Drs. Jensen and Richey welcome members of The Podiatry Foundation to Dean’s Chat! The Podiatry Foundation was founded in 2012 as the result of the Ohio College of Podiatric Medicine’s integration into Kent State University. Today’s discussion is a highlight of The Podiatry Foundation’s work in giving back to the podiatric community in the areas of education, research, and now….yes….Student Recruitment. Enjoy! Below are biographies of our guests from the Podiatry Foundation:
Eugene M. Pascarella, DPM, FACFAS, MBA
Executive Director
Gene M. Pascarella has served on The Podiatry Foundation Board of Trustees (formerly The OCPM Foundation) since 2012. In September 2024, he was appointed Executive Director. He holds a 1982 degree from the Ohio College of Podiatric Medicine and received his MBA from the University of Phoenix in 2002. Currently, Dr. Pascarella serves as a Regional Medical Director for Upperline Health. He is also a faculty member at Advent Health Hospital System, teaching podiatric residents.
Dr. Pascarella has also served on the Board of Trustees of the Ohio College of Podiatric Medicine from 2008 until 2012. He currently serves on the Kent State University College of Podiatric Medicine Advisory Board, where he served as Chair of that board from 2013-2018. In recognition for his contributions, he received the Kent State University College of Podiatric Medicine Ambassador Award in 2015, the Kent State University College of Podiatric Medicine Alumni Service Award in 2017 and was inducted into the Kent State University College of Podiatric Medicine Hall of Fame in 2022.
Victoria J. Newman, CPA, MBA
Chair Philanthropic Impact and Strategy Committee
Executive Committee
Victoria Newman has served on The Podiatry Foundation Board (formerly the OCPM Foundation Board) since 2022. She is a graduate of John Carroll University and Cleveland State University, with Accountancy and MBA degrees. Ms. Newman’s professional experience spans twenty years in the non-profit sector, in the areas of Audit Services at Howard Wershbale & Company, and Finance and Philanthropy at Cleveland Clinic Foundation, Cleveland Clinic London and Case Western Reserve University. Currently, Ms. Newman is the Assistant Dean of Finance and Business Administration at Weatherhead School of Management at Case Western Reserve University. Prior to her current role, she served as Executive Director at Case Western Reserve University, with oversight of the University’s endowment management.
Nilin M. Rao has served on The Podiatry Foundation Board of Trustees since 2022 and serves on the Research and Education Committee. He then pursued his master’s degree, followed by simultaneous doctoral degrees from Kent State University, completing his DPM as well as a PhD, in exercise physiology. He then completed a three-year Podiatric Surgical Residency at Highlands-Presbyterian/ St. Luke’s (PSL) Medical Center in Denver, Colorado, where he served as Chief Resident during his final year. This was followed by an additional one-year fellowship in advanced foot/ankle reconstruction, sports injuries and foot/ankle trauma at the prestigious Silicon Valley Reconstructive Foot and Ankle Fellowship with Sutter Health-Palo Alto Medical Foundation in Mountain View, California.
Dr. Rao currently serves on the Kent State University College of Podiatric Medicine Advisory Board, Kent State Exercise Physiology Advisory Board, American Board of Foot & Ankle Surgery Communications Committee, and is one of the founding members of the Kent State University College of Podiatric Medicine Alumni Alliance. Dr. Rao is a Diplomate of both the American Board of Foot & Ankle Surgery and the American Board of Podiatric Medicine, and a Fellow of the American College of Foot and Ankle Surgeons. Dr. Rao is in private practice in Austin, Texas.
Nicki D. Nigro, DPM
Chair of the Executive Committee
Chair Research and Education Committee
Dr. Nicki Nigro joined The Podiatry Foundation Board of Trustees (formerly the OCPM Foundation) in 2021. She was appointed Chair for the Executive Committee in September 2024 and serves as Chair for the Research and Educational Committee. She attended the University of Arkansas and obtained her B.S. in Exercise Science and Physiology in 1985. While working on this degree, Dr. Nigro was introduced by a colleague to the field of Podiatry. She received her Doctorate of Podiatric Medicine from Des Moines University (College of Podiatric Medicine & Surgery) in 1989. She completed her surgical training at The Podiatry Hospital of Pittsburgh in foot and ankle surgery. Dr. Nigro is board certified in Foot Surgery by the American Board of Foot and Ankle Surgery. She has been practicing medicine in the Pittsburgh area since 1991. She sees patients at the Glenshaw, Vandergrift, and Natrona Heights offices. She is a member of the Residency Committee for The Western Pennsylvania Podiatric Surgical Residency Program.