PHYSICIAN FEATURE: NOVEMBER 2022

Before you sit in their office, sit in on an interview with us as we ask Cleveland Foot & Ankle Clinic physicians all the important questions!

Meet Nicholas Butler, DPM

Assistant Professor, Division of Foot & Ankle Surgery and Biomechanics, Kent State University College of Podiatric Medicine

Nicholas Butler, DPM

Degrees & Training: Doctor of Podiatric Medicine, Kent State University College of Podiatric Medicine

Q: What's your favorite procedure to perform?

• A: Endoscopic Plantar Fasciotomy (EPF). I love using the scope plus it’s a fast procedure with a quick recovery for the patient with great results.

Q: Why did you choose podiatry?

• A: I love working with my hands and getting people back on their feet. I was a college athlete that had turf toe at one point in my career which sparked my interest in the profession.

Q: Favorite aspects of the profession?

• A: The versatility. I get to teach class one day, the next I could be in surgery, and the following day I could be working in the clinic. I also love the work life balance that you can have in the profession.

Q: Why do you love working at the Cleveland Foot & Ankle Clinic?

• A: I get to work with the future leaders in our profession (3^rd and 4^th year students). They are so passionate about the profession, and they really show how much they care with each and every patient in the clinic.

Q: What shows are you hooked on right now?

• A: I just finished the series finale of See on Apple TV+, and I’m also watching House of the Dragon on HBO Max.

Q: Tell us about your free time!

• A: In my free time I love spending time with my wife and 2-year-old daughter (she keeps my wife and myself busy by herself). I’m also a huge sports fan especially being a former college athlete, I love watching and going to any sporting event from hockey, football, baseball, basketball or golf. I’m a big Detroit Lions for football while my wife is a Browns fan.

Q: What’s one thing you can’t resist?

• A: A big old ribeye steak. If it’s on the menu, I’m ordering it.

Q: What’s something you couldn’t live without?

• A: My cellphone. It has everything we need nowadays.

Q: What was your very first job?

• A: Little league umpire – yes, it’s always a strike in my book.

Q: If you weren’t a podiatrist, what would you be?

• A: A chef – I love to eat and cook.

Q: What’s your favorite place to be?

• A: Hawaii – a beautiful place to be plus amazing people.

Q: You can bring three guests to a dinner party – living or dead. Who’s coming?

• A: Abraham Lincoln, Barack Obama, Albert Einstein.

Q: We finish this interview and you step outside to find a lottery ticket that ends up winning $10 million. What’s your next move?

• A: First, I would make sure no one lost the ticket since I’m a huge Karma person (what goes around comes around). If no one claims it, I would pay off some student loan debt and help pay off as much loan debt for my family and friends and give the rest to charity.

Q: If you could choose a superpower, what would it be?

• A: Ability to teleport. No one likes to wait in traffic.

Q: Favorite book?

• A: Blink: The Power of Thinking Without Thinking by Malcolm Gladwell

Q: Who is your role model and why?

• A: My father – he was the hardest working and smartest human being I have ever known. I hope I make him proud.

Q: If you could live anywhere, where would you choose?

• A: Wherever my wife wants.

Q: How do you relax?

• A: Hanging out with family

Q: What motivates you to work hard?

• A: My family. I want them to be proud of me. Also, I have the drive to be the best version of myself that stems from me being a competitive athlete. I hate to lose!

Q: How do you take your coffee?

• A: No coffee - unless it’s a very tough day, I drink water.