Foot and ankle surgeon Dr. Joanne Balkaran has more than 14 years of experience in podiatric care, including minimal incision surgery. She currently serves men, women, and families throughout Lake County at Ankle & Foot Center of Central Florida in Mount Dora, Florida.
Dr. Balkaran was born and raised in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. She decided to pursue a career in medicine after seeing her grandmother and father battle diabetes and cancer. Prior to launching her career, Dr. Balkaran served in the Canadian armed forces.
She began her professional pursuits at Barry University in Miami Shores, Florida, where she earned her Doctor of Podiatric Medicine, graduating with high honors. Following graduation, Dr. Balkaran completed a residency at Palmetto General Hospital in Hialeah, Florida. She also completed a Masters of External Fixation fellowship at the Istituto Ortopedico Galeazzi in Milan, Italy.
As a podiatrist, Dr. Balkaran works with people of all ages, from infants and toddlers to adults and senior citizens. She sets aside plenty of time to spend with each person and listens carefully to their symptoms and concerns. Dr. Balkaran’s extensive knowledge of foot and ankle problems enables her to develop treatment plans that ease her patients’ symptoms and improve their quality of life.
Dr. Balkaran speaks English, Spanish, and French. She welcomes any man, woman, or family in Lake County seeking improved foot or ankle health to Ankle & Foot Center of Central Florida today.
Dr. Rikesh Patel joined the Ankle and Foot Center of Central Florida at the end of June 2022. He is our Associate Foot & Ankle Surgeon. He completed his undergraduate studies in Cell and Molecular Biology at the University of South Florida, before graduating from Barry University with a doctorate in podiatric medicine. He graduated from Palmetto General Hospital with an added credential of reconstructive rearfoot and ankle surgery and served as Chief resident in his final year.
Dr. Patel’s specialties include trauma, limb salvage, deformity correction, and minimally invasive surgery of the foot, ankle, and lower extremity below the knee.
Fluent in English, Gujarati, and Spanish, his interests outside of medicine include traveling, spending time with family, and an avid sports fan – especially with any of his Tampa home teams.
Dr. Blanca T. Diaz was born and raised in Puerto Rico. She received her Bachelor’s of Science degree in Biology from the University of Puerto Rico. She is a graduate of the New York College of Podiatric Medicine in New York, NY. Dr. Diaz completed her residency in Podiatric Medicine and Surgery at the Department of Veterans Affairs – New Jersey Health Care System in East Orange, NJ, and served as Chief Resident. After residency, Dr. Diaz practiced in Union City, New Jersey prior to relocating to Clermont, Florida in the fall of 2014. Dr. Diaz practiced in The Villages, Florida for six years and Orlando areas.
Throughout her healthcare career, she has provided treatment for many foot and ankle conditions for patients of all ages. Dr Diaz is board certified as a Diplomate with the American Board of Podiatric Medicine. Dr. Diaz speaks fluent English and Spanish.
Outside of the office, Dr. Diaz enjoys spending time with her family, as well as, watching movies, cooking, and traveling.
opening hours
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8:00 am – 5:00 pm
8:00 am – 5:00 pm
8:00 am – 5:00 pm
8:00 am – 2:00 pm
8:00 am – 2:00 pm
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1865 Nightingale Lane
Suite A
Tavares, Florida, 32778
[email protected]
Fax: 352-385-7719