Honoring the Legacy of Dr. Lowell Scott Weil Sr. A Pioneer in Foot and Ankle Surgery

Dr. Lowell Scott Weil Sr., DPM, FACFAS, is a renowned foot and ankle surgeon, mentor, innovator, and friend to many. He has had an immense impact on advancing the art and science of foot and ankle surgery, the profession, and across medicine. Dr. Weil Sr. was the President of the American College of Foot and Ankle Surgeons from 1993-1994, and he was a leading architect for the Annual Scientific Conference, surgical skills courses, the Journal of Foot and Ankle Surgery, and building relationships across medicine to enable ACFAS to better advocate for its membership.

Dr. Weil Sr. is known for developing the Scarf Bunionectomy, a revolutionary procedure that is still commonly used today internationally and has helped countless patients around the globe. He also developed the first-ever first metatarsal phalangeal joint replacement in the early 1970s, which is used as the FDA predicate for all that came after. Dr. Weil Sr. improved the outcomes of his patients by providing innovative treatments, including joint replacements, incorporating ESWT, bringing in services such as extremity MRI, and incorporating physical therapy to ensure patients were provided with the best care, all within the confines of the podiatry office.

Dr. Weil Sr. started one of the first Fellowship programs in podiatric surgery, elevating the educational process for the profession and serving as a mentor to many podiatric residents, American and International fellows throughout his career. He believed in providing the highest quality care to his patients, and he instilled this value in all who he trained with his philosophy, to “treat people, not feet.” Dr. Weil Sr.'s Northlake Residency program was widely considered to be the most sought-after surgical program in the United States.

Dr. Weil Sr.'s contributions to the field of foot and ankle surgery will continue to be remembered and celebrated for generations to come. He is known as the greatest ambassador of Podiatry, and he attended hundreds of international and American orthopedic conferences, often as an invited lecturer. Dr. Weil Sr. leaves behind a legacy of elevating the educational process for the profession and will continue to inspire the next generation of foot and ankle surgeons.

Dr. Weil Sr. is battling Alzheimer's disease with the same vigor and determination he displayed as a leader of ACFAS. Members can make a donation in his honor to the Alzheimer's Foundation of America to support research and finding a cure for this debilitating disease.

Learn more about Dr. Weil Sr.’s impact at acfas.org/Weil