About Us

Our Mission

The Podiatry Foundation is committed to advancing the podiatry profession by funding grants in podiatric medical education, research, and the creation of innovative endeavors within the field.

Our Vision

The Podiatry Foundation will be the most recognized source for funding noteworthy projects that offer advancement of the profession on a national and global level.

About The Podiatry Foundation

On July 1, 2012, as part of the merger between Kent State University and the Ohio College of Podiatric Medicine, the OCPM Foundation was established for charitable and educational purposes. The Foundation is operating as a 501c(3) private foundation. This foundation is now officially doing business as The Podiatry Foundation, with the primary purpose of promoting and fostering podiatric medical education and research by awarding grants supporting projects related exclusively to podiatric medicine.

The Podiatry Foundation is governed by a board of trustees that preserves the financial stability of the foundation and manage the assets. The Podiatry Foundation Board of Trustees plays an important role in approving grants. They fully support and are committed to awarding grant funds related to projects that will enhance the future of podiatric medical education and research.

Essential to The Podiatry Foundation’s purpose is to serve and nurture podiatric medicine, education, and research. The Podiatry Foundation has assisted many national, state, and local podiatric medical organizations including the colleges of podiatric medicine and students and residents in the greater Cleveland area.

Our History

First located in downtown Cleveland’s Republic Building, the Ohio College of Chiropody made two moves before embarking on the construction of its own building in University Circle in 1932. Needing only a high school diploma for admittance, the class of 1917 graduated after completing an eight-month course. By 1932, the curriculum had evolved into a three-year program, and, in 1938 the College added the requirement of undergraduate coursework before admittance. Over time, the profession standardized the educational requirements and curriculum among all its schools, until in 1948, a podiatric education began requiring four years of study and clinical work.

Eventually, the profession and the College began to use the term Podiatry instead of Chiropody and, in 1969, the College officially began using the name Ohio College of Podiatric Medicine. Looking for more space and updated educational and clinical facilities, in 1976, the College moved to Carnegie Avenue in Cleveland. In 1990, the College built a freestanding, state-of-the-art Cleveland Foot and Ankle Clinic.

One of nine ORIGINAL podiatry schools in the United States, the College has maintained excellence in medical education and technology. In 2007, the College purchased and remodeled its 23-acre current home in Independence, Ohio, and opened a new clinic on Euclid Avenue in Cleveland. Needing a larger clinic, in 2012 the College opened a new facility at 7000 Euclid Avenue in an area known as Cleveland’s Health-Tech Corridor.

For several years, the College pursued appropriate partners with which to align, affiliate or merge. That goal was achieved on July 1, 2012, when the Ohio College of Podiatric Medicine merged with Kent State University. The first podiatry school affiliated with a public university, the merger offered opportunities of dual degrees, inter-professional education, research, and access to sports teams to expand the sports medicine curriculum.

Having graduated over 6,500 students, the College began a new chapter as part of Kent State University, Northeast Ohio’s leading public research university, and one of the top 200 universities in the world.

Board of Trustees

Eugene M Pascarella

Eugene M. Pascarella, DPM, FACFAS, MBA

  • Executive Director
  • Executive Committee
  • Investment Committee
  • Research and Education Committee
  • Philanthropic Impact and Strategy Committee
Jerry Maher

Jerry T. Maher

  • Chair of the Board
  • Investment Committee
Douglas V Epp

Douglas V. Epp, MBA

  • Investment Committee
Steven J Berlin

Steven J. Berlin, DPM

  • Philanthropic Impact and Strategy Committee
Alan J Block

Alan J. Block, DPM, MS, FASPS, FACFAS

  • Research and Education Committee
  • Philanthropic Impact and Strategy Committee
James Mirgliotta

James Mirgliotta

Victoria J. Newman, MBA

  • Chair Philanthropic Impact and Strategy Committee
  • Executive Committee
Nicki D Nigro

Nicki D. Nigro, DPM

  • Chair of the Executive Committee
  • Chair Research and Education Committee
Nilin Rao

Nilin M. Rao, DPM, PhD, FACFAS, DABPM

  • Research and Education Committee
Scott G Richter

Scott G. Richter

  • Chair of the Investment Committee
Richard A Ransom

Richard A. Ransom, DPM

  • Research and Education Committee

Emeritus Board Member

Henry B. Green, DPM

Our Team

Lori Albert

Lori Albert

  • Grant Specialist
  • Office Administrator
Jonathan Carlson

Jonathan Carlson

  • Treasurer
Alyssa Shepherd

Alyssa Shepherd

  • Conference Specialist
Robert McManus

Robert McManus

  • Outside General Counsel for The Podiatry Foundation

The Podiatry Foundation is here to make an impact with you. Apply today!

Back to top

Eugene M. Pascarella, DPM, FACFAS, MBA

Executive Director
Executive Committee
Research and Education Committee
Philanthropic Impact and Strategy Committee

Investment Committee

Gene M. Pascarella has served on The Podiatry Foundation Board of Trustees (formerly The OCPM Foundation) since 2012. He is a 1982 graduate of the Ohio College of Podiatric Medicine and received his MBA from the University of Phoenix in 2002. Dr. Pascarella is currently a Regional Medical Director for Upperline Health. He is on the teaching staff of Florida Hospital for both family practice residents and podiatric residents. He is a founder of Integrated Physician Systems, a national medical practice management company.

He sat on the Board of Directors for the Florida Bank of Commerce and has served on the Audit Committee for the bank. He is the past Vice Chairman of the Board of Southern Community Bank. He also served as Chief Operating Officer of the Park Place Surgery Center. Dr. Pascarella served on the Ohio College of Podiatric Medicine Board of Trustees from 2008 until 2012. He currently serves on the Kent State University College of Podiatric Medicine Advisory Board and served as Chair of that board from 2013-2018 He was the proud recipient of the Kent State University College of Podiatric Medicine Ambassador Award in 2015, the Kent State University College of Podiatric Medicine Alumni Service Award in 2017 and elected to the Kent State University College of Podiatric Medicine Hall of Fame in 2022.

Jerry T. Maher

Chair of the Board
Investment Committee

Jerry Maher has served on The Podiatry Foundation Board of Trustees (formerly The OCPM Foundation) since 2019 and serves as Chair of the Board.  He also serves on the Investment Committee. Now retired, he worked for Navient for 36 years. As Senior Vice President of Acquisitions and Client Relations, Mr. Maher was the primary contact for all secondary market loan purchases. Since retirement, he enjoys playing golf, traveling, spending time with family, and cooking.

Douglas V. Epp, MBA

Investment Committee

Douglas V. Epp served as the Chairman of The Podiatry Foundation Board of Trustees (formerly the OCPM Foundation) from July of 2012 to September 3, 2024. He serves on the Investment Committee. He received his B.A. and B.S. degree from Penn State University and received his M.B.A. degree from Case Western Reserve University. Early in his career, he was involved with the Oberlin College Endowment Fund. He was Vice President and Department Head at Huntington National Bank from 1985 to 1994. Mr. Epp was hired in 1994 at Sterling Asset Management Company and served as President from 1994 to 2000.

In 2000, he became Vice President at Weber, Fulton, and Felman Asset Management, which later became BNY Mellon Financial Corporation. He retired from BNY Mellon Financial Corporation in 2007 after a very successful career in investment management. He served on the Investment Committee for the Geauga County Humane Society-Rescue Village Foundation. Mr. Epp joined the OCPM Board of Trustees in 1985, serving as Chairman and Treasurer and served on that board until May of 2012.

Steven J. Berlin, DPM

Philanthropic Impact and Strategy Committee

Steven J. Berlin has served on The Podiatry Foundation Board of Trustees (formerly the OCPM Foundation) since July 2012. He is a 1966 graduate of the Ohio College of Podiatric Medicine and went on to become the Chief of Podiatric Clinic at Bon Secours Hospital in Baltimore, MD. He served as President and Podiatric Director of Podiatric Pathology Laboratories, a division of Quest Diagnostics, Inc., and is currently the Medical Director and Senior Vice President at Ogenix Corporation. Dr. Berlin is also active in emergency medical evacuation and in working with organ transplant organizations in Washington, DC, Virginia, Maryland, and Pennsylvania with the Baltimore Helicopter’s Inc. He was a past Fellow of the American Dermatology Society, a past Fellow of the American College of Podiatric Surgery and a past Diplomat of the American Board of Podiatric Surgery. Dr. Berlin is a U.S. military veteran and served as Head of Podiatry service at Ft. Jackson’s Army Hospital from 1967-1970.

He is the co-author of two books related to foot tumors and has published over 40 articles on tumors and foot pathology. He has been a noted lecturer at all major podiatric conferences in the continental United States, Hawaii and the Caribbean. He has also lectured at International Podiatric meetings in Spain and Australia. In May of 2018, he joined the Bako Foundation Board of Directors.

Dr. Berlin was inducted into the Ohio College of Podiatric Medicine Hall of Fame Society in 2008. He served on the OCPM Board of Trustees from 1995-2012 and served as Chairman of that board from 2010-2012. After serving on the KSUCPM Advisory Board from 2012-2017, he was honored with Emeritus status in May 2017 and continues to serve in that capacity. Dr. Berlin is a tremendous supporter and contributor to the podiatric profession, and he constantly instills the importance of giving back.

Alan J. Block, DPM, MS, FASPS, FACFAS

Research and Education Committee
Philanthropic Impact and Strategy Committee

Alan J. Block has served on the OCPM Foundation (now the Podiatry Foundation) Board of Trustees since October of 2017. He currently practices with Palmetto State Surgical Podiatry Associates in South Carolina, The Ohio State University Department of Orthopaedic, Division of Foot and Ankle where he served as podiatric surgeon and Clinical Assistant Professor from 1999-2015. He served in private practice in Columbus, OH from 1991-1999. Dr. Block is a 1987 graduate of the Ohio College of Podiatric Medicine. He received his Master of Science from the California College of Podiatric Medicine/University of Southern California in 1988. He obtained the Advanced Ankle Surgery and Sports Medicine Fellowship, Hayward Foot and Ankle Clinic in Hayward, CA. He completed his residency at Circle City Hospital, Corona, CA and Medical Center Hospital in Portland, OR.

Dr. Block is past President of The Ohio Foot and Ankle Medical Association (OHFAMA) and past delegate for the American Podiatric Medical Association (APMA). He is on the Board of the American Podiatric Medical Association. He currently serves on the Ohio Foot and Ankle Medical Foundation Board of Directors and serves as Vice President for the Ohio Central State Academy. He served on the Kent State University College of Podiatric Medicine Advisory Board from 2013-2017. Dr. Block is a nationally recognized expert and educator in podiatric Surgery and amputation prevention and Peripheral Artery Disease (PAD). He serves as a key physician leader for My Leg My Choice Foundation (MLMC), a non-profit foundation committed to educating patients and their families that have been diagnosed with PAD or are at risk for lower extremity amputations. He serves as a keynote speaker/presenter around the country and his inspirational lectures are unparalleled.

James Mirgliotta

James Mirgliotta has served on The Podiatry Foundation Board of Trustees (formerly the OCPM Foundation) since July of 2012. He is the Executive Vice President of Forest City Erectors, Inc., one of Northern Ohio’s most prominent steel erection companies and has owned and operated this business since 1961. He has been involved in the steel erection business for over 70 years as a craftsman and successful entrepreneur. Mr. Mirgliotta is past Chairman of the Board of Columbus Steel Erectors, Inc. and past Chairman of the Board of Precast Services, Inc., a company he founded in 1987. He served as Chairman of Liberty Bank from 1989 to 2003, which sold to Middlefield Bank in 2017. He is a member and past President of the Twinsburg Rotary Club. Mr. Mirgliotta served on the Ohio College of Podiatric Medicine Board of Trustees from 2006 to 2012. He served as Chairman of the Building Committee for the college’s relocation from Cleveland to Independence.

Victoria J. Newman, CPA, MBA

Chair Philanthropic Impact and Strategy Committee

Vicky Newman has served on The Podiatry Foundation board (formerly the OCPM Foundation Board) since 2022. She is a graduate of John Carroll University and Cleveland State University, with Accountancy and MBA degrees. Ms. Newman’s professional experience spans twenty years in the non-profit sector, in the areas of Audit Services at Howard Wershbale & Company, and Finance and Philanthropy at Cleveland Clinic Foundation, Cleveland Clinic London and Case Western Reserve University. Currently, Ms. Newman is an Executive Director at Case Western Reserve University, with oversight of the University’s endowment management.

She enjoys spending time with her husband, Dean, and their two sons, Blake and Eric. Her favorite pastimes include being outdoors, golfing, gardening, traveling, and watching her boys play sports.

Nicki D. Nigro, DPM

Chair of the Executive Committee

Chair Research and Education Committee

Dr. Nicki Nigro joined The Podiatry Foundation Board of Trustees in 2021 and serves as the Chair for the Executive Committee and Chair for the Research and Educational Committee. She attended the University of Arkansas and obtained her B.S. in Exercise Science and Physiology in 1985. While working on this degree, Dr. Nigro was introduced by a colleague to the field of Podiatry. She received her Doctorate of Podiatric Medicine from Des Moines University (College of Podiatric Medicine & Surgery) in 1989. She completed her surgical training at The Podiatry Hospital of Pittsburgh in foot and ankle surgery. Dr. Nigro is board certified in Foot Surgery by the American Board of Foot and Ankle Surgery. She has been practicing medicine in the Pittsburgh area since 1991. She sees patients at the Glenshaw, Vandergrift, and Natrona Heights offices. She is a member of the Residency Committee for The Western Pennsylvania Podiatric Surgical Residency Program. Dr. Nigro served on the Board of Trustees for Des Moines University from 2014 to 2024 and is the C.E.O. of The Podiatry Foundation of Pittsburgh.

She is married to Dr. Jeff Nigro and they have 2 children. She enjoys golf in her spare time.

Nilin M. Rao, DPM, PhD, FACFAS, DABPM

Research and Education Committee

Nilin M. Rao has served on The Podiatry Foundation Board of Trustees since 2022 and serves on the Research and Education Committee. He is a Cleveland, OH native, and has been a member of the Podiatry Foundation Board of Trustees since 2022. He attended Miami University (Ohio) for his undergraduate studies, where he received a bachelor’s degree in psychology/neuroscience. He then pursued his master’s degree, followed by simultaneous doctoral degrees from Kent State University, completing his DPM as well as a PhD, in exercise physiology. During this time, Dr. Rao served as student body president and president of the Pi Delta National Honor Society, Beta Chapter, and graduated both degrees Summa Cum Laude. He then completed a three-year Podiatric Surgical Residency at Highlands-Presbyterian/ St. Luke’s (PSL) Medical Center in Denver, Colorado, where he served as Chief Resident during his final year. This was followed by an additional one-year fellowship in advanced foot/ankle reconstruction, sports injuries and foot/ankle trauma at the prestigious Silicon Valley Reconstructive Foot and Ankle Fellowship with Sutter Health-Palo Alto Medical Foundation in Mountain View, California.

Dr. Rao is passionate about healing his patients and believes in the constant pursuit of excellence. He has authored several publications in both scientific journals and textbooks. He speaks regularly at local, state, and national meetings and conferences and is the recipient of several awards and distinctions including the APMSA Student of The Year Award, the Thomas V. Melillo DPM Full Tuition Scholarship, ABFAS Michael L. Stone DPM Outstanding Professional Conduct Award, and recently received the 2023 KSUCPM Young Physician Professional Achievement Award. He currently serves on the KSUCPM Advisory Board, Kent State Exercise Physiology Advisory Board, American Board of Foot & Ankle Surgery Communications Committee, and is one of the founding members of the KSUCPM Alumni Alliance. Dr. Rao is a Diplomate of both the American Board of Foot & Ankle Surgery and the American Board of Podiatric Medicine, and a Fellow of the American College of Foot and Ankle Surgeons. Dr. Rao is in private practice in Austin, Texas. In his free time, Dr. Rao enjoys spending time with his amazing wife, Lizzy, and their two little children, Atlas and Remi.

Scott G. Richter

Chair of the Investment Committee

Scott Richter has served on The Podiatry Foundation Board of Trustees since 2016 and serves as the Chair of the Investment Committee. With over 25+ years of investing experience, he has seen and navigated the investment process through many market cycles. He has built significant investment knowledge in his roles as an insurance company investment manager, investment strategist, illiquid alternatives manager, hedge fund manager, mutual fund manager, portfolio manager/partner, and securities analyst. He specializes in asset allocation, manager due diligence and selection, portfolio strategy, and risk management. Additionally, Mr. Richter serves on the investment committee for a local alumni foundation and serves as an appointed investment expert for a major public pension system. Mr. Richter holds the Chartered Financial Analyst credential and Certified Hedge Fund Professional credential in Due Diligence.

Richard A. Ransom, DPM

Research and Education Committee

Richard A. Ransom has served on the The Podiatry Foundation Board of Trustees (formerly the OCPM Foundation) since July of 2012. He founded the group practice Podiatric Health Physicians, Inc. in 1986 and recently retired from private practice in 2016. He was board certified in foot and ankle surgery by the American Board of Podiatric Surgery and a Fellow of the American College of Foot and Ankle Surgeons. Dr. Ransom is a graduate of The Ohio State University and obtained his doctorate at the Ohio College of Podiatric Medicine in 1972. He served as Associate Professor of Surgery at the Ohio College of Podiatric Medicine from 1981-1997. He was a member of the Ohio College of Podiatric Medicine Board of Trustees from 1983 to 2012, having served as Board Chairman from 1994-1998 and also served on the Executive Committee. Dr. Ransom was the recipient of the Honorary Degree, Doctor of Humane Letters from the Ohio College of Podiatric Medicine in 2000.

He holds many awards and honors, including induction into the Ohio College of Podiatric Medicine Hall of Fame Society, recognition as a Distinguished Practitioner by the National Academies of Practice, and received a Lifetime Achievement Award from The Ohio Foot and Ankle Medical Association. He is an active member of the American Podiatric Medical Association, Ohio Podiatric Medical Association and the Mideastern Academy of Podiatry. Dr. Ransom served as Secretary on the Kent State University College of Podiatric Medicine Advisory Board and was recently honored with Emeritus status and continues to serve in that capacity. He is a life member of the Ohio College of Podiatric Medicine/Kent State University College of Podiatric Medicine Alumni Association.