Dr. Mindi J. Dayton

Mindi Dayton, DPM, MHA, FACFAS is a board-certified podiatrist serving patients with superior care at Foot & Ankle Center of Iowa in Ankeny, Iowa.

Dr. Dayton grew up in rural eastern Iowa and graduated from Buena Vista University in Storm Lake, Iowa. She earned her Doctor of Podiatric Medicine at Des Moines University (DMU) College of Podiatric Medicine and Surgery in Des Moines, Iowa. She then completed a podiatric surgical residency at Trinity Regional Medical Center in Fort Dodge, Iowa. In 2018, she earned a Master of Health Care Administration from DMU.

After several years as a practicing podiatrist in northwest Iowa, she returned to Des Moines to teach at DMU and practice at the school’s Foot and Ankle Clinic. In 2017, she established Foot & Ankle Center of Iowa with her husband, Dr. Paul Dayton, with a focus on research and development of innovative techniques for foot and ankle surgery with a focus on bunion correction, specifically with Lapiplasty 3D Bunion Correction.

Dr. Dayton is board-certified by the American Board of Foot and Ankle Surgery in foot surgery and reconstructive rearfoot/ankle surgery. She’s a fellow of the American College of Foot and Ankle Surgeons, and has co-authored many peer-reviewed journal articles and book chapters and presented numerous local and regional lectures. She and her husband have teamed up to earn national awards for research posters and manuscripts.

She has a strong track record of serving on many university, local and national committees, including president and board member of the Iowa Podiatric Medical Association and committees of the American Podiatric Medical Association, and the American Board of Foot and Ankle Surgeons. While at DMU, she has been honored on several occasions for her service to DMU-CPMS, including receiving the Distinguished Scholar Faculty Award and Clinical Faculty of the Year.

When Dr. Dayton isn’t working, she enjoys spending time with her husband and children.
She also likes to garden, attend the theater, and travel.

Dr. Paul D. Dayton

Paul Dayton, DPM, MS, FACFAS is a board-certified podiatrist at Foot & Ankle Center of Iowa in Ankeny, Iowa. His years of research and experience make him one of the most highly skilled podiatrists in the nation and one of the most sought after surgeons for triplane bunion correction.

After completing his undergraduate studies at Arizona State University in Tempe, Dr. Dayton earned a master’s in podiatric medical education and his Doctor of Podiatric Medicine at the California College of Podiatric Medicine in San Francisco. He served a podiatric surgical residency at Kaiser Permanente Santa Clara Medical Center in Santa Clara, California.
Dr. Dayton is board-certified by the American Board of Foot and Ankle Surgery in foot surgery and reconstructive rearfoot/ankle surgery, and he’s also a fellow of the American College of Foot and Ankle Surgeons.

In 2017, Dr. Dayton established Foot & Ankle Center of Iowa with his wife, Dr. Mindi Dayton, with a focus on research and development of innovative techniques for foot and ankle surgery. To that purpose, he works with medical technology companies and collaborates with foot and ankle surgeons across the country to develop innovative procedures. He’s named on numerous medical device patents. He is a founding Lapiplasty 3D Bunion Correction design team surgeon.

He’s held numerous academic and other leadership positions throughout his three decades in practice, including faculty positions at Des Moines University and Stanford University School of Medicine in California. He has co-authored many peer-reviewed journal articles and book chapters, and continues to present lectures nationally and internationally. He’s served as an editor for the Journal of Foot and Ankle Surgery.

In his free time, Dr. Dayton enjoys spending time with his wife and children. He’s an avid woodworker, with a passion for building fine furniture. His other hobbies include being physically active, Formula One racing, always learning new things and traveling.

Dr. Jesseka K. Kaldenberg-Leppert

Jesseka Kaldenberg-Leppert, DPM, MSA, AACFAS is an Ankeny native who is returning home following a three-year podiatric surgical residency at Trinity Regional Medical Center in Fort Dodge, Iowa, where she received comprehensive training in reconstructive surgery of the foot and ankle. Dr. “Kaldenberg” earned her Doctor of Podiatric Medicine at Des Moines University (DMU) College of Podiatric Medicine and Surgery in Des Moines, Iowa, along with a Master’s of Science in Anatomy. She completed her undergraduate degree at Central College in Pella, Iowa where she was involved in track and field.

Dr. Kaldenberg is highly trained in forefoot and rearfoot/ankle reconstructive surgery, including Lapiplasty®3D Bunion Correction. She has an interest in sports medicine of the foot and ankle as well.

When Dr. Kaldenberg is not at work, she enjoys spending time with her husband and her dogs. She also enjoys gardening, hiking, kayaking and crossfit.