07/10/2025    Paul Kesselman, DPM

The Passing of Dennis Shavelson, DPM

I am quite saddened to hear about the passing of
Dennis Shavelson both as a friend from yesteryear
and a mentor. Back in the late seventies and
early 1980s, as everyone knows, there were way
more graduates of podiatry school than there were
residency programs. Dennis, opened his office to a
surgical/biomechanical preceptorship through
NYCPM. This enabled many students who did not
match but nevertheless were in the top of their
class to receive post-graduate training of one- or
two-years duration. His program prepared many who
eventually either went on to match in residency
programs, or, prepared them to thrive in private
or institutional practice. Due to his diligent
teaching and the caseloads preceptors handled,
most of his students were taught the skills needed
to eventually log sufficient cases, enabling them
to receive surgical or orthopedic board
certification.

In 1981, he had two practices in the South Bronx
which catered primarily to the middle and low
economic population and on the upper West Side of
Manhattan, which catered to many elite athletes,
high end executives and stars of Broadway and
ballet. This population allowed his preceptors to
treat a wide variety of pathologies, often even
gaining access to Broadway theatre's backstage,
when strapping elite performers prior to their
performances. In-office surgeries were quite
common, including all forefoot procedures as well
as many rearfoot procedures all with state-of-
the-art equipment.

He had a very dynamic personality and while very
demanding of his preceptors/residents, he was a
very compassionate and ethical individual. These
traits were well noted by his patients and
eventually created many podiatrists who also were
demanding of themselves; most who became very
successful.

It took many years, but Dennis finally had to
admit that many of his students surpassed his
talents and when he did finally recognize this, he
was very proud of them, simply stating he was
proud to have provided the basis for their
launching pad.

In his later years, he became noted for many
controversial biomechanical theories and
eventually after clinically retiring became a life
coach. When I last spoke with Dennis sometime last
year, our conversations were always spirited and
controversial but nevertheless respectful. That
was the quintessential Dennis. RIP my friend.

Paul Kesselman, DPM, Oceanside, NY

There are no more messages in this thread.