Mercado Foot & Ankle Clinic

Dr. Kent Mercado

* Board Certified Podiatric Surgeon
* Licensed Attorney
* Contributing author to podiatric and medical-law text books, and articles
* Lecturer
* CFO The Mercado Foot and Ankle Clinics

There are very few individuals in the health care field that hold a dual degree in medicine and law. Dr. Mercado is much sought after to serve on hospital and health care committees. He presently sits on numerous hospitals and managed care boards and is the liaison between the Illinois Bar Association and the legislation committee in Springfield, Illinois.

Dr. Mercado joined his father in practice in July of 1990. He graduated from the Ohio College of Podiatric Medicine in 1988 where he was awarded the Ohio Podiatric Medical Association's Community Service Award and the college's coveted Surgical Proficiency Award. O. Kent Mercado, D.P.M., J.D.

He served his two-year residency in foot and ankle surgery at Saint Mary of Nazareth Medical Center in Chicago. He has received intensive training at Presbyterian Hospital Center, a Stanford University affiliate in San Francisco and Mount Sinai Hospital in Chicago. He also holds a degree in law from the John Marshall Law school.

Dr. Mercado has lectured widely on foot and ankle surgery and has contributed chapters for two podiatric medical textbooks and most recently to a Medical Law text. In addition he is a member of the surgical team of the popular Art of Surgery video series. He is the co-founder of the Physicians Focus Group.

Dr. Cynthia Mercado

* Board Certified Podiatric Surgeon
* Fellow American College of Foot and Ankle Surgery
* Contributing author to podiatric text books and articles
* Lecturer
* CEO Mercado Foot and Ankle Clinics

Dr. Cindy, as she is affectionately referred to by the staff and patients, wanted to be a podiatrist since she was a small child. She actually started helping her father at the clinic when she was only 13 years old! She finally joined the practice as a full-fledged doctor in July 1992.

She graduated from the Ohio College of Podiatric Medicine in 1990 with two of its top honors, The Cynthia M. Mercado Ciessau, D.P.M., F.A.C.F.A.S. The Ohio Podiatric Medical Association Service Award and the Gafford Ethics Award.

Dr. Mercado served a two-year surgical residency at Saint Mary of Nazareth Hospital Center. She has also had additional training in microsurgery at the University of Kentucky Medical School, and internal fixation surgery. She has received Laser Surgery and CPR Certification.

Dr. Mercado is a frequent lecturer to professional and lay groups; and is a mentor for health care students and residents. She has authored chapters for two major podiatric book publications and has written extensively on Accrediting Office Based Surgical Facilities. She currently serves on an advisory committee for the Joint Commission on Accreditation of Health Maintenance Organizations. In addition she is part of the surgical team for the popular Art of Surgery video series.

She is the Co-Chairperson of the Podiatric Surgery Section of Saint Mary of Nazareth Medical Center; the past president of Zone I of the Illinois Podiatric Medical Association; and the co-founder of the Physicians Focus Group.

Dr. Michael Smith

* Board Certified, American Board of Podiatric Surgery
* Surgical Associate, The Mercado Foot and Ankle Clinics

Dr. Michael Smith wanted to be a Doctor since he was six years old. He worked his way through college and medical school, holding various jobs to support his dreams.

He attended Western Illinois University, where he made the Dean's Honor List, and graduated in 1996. He is a graduate of the Scholl College of Podiatric Medicine where he was awarded the Teacher's Scholarship.

He received his Doctor of Podiatric Medicine in 2000 and served a two-year surgical residency at Saint Mary of Nazareth Medical Center. Dr. Smith joined the surgical staff of Mercado Foot and Ankle Clinics in July of 2002. In addition to his surgical skills, he brings to our clinics a special expertise in Diabetic Wound Care as well as a warm and caring personality.