Dr. Katherine A. Hagmann, DPM, MSHA, DABPM

One of the most common questions I get ask as a podiatrist is "Why feet?" The short answer is that I really appreciate helping the people that are attached to the feet! Like so many of my colleagues in medicine, medicine was a "calling". I grew up looking up to my mother and grandmother, both registered nurses. By the age of about 3 years-old, I donned a fully-stocked Fisher-Price doctor bag. Time passed as it does, and I grew up. I just didn't realize that I wanted to be a podiatrist until I was in college and working as an activity director at summer camp for people with special needs. I literally woke up from my bunk at camp one morning with unbearable foot and ankle pain and swelling. My primary care doctor referred me to an amazing podiatrist, Dr. Michael Quinn. Dr. Quinn has since retired from practice, but his help and mentorship steered me toward my life as a podiatrist. Since then, I completed my bachelors of science degree in chemistry with ACS certification from the University of Wisconsin - La Crosse, my doctorate in podiatric medicine from William M. Scholl College of Podiatric Medicine at Rosalind Franklin University (snagging a Master's degree in Healthcare Administration and Management along the way!), and completed a three-year surgical residency at Katherine Shaw Bethea Hospital, where I served as chief resident my final year. In the course of my podiatric journey, I developed a special interest in preventative medicine and skin conditions, particularly caring for skin and nail conditions in underserved populations at risk of lower extremity complications, including elderly and disabled people. I believe all people should have access to quality, evidence-based care, whether that's in their home or in a clinic. That's why I still do house calls when a primary care provider requests my help. I also believe that continued learning and active listening are the cornerstones to being a high-quality clinician. I continue to read often, participate in conferences and online learning, and maintain membership in the American College of Podiatric Medicine to learn about updates and advances in the podiatric field. Being an ad hoc editor for dermatological topics in "The American Journal of Podiatric Medicine" (JAPMA) and standardized patient at Creighton University have kept me humble and remind me of the intersection between medicine as a science and medicine as a fine art. Furthermore, I may have studied biochemistry and anatomy and physiology, but I know that you know your body better than anyone else. I am here to listen to you and help identify the source of your concerns. Once I pinpoint the most likely causes of your concerns, we use my knowledge of medicine to develop a strategy together that best fits you and your lifestyle so you can get back on your feet and feeling better. Thanks for visiting me here and learning my story. Yours in Podiatry, Dr. Katie