Meet the Team
Get to know us better as we get to know you better.
Practicing at Our Bradenton Office
Dr. Richard Berkun, DPM
Richard Berkun, DPM, is an experienced podiatrist who has been with Cortez Foot & Ankle Specialists since 1981 and sees patients at their main office in Bradenton, Florida. Dr. Berkun graduated from the University of Rochester and the New York College of Podiatric Medicine. He completed his 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 Accreditation Association for Ambulatory Health Care inspector and has reviewed surgical centers all over the country.
He is past President of the Manasota Podiatric Medical Society, a component of the Florida Podiatric Association. He is the CEO of Cortez Foot and Ankle Specialists.
Dr. Berkun has contributed articles to the Bradenton Herald and "Sarasota" Magazine. He also is an avid golfer and sports enthusiast, and he enjoys the theatre with his wife, Sue.
Practicing at Our Bradenton and Sarasota/Lakewood Ranch Locations
Dr. Robert Katz, DPM
Experienced podiatrist Robert Katz, DPM, joined Cortez Foot & Ankle Specialists in 1991, and he sees patients at their main office in Bradenton and in Sarasota, Florida.

Dr. 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, Dr. Katz rotated through affiliate facilities of Johns Hopkins University. He later received his Master of Business Administration from the University of South Florida in May 2001.
Dr. Katz 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 electronic healthcare records and is very involved in the digital changes and improvements to Cortez Foot and Ankle Specialists.
In his spare time, Dr. Katz enjoys spending time with his wife and four children, in addition to swimming and participating in cross-fit.
Practicing at Our Bradenton and Sarasota/Lakewood Ranch Locations
Dr. Philip Baldinger, DPM
Philip Baldinger, DPM, is a highly trained podiatrist with the team at Cortez Foot & Ankle Specialists and sees patients at their offices in Bradenton and Sarasota, Florida. Dr. 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 1,500 foot and ankle procedures.

Dr. Baldinger joined Cortez Foot & Ankle Specialists in 1995 after practicing in Northern Virginia, where he grew up. He 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 Dr. Baldinger on a nearby soccer field or "pitch" enjoying a workout with the younger players.
Practicing at Our Bradenton and Ellenton Locations
Dr. Garrett Harte, DPM
Garrett Harte, DPM, is a board-certified podiatrist and foot surgeon. Dr. Harte joined Cortez Foot & Ankle Specialists in 1998 after practicing in the Fort Myers area and currently sees patients at their main office in Bradenton and in Ellenton, Florida. 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 received his Bachelor of Science from the State University of New York at Stony Brook and received his doctorate at the Temple University School of Podiatric Medicine. He completed his two-year surgical residency at West Jersey Health Systems and Wound Care Center in Camden, New Jersey. 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 was past chair of the credentials committee at Manatee Memorial Hospital and on the executive board.
Dr. Harte 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 three grown children – Jonathan, Patrick, and Kaylee.
Practicing at Our Bradenton and Sarasota/Lakewood Ranch Locations
Dr. Trinh Nguyen, DPM
Trinh Nguyen, DPM, is a podiatrist with the Cortez Foot & Ankle Specialists team. Dr. Nguyen sees patients at the practice's Bradenton and University Park/Sarasota, Florida offices.

Dr. Nguyen graduated from the University of South Florida in Tampa, Florida, with a Bachelor of Science in natural sciences. She then earned her Doctor of Podiatric Medicine at Barry University School of Podiatric Medicine in Miami, Florida.
After obtaining her degree, she completed a three-year podiatric medical and surgical residency at Westchester General Hospital in Miami, Florida. Dr. Nguyen’s training includes all aspects of the forefoot and rearfoot surgery and extensive diabetic wound care.
She is a member of the American College of Foot and Ankle Surgeons, the American Podiatric Medical Association, and the Florida Podiatric Medical Association. Her hospital affiliations are pending to Manatee Memorial Hospital in Bradenton, Florida, and Lakewood Ranch Medical Center in Lakewood Ranch, Florida.
Dr. Nguyen spends her spare time volunteering at her church and community. She enjoys spending time with her family, playing with her nephews, cooking, baking, running, and fishing.
Dr. Nguyen has been living and working in Florida and has extended family in Tampa. She recently moved to the Bradenton area and has been warmly welcomed by the residents. She looks forward to helping patients in Sarasota and Manatee Counties.
Practicing at Our Bradenton, Sarasota, and Ellenton, Florida Locations
Dr. Adena Mahadai, DPM
Originally from Clermont, FL, Dr. Mahadai earned her undergraduate degree from the University of Florida and received her medical degree from Kent State University College of Podiatric Medicine. She completed her podiatric residency at the University of Cincinnati Medical Center, where she gained extensive training in both conservative care and surgical intervention.
Dr. Mahadai was Podiatric Board Qualified and an active member of the American College of Foot and Ankle Surgeons (ACFAS) and the American Board of Podiatric Medicine (ABPM).
She chose the field of podiatry because it allowed her to help patients regain mobility and independence—something she found incredibly rewarding. She loved building long- term relationships with her patients and helping them stay active and pain-free. She especially enjoyed the variety the field offered, from treating sports injuries to performing surgery, which made every day interesting and meaningful.
Dr. Mahadai, who lived in Lakewood Ranch, FL, enjoyed spending her free time with family and friends, going to the beach, trying new restaurants, and shopping.
Dr. Felipe Peterson, DPM
Dr. Felipe Peterson is a double-certified podiatrist with a passion for restoring mobility and improving lives. Board Certified by the American Board of Podiatric Medicine (ABPM) and Board Qualified with the American Board of Foot and Ankle Surgery (ABFAS), he brings a comprehensive and compassionate approach to patient care.
Originally from Minas Gerais, Brazil, Dr. Peterson was inspired to pursue podiatry after witnessing the life-changing impact a podiatrist had on his mother’s health. That experience sparked a deep commitment to helping others regain comfort and confidence through expert foot and ankle care.
Dr. Peterson completed his undergraduate studies at Nova Southeastern University in Fort Lauderdale, FL, followed by his medical degree from Barry University in Miami. He went on to complete a rigorous residency through Boston University and Larkin Hospital, specializing in foot and ankle trauma and reconstructive surgery.
He treats a wide range of conditions with advanced techniques in sports medicine, arthroscopic and minimally invasive surgery, bunion correction, flat foot reconstruction, venous interventions, peripheral nerve surgery, regenerative and integrative medicine, functional medicine, and more. He is also skilled in cutting-edge therapies like shockwave treatment and gout management.
Dr. Peterson is an active member of the Florida Podiatric Medical Association (FPMA) and proudly serves as a Clinical Director in Training for the Special Olympics.
Now living in Palmetto, FL, Dr. Peterson enjoys spending his free time with his wife, two sons, and their two dogs. He’s a Brazilian barbecue expert, beachgoer, UFC fan, church volunteer, and enthusiastic community educator who frequently speaks at hospitals and universities.
Fun fact: Dr. Peterson is a self-proclaimed “meat enthusiast” who can grill the perfect steak and will never turn down a good churrasco!
