Lawrence B. Harkless, DPM, FACFAS, MAPWCA, is Founding Dean and Professor of Podiatric Medicine and Surgery at the College of Podiatric Medicine, Western University of Health Sciences, Pomona, California, United States. He is a retired Professor, Department of Orthopaedics and former Louis T. Bogy Professor of Podiatric Medicine and Surgery at the University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio (UTHSCSA). Harkless has been described as the "father of diabetic foot care." Biography A native Texan, Lawrence B. Harkless did his undergraduate work at The University of North Texas and is a graduate of the California School of Podiatric Medicine in San Francisco where he was a member of the honor society. He completed his internship at UTHSCSA and his residency in Podiatric Surgery at Atlanta Medical Center in Atlanta, GA. His most significant contribution has been his leadership and passion in integrating podiatric medicine in an academic Health Science Center earning the respect and admiration of his physician colleagues. He was the division Chair and Residency Program Director at UTHSCSA. Over the course of his 30-year career, he has trained more than 1,000 students, 176 residents and 15 fellows. Harkless also operated his own private practice, The Alamo Foot Clinic Inc., He has chaired the Medical Faculty Assembly, and served as Director of the Podiatric Residency Training Program at (UTHSCSA). He has educated thousands of students, residents, physicians, and health care providers about the complexities of diabetic foot complications and the importance of preventative foot care for people with diabetes. Harkless pioneered the TEAM Approach to Diabetic Foot Care when he developed the nationally and internationally known seminar, “The Diabetic Foot - A Multidisciplinary Approach” in 1985 which has educated over 7,000 health care providers. Harkless, an ACFAS fellow, is a founding member and the 1st chair of the American Diabetes Association (ADA) Council on Foot Care and past member of the ADA Board of Directors. He is also past-president of the National Podiatric Medical Association and the Texas Podiatric Medical Association. Harkless is a Distinguished Practitioner in the National Academies of Practice. Harkless is co-author of the book, "Foot and Ankle Secrets", which has become a staple among podiatric residents and students. He also developed the University of Texas Diabetic Wound Classification together with David G. Armstrong. Awards In 2010, Harkless received the distinguished Lifetime Achievement Award known as the John Boswick Award and Lectureship given by