Leadership

Dr. David G. Armstrong, DPM, MSc, PhD. Dr. Armstrong is one of the world's foremost authorities on diabetic limb salvage and wound healing. He serves as Distinguished Professor of Surgery and Neurological Surgery at the Keck School of Medicine of USC, where he directs the NSF-funded Center to Stream Healthcare in Place, and holds an MSc in Tissue Repair and Wound Healing from the University of Wales College of Medicine and a PhD from the University of Manchester. He has authored more than 790 peer-reviewed papers, founded and co-chairs DF-Con, the largest diabetic foot conference in the world, and serves as Founding President of the American Limb Preservation Society, a society dedicated to eliminating preventable amputation. He is the youngest-ever recipient of the ADA's Roger Pecoraro Award and a recipient of the ISDF's Karel Bakker Award, the highest honors in the field.

Dr. Maroon is a world-renowned neurosurgeon with extensive experience in neurosurgery. He specializes in minimally invasive surgery to speed recovery for his patients. He is a sports medicine expert and innovator in concussion management, personal fitness and nutrition.

Dr. Zelen is one of the most prolific clinical investigators in wound care and diabetic limb salvage in the United States. He serves as President of the Professional Education and Research Institute (PERI) in Roanoke, Virginia, a lower extremity contract research organization that has been running foot and ankle clinical trials since 2005, and as Podiatry Section Chief in the Department of Orthopedics at HCA LewisGale Medical Center. Triple board-certified in foot surgery, reconstructive rearfoot and ankle surgery, and podiatric medicine, he graduated valedictorian of the California College of Podiatric Medicine and trained in complex limb salvage at INOVA Fairfax and Georgetown. His landmark randomized trial of amniotic membrane grafts in diabetic foot ulcers helped launch the evidence base for an entire category of advanced wound biologics, and he has since led and co-authored many of the multi-center trials that define it.

“Dr. Mike” Hutchinson, DVM, is a nationally recognized veterinarian, regenerative medicine pioneer, and entrepreneur with nearly 40 years of clinical experience. Dr. Mike has performed more than 2,000 adipose-derived stem cell procedures across multiple species, including dogs, cats, horses, camels, and birds, and has completed over 25,000 surgical procedures throughout his career. He serves as Chairman of the Board of VivaTech International (USA), a biotechnology company focused on advancing regenerative medicine and stem cell therapies, and is a member of the Scientific Advisory Board of Ardent Animal Health.

Dr. Khoury is a triple board-certified physician in Interventional Cardiology, Vascular Medicine, and Nuclear Cardiology with more than two decades of experience devoted to improving patient outcomes. He earned his medical degree from Damascus University and completed his residency in internal medicine and cardiovascular care at UPMC Shadyside in Pittsburgh before relocating to the Altoona area in 1999, where he has spent his career bringing advanced cardiovascular treatment to his community. His vascular expertise speaks directly to what drives many of the hardest-to-heal chronic wounds: compromised blood flow that starves tissue of the oxygen it needs to recover.

Dr. Maza is a physician specializing in Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation (PM&R), combining his passions of sports medicine and pain management with comprehensive rehabilitation for conditions including stroke, spinal cord injury, and traumatic brain injury. He brings experience from both clinical practice and the medtech startup industry, having designed and operated clinical trials focused on translating evidence into scalable healthcare solutions.

Dr. Borrelli received his training at the University of Pittsburgh where he honed his expertise in developing controllable release delivery systems for therapeutic applications. From this work he is well-versed in experimental design, preclinical animal studies, and material characterization, among many other skills and techniques. He also provides valuable insight from his time in the chemicals manufacturing industry, which aids in process development, scale-up, and commercialization.

Dan Marino is a Hall of Fame NFL quarterback and celebrated entrepreneur with extensive experience in business ventures and brand partnerships. He is an investor and advocate for health and wellness innovation, leveraging his legacy in professional sports to champion cutting-edge solutions for athletes and active individuals.

Laura Owen is a seasoned C-level executive and serial entrepreneur with extensive experience scaling technology companies and navigating public markets. She co-founded ICOP Digital, Inc. (NASDAQ: ICOP) and has since led ventures across healthcare, national security, and digital health. She is founder and CEO of HealthyID, a published author, and a global advocate for entrepreneurship and women in business.

Larry Richert is one of the most recognizable and trusted voices in Pittsburgh, with more than three decades in local broadcasting. He has anchored the KDKA Radio morning show since 2001, following a long run at KDKA-TV that began in 1988 and included hosting his own morning program, co-anchoring the station's morning news, and forecasting weather for its evening broadcasts. He is the public address announcer for the Pittsburgh Steelers at Acrisure Stadium and for Pitt basketball at the Petersen Events Center, and has narrated Steelers highlight films for NFL Films. A Millvale native and Clarion University graduate, he was honored by Allegheny County with a day named in his recognition.