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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:
03/14/2025
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
12/20/2023
RESPONSES/COMMENTS (OBITUARIES) - PART 1B
From: James Lucarelli, DPM
Richard Donela was a real gentleman and a wonderful podiatrist. I first met Rich when I was a resident in Boston. He would fly down from Vermont to do surgery with us at the West Roxbury VA Medical Center. When I finished my residency, he invited me to work with him and his wife, Barbara, in their Bennington, VT and North Adams, MA offices. He and Barbara were a truly dynamic duo. He would practice medicine and Barb would run the office. They did that for almost 45 years!
I learned so much from him both medically as well as how to run a practice. He was really one of those unsung heroes of our profession. He was an excellent caring practitioner who served and cared for his community, He will certainly be missed by his patients and by those of us who had the honor to know and work with him. My condolences to Barb, Eliza, and Nathaniel.
James Lucarelli, DPM, New Bedford, MA
03/13/2023
RESPONSES/COMMENTS (OBITUARIES) - PART 1B
RE: The Passing of Franklin Kase, DPM (Michael Levi, DPM)
Wednesday, alongside Drs. Ralph Rabin and Ira Kraus, I had the honor to be a casket bearer at Dr. Franklin Kase’s funeral. I have been to many funerals before, but Frank is my first really close buddy who has passed away. For that reason, I knew it was going to be tough, but what I didn’t realize is that in the midst of the tears, there was going to be so many laughs and so much love for this man that it was one of the most uplifting days of my life. All of this people that spoke had a common theme about Frank. It was his positivity through his love for God and his Jewish faith, his family and friends, and his profession.
There were so many of his colleagues that had come from all distances to pay their respects, and all of them felt that Frank had shown them...
Editor's note: Dr. DeSantis' extended-length letter can be read here.
03/10/2023
RESPONSES/COMMENTS (OBITUARIES) - PART 1B
RE: The Passing of Franklin Kase, DPM (Michael Levi, DPM)
There is not much more that one can say that has not already been said about my dear friend and colleague Frank Kase. The monument of accolades already written of this giant of a person are no doubt a demonstration of what this person meant to all of us professionally as well as to his friends and family. He taught me a great deal about public policy and what he taught me was only a snippet of what he knew.
He embodied my grandfather's mantra- Zay a Mensch. If nothing else, be a Mensch. Frank was no doubt a Mensch, a noble and righteous person and someone to emulate in more ways than I can put into words. My condolences to Beth and all of Frank's family and friends.
Paul Kesselman, DPM
03/09/2023
RESPONSES/COMMENTS (OBITUARIES) - PART 1B
RE: The Passing of Franklin Kase, DPM (Michael Levi, DPM)
It’s very sad to hear of the passing of Frank Kase, and last week Leonard Levy. Our field has lost two major opinion leaders who had a significant impact on propagating podiatry and moving it forward in many ways. It is an unfortunate loss, and both will be greatly missed professionally as well as by their families. I share my sadness with my colleagues who knew them.
Steven Kravitz, DPM
I was very sad to hear of Frank’s passing. Frank was an undaunted optimist of this profession. He really cared sincerely about future generations of podiatric physicians. He was a very kind, warm man. May he rest in peace.
Marc Haspel, DPM
03/08/2023
RESPONSES/COMMENTS (OBITUARIES) - PART 1B
RE: The Passing of Franklin Kase, DPM (Michael Levi, DPM)
I am so saddened to hear Frank Kase has passed. He was always kind, generous, and especially helpful. A true treasure to the profession will be missed.
Philip Radovic, DPM, San Clemente, CA
Frank and I met at the AAPSM meetings 40 years ago. Podiatry was just learning about sports medicine and Bob Barnes and the founding fathers guided us along. Years later, we met again at the House of Delegates at APMA and forged our relationship with a joint commitment to our profession. We both thrived in the insurance reimbursement world controlled by the AMA, Medicare, and the private insurance world.
For several years, Frank refused to join the key committees in that area. I asked him several times but his love and dedication to his family did not allow him to pursue that path. Later on, he did and his contributions at the state and national level were enormous. On a personal level, we talked about our families, our lives, and our interests. We talked several times during his illness and his passion and enthusiasm never wavered. Frank was genuine. He was generous with his time. He always had a story about his beloved family. Podiatry lost a giant. I lost a friend.
Lloyd Smith, DPM
03/07/2023
RESPONSES/COMMENTS (OBITUARIES) - PART 1B
RE: The Passing of Franklin Kase, DPM
Frank Kase has passed after a 22 month battle with glioblastoma. It is a sad day for podiatry, losing yet another titan.
Mike King, DPM
02/28/2023
RESPONSES/COMMENTS (OBITUARIES) - PART 1B
RE: The Passing of Leonard A. Levy, DPM, MPH (Tilden Sokoloff, MD, DPM)
Leonard's passing leaves a large vacancy in my heart and in the profession that he loved. I first got to know him when he was dean at Des Moines, and I had become dean at Barry. He was a great mentor to me and always picked up the phone when I called, regardless how petty the issue. He was a progressive advocate for podiatric medicine, always stressing the primary care aspects of our profession and our roles therein. He was involved in the late '80s and early '90s in the evolution of the podiatric primary care residency concept that was funded by the government for many years. Many people are not aware that he was instrumental in developing the board certification process for podiatric public health.
Though the board did not last long, it was key to getting the profession recognized through the Podiatric Health Section of the APHA, for which he served as...
02/27/2023
RESPONSES/COMMENTS (OBITUARIES) - PART 1B
RE: The Passing of Leonard A. Levy, DPM, MPH (Tilden Sokoloff, MD, DPM)
Drs. Tilden Sokoloff and Josh Gerbert very nicely described Dr. Leonard Levy. This is a very sad moment in our profession when one of the most accomplished and visionary leaders of our profession has passed on. When Dick Lanham left as president of the California College, I was the Academic Dean of the school. A search for a new president was initiated. I witnessed many accomplished applicants for this position.
When Dr. Levy applied, was there ever a thought as to who in our profession was better suited for that position? Was there any person in our profession who was more accomplished in the field of podiatric medical education than Dr. Levy? The choice was simple. He added the title of president of CCPM to his many leadership positions in our profession. It is unlikely that anyone will ever fill his shoes.
Lawrence Oloff, DPM, Burlingame, CA
02/24/2023
RESPONSES/COMMENTS (OBITUARIES) - PART 1B
RE: The Passing of Leonard A. Levy, DPM, MPH (Tilden Sokoloff, MD, DPM)
We have lost a giant of the profession, a true gentleman and scholar. Our conversations were always about moving the profession forward. He was a pioneer in podiatric education, podiatric public health, and podiatric research. He never retired, as it was not in his nature. His countless contributions to research and publications are legendary and his name is immortalized in our history. May his memory serve as a source of comfort and solace for his family, friends, and the profession he loved.
Jeffrey M. Robbins, DPM
Hearing of the loss of Leonard Levy, DPM, MPH hit me like a ton of bricks. Much will be said about his well lived life and awesome contributions to our profession in the days ahead. No one was as impressive a role model and a greater inspiration to me than Leonard Levy was. The opportunities that I had to stop and speak with him at conferences will forever be precious to me and etched in my memory. He was always the first person that I mentioned when speaking about the growing group of our colleagues who showed us what else a podiatrist could do and what they could achieve. What a great man we lost, but what a fine legacy he left behind. RIP.
Alan Sherman, DPM, Boca Raton, FL
02/23/2023
RESPONSES/COMMENTS (OBITUARIES) - PART 1B
RE: The Passing of Leonard A. Levy, DPM, MPH
Leonard Levy was a true gentleman, and clearly deserves his place on the Mount Rushmore of our profession. RIP my friend.
Bret Ribotsky, DPM
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