Kelly R. Whaley, DPM
Kelly R. Whaley, DPM is a podiatric physician with 25 years of experience. She provides trusted, comprehensive podiatric care to homebound, hospice, and nursing home patients through her mobile podiatric medical service in Lake County, OH and Cuyahoga County, OH.
Dr. Whaley completed her undergraduate studies at California State University, Fullerton where she graduated in 1992 with a BS in Biology. She went on to medical school at Kent State University College of Podiatric Medicine in Independence, OH and earned a Doctorate of Podiatric Medicine in 1997. Her postgraduate training included residencies at PHS Mt. Sinai Medical Center east, and the Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center, NY.
Dr. Whaley is a member of several professional organizations including the American Podiatric Medical Association (APMA), the Ohio Foot and Ankle Medical Association (OHFAMA), and the NorthEast Ohio Academy of Podiatric Medicine (NEOAPM).
Dr. Whaley offers expert geriatric foot care, diabetic foot care, lower extremity wound care, and foot neuropathy care. She is a well-respected, caring professional in the communities she serves.
India Trip
India is everything you've heard about. It's congested, dirty, impoverished, and chaotic but at the same time the people were very gracious, appreciative, helpful and genuinely happy and proud of their culture. The humanitarian work is greatly needed and very much appreciated.
I learned a LOT about Indian culture, foods, religion (Hindi) and geography. Our diet was all vegetarian (some spicy) and we began our days with yoga and meditation. The medical team and volunteers were very helpful with explaining religion, foods and basic language. Our translators were invaluable and were either local nursing students or private school students. My translator in Barwani was a 13 yo girl and she was awesome.
FYI - A Yatra is a Hindi term for a pilgrimage to a mother country for purposes of service. Sewa is another term referring to Service to God, then Service to Humanity.
This Medical Yatra had it's 25th anniversary this year and is coordinated by the AIPNO (Assoc of Indian Physicians in Northern Ohio) but there are doctors who participate from several states. The Yatra is also financially supported in part by the Rotary of India. It took place Jan 17-25 and spanned 3 different villages including Indore, Barwani and Sendhwa. The main goal of the Yatra was for women's health, particularly to prevent and treat HPV and cervical cancer and breast cancer. The other specialties besides podiatry and OB/GYN included internal medicine, family practice, Gastroenterology, Pulmonology, Cardiology, and CPR training.
This was the first time that podiatry was included and I was well received and saw a variety of issues including wounds, venous ulcerations, paronychia, lots of pes planus, arthritis and palliative care.
The medical 'camps' were busy, and spanned 3 villages. The accommodations for a couple of the camps were very limited, definitely not what we're used to in the USA. The villages had a billboard advertising the dates that the doctors would be in town!
Everywhere the medical team went, we were greeted with opening ceremonies, prayer, and gifts like sashes, shawls and certificates. Indian people are great a celebrations with loud music, chanting and dancing.
At the completion of the Yatra / Sewa, I had a day of rest and shopping in Indore. Then I traveled back to Delhi (Jan 26-30) where I began a private tour of the Golden Triangle. It included the touristy areas of India including Delhi, New Delhi, Jaipur, Agra with Taj Mahal and Ranthambore National Park for India Tiger and other animal sightings. This was a 5star adventure and it was fantastic. Taj Mahal is as amazing as you would expect.
The AIPNO and Yatra are interested in expanding the podiatry service so if anyone is interested in more info please have them contact me.
