Steps2Walk Leadership Team
The organization is managed by a board of directors, an executive director, an international program director, and an international Board of Medical Advisors drawn from the world’s leading orthopedic Foot and ankle surgeons.
Every year Steps2Walk conducts dozens of programs around the world to help disabled patients regain their mobility and improve their quality of life. Recruiting the leading specialists in the field of orthopedic foot and ankle surgery to volunteer their time and talent, we are able to conduct the utmost difficult surgeries and educate the next generation of local in-country surgeons on how to perform future surgeries by themselves.
Leadership Team
Mark Myerson is a Professor of Orthopedic Surgery at the University of Colorado and is the Founder and President of Steps2Walk. Dr. Myerson is the foremost internationally recognized leader in reconstructive foot and ankle surgery and is Past President of the American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society (AOFAS). He has been named a pioneer in orthopedic surgery by the American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons (AAOS) and is the recipient of the 2023 AAOS humanitarian award. He is a consultant to the orthopedic industry, an honorary member of many international orthopedic societies and plays an active role in defining national standards for orthopedic foot and ankle practice. Dr. Myerson has authored more than 400 research publications as well as seven textbooks covering various treatments of foot and ankle conditions. He is a frequently invited guest speaker, giving professional talks around the world as consultant and educator. He has trained hundreds of orthopedic surgeons both in the United States and abroad, and education continues to be vital to his vision and mission. Dr. Myerson has developed numerous procedures for treating various foot and ankle injuries and deformities and his contributions to the field of orthopedic surgery have revolutionized the diagnosis, treatment, and recovery of foot and ankle disorders. Dr. Myerson has continued with academic work, research, consulting, and teaching, although humanitarian activities and growing a global presence through Steps2Walk is his current primary focus
Tom brings management board level, C-Suite experiences within billion-dollar plus multinational orthopedic market leaders (DePuy Synthes, Zimmer-Biomet, and Stryker Orthopedics) early entrepreneurial endeavors, and start-up initiatives through a company he founded. He also brings cross-functional area expertise that he has leveraged to align and strengthen organizational efficiency and effectiveness, successfully develop, and execute strategic plans, and positioning businesses for competitive advantage that all contributed to above market growth rates in markets worldwide. Lastly, Tom has a strong track record in establishing key strategic relationships and partnerships that will be critical to expand the mission of Steps2Walk worldwide.
Dr. Shuyuan Li is an orthopedic foot and ankle surgeon who was trained in China. Following her M.D. and Ph.D. degrees she also continued with post-doctorate research. She is currently the International Program Director for Steps2Walk. Under her leadership during the past 6 years, Steps2Walk has increased humanitarian service in 19 countries and more than 40 regions globally. She is also currently leading a research team in the foot and ankle surgery division, in The University of Colorado, with more than 20 ongoing clinical research projects. Dr. Li has authored more than 60 research papers, 20 book chapters and has presented at more than 100 national and international conferences. She is an active member of several international orthopedic societies, the current Associate Editor of Foot and Ankle International and Foot and ankle Orthopaedics, the two journal of the American Orthopedic Foot and Ankle Society (AOFAS), past associate editor for Foot and Ankle Clinics of North America, and an active reviewer for several orthopedic journals. She was the past academic secretary of the Beijing Orthopaedic Society (2014-2017), and the first editorial director for the Chinese Electronic Journal of Foot and Ankle Surgery (2014-2017). Dr. Li travels frequently around the world leading humanitarian programs for Steps2Walk treating underprivileged and disabled people with deformities, simultaneously teaching and helping orthopeadic surgeons in those countries to continue care of these patients. Delivering medical care, education and doing research are her passions in life.
Board Executive Team
Dr. Leland McCluskey is a practicing orthopaedic surgeon in Columbus, Georgia at the St Francis Orthopaedic Institute. He trained at Tulane University (Orthopaedics) and the Medical College of Wisconsin as a foot/ankle fellow under John Gould. He is a past president of the Georgia Orthopaedic Society. Dr. McCluskey has served with the World Medical Mission as a short term volunteer to Kenya, Malawi, Zimbabwe, Honduras, and Guatemala. He also has participated in disaster relief following the earthquakes in Haiti, Nepal and Ecuador with Samaritans Purse. Medical missions has been a real passion for him and his family over the past 13 years.
Carl Jarboe is an experienced trial and appellate attorney, providing sound advice in business, probate, governmental, individual, and criminal matters. Carl has continued to serve as the elected Municipal Judge for the City of Grosse Pointe Park for over twenty-two years. Carl’s successful trial and appellate experience has been earned at all levels of the Michigan and federal court systems and in courtrooms in other states. He drafts, negotiates, and enforces agreements for businesses, public entities, and individuals. Carl has been recognized by his peers as a Top Lawyer, Super Lawyer, and Preeminent Attorney.
Thomas San Giovanni, MD is an orthopaedic surgeon internationally recognized as a leader and pioneer in the field of foot and ankle sports medicine, trauma and reconstructive surgery. He is highly regarded for his expertise in sports medicine conditions of the foot and ankle and is sought out by many professional, collegiate and Olympic athletes for treatment. Dr San Giovanni is regarded by colleagues and industry as a truly innovative designer and he has designed numerous orthopaedic implants, devices and instrumentation to advance surgical techniques which are presently being used worldwide. He is passionate about expanding the education and technical skill of surgeons nationally and internationally and is a founder of the Miami Anatomical Research Center, also known as the MARC Institute – the largest independently run surgical cadaver training facility in the world.
Dr. San Giovanni is presently an associate professor within the Department of Orthopedic Surgery at Florida International University and remains active in academic medicine and research. He is the program director of the Foot and Ankle surgical fellowship at Miami Orthopedic and Sports Medicine Institute and has served in the past as clinical faculty for the University of Miami medical school orthopaedic residency program.
Mr. Dennis Stripe has almost 40 years of experience from various positions in management, sales and marketing on a global basis. When joining Kendall Healthcare Products in 1983, Mr. Stripe started a career within the healthcare industry lasting 33 years. In 1991, Mr. Stripe joined Smith & Nephew as a Senior Product Manager. During his time at Smith & Nephew, Mr. Stripe held various senior positions with Marketing, ending as a Group Marketing Director within the Orthopedic Division. Following a successful career at Smith & Nephew, Mr. Stripe joined the Spine Division of Stryker Corporation in 1996 and remained there until 2008. At Stryker Corporation, Mr. Stripe held several senior management roles on a global basis, including the Vice President of Global Marketing. In 2008, Mr. Stripe joined OrthoHelix Surgical Designs, a medical technology company focusing on implants and instruments for reconstruction surgery. Mr Stripe remained at OrthoHelix Surgical Designs until 2013 and served as Chief Executive Officer and as member of the Board of Directors for five years. OrthoHelix Surgical Designs was ultimately sold to Nasdaq listed company Tornier N.V., a transaction led by Mr. Stripe. Mr. Stripe is currently a key executive of California based Compliant Innovations, a company focusing on software solutions for the healthcare industry, as well as a member of the Board of Directors of Central-Insurance Companies and Medshape.
Board of Directors
Taking care of individuals limited by disabling deformity in our international communities is not only a privilege but our obligation.
Naren Gurbani, MD, is a board-certified orthopedic surgeon with over 35 years of experience. He completed his orthopedic surgery residency in Ohio at Elyria Memorial Medical Center and underwent sub-specialty training in foot and ankle surgery and pediatric orthopedics at Rancho Los Amigos Medical Center in Downey, California.
He gained expertise in complex lower extremity reconstruction and injury management. Subsequently, he became Director of Foot & Ankle Fellowship Program and has trained several orthopedic surgeons.
Dr. Gurbani is a member of American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons, American Orthopedic Foot and Ankle Society, California Orthopedic Association and International Federation of Foot and Ankle Societies. He has presented his research on issues in foot and ankle surgery at national and international meetings.
He is also a Fellow of American College of Surgeons and a Diplomate of American Board of Orthopedic Surgery. He holds current ABOS board certification and is participating in the Maintenance of Certification program. He is also a member of the International Society of Arthroscopy, Knee Surgery and Orthopaedic Sports Medicine.
Dr. Gurbani is also passionate about being a volunteer orthopedic surgeon and has provided free services in many countries around the world. He has served as Chair of Humanitarian Services Committee of American Orthopedic Foot & Ankle Society. Currently, he is serving as Chair of International Medical Advisory Board of Steps 2 Walk, a non-profit humanitarian organization.
Tony Lamerato, 39, is Sr. Director of Revenue Strategy with Scripps. Previously, he was the Director of Sales for the duopoly of WXYZ-TV and WMYD-TV20 in Detroit, MI. Tony is responsible for all Local Media Revenue in the North Division championing the development of key community station partnerships such as but not limited to, the North American International Auto Show and the PGA Tour’s Rocket Mortgage Classic.
Prior to Scripps, Tony was Local Sales Manager at Fox Sports Detroit, where he was responsible for the stewardship and growth of Local Media revenue on a nationally recognized Sports Networks powerhouse. Fox Sports Detroit experienced three straight years of record-breaking revenue under his
tenure. Prior to that, Tony gained invaluable market and media experience at WDIV-TV, NBC Affiliate in Detroit with Graham Media Group. He served as Digital Sales Manager and Director of New Business Development.
In 2015, Tony was honored by Detroit’s premier business journal, DBusiness, as one of the top 30 in their 30s. He was also recognized in 2015 for his innovation and leadership as of one Oakland County’s executive elite 40 under 40.
Tony holds a bachelor’s degree in Business Administrations and Sports Management from Aquinas College. He lives with his wife and 4 daughters in Harbor Springs.
Brenda is a retired baccalaureate registered nurse who has held a passion throughout her life for assisting those that life has treated unfairly and giving them a helping hand. Several years ago, she had the honor of serving as a co-president of her local United Methodist Women’s Group. She stepped into this role for a year to ensure the preservation of this historical charity. UMW for many years has been the largest organization for helping women and children. They, like Steps2Walk, will buy women in underprivileged countries a cow instead of milk. They even loan these women money to start their own small businesses. Brenda expresses her good fortune of participating on mission trips to Columbia, Kenya and several trips to Tanzania. Brenda’s grandmother also dedicated her life assisting missionaries. Brenda believe that her passion for helping others runs in the genes. She is clearly drawn to trying to assist people in need and find it very rewarding when a difference can be made in someone’s life.
Andy brings his many years of experience as a CPA licensed in Michigan and Las Vegas as well as a Certified Management Accountant to Steps2Walk. Currently, he is a Senior Partner at Skillman Group, LLC located in Troy, MI. He is a seasoned, practical, certified CPA and financial consultant. His client base includes commercial enterprises, wholesale, manufacturing, retail, service and nonprofits. Andy is skilled in all phases of accounting and auditing, tax, quality control, research and complex problem solving, business administration and development.
Bruce Thompson has spent his career in the orthopedic medical device industry and is currently a senior executive within Exactech, Inc, a full-line Orthopedic company focused on bringing innovative product solutions to Orthopedic surgeons for the treatment of osteoarthritis. He has been with the company for 17 years and is currently the Sr Vice President – International Sales and Business Development. Prior to Exactech, Bruce spent 23 years and held numerous positions with Smith & Nephew, Inc – also focused on orthopedic implants. After holding management positions in finance, manufacturing, marketing and sales management, Bruce has served in several general management positions within these two companies. He holds a bachelor’s degree in Accountancy from Miami University of Ohio and an Executive MBA degree from the University of Memphis.
International Medical Advisory Board
Dr. Maryse Bouchard
She established a limb reconstruction and lengthening program, treats children with skeletal dysplasias and arthrogryposis.
Dr. Jacques Jonck
Medical Graduate of University of Stellenbosch, South Africa,
Fellowship in foot and ankle reconstruction at Mercy Medical Centre, Baltimore, USA
Dr. Gabriel Khazen
Past Coordinator of Foot & Ankle Fellowship program at Hospital de Clinicas Caracas, Venezuela
Dr. Andrew Molloy
Associate Professor in the Department of Orthopaedics and Traumatology at the Federal University of São Paulo.
Dr. Caio Nery
Associate Professor in the Department of Orthopaedics and Traumatology at the Federal University of São Paulo.
Dr. Cristian Ortiz
Director of the Foot and Ankle Fellowship program at the Clinica Alemana and Universidad del Desarrollo in Santiago, Chile.
Dr. Gaston Slullitel
A consultant and a Board member of the Argentine Orthopaedic Association and a Board member of the Argentine Foot and Ankle Society.
Dr. Christopher Gross
Assistant professor and Foot and Ankle Division Chief at the Medical University of South Carolina in Charleston. Completed a fellowship at Duke University Medical Center in Foot and Ankle Orthopaedic Surgery.
Dr. Anish Kadakia
Professor of Orthopaedic Surgery and Director of the Foot and Ankle Orthopaedic Fellowship at Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine.
Dr. Naren Gurbani
Chair, International Medical Advisory Board
Immediate past Director of Foot & Ankle Fellowship program
Past Chair of AOFAS Humanitarian Services Committee
