Philanthropy,
A Mission to Save Lives and Limbs
May 27, 2025
For more than two decades, Stanley K. Mathis, DPM, has been at the forefront of the fight against diabetic amputations in East Los Angeles. As the founding director of the Podiatric Residency Program at Adventist Health White Memorial in 2003, he has led a dedicated team committed to limb preservation, ensuring that patients facing severe diabetic foot complications receive immediate, leading-edge care.
The crisis: A community at risk
East Los Angeles’ 90033 zip code has one of the highest amputation rates in the United States, driven by a high prevalence of diabetes and barriers to early medical intervention. “Your chance of getting an amputation if you lived in South Central or East LA was 10 times higher than if you lived on the west side,” Dr. Mathis explained. Many patients do not seek treatment until their conditions are severe, resulting in unnecessary amputations. Dr. Mathis and his team have made it their mission to change that.
The Limb Preservation Program: A life-saving initiative
The podiatry physician residency program trains podiatric surgeons who specialize in complex foot and ankle reconstructive surgery, with a focus on amputation prevention. These residents, along with a volunteer limb preservation team, provide 24/7 emergency response care. “Time is tissue,” Dr. Mathis emphasized. “The faster and more efficiently care is implemented, the better chance you have to save a foot or leg.” The program’s comprehensive model ensures seamless care, from emergency intervention to long-term outpatient follow-ups at the White Memorial Limb Preservation Center. This approach has led to an 80% reduction in below-the-knee amputations, keeping patients mobile and independent.
The limb preservation program is growing each year, with more than 800 hospital consultations this year. We will continue to fight lower extremity amputation in the East Los Angeles area with timely and quality care influenced by our ongoing clinical trial research.
Innovation through research And philanthropy
Dr. Mathis has spearheaded collaborations with researchers, including Dr. David Armstrong at the University of Southern California, leading to groundbreaking clinical trials such as the National Institutes of Health (NIH)-funded Smart Boot study, which aims to prevent diabetic foot ulcers. “The NIH study enrolled 200 people to test an offloading boot designed to prevent pressure ulcers; 100 of those patients came from White Memorial,” he noted. Thanks to philanthropic support, the program has secured advanced wound-healing technologies, many derived from stem cell research and placental grafting, providing leading-edge care to underserved patients. “Some of these grafts cost up to $3,000 a week, but through grants, we’re able to provide them at no cost to the patient.”
The need for continued support
While the program has made remarkable progress, additional resources are needed. Key priorities include funding for an additional resident per year, expanding services to Adventist Health Montebello, and acquiring essential equipment such as a mini-C-arm and transcutaneous oxygen monitors, which are crucial for precise, limb-saving surgeries. “A mini-C-arm costs around $60,000 to $70,000, and transcutaneous oxygen machines run between $35,000 to $60,000,” Dr. Mathis explained. “They aren’t millions of dollars, but they make a world of difference.”
The current healthcare professional shortage, particularly in primary care and certain specialties like podiatry, is also a significant issue. Expanding residency programs, especially in underserved areas, is a key strategy to increase the number of physicians and other healthcare professionals. Medical residency programs, including those in podiatry, play a crucial role in addressing this shortage by training and deploying more healthcare professionals.
Why it matters
The social and economic implications of losing a limb are profound. Losing a leg often means losing mobility, independence and the ability to work. Within five years, 80% of diabetic amputees will lose their other limb, and a staggering 80% will not survive. “Imagine your life if you couldn’t walk,” Dr. Mathis challenged. “We take it for granted but losing a leg changes everything — your ability to work, to take care of your family, to even stay healthy.”
By supporting the podiatric residency and limb preservation programs, “you’re keeping people in the community mobile and productive, keeping families intact,” Dr. Mathis said. “You’re changing lives.”
As Dr. Mathis prepares to transition leadership of the residency program, his legacy is clear: a system that saves lives, preserves dignity and offers hope. With continued support, this mission can grow, to help ensure that no one in East Los Angeles loses a limb due to preventable complications. The message is simple: Help us keep people walking, working and living full lives.
Make a gift to our residency program, one of the most sought-after in the United States today, where patients are treated with kindness and compassion, and which is known for quality care and excellence.