About
The kid from Miami who became Michigan's Foot Doc.
Alton R. Johnson Jr., DPM, DABPM, FACPM, FASPS, FFPM RCPS (Glasg), CWSP is a podiatric surgeon, wound care specialist, educator, and mentor. This is how he got here, and where he is going.
A career of firsts.
Dr. Johnson's path runs from Barry University in Miami Shores to Kent State University College of Podiatric Medicine, through a chief residency at HCA Florida Aventura Hospital, and into one of the most selective wound care fellowships in the country at Penn Medicine.
Along the way he became the first podiatrist to complete the University of Pennsylvania's Post-Doctoral Certificate in Clinical Research, and the only podiatric clinical investigator in the nation selected for the 2020 NIH/National Medical Association Academic Medicine Fellows Program.
Today he is a Clinical Assistant Professor of Orthopaedic Surgery in the Division of Foot and Ankle Surgery at the University of Michigan Medical School, where he cares for patients facing diabetic foot ulcers and complex wounds, teaches across the medical school, and is pursuing a Master of Health Professions Education to sharpen how the next generation learns medicine.
The journey
Milestones.
Barry University, Miami Shores
BS in Biology Pre-Medicine, with early research at the NIH National Cancer Institute. The Barry University Bahamas Medical Mission plants the seed for a lifetime of service.
Kent State University College of Podiatric Medicine
Earns his DPM, carries the gonfalon at the White Coat Ceremony, and is later named the college's Young Physician Distinguished Alumni.
Chief Resident, HCA Florida Aventura Hospital
Leads the Podiatric Medicine and Surgery residency in Miami, winning the Midwest PRESENT Residency Rumble three years running.
NIH/NMA Academic Medicine Fellow
Selected as the only podiatric clinical investigator in the nation for the National Institutes of Health/National Medical Association program.
Wound Care Fellow, Penn Medicine
Completes the Podiatric Clinical Research and Wound Care Fellowship at Penn Presbyterian Medical Center, becoming the first podiatrist to earn Penn's Post-Doctoral Certificate in Clinical Research.
University of Michigan Medical School
Joins Michigan Medicine, first in Metabolism, Endocrinology and Diabetes, now as Clinical Assistant Professor of Orthopaedic Surgery in Foot and Ankle Surgery. Earns the Chair's Award for Impact and two Making a Difference Awards.
Master of Health Professions Education (in progress)
Deepening his craft as an educator at the University of Michigan Medical School, with an extended reality wound care education project in development.
“These combined efforts reflect my strengths in clinical innovation, academic service, and the training of future clinicians.”
From his University of Michigan clinician-educator statementRecognition
Selected honors.
- Emerging Leader AwardAssociation for the Advancement of Wound Care, 2022
- President's AwardAmerican Podiatric Medical Association, 2022
- 1st Place, Practice InnovationSymposium on Advanced Wound Care, 2022
- 1st Place, Podium PresentationSymposium on Advanced Wound Care, 2022
- Young Physician Professional Achievement AwardKent State University College of Podiatric Medicine, 2022
- APEX Award of Excellence for WritingAwards for Publication Excellence, 2022
- People's Choice AwardSymposium on Advanced Wound Care Fall Conference, 2024
- NIH/NMA Academic Medicine FellowNational Institutes of Health/National Medical Association, 2020
- Chair's Award for ImpactUniversity of Michigan, Internal Medicine, 2022
- Making a Difference AwardsMichigan Medicine, Internal Medicine 2022 and Orthopaedic Surgery 2026
Beyond the clinic
AJ Educational Empowerment.
Dr. Johnson founded AJ Educational Empowerment LLC to empower people of all backgrounds through education, mentoring pre-med and podiatry students, speaking to future clinicians, and widening the pipeline into medicine. His mentees have matched into competitive residencies and won national awards of their own.
“I have maintained a strong commitment to medical education through mentorship of residents, fellows, and medical students.”
From Dr. Johnson's clinician-educator statement, University of MichiganQuick answers
Frequently asked.
Who is Dr. Alton Johnson, DPM?
Dr. Alton R. Johnson Jr., DPM is a board-certified podiatric surgeon, Certified Wound Specialist Physician, and Clinical Assistant Professor of Orthopaedic Surgery at the University of Michigan Medical School. Known as AJ The Foot Doc, he specializes in wound care, limb preservation, and diabetic foot management.
What do all those letters after his name mean?
DPM: Doctor of Podiatric Medicine. DABPM: Diplomate of the American Board of Podiatric Medicine. FACPM and FASPS: Fellow of the American College of Podiatric Medicine and of the American Society of Podiatric Surgeons. FFPM RCPS (Glasg): Fellow of the Faculty of Podiatric Medicine, Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Glasgow. CWSP: Certified Wound Specialist Physician, American Board of Wound Management.
What is he known for in wound care?
Diabetic foot ulcer management and limb preservation, international education work on the Wound Balance concept with LINK for Wound Healing, and outspoken writing on wound care access and equity, including the amputation crisis affecting African American patients.
What is AJ Educational Empowerment LLC?
His education company, built to empower individuals of all backgrounds through educational services to become tomorrow's leaders. It is the umbrella for his mentorship, speaking, and student programs.
Where did he train?
Barry University (BS), Kent State University College of Podiatric Medicine (DPM), chief residency at HCA Florida Aventura Hospital in Miami, and the Podiatric Clinical Research and Wound Care Fellowship at Penn Medicine. He is currently completing a Master of Health Professions Education at Michigan.
Connect
Follow the journey.
Alton R. Johnson Jr., DPM on LinkedIn
Clinical pearls, mentorship openings, conference recaps, and the occasional proud-professor moment.