Dr. Tara Parks, DPM - Podiatry
 Dr. Parks is proud to introduce herself as the newest addition to the Department of Orthopedic Surgery and Sports Medicine as a podiatric foot and ankle specialist.
Dr. Parks was born in Madison, Wisconsin and later moved to Illinois where she completed her collegiate and medical education. She moved to Colorado in 2004 to begin her residency training in podiatric medicine and surgery.
As an avid runner, Dr. Parks is excited to call Colorado home where she resides with her husband, Jeremy, and three-year-old daughter, Sierra. She also enjoys biking, traveling, and being a mom. As a former collegiate runner at Southern Illinois University, she plans to complete her first marathon in the very near future.
MEDICAL TRAINING AND SPECIALTY:
Dr. Parks graduated cum laude with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Physiology and minor in Psychology from Southern Illinois University in Carbondale, Illinois. She received her Doctor of Podiatric Medicine at Dr. William M. Scholl College of Podiatric Medicine at Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine and Science in North Chicago, Illinois. Dr. Parks recently completed her three year Podiatric Medicine and Surgery-36 (PM&S-36) podiatric residency training at Highlands (HealthOne) Presbyterian / St. Lukes in Denver, Colorado in reconstructive foot and ankle surgery.
Dr. Parks has extensive experience and training in:
- Common Foot Disorders
- Toenail Disorders (Ingrown/Fungus)
- Bunions and Tailors bunions
- Hammertoe
- Neuroma
- Plantar Fasciitis
- Reconstructive Foot and Ankle Surgery
- Flatfoot Deformities
- Ankle Instability
- Arthritic Disorders
- Foot and Ankle Trauma
- Fractures
- Sprains
- Achilles Tendon Ruptures
- Sports Medicine and Biomechanics
- Orthotics and Bracing
- Gait Analysis
- Biomechanical exams
- Diabetic Limb Salvage
- Wound Care
- Charcot Arthropathy
PROFESSIONAL AFFILIATIONS
Dr. Parks is a member of the American Podiatric Medical Association (APMA) as well as a member of the American College of Foot and Ankle Surgeons (ACFAS).
PRESENTATIONS AND RESEARCH
- Stage Two Pre-Dislocation Syndrome: Retrospective Review
Awaiting Publication by Residency
- Avascular Necrosis of the Lateral Cuneiform: A Case Presentation
A
waiting Publication by Residency
- Calcaneal Fracture Nonunion: A Case Presentation
Awaiting Publication by Residency with case presentation
- Avascular Necrosis
Presented at the Colorado State Podiatry Meeting December 2005
- Brostrom Lateral Ankle Stabilization: A Follow-up Study
Presented Poster at American College of Foot and Ankle Surgeons (ACFAS) Meeting March 2006
- Stage Two Pre-Dislocation Syndrome: Retrospective Review
Will present results at the Highland’s Institute
Meeting January 2008
OFFICE HOURS AND PHONE
Dr. Parks sees patients at the Broadway location of Boulder Medical Center Monday through Thursday. She is also available at the Avista Adventist location on Monday mornings. Dr. Parks performs surgery at the ambulatory surgery center at Boulder Medical Center on Fridays. She also has privileges at Boulder Community Hospital and Avista Adventist Hospital.
To schedule an appointment with Dr. Parks please call 303-440-3036. Boulder Medical Center’s office hours are 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Monday through Friday. However, specific hours for each physician may vary.
In case of emergency, Dr. Parks or one of her colleagues in the Orthopedic Department can be reached 24 hours a day by calling 303-440-3000.
THE PROFESSION OF PODIATRY
Podiatrists are defined by law as physicians and surgeons of the lower extremities. They provide comprehensive evaluation, diagnosis, and treatment of diseases and injuries to the human foot and ankle. Treatment may include palliative care, biomechanical modalities, physical therapy, surgical intervention, and the prescription of both systemic and topical medications. Commonly recognized conditions include heel (plantar fasciitis), calf and arch pain as well as painful bunions, hammertoes, flat feet, ingrown/infected nails, warts and callous formation.
Over the past twenty years, podiatry has evolved from a palliative care profession to a medical and surgical specialty of the lower limb. Due to its ongoing evolution, there is no federal legislation governing the proximal extent of the human body with which podiatry may concern itself, and so the legal definition of podiatry varies from stat to state. In the state of Colorado, surgical intervention by qualified podiatrists is limited to any condition of the human toe, foot, ankle and/or tendons that insert into the foot. However, non-invasive treatment of the lower limb extends proximal to just below the knee. Indeed, many general manifestations of musculoskeletal overuse and strain are caused by a lack of stability or imbalance in the foot. The etiology of these conditions are well understood and treated by the podiatrist who is knowledgeable in biomechanics of the lower limb.
A doctor of Podiatric Medicine (D.P.M.) has spent a minimum of four years in an undergraduate institution, and must hold a Bachelors degree before he/she is allowed to take the Medical College Admission Tests (MCAT), as do A.M.A. medical school applicants. Contingent on undergraduate grades, board scores, and rigorous interviews, he/she is selectively chosen to enter a College of Podiatric Medicine. Podiatric medical school entails four additional years of study, during which the student receives a general medical education comparable with that of the A.M.A. and D.O. medical schools. The primary advantage is the podiatric student is involved in additional specialty courses dealing with lower extremity anatomy, biomechanics, podiatric medicine, sports medicine, and surgery. Upon completion of medical school and passing a National Podiatric Medical Board Examination, he/she is required to complete a two to three year residency program. Upon completion of the residency, the podiatrist may elect to undergo the certification process in Foot and Ankle Surgery. This involves taking the American Board of Podiatric Surgery (ABPS) board qualifying exam in Forefoot surgery and Rearfoot and Ankle surgery. The candidate may sit for the ABPS board certification exam only after passing the board qualifying exams and appropriate case documentation after residency.
A Doctor of Podiatric Medicine is truly a physician uniquely qualified to treat disorders of the human foot and ankle.
Thank you for choosing the Boulder Medical Center.
|
