Our Upland Podiatrists

Dhaval Patel, DPM

Dr. Dhaval Patel is a highly skilled and dedicated lower extremity multi-specialist. He is renowned for providing exceptional limb, foot, and ankle care. With a strong educational background and extensive hands-on experience in the fields of Podiatric Medicine, Wound Care, Limb Salvage, Reconstructive Forefoot / Rearfoot / & Ankle Surgery alongside his commitment to helping patients achieve optimal foot health and an overall well-being, Dr. Patel makes a great choice for you and your loved ones. Dr. Patel graduated with distinction from the most prestigious New York School of Podiatric Medicine. During his time there he excelled academically and demonstrated a deep understanding of both the medical and surgical aspects of the field. He was class president, student council president, president of international podiatry club that he himself founded. The club continues to go on mission trips to help those who are less fortunate in third world countries today. They go with a team of physicians and students to treat varieties of issues and even performing surgeries on site with attendings present in efforts to train the local doctors on how to perform high level techniques. He earned the Doctor of Podiatric Medicine (DPM) degree with honors and graduated in the top of his class. Committed to advancing his knowledge and staying at the forefront of the specialized field, Dr. Patel attended a 3-year specialized residency in Reconstructive Rearfoot and Ankle Surgery. Followed by surgical fellowship. He later achieved his board certification and became a Diplomate of the American Board of Podiatric Medicine (DABPM). This certification recognizes his expertise and dedication to providing the highest standard of care for his patients. Beyond his clinical practice, Dr. Patel is actively involved in the professional community. He frequently attends conferences, seminars, and workshops to stay up-to-date with the latest advancements in his field. Dr. Patel is passionate about sharing his expertise and insights from experience, in hopes to reach a wider audience. With several years of experience, Dr. Patel has developed a comprehensive approach to diagnosing and treating a wide range of foot and ankle conditions. He has successfully helped countless patients recover from injuries, alleviate chronic pain, and regain mobility, earning him a reputation for his excellence and compassionate care. Dr. Patel believes in personalized treatment plan tailored to each individual patient’s specific needs. He employs a combination of conservative therapies with the latest technological advancements and advanced surgical techniques to deliver the most effective and efficient outcomes. Whether it’s treating common foot ailments, providing preventive care, or performing complex procedures and surgeries, Dr. Patel is committed to helping his patients live pain-free and active lives. As a compassionate and dedicated professional, Dr. Patel strives to create a warm and welcoming environment for his patients. He prioritizes open communication, actively listening to each patients’ concerns and addressing them with empathy and respect. Dr. Patel is fluent in 3 languages English, Spanish, Gujarati, and proficient in 3 others, allowing him to effectively communicate with a diverse range of patients. If you’re seeking exceptional foot & ankle care, Dr. Patel is the trusted professional you can rely on. His expertise, commitment to excellence, and genuine concern for his patients well-being make him an invaluable asset to the field.

Adam Shapiro, DPM

Dr. Adam Marshall Shapiro’s appetite and thirst to become a Podiatrist came from observing his grandfather’s painfully debilitating experience. His grandfather made poor health choices which was fueled by diabetes and had robbed him of his golden years. His inability to walk and quality of life was progressively taken away as a result of amputations. It is at that point, Dr. Shapiro decided to become a Podiatrist to make sure this did not happen to anyone else.

Dr. Shapiro graduated from The University of Colorado at Boulder with a Bachelor of Arts Degree in History. During that time, he had a once in a lifetime opportunity to study abroad with the noted Nobel Peace Prize recipient, Archbishop Desmond Tutu. His belief of eliminating and addressing a person’s suffering was paramount. While visiting communities within South Africa, Brazil, Viet Nam, China, India, Malaysia and Japan, he was provided insights into how one’s lifestyle impacts access to health care for health maintenance, diagnosis, treatment and prevention. During his undergraduate years, Dr. Shapiro also served the community while working in the hospital environment and also as an Emergency Medical Technician (EMT). While working in a hospital setting as well as an EMT, he was able to work with young and old trauma victims, neurologically unstable patients and the critically ill.

Dr. Adam Shapiro received his DPM from world class: The California School of Podiatric Medicine at Samuel Merritt University. While in medical school, Dr. Shapiro volunteered in a Podiatrist’s office and was a Prosector. Dr. Shapiro received multiple scholarships for his outstanding academic performance.

Dr. Shapiro completed his competitive 3 Year Podiatric Residency in Chicago, Illinois at Weiss Memorial Hospital along with its satellite associated off-site facilities. During this time, he worked alongside a large group of talented Podiatric Physicians in their private offices and received extensive training in the repair of acute fractures of the forefoot, midfoot, and rearfoot, external fixation, as well as bunion corrections, hammertoe deformity repairs, limb salvage, and plastic surgery.

There is no better way to help others than being a Podiatrist where one gets a chance to make a difference every day. Dr. Shapiro’s Medical School education and Residency training along with the diabetic challenges of Dr. Shapiro’s grandfather, his performance as an EMT, his hospital employment, his volunteering in a Podiatric setting, and his world travels have taken Dr. Shapiro through many cultures to gain a better understanding about Podiatric disease processes, the wins of disease prevention, treatment, and its impact on one’s physical, mental and social well-being. All these experiences, with the commitment to continuous learning about medicine, energize Dr. Shapiro’s enthusiasm to give back to people and plan for future challenges in the world of Podiatric Medicine.

Born and raised in Southern California, Dr. Shapiro’s sports activities include long distance running, snowboarding, basketball and rock climbing. He also enjoys watching the University of Colorado Buffs Basketball and Football teams.

Cristina Marchis Crisan, DPM

Dr. Cristina Elena Marchis-Crisan served her community in Romania as a nurse for one year before deciding to pursue her career as a medical doctor. While pursuing her medical degree she started visiting under privilege villages surrounding her city; she took an active measure to become involved in treating patients at their houses, knowing they could not afford the respective treatments at the hospital or clinics.

Dr. Marchis-Crisan is a compassionate foot and ankle specialist that emphasizes the importance of covering all aspects of the foot and ankle, from foot pain to large complex deformities that need reconstruction. Her treatment techniques include a high level of function with a positive outcome. She strives to continuously deliver the best possible outcomes and improve quality of life for her patients.

Dr. Marchis-Crisan decided to become a podiatrist after visiting the United States for an externship. She was hosted by a knowledgeable and skillful podiatrist named James Clough, at his private practice in Great Falls, MT. While there, she became intrigued by the complexity of the foot and ankle and how it could help improve pain and alleviate symptoms both through conservative and surgical care. Even though she was a family doctor who passed the boards as a foreign medical doctor graduate and became certified as a physician in the United States. Instead of pursuing a residency program in family medicine, she decided to enroll in the School of Podiatric Medicine at Temple University in Philadelphia. At graduation, she received the Dr. Leonard Hymes Graduation award in recognition of the graduating student demonstrating the highest standard in practice management skills.

She completed a strong, three-year surgical residency at White Memorial Medical Center as Chief Resident. Dr. Marchis-Crisan preceded her career as an assistant professor at the College of Podiatric Medicine and surgery as well as the Osteopathic Medicine at Western University in Pomona CA. Dr. Marchis-Crisan joined Jan David Tepper, DPM in March 2015 where she strives to continuously deliver the best possible care in order to improve quality of life for her patients.

Her on-going commitment to stay connected with the community has never forsaken her; she has volunteered her skills and time in helping others in need. In 2013 the county of Los Angeles recognized her dedicated service to the affairs of the community with an award. She also received an award for her caring commitment and excellence from Western University’s Health Sciences Center.

Dr. Marchis-Crisan has published three childrens books that are insightful and educating: BigBigEar and the Wonder Club, Hope in the Land of Injustice, and The King’s Verdict.