, DPM
01/26/2026
RESPONSES/COMMENTS (OBITUARIES) - PART 1B
It was with great sadness that I learned of his passing. He was a second-generation podiatrist who loved the profession. At great cost to his lab, he developed the first office-based optical scanner for podiatrists. In 1989, I purchased the 9th machine (in the world) from him for the price of a new car. I flew to Chicago and spent several days with him. He was a most pleasant gentleman.
It was a great machine and accurate. Years ahead of its time! Still, having been trained in California, I was very good with plaster and I was not using the machine much. He called me and said he saw that I was not using the technology much and offered to buy back the machine without me even asking him. The profession will miss him.
Jack Reingold, DPM
11/05/2025
RESPONSES/COMMENTS (OBITUARIES) - PART 1B
From: Ira Cohen, DPM, Rod Tomczak, DPM, MD, EdD
I respectfully disagree with Dr. Robert Gottlieb's characterization of the reporting as an obsession and a regularly reported headline. As a retiree, I find it informative to find out about the passing of colleagues whom otherwise I would not have known about. Occasionally, there is a classmate or someone I trained with or I trained. On a few occasions, I was able to send condolences to the family. Thank you and continue to post these.
Ira Cohen, DPM
Thank you, Dr. Block for printing obituaries sent to you. Unless passings are in the same city, there is little chance of learning that someone we knew in school or residency has passed on. The schools are not in the business of informing alumni of deaths.
It’s a wonderful tradition and a fine service to the profession. We easily lose contact with those podiatrists we swore we would stay in touch with when we graduated. It gives readers an opportunity and excuse to call members of a study group or fraternity to touch base again after all these years. And then we promise to stay in touch again until we read another familiar obituary. Maybe Dr. Gottlieb hasn’t been through many of those Schadenfreude moments. I’m grateful to you for printing the obituaries and the thoughtful podiatrists around the country who are kind enough to take the minute needed to send the notice to PM News.
Rod Tomczak, DPM, MD, EdD
10/29/2025
RESPONSES/COMMENTS (OBITUARIES) - PART 1B
RE: The Passing of Irwin Mann, DPM
I am very sorry to hear of the passing of Irwin Mann, DPM. He was the residency director at Kern Hospital during my time there as a resident in the 1970s. I will never forget the time they staged a simulated "code blue" in the middle of the night. I happened to be the junior resident on call.
I had a hollow feeling in the pit of my stomach, heart racing, and a cold sweat on my forehead when I ran into the patient room, only to find Dr. Mann and a couple others standing there waiting to grill me on what to do to save the patient's life. That moment was the first time I ever felt like a real doctor.
Rest in peace Dr. Mann.
Stefan Feldman, Spring Hill, TN
06/27/2025
RESPONSES/COMMENTS (OBITUARIES) - PART 1B
RE: The Passing of Joseph Carbone, DPM
Uncertain of what I wanted to do with my biology degree (and being rather confused) in what medical degree I should attain after graduation from St. John Fisher College (SJFC), Rochester, NY in 1984, I needed some guidance. After attending a required monthly college colloquium while attending my senior year at SJFC, a local podiatrist spoke to our class regarding choosing this profession as an occupation. I found that it might be an option as a medical career. However, it was Dr. Joseph Carbone (alum of St. John Fisher College,’75/Scholl College ‘79 and not the speaker) that I was referred to by my pre-med counselor (Bachelor of Science). He certainly set me straight on what the profession was all about and how I could make a good living without sacrificing family and a good work-life balance.
Many times, he let me visit his office prior to entering podiatry school, allowing me to observe everything podiatry. I was intrigued not only by the day-to-day operations of the practice, the variety of foot and ankle conditions he treated, but mostly by the...
Editor's note: Dr. Borreggine's extended-length letter can be read here.
06/20/2025
RESPONSES/COMMENTS (OBITUARIES) - PART 1B
From: Paul Kesselman, DPM
Over the past several days since the announcement of Dr. McGlamry's passing, many national officials from podiatry organizations have written to bestow amazing tributes to this great man. Today, I would like to share some comments from a time when I was a solo practitioner newly in practice who was confronted with a very challenging case. Dr. McGlamry bestowed a collegial helpful hand to someone with little surgical experience just shortly after my completing post-graduate training. The patient was an IDDM male in his mid-50s with bilateral Charcot foot who was told by HHS and Joint Disease here in NY that he required a BKA.
With much anticipation and with a bit of anxiety, I called Dr. McGlamry's office, informed them of my patient's issues, and shortly thereafter he called me back. I expected someone with his professional reputation to be rather obnoxious, conceited, and difficult to deal with. What I found was exactly the opposite. I found a man who was...
Editor's note: Dr. Kesselman's extended-length letter can be read here.
06/19/2025
RESPONSES/COMMENTS (OBITUARIES) - PART 1B
From: Mark Feldman, DPM
And so now 54 years later, we gather together to honor and attempt to find some way to express our gratitude to our founder Dr. E Dalton McGlamry (EDM), his 2 partners and 10 colleagues ...names….who through his individual leadership and individual lifetime devotion to the education of podiatric surgeons has produced the 170 podiatric surgeons present here. Our podiatric Halstead, Thomas Hale Ham, Gray, Osler, Ilizarov, Koefoed, and so many others in whose company he belongs.
Because of EDM, we became chiefs of surgery at several of the 11 colleges. We opened podiatry slots in the Division of Research in Medical Education at Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine, for the M.S. in medical education, developed podiatric surgical residency opportunities in the Czech...
Editor's note: Dr. Feldman's extended-length letter can be read here.This letter was part of a Podiatry Institute tribute to Dr. McGlamry earlier this year.
06/18/2025
RESPONSES/COMMENTS (OBITUARIES) - PART 1B
From: Joe Agostinelli, DPM
It’s with great sadness to hear of the passing of one of the giants of our profession, E. Dalton McGlamry, DPM. Others will comment on his singular accomplishments in advancing doctors of podiatric medicine and surgery, but I will comment on an aspect that many may not know.
Military DPMs have Dr. McGlamry to thank for their careers which have only been possible by the efforts of this giant of our profession - He was a reserve brigadier general in the armed forces. His determination and persistence led to the commissioning of DPMs in the USAF as Captains and ensured that military DPMs should be residency trained. Initially when military DPMs were assessed into the armed forces, residency training was not required and untrained podiatric surgeons for the most part were entered into the armed forces, especially in the USAF. Dr. McGlamry was responsible for making sure that those DPMs entering...
Editor's note: Dr. Agostinelli's extended-length letter can be read here.
03/14/2025
RESPONSES/COMMENTS (OBITUARIES) - PART 1B
RE: The Passing of Brent Peck Nixon, DPM
I’m saddened to hear of the passing of Dr. Brent Nixon. I knew him when he was a resident at Kern Hospital, and remember him as smart, compassionate, and kind. He had a gift for bringing out the best in others, a true class act. My heartfelt condolences to his family and colleagues.
Shawna Shapero, Bako Diagnostics
My very first rotation as a fourth-year podiatry student from SCPM was with Dr. Brent Nixon at the Tucson Arizona VAMC in 1990. Dr. Nixon was a wonderful mentor to me. He was always patient and generous with praise. His example has made me a better doctor!
Daniel Waldman, DPM
03/06/2025
RESPONSES/COMMENTS (OBITUARIES) - PART 1B
RE: The Passing of Myron "Mike" Charles Boxer, DPM
I was saddened to learn of the passing of one my first true mentors, Dr. Myron Boxer. As a member of the NYCPM class of 1981, Dr. Boxer was one of the first clinicians we met who was strident in his desire to uniformly elevate all podiatrists by preaching behavior consummate with having a doctoral degree enabling the privilege to make independent treatment decisions. Although rigid in his thinking, if you ever visited his office, you almost had to be glad to have chosen the profession of podiatric medicine. He was enormously respected by students. Although he was not in any way soft in his approach to people, I know for a fact he had great pride in their future success. He regularly and proudly referred to former students who had achieved with distinction all across the United States.
He left NYCPM before my class graduated, and I had limited but always cordial contact with him after graduation. In 1998, when I became Chief of Podiatry at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai in New York City, he went out of his way to send me a congratulatory message, which I cherished. Dr. Boxer was the first to instill in me the appreciation and importance of mentorship, which became my professional raison d'etre, and greatly contributed to what has been and continues to be a glorious career. My deepest condolences to his family on their loss. May he rest in peace.
Bryan C. Markinson, DPM
02/07/2025
RESPONSES/COMMENTS (OBITUARIES) - PART 1B
RE: The Passing of Stephen Isham, DPM (Brant McCartan, DPM)
Stephen was a true gentleman and a trailblazer with his skill set and innovative procedures that he pioneered. He was always there to give advice and consultation on my cases when I needed it. I always enjoyed going to the yearly cadaver lab and lecture series of the Academy of Minimal Invasive Foot and Ankle Surgeons (MIFAS) where Stephen would work his way around the lab helping new practitioners and seasoned veterans in MIS technique and procedures. Steve was one of the several true pioneers of MIS surgery, not only in North America (Canada, USA, and Mexico) but he reached out to introduce and advance MIS techniques in Europe and South America. He will be sadly missed. Rest in Peace Stephen.
Robert Chelin, DPM
09/10/2024
RESPONSES/COMMENTS (OBITUARIES) - PART 1B
RE: The Passing of Albert R. Brown, DPM (Steven Ames Brown)
From: Jack Ressler, DPM
I read with great sorrow the passing of Al Brown. I had the honor of meeting Al in the early '80s when I was fortunate enough to do a one-month externship in his office. He always welcomed students and practicing podiatrists in his office to watch and learn many valuable “Pearls” as he treated patients. His general podiatry and minimal incision surgical skills were pretty amazing and quite unique. He was adored by both patients and staff. I will never forget how proud he was of himself when he would use a minimal number of supplies or do a procedure and only use a few 4x4s and then the next minute write a check to an employee for an expensive auto repair or buy lunch every day for his staff and anyone else in his office.
He worked long hours every day with the exception of Friday afternoons when he would relax in his big executive chair while lighting up a huge cigar and do paperwork. Al was a very unassuming person. His professional career started as a pharmacist in...
Editor's Note: Dr. Ressler's extended-length letter can be read here.
09/09/2024
RESPONSES/COMMENTS (OBITUARIES) - PART 1B
RE: The Passing of Albert R. Brown, DPM (Steven Ames Brown)
Five years ago, when I was President of the Academy of Minimally Invasive Foot and Ankle Surgery, we were celebrating our 50th anniversary, and we invited Dr. Brown, the only surviving founder to be honored. I expected to see some elderly bent over gentleman with a walker. Boy was I wrong. When he came in, straight up and unassisted, and shook my hand, I almost went to my knees. His forearms would make Popeye jealous, and I thought maybe I should stop lifting weights and using power equipment and start using rasps to build myself up.
He then introduced me to his nurse whom I assumed took care of him at home. She promptly corrected me saying she was his office nurse who picked him up at 7 AM every morning and dropped him off around 6 PM every evening, because beginning in October, all his old Michigan snowbird patients would start calling and he was booked...
Editor's note: Dr. Katzen's extended-length letter can be read here.
08/05/2024
RESPONSES/COMMENTS (OBITUARIES) - PART 1B
RE: The Passing of Lyman Harold Wilson, DPM
It hurts my heart to say that my friend, colleague, and mentor, Lyman Wilson, has passed. I was a shot/discus track coach at El Modena high school when his son Michael entered the ring. I told him I was interested in feet, and I just told him how to throw the discus, and he said, do you want to talk to my dad?
I was researching podiatry at the time, and he convinced me that it was the only way to go. He would have convinced you to change your profession and become a podiatrist. He was an ambassador for our profession. A wonderful man!
Gregory Eirich, DPM
07/26/2024
RESPONSES/COMMENTS (OBITUARIES) - PART 1B
RE: The Passing of Stanley Schwartz, DPM
I'm truly sad to learn of the passing of our dear classmate, Stanley Schwartz, lovingly referred to as “shtendel”. As I, Stanley commuted from Brighton Beach to the M.J. Lewi College of Podiatry, a 2 hour trip to 125th Street.
Stan was loved by all his classmates, and I’m sure related well to his patients. Our class of 1960 has unfortunately dwindled, but those of us still lucky to survive have very fond memories of the four years we spent together. Shtendel will not be forgotten.
Spencer Dubov, DPM, Commack, NY
05/27/2024
RESPONSES/COMMENTS (OBITUARIES) - PART 1B
From: Gerald Peterson, DPM, Harold Glickman, DPM, Steven J Berlin, DPM
Many hours were spent together during the annual House of Delegates over the years discussing the business of the House and getting his perspective on the issues. His wisdom and insight was always invaluable to me, let alone his friendship. You will be missed my friend. RIP
Gerald Peterson, DPM
I can’t think of a more iconic figure on the Board of Trustees than Jack George. He had the leadership skills to transcend podiatric generations. Along with Arthur Helfand, DPM, Jack had a profound effect on my career as a podiatric physician.
Harold Glickman, DPM, Past President, APMA
I will miss Jack George. He was a fun guy to be with and he was a wonderful asset to our great profession. My condolences go out to Jack and his family.
Steven J Berlin, DPM
05/07/2024
RESPONSES/COMMENTS (OBITUARIES) - PART 1B
RE: The Passing of Richard A. Buratti, DPM
I was one of the many 1st and 2nd year podiatric residents at the Southern California Podiatric Medical Center, which was an independent clinic and teaching institution where outside attending podiatrists and surgeons, including Richard Buratti, DPM, volunteered their time without pay to advance our profession by lecturing and teaching clinical skills and forefoot and rear-foot surgery, both in Los Angeles and at our two Mexico clinics in Tijuana and Mexicali that ran under the name of the Baja Crippled Children's Program.
In addition, Dr. Buratti would allow the residents to come to his office and shadow him with his patients, and also scrub in on his private patient cases as well. We considered him to be a very progressive surgeon during that period of time in the early 1980s. He looked at the foot from a biomechanical perspective and was an excellent teacher of mid-foot and rearfoot anatomical surgical dissection for procedures that were considered advanced at that time, including calcaneal osteotomies, peroneal tendon balancing, and cuboid osteotomies.
I am certain that I am not alone in saying that I enjoyed his teachings and I learned some of my surgical skills and clinical skills from him. He was a pleasure to have known, and to have worked with. He always had a calm and reassuring demeanor. To his wife Ilona who I have met many times, your husband was a fine man and a great teacher. To Dawn, and Ilona I send my condolences and best wishes.
Keith L. Gurnick, DPM, Los Angeles, CA
05/01/2024
RESPONSES/COMMENTS (OBITUARIES) - PART 1B
From: Marshall G. Solomon, DPM, Howard Dananberg, DPM
It is with great sadness that I learned of Michael Forman, DPM passing. He was a great mentor at OCPM in biomechanics and the College podiatry clinic. Truly a caring person and outstanding DPM. May his memory be a blessing.
Marshall G. Solomon, DPM
I was a 1975 graduate of OCPM and Dr. Forman was my first professor of biomechanics. My pursuit of this knowledge was based on the joy with which he presented. He will surely be missed.
Howard Dananberg, DPM
04/30/2024
RESPONSES/COMMENTS (OBITUARIES) - PART 1B
From: Greg Caringi, DPM, Richard Jaffe, DPM
When I moved to Cleveland in 1976, I honestly didn't know that much about podiatry. It turned-out to be a good 4 years. There were many professors who left an imprint because of their special interests. Dr. Forman will always be remembered not for any one thing that he did well, but for everything he represented. He was smart, kind, and had a great sense of humor. He cared about his patients and his students. He made me want to succeed in this profession. He likely was the first podiatrist who was a positive role model for me and many others. RIP Mikie.
Greg Caringi, DPM, North Wales, PA
Mike Forman was a bright light during my days as a student at OCPM in the late '60s. Always optimistic and caring, he was just a few years older than the students. Yet, he radiated hope and encouragement for the future at a time when the school was in tremendous turmoil. His devotion to our profession was total.
I had the pleasure to meet with him and his lovely wife, Blanche, when they visited Israel a few years ago. It was great to see that his positive views continued throughout his life. Podiatry never had a better representative or supporter than Mike Forman and he will always be remembered by those who knew and loved him. RIP Mike.
Richard Jaffe, DPM
04/22/2024
RESPONSES/COMMENTS (OBITUARIES) - PART 1B
RE: Passing of Dr. Tom Azzolini (Joe Boylan, DPM)
I was a resident at St. Mary's Hospital at the Franciscan Health System Program when Dr. Azzolini first became our director. He was an asset to our program. With his wealth of surgical knowledge and his eagerness to teach us residents, he turned the program into a 3-year surgical program. We all benefitted from his medical and surgical knowledge.
I remember as residents sitting in the on-call room the night before cases. We all looked at the board to see who was operating the following morning. When Dr. Azzolini (we would call him AZZ), had a case, we would all jump to scrub in on his case. If there was no room to scrub, we would go just to watch him operate and teach us residents.
He opened his doors to us residents at the OR and his office. He was all about teaching and promoting the profession, in every way possible. He never turned any of us down and was always there with a helping hand. He will be missed by all his residents who went through the program. My condolences to his wife, daughter, and family.
Joseph Cione, DPM
04/19/2024
RESPONSES/COMMENTS (OBITUARIES) - PART 1B
It is with a heavy heart I write to express my deepest condolences on the passing of Dr. Tom Azzolini, a remarkable and truly memorable figure in the medical community. Dr. Azzolini was not just a skilled surgeon but also a mentor, a colleague, and a friend to many, including me.
During my time as a resident at Atlanta Hospital, Tom served as one of my senior residents, and his impact on my professional life is immeasurable. His dedication to his craft was evident in every surgery he performed, his skill unmatched and his confidence unwavering. But beyond his surgical prowess, Tom was a gifted teacher, always willing to impart his knowledge and experience to those around him.
One of the qualities that truly set Tom apart was his sense of humor. He had a way of lightening the mood in the operating room with his witty remarks and infectious laughter. I can still hear him saying “bright lights and cold steel baby” as he entered the OR. The loss of Dr. Azzolini leaves a void in the medical community that cannot be filled. His legacy will live on, not only through the countless lives he touched as a podiatric surgeon, but also through the lessons he taught and the memories he created with those fortunate enough to have known him. May his spirit continue to inspire us all to strive for excellence in everything we do. With deepest sympathy,
Kevin Pearson, DPM
03/25/2024
RESPONSES/COMMENTS (OBITUARIES) - PART 1B
I had the pleasure of training under Dr. Spencer from 1981-1985 and still use everything he taught me. I could go to him anytime with any question and he would sit and help drive home biomechanics and fabrication of orthoses until I got it. My condolence to his son Scott who was a year or two behind me and now a professor at Kent....also a smart and wonderful man. I will carry Allan’s memory and teaching with me until it is my time to join him.
Martin T Girling, DPM, Class of 85
I am so sorry to learn of Dr. Allan Spencer’s passing. In my early days in podiatry sales with Pedinol, I was working with OCPM selling my products. Dr. Spencer was always so kind, supportive, and would always listen to my pitch! In later years, after his retirement, he would stop at my exhibit to say hello and chat. My condolences to Dr. Scott Spencer and his family.
Paula Pitts
03/22/2024
RESPONSES/COMMENTS (OBITUARIES) - PART 1B
I was very saddened to hear about the passing of Dr. Allan Spencer. He was a true gentleman, a great teacher, and I remember him fondly from my years at OCPM. I still use one of his lines “if a patient brings you a bag of shoes, you are never going to make them better.” RIP Dr. Spencer.
Jack Bondi, DPM
I was saddened to hear of the passing of Dr. Allan Spencer. He was my biomechanics professor and mentor at OCPM (class of 1980), and with his help and guidance, I was able to go on to a successful full-scope of biomechanics and surgery practice for 43 years. Dr. Spencer was a wonderful teacher and mentor and always had time to help and advise us during both class and in clinic. I will always think of him with admiration and fondness. He gave back to our profession, which is something we all should aspire to. He will be missed.
Irv Luftig, BSc, DPM
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