We welcome you as a patient and appreciate the opportunity to provide you with podiatric services. The information that follows is designed to answer many of the questions most patients have. We want you to know about our policies and methods of practice. The more you know, the more we can be of service. Please ask if you have any questions.

This practice specializes in and is limited to diseases and surgery of the foot, ankle and lower leg.

Dr. Shama was born and raised on Long Island, New York. His undergraduate studies were taken and baccalaureate degree received at the University of South Florida in Tampa, Florida. He received his professional training at the Pennsylvania College of Podiatric Medicine in Philadelphia. This was followed by completing a residency in podiatric medicine and surgery at Southeastern Medical Center in North Miami Beach, Florida. Dr. Shama is a Diplomate of the American Board of Podiatric Surgery (board certified in foot and ankle surgery), and Fellow of the American College of Foot and Ankle Surgeons. He also holds memberships in the Hillsborough, Florida, and American Podiatric Medical Associations, the International College of Podiatric Laser Surgery, the American College of Arthoscopic Surgeons, and the Phlebology Society of America. Dr. Shama has served as both vice-president and president of the Hillsborough County Podiatric Medical Association, Chief of Podiatry at University Community Hospital, in addition to serving as an editorial consultant for several professional podiatric medical journals and textbooks.

Dr. Shama has been practicing in the Tampa Bay area since 1984, with the express intention of providing the highest quality foot, ankle, and leg care to this and surrounding communities. Almost all forms of lower extremity treatment are available through our office. Most forms of major reconstructive and minor foot surgery are within Dr. Shama's scope of practice.

Dr. James Loebell joined Ankle & Foot Associates in 1997 after practicing in the Philadelphia metropolitan area for the previous five years. His undergraduate training and degree were received from Mammoth College in New Jersey and his Masters Degree from the University of Hartford in Connecticut. 

Dr. Loebell's professional training was completed at the Pennsylvania College of Podiatric Medicine in Philadelphia, followed by a two-year surgical residency at St. Joseph's Hospital in Philadelphia. He is board qualified by the American Board of Podiatric Surgery and a member of the American, Florida, and Hillsborough County Podiatric Medical Associations.  He has published several articles, including a chapter in the 1992 edition of Reconstructive Surgery of the Foot and Leg, and lectures frequently. 

Dr. Ripal Y. Patel is an Indian-American and has been raised in the United States since he was an infant. His professional education began by attaining a Bachelor of Science degree in Biology from the University of Alabama at Birmingham. Then, he attended Temple University School of Podiatric Medicine in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania where he achieved his Doctor of Podiatric Medicine degree. 


Dr. Patel has completed a podiatric medical residency at the Eastern Virginia Medical School in Virginia and a surgical residency at San Pedro Peninsula Hospital in California. 

Dr. Patel joined Ankle & Foot Associates in 2002, and is Board Qualified by the American Board of Podiatric Surgery. He is a member of the American Podiatric Medical Association, Florida Podiatric Medical Association, and the Hillsborough County Podiatric Medical Association. He is on medical staff at Brandon Regional Hospital, University Community Hospital and St. Joseph’s Hospital. In the past few years 

Dr. Patel has devoted his time to volunteer in various community services activities including Special Olympics, Baja Project for Crippled Children, Red Cross Blood Drives, and foot screenings at numerous health fairs.

Dr. Alicia S. Kanhai joined Ankle and Foot Associates in 2003 her undergraduate and Master degrees were obtained from Barry University in Miami Shores, Florida. She went on to complete her professional training from the school of Graduate Medical Sciences at Barry University, which was followed by a two year surgical residency at Parkway Regional Medical center in North Miami, Florida.


Dr. Kanhai is Board Qualified by the American Board of Podiatric Surgery and is an active member of the American Podiatric Medical Association, the American College of Foot and Ankle Surgeons, and the Hillsborough County Podiatric Medical Association. 

Additionally, she has published articles in the Journal of the American Podiatric Medical Associations. She is Ossatron certified and treats most forms of foot and ankle pathology and trauma.

Appointments

We try to see all patients on an appointment basis and we request that you call in advance so that we may reserve a time for you. We make every effort to honor all time commitments and ask that you extend the same courtesy to us. On occasion, emergencies can cause problems, and whenever possible, you will be fully informed if there will be any delays.

We recognize that you can have an emergency situation arise, and we will do our best to respond to your problem promptly. If you have such a concern, please call us as early in the day as possible. If the problem arises when the office is closed, then the doctor may be reached by calling the office through our 24 hour answering service.

All patients are encouraged to call with any questions they have regarding foot, ankle or lower leg conditions. However, it would be unfair to our office patients if the doctor were to leave to answer every telephone call. The office staff has been trained to answer many of your questions. They will also relay your information to the doctor and your call will be returned or otherwise answered at the earliest opportunity.