Meet Dr. Chandra, Our Newest Foot and Ankle Surgical Fellow

What does an Advanced Foot and Ankle fellowship mean?

A fellowship is a period of training that a physician may undertake after completing their residency. This is done in order to gain further exposure in a specific area of interest and to truly master that specialty. The length of the fellowship can vary, but it is usually at least one year long. During this time, the fellow is fully licensed and acts as an attending physician in their specific field of medicine. A fellowship in advanced foot and ankle surgery entails a period of training in which the fellow gains exposure to complex pathologies affecting the lower extremities as well as the methods and techniques utilized to appropriately manage them. These pathologies can range from forefoot abnormalities such as bunions to severe foot and ankle deformities requiring complete reconstruction to help relieve pain and improve function. It builds upon the experience and knowledge gained during residency and provides the fellow with the tools needed to tackle the most difficult and complex foot and ankle issues.

About Dr. Chandra

Dr. Amar Chandra was born and raised in Shawnee, Oklahoma. His love for sports, particularly basketball, football, and tennis, sparked his initial interest in sports medicine and led him to major in biology as a pre-medical student at the University of Oklahoma. After graduation, he went on to complete his medical school education in Chicago, Illinois. Dr. Chandra then completed a comprehensive surgical residency training program at OhioHealth Grant Medical Center in Columbus, Ohio, a nationally recognized level-1 trauma center. While there, he had the privilege to learn under renowned foot and ankle surgeons including Dr. Christopher Hyer and Robert Mendicino. During his final year of residency, he served as Chief Resident for his program. In his free time, Dr. Chandra enjoys spending his time outdoors, playing basketball and tennis, and cheering on the Oklahoma Sooners.

Why did you choose to complete a fellowship?

“I ultimately chose to complete a one-year fellowship because of my commitment to my future patients. In medicine, I wholeheartedly believe that continuous self-improvement and growth are needed in order to provide patients with the highest level of care possible. Whether it involves the refinement of my surgical technique or clinical acumen, management of complex pathologies, or the overall improvement in efficiency and medical decision making, I believe that

there is always room for continued growth and development. Spending an additional year under the tutelage of current leaders within our field of foot and ankle surgery will undoubtedly help me in my goal of providing exceptional care to the people in my community.”

Why did you choose Washington Orthopaedic Center for your fellowship?

“I have been incredibly blessed to have the opportunity to pursue a foot and ankle surgical fellowship at the Washington Orthopaedic Center. I chose this fellowship due to the unparalleled training obtained under fellowship director Dr. Michael Dujela. Having completed multiple fellowships himself under the guidance of many of the top leaders in our field from around the world, his knowledge and expertise in foot and ankle surgery is unmatched. A leader in his own right, having chaired and held multiple leadership positions in numerous foot and ankle surgical societies across the globe, Dr. Dujela has helped advance the field to what it is today. The surgical volume and clinical experiences alone are enough to consider this one of the best and most well-rounded programs in the country. The spectrum of pathologies seen routinely at the WOC provides the training and confidence to handle any case, regardless of its complexity. Additionally, the core values and high ethical standards instilled in each member of the WOC family further accentuate the top-tier care provided by the practice. There truly is no other place with an environment so conducive to excellence in education and orthopedic care.”

What is your favorite family tradition?

“This is a tough one. But I’d have to say it’s our annual family gatherings during Thanksgiving and Christmas. We often have lots of family and friends over during the holidays and cook up tons of food. Family, friends, and food always make for the greatest of times.”

What book are you currently reading?

“The Inner Work: An invitation to True Freedom and Lasting Happiness. This is a great self-help book and I would highly recommend it to anyone!”

What is your go-to midnight snack?

“I used to snack late at night pretty often, but I really try to limit that at this point. I, unfortunately, have a huge sweet tooth so if I do have a midnight snack now, it’s likely to be a bowl of sugary cereal or ice cream.”

We are very excited to have Dr. Chandra here as a fellow at our practice! We believe he’ll make a great addition to our team and community.

If you would like to know more about Dr. Chandra, visit our website. If you’d like to schedule an appointment with one of our providers, call (360) 736-2889 to speak with a receptionist.