About Us
Our Story: Leaders in Innovation, Grounded in Compassion
Foot & Ankle Center of Iowa / Bunion Surgery Specialists was founded in 2018 by Drs. Mindi and Paul Dayton with a shared vision: to revolutionize bunion surgery and provide state-of-the-art, evidence-based care for all foot and ankle conditions. Their goal was to create a practice environment where patients from the Des Moines Metro, the Midwest, and across the country could receive advanced, individualized care rooted in compassion, innovation, and education.
Today, Foot & Ankle Center of Iowa is co-owned by Drs. Mindi Dayton, Paul Dayton, and Jesseka Kaldenberg-Leppert—three experienced foot and ankle surgeons united by a deep commitment to surgical excellence and the patient experience.
Our Founders
Drs. Mindi and Paul Dayton are nationally and internationally recognized leaders in foot and ankle surgery, medicine, and clinical research. Their extensive work studying the anatomy and etiology of bunions since 2009 led to the development of groundbreaking techniques that have transformed the field of bunion correction. Dr. Paul Dayton is one of the original design surgeons behind the patented Lapiplasty® 3D Bunion Correction system and holds multiple medical device patents in this domain. His work with Treace Medical Concepts Inc., alongside a team of leading orthopedic and podiatric surgeons, helped establish a standardized, triplanar approach to bunion correction—addressing the root cause of the deformity and improving surgical consistency and patient outcomes.
Together, Drs. Mindi and Paul Dayton have played a key role in pioneering and teaching triplanar bunion correction to surgeons across the country. Their mission is not only to innovate but also to educate—ensuring that every patient receives the most advanced, reliable, and effective care available.
Their private-practice setting enables them to spend more meaningful time with patients, foster continuity of care, and build lasting relationships with individuals and their families—one step at a time.
Our Growth
In 2022, Dr. Jesseka Kaldenberg-Leppert joined the practice as an associate and quickly became an essential part of the team. By 2023, she advanced to partner and co-owner. Like the Daytons, Dr. Kaldenberg-Leppert is deeply passionate about bunion surgery and committed to delivering a world-class patient experience. She is highly skilled in Lapiplasty® 3D Bunion Correction and has played an active role in the clinic’s ongoing research initiatives. Her dedication to surgical innovation, precision, and compassionate care continues to enhance the Foot & Ankle Center of Iowa’s legacy of excellence.
As we continue to grow, we are proud to expand our presence and services throughout the Des Moines metro area with our Grimes location, and in northern Iowa with clinics in Fort Dodge and Sac City. These locations allow us to bring state-of-the-art foot and ankle care closer to home for patients across the region.
Advancing Care Through Research
The Foot & Ankle Center of Iowa is currently participating in two national multicenter clinical research studies—one focusing on bunion correction and the other specifically on bunion correction in patients with metatarsus adductus. These studies allow us to further refine surgical approaches, improve outcomes, and contribute to advancing the field for patients nationwide.
We are also partnering with Incrediwear on an exciting new study evaluating the therapeutic effects of their healing socks on post-surgical recovery. This collaboration is part of our broader commitment to evidence-based care and continuous improvement in patient outcomes.
Active in Our Profession and Community
All three of our physicians are active contributors to the field of foot and ankle surgery—serving as educators, researchers, and advocates at the local, national, and international levels. In addition to their professional achievements, they remain deeply involved in their communities, dedicated to improving lives through exceptional foot and ankle care.
