Dr. Mark Hinkes is a Doctor of Podiatric Medicine at the Veterans Affairs Medical Center in Nashville, Tennessee (Tennessee Valley Healthcare System) where he serves as the Chief of Podiatry Services and Director of Podiatric Medical Education. He is responsible for providing the full spectrum of foot health services including primary podiatric care, pedal biomechanical evaluation, orthotic/prosthetic services, preventive foot care for at-risk limbs, and foot surgery services. He also provides consultation services for primary care, emergency care services, and specialty service clinics.

Before moving to Nashville, Dr. Hinkes was the Chief of the Podiatry Service at the Veterans Affairs Medical Center in Salem, Virginia. He served as National Field Advisor for Quality Assurance for Podiatric Medicine for the Veterans Administration. He has been the Chairman of the Preservation Amputation Care and Treatment (PACT) Program over the past ten years, five years at each of the VA Hospitals.

Dr. Hinkes has been a consultant for hospitals, extended care facilities, and corporations. He has served on multiple hospital committees, lectured internationally and nationally for community groups and schools, and has published peer-reviewed journal articles. Dr. Hinkes participated in teaching podiatric medicine at the undergraduate level at Barry University in Miami, Florida from 1987 to 1998 as Adjunct Associate Professor of Podiatric Medicine. He is bilingual, English-Spanish, and has been a consultant to the electronic and print media in both languages. He has been President of the Dade County (Florida) Podiatric Medical Association. He has served as a clinical investigator for Novartis Pharmaceuticals.

Dr. Hinkes started his podiatric medical career in Miami, Florida where he completed his American Podiatric Medical Association-approved medical/surgical residency training at Westchester General Hospital in Miami, Florida from 1976–1977 under the direction of Keith B. Kashuk, DPM. Between 1977 and 1998, he held clinical, medical, and surgical privileges at Westchester General Hospital, South Miami Hospital, Baptist Hospital and Kendall Regional Medical Center in Miami. He has participated in podiatric residency training as a clinician/clinical instructor and provided office rotations for students. He has provided clinical instruction in office and hospital operating room settings on foot pathology and foot surgery. He has lectured on various topics including hallux abducto valgus, digital deformities, nerve entrapment syndromes, nail pathology, functional biomechanics and orthotics, diabetic foot care, managed healthcare and practice management.

Dr. Hinkes graduated in May 1976 from Ohio College of Podiatric Medicine in Cleveland as a member of Phi Alpha Pi Professional Fraternity. In January 1973, he obtained his Bachelor of Science in Psychology from Loyola University of Chicago, Illinois. His post-graduate training was conducted at Westchester General Hospital in Miami, Florida. His teaching at post-graduate level includes Vanderbilt University School of Nursing and Geriatric Medicine in Nashville where he taught issues in common foot problems and foot health, the diabetic foot ulcer and amputation prevention in the at-risk patient.

Dr. Hinkes is certified by the American Board of Podiatric Surgery and the American Professional Wound Care Association. He is a diplomat of the American College of Foot & Ankle Surgeons. His professional memberships include the American Podiatric Medical Association, the Federal Services Podiatric Medical Association, and the American Diabetes Association. In his leisure time, Dr. Hinkes enjoys gardening, traveling, and creating stained glass art.

Dr. Hinkes is available for speaking engagements and clinical instruction in foot care clinics. He may be contacted on his Web site at www.amputationprevention.com.