Having plantar warts as a teenager helped inspire Dr. Robert Greene to become a podiatrist. “I had some trouble getting rid of warts when I was a teenager,” he explains. “Fortunately, I went to see a podiatrist and he had a successful treatment. The podiatrist golfed at the country club I worked at and I became good friends with him, even working for a time at his office. He really got me interested in podiatry as a career.”

Dr. Greene enjoys treating patients for all manner of foot issues, from hammer toes to sports injuries and diabetic foot problems. He also does reconstructive foot surgery, mainly of the forefoot area. Dr. Greene also has a big interest in wound healing and commits some time each week to working at the Saint Vincent Hospital Wound Care Center.

One of the things that Dr. Greene really enjoys about podiatry is that he can help patients immediately with their problems. “I think helping to solve people’s pain issues is what makes podiatry great. People come in the office for a problem and a lot of the time in the very first visit we can take care of an issue. Podiatry has really come a long way and podiatrists have more tools than ever to help people with their problems.”

Of all the work he does, Dr. Greene says that diabetic wound care is often the most challenging. “A lot of the diabetic foot care we do such as foot exams, cutting toenails, and paring callouses is designed to keep people out of trouble. But some patients end up with wounds that they can’t see or feel and they can be very challenging to treat.”

Dr. Greene says that the thing he enjoys the most about podiatry is working with patients each day. “I really enjoy the patient interaction. In podiatry we treat serious medical issues but fortunately most are not life-threatening. It’s nice to get to know patients and build relationships with them. That’s where I think I get my biggest satisfaction from.”

Dr. Greene is married with two children and enjoys playing golf in his spare time. Although not a native New Englander, he enjoys living in Leominster and says he has finally gotten used to the chilly winters.