Albuquerque Associated Podiatrists Lower Extremity Salvage (AAPLES) Fellowship

That commitment is what led us to establish the Albuquerque Associated Podiatrists Lower Extremity Salvage (AAPLES) Fellowship, New Mexico's first dedicated podiatric limb salvage fellowship.

AAPLES was created with a simple mission: to train future leaders in diabetic limb salvage while delivering the highest level of care to the patients who entrust us with their treatment.

Fellowship Overview

Our fellowship is a rigorous, post-residency surgical training program designed for podiatric surgeons who have already completed four years of podiatric medical school and three years of intensive podiatric surgery residency training. Fellows spend an additional year with our faculty immersed in the management of complex wounds, diabetic foot infections, Charcot reconstruction, vascular disease, trauma, and limb preservation surgery.

What This Means for Our Patients

For our patients, the presence of a fellowship program means more than advanced training—it means receiving care in an environment dedicated to excellence. Every treatment plan is thoughtfully reviewed, informed by the latest research, and refined through collaboration between our attending surgeons and fellowship-trained physician. This commitment to continuous learning allows us to offer advanced techniques, meticulous attention to detail, and an unwavering focus on achieving the best possible outcome for every patient. The addition of a fellow also expands our team's availability, allowing us to provide more timely evaluations, closer follow-up, and enhanced continuity of care throughout the healing process.

A Culture of Excellence

The best medical centers in the country share one common characteristic—they teach.

Teaching hospitals and fellowship programs create an environment where difficult cases are discussed, treatment plans are scrutinized, and new ideas are constantly evaluated against the latest evidence in order to continually evolve our gold standard. Patients benefit from having multiple highly trained clinicians invested in their care and from a team culture that never stops asking how outcomes can be improved.

At Albuquerque Associated Podiatrists, our fellowship allows us to bring that same academic mindset to private practice. Fellows work side-by-side with our limb salvage faculty in the clinic, operating room, and hospital. Together, they care for patients with some of the most complex foot and ankle conditions in New Mexico.

The result is a team that is deeply focused on preserving limbs, restoring function, and helping patients return to the activities that matter most to them.

Why Patients Choose a Fellowship-Based Limb Salvage Program

Patients referred to our practice often have conditions that have failed to improve elsewhere. Many have been told they are at risk for amputation or have exhausted multiple treatment options.

Our fellowship program supports a comprehensive approach to care that includes:

• Advanced diabetic foot ulcer management
• Complex wound care and reconstruction
• Charcot foot treatment and reconstruction
• Diabetic foot infection management
• Osteomyelitis treatment
• Partial foot amputation and limb preservation surgery
• Vascular coordination for patients with peripheral arterial disease
• Multidisciplinary management of medically complex patients

Every patient is evaluated with a focus on preserving mobility, maintaining independence, and preventing major amputation whenever possible.

Training the Next Generation of Limb Salvage Surgeons

The AAPLES Fellowship attracts highly accomplished podiatric surgeons from across the country who are seeking advanced training in lower extremity amputation prevention techniques.

These surgeons arrive after years of medical and surgical training and dedicate an additional year to mastering the complexities of diabetic limb preservation. Through direct patient care, surgical experience, research, and academic collaboration, they develop the expertise necessary to become future leaders in wound care and limb salvage.

Their presence strengthens our mission and enhances the care we provide to every patient who walks through our doors.

Our Fellows

2025–2026 Fellow

Dr. Shama Pervaiz, DPM, MBS

Dr. Shama Pervaiz joined the AAPLES Fellowship following completion of her surgical residency at Jackson North Medical Center in Miami, Florida. A New Mexico native, she returned home to pursue advanced training in diabetic limb salvage, complex wound care, and reconstructive foot and ankle surgery.

Dr. Pervaiz's passion for limb preservation was shaped by both her clinical training and personal experiences witnessing the impact of diabetic foot complications on patients and families. She is committed to helping patients maintain mobility and quality of life through evidence-based medicine, thoughtful surgical care, and compassionate patient advocacy.

She earned her Doctor of Podiatric Medicine degree from Barry University School of Podiatric Medicine with Pi Delta Honors and was recognized with the Clifford O'Connor DPM Memorial Compassionate Physician Award. In addition to her clinical accomplishments, she has contributed to research in reconstructive surgery and has presented at professional conferences across the country.

Known for her warm and approachable nature, Dr. Pervaiz brings a global perspective to patient care and is fluent in English, Spanish, and Italian.

2026–2027 Fellow

Dr. Lindsey Kanno, DPM

Dr. Lindsey Kanno joined the AAPLES Fellowship after completing her Podiatric Medicine and Surgery Residency at Christiana Care Health Services in Wilmington, Delaware, where she served as Chief Resident and Academic Coordinator.

Her clinical interests include diabetic limb salvage, chronic wound management, Charcot reconstruction, foot and ankle trauma, and the multidisciplinary treatment of patients at risk for amputation. She believes successful limb preservation requires collaboration, careful clinical decision making, and a patient-centered approach that addresses the whole person rather than simply the wound.

Dr. Kanno earned her Doctor of Podiatric Medicine degree from Barry University School of Podiatric Medicine and holds a Bachelor of Arts from Mount Holyoke College. Throughout her training she distinguished herself as both a clinician and researcher, presenting nationally recognized work on wound care, Charcot reconstruction, infectious disease, and limb salvage. In 2025, she received the American Podiatric Medical Association Outstanding Poster Abstract Award for her research contributions.

As a fellow, Dr. Kanno works closely with our limb salvage team to help patients overcome some of the most challenging foot and ankle conditions while pursuing our shared goal of preserving mobility and preventing amputation whenever possible.

Building the Future of Limb Preservation

The AAPLES Fellowship reflects our belief that exceptional patient care and medical education go hand in hand. By investing in the next generation of limb salvage surgeons, we strengthen our ability to provide advanced wound care, innovative reconstructive solutions, and comprehensive limb preservation services for patients throughout New Mexico and the Southwest.

For patients facing a non-healing wound, diabetic foot ulcer, Charcot deformity, or limb-threatening infection, our fellowship program represents more than advanced training—it represents a commitment to excellence, innovation, and hope when it matters most.