The Roanoker - July/August 2018 - 62

podiatry

Foot and Ankle
Associates of
Southwest Virginia
CHARLES M ZELEN, DPM FACFAS
severe diabetic related foot complications,
patients with severe foot and ankle deformity
and those who have had failed surgeries
elsewhere are the majority of surgeries that
I do. Total joint replacement and revision
replacements of the ankle and big toe
is also a specialty service I provide our
community with great success.
Q: What is unique about your practice
that sets you apart?
A: Some of the unique things that sets our
practice apart is that we participate in cutting
edge research in foot and ankle, so the most
advanced treatment modalities are available
to my patients. In addition, our group has the
only foot and ankle fellowship in southwest
Virginia and the surgical fellowship is
recognized by the American college of Foot
and Ankle Surgeons.
Q: Briefly describe your background or
qualifications.
A: I grew up and attended School in California
as well. I graduated Podiatric Medical school
as valedictorian of my class. I moved to the
east coast for residency where I trained at
what is now known as the INOVA Fairfax
Hospital Residency graduating in 1999.
My training encompassed complex limb
salvage surgery rotating at both Fairfax
and Georgetown University Medical Center.
I was trained by a comprehensive team
of podiatrists, orthopedic surgeons and
plastic surgeons. I have been performing
surgery at HCA Lewis Gale Hospital and
Carillon Roanoke Memorial Hospital, where
I am section chief in Foot and Ankle at both
medical facilities.
Q: What specialties and services do you
provide?
A: I perform all aspects of foot and ankle
care. My specialty is complex deformity
correction of the foot and ankle. Patient with

Q: What does your practice do in an effort
to improve the health/wellness of others?
A: My practice is committed to the health and
wellness of our local community but more
than that I personally offer my services for
missionary work around the globe. A few
years ago, with the help of omni missions,
seeds of hope and the tireless effort of
Gil Harrington and Karen Remine, we
brought a young man in from Africa with
size 17EEEEEEE feet who was to have both
legs amputated in Africa. After securing a
medical visa, we brought him to the USA
and reconstructed both feet, with the young
man leaving our proud city of Roanoke in
size 13 New Balance shoes.

Q: How did you choose this career path?
A: I have always been interested in Athletics
and what better job to have then keeping
people on their feet. I had visited many
specialty doctors' offices when I was in
college to determine what type of doctor I
wanted to be; I had a relative who was a
foot doctor and when I left his office, I knew
this was the career path for me.
Q: What are your hobbies and interests
outside of work?
A: I enjoy playing golf with my wonderful
wife Morgan. I also enjoy professional
hockey, where my wife and I dawn our
favorite team's jerseys for game night.
Q: What does it mean to you to be
recognized as a Health Hero?
A: It is a great honor to be recognized as a
health hero in Roanoke. I continue to work
hard everyday to help my patients with severe
foot problems get back on their feet. I don't
look for recognition; my recognition is the
smile I get when my patients get well, but
to have one of my patients make the effort
to contact The Roanoker and deem me a
health hero, I just could not be more proud
and thankful and blessed.

Q: What is the best part of your career?
A: The best part of my career is helping
people and keeping them on their feet.
Having been in Roanoke for almost 20 years,
I have the privilege to treat many generations
of my long time patients. I look at it as a
blessing that I have the honor of taking care
of such a large Roanoke Family.

540-344 3668 | DRZELEN.COM
1802 BRAEBURN DR, STE 2130, SALEM
222 WALNUT AVE, ROANOKE
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The Roanoker - July/August 2018

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