Meet Our Doctors

Dr. Richard Berkun

Dr. Richard Berkun graduated from the University of Rochester and the New York College of Podiatric Medicine. He completed surgical training at Sheridan Park Hospital in Buffalo where he spent his childhood. He served on the Credentials Committee of the American Board of Podiatric Surgery and was a former Board Member of the American Diabetes Association. He is a former AAAHC inspector, reviewing surgical centers all over the country. He presently is the President of Manasota Podiatric Medical Society, a component of the Florida Podiatric Association. He sits on the Executive Board for the State of Florida and is the CEO of Cortez Foot and Ankle Specialists. Dr. Berkun has contributed articles to the Bradenton Herald and "Sarasota" Magazine. He spends his noon hours training for marathons and has competed in Disney, Boston and Tampa marathons. He also is an avid golfer and sports enthusiast and he enjoys the theatre with his wife, Sue. Dr. Berkun joined Cortez Podiatry Associates in 1981.

Dr. Christopher Addison

Dr. Christopher Addison is a graduate of University of South Florida and the Illinois College of Podiatric Medicine. After completing his surgical residency at St. Frances Hospital in lowa, he held a teaching appointment as Assistant Professor of Surgery at the College of Podiatric Medicine and Surgery, University of Osteopathic Medicine and Health Sciences in Des Moines, lowa. Dr. Addison has lectured frequently at national conferences on all facets of foot and ankle surgery. When not working, or spending time with his three kids, Dr. Addison enjoys woodworking, gardening and boating. Dr. Addison joined Cortez Podiatry Associates in 1985.

Dr. Robert Katz

Dr. Robert Katz graduated from the University of Florida and the New York College of Podiatric Medicine. During his surgical residency at Maryland General and Bon Secours Hospital in Baltimore, MD, Dr. Katz rotated through affiliates of Johns Hopkins University. He received his M.B.A. from University of South Florida in May 2001.

Dr. Katz joined Cortez Foot and Ankle Specialists in 1991. He has remained highly active in the medical community and is a Past President of the Florida Podiatric Medical Association. He has a special interest in the electronic healthcare record and is very involved in digital changes within our practice. In his spare time, Dr. Katz enjoys spending time with his wife and four children in addition to training for Olympic Distance triathlons.

Dr. Philip Baldinger

Dr. Philip Baldinger graduated from Haverford College in suburban Philadelphia and The Pennsylvania College of Podiatric Medicine where he won national awards in Biomechanics and Gait Analysis. He completed his surgical residency at Northern Virginia Podiatric Residency, an affiliate of Georgetown University Hospital where he performed over 1500 foot and ankle procedures.  He joined Cortez Podiatry Associates in 1995 after practicing in Northern Virginia where he grew up. Dr. Baldinger is the former President of  Region 5 (Florida) of the American College of Foot and Ankle Surgeons (ACFAS). ACFAS is the pre-eminent surgical academy in the profession to address the educational and surgical needs of the podiatric surgeon and patient. When not spending time with his wife, kids, dogs and cats, you may find the doctor on a nearby soccer field or "pitch" enjoying a workout with the younger players.

Dr. Garrett Harte

Dr. Garrett Harte received his B.S. from the State University of New York at Stony Brook and received his doctorate at Pennsylvania College of Podiatric Medicine (Temple University). He completed his 2 year surgical residency at West Jersey Health Systems and Wound Care Center in Camden, New Jersey.  Dr. Harte is board certified in foot surgery by the American Board of Podiatric Surgery. During his residency he volunteered his time with a team of fellow surgeons in Guatemala to perform reconstructive foot and ankle surgery on children.  He found his mission, and pediatrics as a whole, very rewarding.  He enjoys lecturing to the public and to his colleagues on topics such as common foot deformities, wound care, limb salvage and surgery and diabetes. He currently is the vice president of the Manasota Podiatric medical society.  He also sits on the Surgery committee and the credentials committee at Manatee Memorial Hospital.

Dr. Harte is an exercise enthusiast and has been running in local marathons, half marathons and triathlons for the past 8 years. He completed the Florida Ironman in 2009 and enjoys treating fellow athletes. His wife Christine is a personal trainer here in Manatee County.  He spends most of his free time with his 3 children, Jonathan, Patrick and Kaylee. His philosophy is to treat all his patients as if they were part of his own family and give them the best care he can at all times.

Dr. Harte joined Cortez Foot and Ankle Specialists in 1998 after practicing in the Fort Myers area.

Dr. Scott Handley

Dr. Scott Handley graduated from the University of Toledo and the Ohio College of podiatric Medicine. He completed residency training at the Cleveland Clinic Foundation and Roger Williams Medical Center in Providence, RI. He joined Cortez Foot & Ankle Specialists in 2002.

In his spare time he enjoys spending time with his wife Scarlett, daughter Paige, son Hunter and his cats Truck & Duff, as well as golfing and playing softball.

Dr. Candice Kepich

Dr. Candice Kepich was born and raised in the Scranton area of Northeastern Pennsylvania. She is a summa cum laude graduate of Kings College in Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania where she received a B.S. degree in Biology. She earned her DPM from Temple University School of Podiatric Medicine in 2008. She then completed a three-year Podiatric Medical and Surgical Residency at Mercy Suburban Hospital in East Norriton, Pennsylvania located in the Philadelphia suburbs. Her residency provided Dr. Kepich with specialized training in reconstructive foot and ankle surgery, diabetic foot and wound care and limb salvage.

Dr. Kepich has received advanced training from the Synthes AO Foundation in Foot and Ankle Surgery. She also, in addition to her training, has attended a course through the American College of Foot and Ankle Surgeons in Foot and Ankle Arthroscopy. She is Board Qualified in foot surgery and reconstructive rearfoot and ankle surgery by the American Board of Podiatric Surgery. Dr. Candice Kepich a proud member of the American Podiatric Medical Association, American College of Foot and Ankle Surgeons and Florida Podiatric Medical Association. She has hospital affiliations with Lakewood Ranch Medical Center, Lakewood Ranch and Manatee Memorial Hospital, Bradenton.

Dr. Kepich is married to Ryan Radakovich, an Osteopathic physician who practices internal medicine as a hospitalist at Sarasota Memorial Hospital. During Dr. Kepich's free time, she enjoys swimming, biking, gardening, fitness, relaxing at the beach and spending time with the couple's 2 cats.

Dr. Kepich is dedicated to learning the latest advances in medicine and integrates quality of care with communication and compassion and emphasizes patient education. Her goal is to provide the highest quality foot and ankle care to the residents of Manatee and Sarasota counties. She is excited to join Cortez Foot and Ankle Specialists and become active in the medical community.