Leadership
Program Director
Guido LaPorta, DPM, FACFAS
Dr. LaPorta is a graduate of the Temple University School of Podiatric Medicine (TUSPM) and completed his Residency in Reconstructive Foot and Ankle Surgery at the Bay Area Residency Program in San Francisco. He received his Master’s degree in Podiatric Surgery from the California College of Podiatric Medicine. Dr. LaPorta has always been involved in the education of Podiatric Physicians and Surgeons since he began his professional career. He served as Chairman of the Department of Podiatric Surgery at TUSPM and founded Residency programs at Metropolitan Hospital in Philadelphia, Geisinger-Community Medical Center in Scranton, PA and for the past 25 years has been Director of Podiatric Medical Education at Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital.
Dr. LaPorta is Board Certified by the American Board of Foot and Ankle Surgery (RRA), the American Board of Podiatric Medicine and American Academy of Podiatric Sports Medicine (Founding Member). He is a Fellow of the American College of Foot and Ankle Surgery, the American College of Foot Orthopedics and Medicine and National Academies of Practice in Podiatry. He has presented numerous papers at national and international conferences, authored over 100 articles for publication and written numerous book chapters on podiatric surgery and biomechanics.
Dr. LaPorta’s interests include Ilizarov reconstructive surgery and deformity correction, total ankle replacement, peripheral nerve surgery and minimally invasive procedures. He firmly believes that Residency, Fellowship and Research are the basis for a successful career in Podiatric medicine and surgery. He has been involved in the education of more than 300 Residents, many of whom have assumed leadership roles in academic and clinical podiatry. His interests include photography, medical and surgical history, and physician leadership.
Associate Program Director
Darren Weinheimer, DPM
Dr. Darren J. Weinheimer originally hails from North East, Pa. He received his B.S. degree in molecular biology from Grove City College in 1991. Dr. Weinheimer then went to the Ohio College of Podiatric Medicine where he earned an academic scholarship and graduated in 1995. After graduating from podiatry school he was offered a 3 year surgical residency program in Pittsburgh, Pa. During his 3 years at the Saint Francis Hospital system he trained with both podiatric and orthopedic surgeons. This experience enabled him to cultivate his didactic and surgical skills from both podiatric and orthopedic philosophies.
In 1998 Dr. Weinheimer and his wife moved to Binghamton to begin his practice and raise a family. He is board-certified in foot and ankle surgery, as well as reconstructive rearfoot and ankle surgery by the American Board of Foot and Ankle Surgery. He is also a Fellow of the American College of Foot and Ankle Surgeons. He has special interests in sports medicine, trauma, all aspects of diabetic foot care, pediatrics, and reconstructive surgery. Patients can be seen in either his Binghamton or Vestal office locations.
Core Faculty
Dana Klush, DPM
Dr. Dana Klush is from Pittston, Pa. She has a Bachelor of Science degree from Lehigh University in Bethelehem, Pa. There, she studied abroad in Italy and completed a minor in science writing. She obtained her Doctorate in Podiatric Medicine from Temple University School of Podiatric Medicine in Philadelphia, Pa. A 3-year surgical residency was completed at Community Medical Center in Scranton, Pa., under the direction of Dr. Guido A. LaPorta. Dr. Klush is board-certified by the American Board of Podiatric Medicine, and is a Certified Wound Specialist through the American Board of Wound Management. She is seeing patients at the Wound Care Center in the main hospital and at the Robinson Street location where she sees general podiatry patients. She is a member of the core faculty of our podiatry residency program, and loves teaching residents. Interests include pediatrics, orthotics, diabetic foot care, wound care, and infection management.
Brian Timm, DPM
Brian G. Timm, DPM, is a board-certified foot and ankle surgeon with Guthrie Lourdes Foot and Ankle in Binghamton, N.Y. Dr. Timm provides care for patients of all ages. Dr. Timm specializes in ankle trauma, foot trauma, degenerative arthritis of the foot in ankle, deformity correction, diabetic foot ulcers, limb salvage, advanced ankle arthritis and deformity. Dr. Timm listens to understand you and your health concerns, taking the time to get to know you and your family's health history, working together to create a personalized care plan that's right for you. A fellow of the American College of Foot and Ankle Surgery, Dr. Timm seeks to provide comprehensive care for a patient’s symptoms, striving to improve their ability to move and function, while also working to reduce or eliminate pain. Outside the office, Dr. Timm serves as an assistant coach for Brookside Elementary School's basketball team. In addition to basketball, he also enjoys several other sports including softball, football and baseball as well as working to help promote participation in youth sports in general.
Adjunct Faculty
Shadi Aouad, DPM
Dr. Shadi Aouad is from Syracuse, N.Y. He received his B.S. degree in Biochemistry from Syracuse University in 2013, graduating Magna Cum Laude. Dr. Aouad then went to the New York College of Podiatric Medicine where he earned an academic scholarship and graduated amongst the top of his class in 2018. After graduating from podiatry school he then completed his 3 year surgical residency program in Binghamton, N.Y. under his guidance of Dr. Guido Laporta, where he served as the chief resident. During his 3 years he also had the opportunity to complete a three-month rotation at the Rubin Institute of Advanced Orthopedics, learning from some of the best orthopedic surgeons in the country..
Dr. Aouad now serves as adjunct Faculty at Guthrie Lourdes Residency program training resident and is board qualified in foot and ankle surgery, as well as reconstructive rearfoot and ankle surgery by the American Board of Foot and Ankle Surgery. Dr. Aouad strives to use his extensive training and latest surgical techniques to provide the care that is right for his patients. His clinical interests include Achilles tendon pathology, foot and ankle arthritis, fracture management and trauma, minimally invasive bunion and hammertoe treatments, posterior tibial tendon insufficiency, and ankle instability.
Marilyn Boyuka, DPM
Dr. Marilyn Boyuka's hometown is right here in the Southern Tier of New York. She is a graduate of Chenango Forks High School, where Dr. Boyuka spent many years playing soccer and basketball. While dealing with her own injuries from playing sports, she developed an interest and passion for sports medicine. As a result, she has a special interest in helping athletes get back to their sport as soon as possible. After graduating from the State University of New York at Geneseo, with a BA degree in History, she then attended Temple University School of Podiatric Medicine in Philadelphia. She graduated in 2001 with a Doctorate in Podiatric Medicine. She continued her specialized training at the Podiatric Medical and Surgical Residency at Cooper Hospital in Camden, N.J. and then completed an additional Podiatric Surgical Residency in Baltimore, Maryland at Greater Baltimore Medical Center and St Agnes Hospital, graduating in 2004. Since that time, Dr. Boyuka, has been working in other private practices and then in 2012, she made the decision to create her own practice, Southern Tier Podiatry, in Vestal, New York.
When she is not working hard on her practice, she loves her time with her four legged kid, Koda. Going on hikes and kayaking with her dog are some of her favorite activities. When she can find the time, she also loves traveling and exploring. When the weather cooperates, you will often find her working on her perennial gardens and flowers, and trying to keep Koda from digging more holes in the yard!
Brandon Ewald, DPM
Dr. Ewald cares for people of all ages with special attention to diabetic patients, athletes and veterans. He believes in listening to his patients to understand their needs and working closely with them to develop a treatment plan that's right for them. He specializes in deformity correction, trauma of the foot, sports medicine, minimally invasive surgery, tendonitis, bunions, flat feet, diabetic charcot feet.
Parker Gennett, DPM
Dr. Parker Gennett, DPM graduated from the University of Arizona with a Bachelor's of Science in Biology in 1987. He graduated at the Scholl College of Podiatric Medicine in 1992, with a degree of Doctor of Podiatric Medicine. During his time there he was the class President, as well as the recipient of multiple scholastic scholarships. Dr. Gennett performed his surgical residency at DVAMC Palo Alto/Stanford University Medical Center in Palo Alto, Calif.
Dr. Gennett is board-certified by the American Board of Foot and Ankle Surgeons and the American Podiatric Medical Specialties Board. He is also a diplomate of the American College of Foot and Ankle Surgeons and was a member of the American Podiatric Medical Association.
Dr. Gennett has been in practice for about 25 years at the Foot and Ankle Care Center. Dr. Gennett is Section Chief of Podiatry at Guthrie Lourdes Hospital. He serves on the faculty of the Podiatric Surgical Residency programs of Lourdes and UHS. Dr. Gennett has a well rounded practice with in office setting where he treats pediatric and adult sports injury as well as routine care of podiatric and orthopaedic foot and ankle conditions. Dr. Gennett performs surgery at all four local hospitals and ambulatory surgery centers on three days of each week. Most of his cases are performed under local sedation (conscious sedation, "twilight") by an anesthesiologist. He typically performs hammertoe repair, bunionectomies, Endoscopic plantar fasciotomies, bone and joint arthrodesis (fusions) for arthritis, ankle arthroscopy and tendon/ligament repairs as an out patient basis. Dr. Gennett is on call at the office and all three local emergency rooms for foot and ankle trauma.
Dr. Gennett lives locally with his wife, who is a nurse anesthetist, and five children where they all enjoy active life styles. Dr. Gennett is a private pilot, and does enjoy mountain biking, snow/water skiing, running, and soccer. He has attained black belt status in Martial Arts Tang soo do.
Joseph Romani, DPM
Dr. Romani is proud to join the Podiatry Department at Guthrie Lourdes Hospital. He provides comprehensive foot and ankle care for all age groups and believes in exhausting all conservative treatments prior to proceeding with surgical intervention. He specializes in non-surgical and surgical treatments of:
- Bunions
- Hammer toes
- Plantar fasciitis/heel pain
- Ingrown toenails
- Toenail disorders
- Diabetic foot care
- Wounds of foot/lower leg
- Infection/Osteomyelitis of the foot
- Fracture care
- Sports medicine
- Achilles tendon
- Flat feet
- Charcot deformity
Kelly Smith, DPM
Dr. Kelly A. Smith, DPM is a new podiatrist employed at the Foot Care Center. She graduated from Tompkins Cortland Community College, Dryden, N.Y., in 2004 with an Associates of Science in Math and Science/Liberal Arts. In 2008 she graduated from Binghamton University with a Bachelor of Science in Biochemistry/Bachelor of Arts in Spanish. She was an inductee of Phi Theta Kappa as well as the Golden Key International Honor Society. She attended Temple University School of Podiatric Medicine, and graduated with a degree of Doctor of Podiatric Medicine in 2012. She underwent a three year surgical residency at Guthrie Lourdes Hospital in Binghamton, N.Y., and graduated in June 2015.
She is a member of the American Podiatric Medical Association as well as the American College of Foot and Ankle Surgeons.
Chief Resident
David Brower, DPM
Dr. David Brower grew up in Eastern Washington and Southeastern Idaho. He attended Utah State University where he met his wife. After graduating with a Bachelor's Degree in Biology, he traveled to Des Moines University's College of Podiatric Medicine and Surgery in Iowa to complete his Doctorate of Podiatric Medicine. He currently lives in Binghamton on the Westside with his wife and 3 sons. He is board-qualified in forefoot, rearfoot, and ankle surgery by the American College of Foot and Ankle Surgeons. After completing residency, he is looking to join a private practice in the Western part of the U.S. to be closer to family.
Program Coordinator
Lisa Ann Bronson
Lisa, has enjoyed many years working in the health care field. She started working at Guthrie Lourdes Hospital as operations manager in 1993, having a key role in transitioning and supporting the independent community physicians to create what is currently the Guthrie Lourdes Primary Care and Specialty Care network. With her calling being to directly serve her local community, she is grateful to have had the opportunity to transition into graduate medical education, supporting the physicians of the future. Lisa studied business administration at SUNY Delhi and is a licensed Notary Public. Lisa enjoys spending time with family and friends, cooking, boating, traveling, and working on her hobby farm.