Dustin L. Kruse, DPM, FACFAS | Colorado (Incumbent)

Dustin L. Kruse, DPM, FACFAS

Biography

Dr. Dustin Kruse graduated from Case Western Reserve University in Cleveland, Ohio, with a bachelor’s degree in chemistry and master’s degree in bioethics, and received his Doctor of Podiatric Medicine degree from the Ohio College of Podiatric Medicine.

He then completed his three-year podiatric medicine and surgery residency at Highlands/Presbyterian-St. Luke’s residency in Denver, CO. Upon completion of residency, Dr. Kruse joined Rocky Mountain Foot and Ankle Center, where he remains as a physician-owner, focusing on reconstructive surgery and sports medicine.

Dr. Kruse is ABFAS Board Certified in Foot and Reconstructive Rearfoot/Ankle Surgery, who has served on the ABFAS Board of Directors for the past three years, currently as Secretary/Treasurer. He also serves on multiple ABFAS committees.

Dr. Kruse previously served as Vice-Chair and Chair of Podiatry at Exempla Lutheran Hospital and remains involved in resident training as an attending physician at Highlands/Presbyterian-St. Luke’s residency, serving on the Residency Committee and previously serving as Research Director.

Dr. Kruse has held positions on the Colorado Foot and Ankle Society Board of Directors since 2011, serving as Scientific Chair, APMA House of Delegates Delegate, CAC-PIAC Chair, President for four years, and currently Immediate Past President. He also has served on the Board of Directors for the Highlands Foot and Ankle Institute—a nonprofit organization promoting education and resident training—as Scientific Chairman, Treasurer, Scientific Coordinator, and currently the President and CEO.


Personal Statement

It is a great honor to be nominated for reelection to the ABFAS Board of Directors. As a board-certified foot and ankle surgeon, I understand the evolving landscape of our practice, and I am committed to ensuring that our specialty continues to thrive.

If reelected, my goals will be to:

  1. Continue the High Standards of Board Certification: Surgical board certification is the pinnacle of our profession. Maintaining high standards in our certification process is the strongest strategy to achieve parity with other medical specialties.
  2. Advocate for Excellence in Education and Training: As a national organization, promoting the best in training creates a foundation for success in practice as well as board certification.
  3. Strengthen the Integrity of the Certification Process: The integrity of the certification process is vital for both our profession and for the trust that patients place in us. I will advocate for the continued development of fair and transparent evaluation methods, ensuring that our board certification remains a gold standard in the field.
  4. Foster Collaboration Across the Field: Building and nurturing relationships across podiatric institutions and with other surgical disciplines will be a priority, as these collaborations can lead to improved patient care, new innovations, and opportunities for growth within the field of foot and ankle surgery.

I am honored to have the opportunity to continue to serve our profession in this capacity, and I ask for your support in this election. Together, we can continue to build a future for our specialty that is centered on excellence, innovation, and a commitment to the highest standard of care.