History of Programs

The Highlands Presbyterian/St. Luke's Podiatric Medicine and Surgery Residency is an intensive 3 year program. Our program is one of the most competitively based residencies in the country. The reasoning for our level of success is multifactor including high surgical volume, diverse surgical volume, intensive academics, research, medical rotations, excellent attendings and historic legacy.

John Buckholz developed the "Highlands Hospital" podiatric surgery program in 1976. Dr. Buckholz was one of the founders of modern Podiatric medicine and surgery. He was widely known for introducing A.O. techniques and principles to his residents and students. Dr. Buckholz took a sabbatical from the program to be the Dean of Surgery at the Pennsylvania College of Podiatric Medicine.

The program has undergone much evolution since its inception. The name has changed from Highlands Hospital to Doctors Hospital and then to Vencor Hospital. The program then moved across the street from the small hospital to the largest hospital in Denver, Presbyterian/St. Luke's Medical Center. The program soon transformed into a 3 year surgical program. The name of the program changed again to Health One Alliance-P/SL to recognize the non profit arm of the Presbyterian St. Luke's Medical Center. Finally, one last name changed occurred when Health One Alliance transformed into The Colorado Health Foundation. In order to maintain some cohesiveness we decided to change our name to "Highlands Presbyterian-St. Luke's Medical Center Podiatric Surgery and Medicine 36, a program of The Colorado Health Foundation. In short, we will be known as Highlands-P/SL. Although the names have changed, the program has remained intact and in alignment with Dr. Buckholz original vision.

Besides name and location changes, there have been other leaders of the program. Dr. Ronald Edelman became the residency director n the 80's and early 90's. Under his leadership much publication and research was undertaken. Many of his graduates now run residency programs of their own. and have had outstanding carriers. Dr. John "Jack" McGarry became the director in 1992. His 12 year run as director advanced the program from a PSR-24 to a PSR-36. Dr. McGarry's influences included strong academics, sound surgical principles and a dedication to give back to the profession. Dr. Matthew Paden became the current director in 2004. We have transformed the program to a Podiatric Medicine and Surgery 36 type residency. We have CPME accreditation status approved until 2011.

The program has over 25 active attending physicians who work with our residents. The residents cover 8 hospitals and six surgical centers across metro Denver area. This exposure is the reason our surgical case numbers remain extremely high.

The program provides a competitive salary on a program-year basis with a salary range of 44K to 49K. There is a strong benefits package provided with medical, dental, life and disability insurance