Dr. Christopher Milkie’s Story
I remember how my hometown Podiatrist relieved my foot pain a few times so I could play in my high school basketball games. When I was considering a career in healthcare, I was intrigued by his passion and enthusiasm for what he did enough to learn more about the profession. He loved people and his work. His patients and staff loved him. He raved about how he enjoyed that podiatrists got people better fast and didn’t deal with life threatening conditions. He sold me on being a Podiatrist.
When I opened my office in Wauwatosa in 1991 I wanted a practice just like Dr. Joe’s. I didn’t know much about business but I knew if I was good to my patients, took good care of my staff and kept learning new things, I would build a successful business.
It’s for others to decide if I’ve lived up to those things.
I didn’t realize that large healthcare systems would take over an industry that was built on intimate relationships between the patient and doctor. I have chosen to stay small and independent because I enjoy being able to provide my patients with a more personal and intimate relationship. Small and independent means more convenient, more personable, more innovative and faster.
What I’m most passionate about is not just helping people get rid of foot conditions but helping them understand how healthy feet leads to a healthier life. Many chronic conditions like Heart Disease, Diabetes, Hypertension, Arthritis, Obesity and Depression are all impacted by not having healthy feet. Living to over 100 years old, as many more people will, won’t be fun with unhealthy feet.
My practice is like “David” going up against “Goliath” that’s become corporate medicine. Me and my team like being the “little guy.” We believe being the “little guy” definitely has its advantages for our patients.
Thank you for reading and choosing me as your Podiatrist. I hope you’ll like coming here enough that you’ll come back if the need arises. I also hope you’ll tell others about me who prefer a more personal healthcare experience.
Dr. Lucinda Meier’s Story
When I was 12 years old, I had to get braces. I absolutely despised the idea. As I walked into the Orthodontist office, I passed a sign that read “Podiatry.” I asked my mom what podiatry was. She gave me a quick rundown and referenced my grandma who saw one regularly.
For the next several hours, I laid in a chair getting metal attached to my teeth wishing I were next door at the Podiatrist’s office. That night I went home and googled “Podiatry.” It sounded cool to say foot doctor so my 8th grade graduation book read, Lucinda Malvitz, most likely to become a Podiatrist.
My journey really started in high school. I grew up on a family farm with three sisters. At the time, I was annoyed with farm life and the stress of a family business. I was terrified my friends would see me driving our tractor. In preparing to pay for college, I not only had my farm chores but I also had a job. This meant I was on my feet all day, every day.
My feet started to hurt. I experimented with different shoes and inserts and struggled to find comfort. This is when my love for podiatry really started. I understood how important healthy feet are. My senior yearbook read, Lucinda Malvitz, most likely to become a Podiatrist.
After I moved away from the farm, I realized how lucky I was. My parent’s careers were never a job, it was a way of life. They took great pride in being farmers. It meant they were not just providing for their family but providing for the community. They were the “know your farmer” before it was trendy. There was a reason people drove out of their way to the farm or met us at the farmer’s market every weekend.
I chose private practice over corporate healthcare. I like being in control of the experience my patients receive. I want doctors to refer their patients to me because of my skills and personality not just because I work in the same healthcare system. It’s important to me that my patients feel exceptional when they come to see me. My staff and I love providing a family type doctor’s office environment just like the old days.
Thank you for trusting me with your feet. I think you’ll like how we make you feel. I may be far from the farm but I’ve brought the core values my parents live every day.
