Our Foot and Ankle Experts
Dane K. Wukich, MD, Medical Director
Dr. Wukich is the medical director of the UPMC Comprehensive Foot and Ankle center, and is chief of the division of Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Surgery in the Department of Orthopaedic Surgery. He has been with UPMC since 2004.
Dr. Wukich’s research interests include the complications of circular external fixation in patients with diabetes, foot and ankle problems in posttransplant patients, tendon transfers with a biotenodesis screw, and thromboembolic complications after foot and ankle surgery.
He frequently is invited to speak nationally and internationally, and is published in many prestigious journals including the Annals of Surgery, Archives of Surgery, Clinical Journal of Sports Medicine, Clinical Orthopaedics and Related Research, Clinics in Podiatric Medicine and Surgery, Foot and Ankle Clinics of North America, Foot and Ankle International, Journal of Bone and Joint Surgery, Journal of Foot and Ankle Surgery, Journal of Hand Surgery Journal of Musculoskeletal Medicine, Journal of Pediatric Orthopaedics, Journal of Trauma, and Spine.
Dr. Wukich also is the author or coauthor of several book chapters dealing with foot and ankle problems in athletes and patients with diabetes.
He is an orthopaedic foot and ankle consultant to the Pittsburgh Ballet, and the athletic departments at the University of Pittsburgh, Carnegie Mellon University, Robert Morris University, Duquesne University, and Point Park University. Dr. Wukich also is a consultant for the VA Medical Center.
Dr. Wukich earned his medical degree from the Georgetown University School of Medicine. While at Georgetown, Dr. Wukich was inducted into Alpha Omega Alpha National Honor Medical Society. He earned his bachelor’s degree at Carnegie Mellon University, where he graduated with university honors and received the Robosome Award for outstanding student in molecular biology.
He completed a surgical internship and orthopaedic surgery residency at the Walter Reed Army Medical Center. Dr. Wukich did a fellowship in foot and ankle surgery at the Cleveland Clinic Foundation. He is certified by the American Board of Orthopaedic Surgery, and is a member the American Academy of Orthopaedic surgeons, and the American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society.
Dr. Wukich also is an editorial board member of Operative Techniques in Orthopaedics and an associate editor of Foot and Ankle International. He is a member of the Department of Orthopaedic Surgery Research Committee, the Department of Orthopaedic Surgery Resident Curriculum Committee, and the Department of Orthopaedic Surgery Resident Promotion Committee. Dr. Wukich also received the Golden Apple Award, presented by the Department of Orthopaedic Surgery graduating class in 2007 to an outstanding faculty member.
Dr. Wukich has been nominated to the American Orthopaedic Association (AOA) by Freddie H. Fu, M.D., D.Sci. [Hon], chair of the Department of Orthopaedic Surgery. The membership committee has recommended Dr. Wukich for induction. Founded in 1887, the AOA is the oldest and most distinguished orthopaedic organization in the world. Membership in the AOA is attained by those who have are considered to have made a significant contribution in the areas of education, research, and the practice of orthopaedic surgery.
Dr. Wukich achieved the rank of Major with the U.S. Army, and served in Desert Storm and Desert Shield as Chief of Orthopaedic Surgery. He received several Army Commendation Medals and an Army Achievement medal. Dr. Wukich also received the Southwest Asia Service Medal and the National Defense Service Ribbon.
Dr. Wukich is an attending physician at UPMC South Side, UPMC Presbyterian, and the VA Medical Center.
Patrick R. Burns, DPM
Dr. Burns is a clinical assistant professor at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, working in the Foot and Ankle Division of the Department of Orthopaedics. Dr. Burns is a past graduate and now residency director of the three-year podiatric surgical training program based at UPMC South Side.
Dr. Burns earned his Bachelor of Science at the University of Pittsburgh graduating with honors. He then attended Dr. William M. Scholl College of Podiatric Medicine in Chicago, graduating summa cum laude. Following residency and private practice, Dr. Burns joined UPMC in 2006.
Dr. Burns is board-certified in both foot surgery and reconstructive rearfoot and ankle surgery. He is a member of the American Podiatric Medical Association, a fellow of the American College of Foot and Ankle Surgeons, and a diplomate of the American Board of Podiatric Surgery.
His main research areas and interests include the use of external fixation in diabetic limb salvage and deformity correction, diabetic versus non-diabetic infection rates after elective foot and ankle surgery, and tibialis anterior allograft for acute Achilles tendon rupture. Dr. Burns is on the editorial board of Clinics in Podiatric Medicine and Surgery. He has been published in Clinics in Podiatric Medicine and Surgery and the Journal of Foot and Ankle Surgery, has lectured nationally, and has contributed to book chapters dealing with foot and ankle disorders.
Dr. Burns is an attending physician at UPMC South Side and UPMC Presbyterian.
Clinton R. Lowery, DPM
Dr. Lowery is assistant director of Podiatric Medical Training at UPMC South Side. He is also a diplomat of the American Board of Podiatric Surgery, and a fellow of the American College of Foot and Ankle Surgeons.
He earned his medical degree from the Ohio College of Podiatric Medicine, Cleveland, and completed a residency at West Allegheny Hospital in Oakdale. Dr. Lowery is board-certified in podiatry. He is a member of the American Podiatric Medical Association and the Pennsylvania Podiatric Medical Association.
Dr. Lowery has affiliations with UPMC South Side and the University of Pittsburgh Institute on Aging. He practices out of the UPMC Comprehensive Foot and Ankle Center, as well as two private practice offices in the Pittsburgh area.
Richard M. Maleski, DPM
Dr. Maleski is a podiatric specialist; he sub-specializes in podiatric orthopaedics, podiatric primary care, and podiatric foot surgery.
He earned his medical degree from the Pennsylvania College of Podiatric Medicine, Philadelphia. He completed a residency at St. Francis Medical Center in Pittsburgh. Dr. Maleski is board-certified in podiatry, podiatric orthopaedics, and podiatric primary care.
Dr. Maleski has practices at the UPMC Comprehensive Foot and Ankle Center, and in Arnold. He is affiliated with UPMC South Side and UPMC St. Margaret.