Resources

Past Presentation

Diabetes-Related Foot Infections | April 16, 2026

Date of Presentation: April 16, 2026

Type: Past Presentation  

Audience: Clinical  

Program: Infectious Disease  

Keywords: #antibiotic  #diabetes  #foot  #glycemic control  #infections  #infectious diseases  #ischemia  #neuropathy  #ulcers  #wound care  

In this series of presentations, Dr. Jorge Mera, provides an overall infectious disease clinical update focusing on the latest AAP immunization updates, measles, and the new study on VZV vaccination and dementia risk. Then, Dr. Alithea Gabrellas, MD, explains the pathophysiology of underlying diabetes foot infections, including the roles of neuropathy, ischemia, and impaired immunity. Dr. Gabrellas, reviews how to perform a systematic clinical assessment including evaluation of ulcers, vascular status, and signs of infection, how to classify diabetes related foot infections based on severity using established clinical criteria (e.g., mild, moderate, severe), and how to recognize common microbiological organisms involved in diabetes-related foot infections and their clinical implications. Finally, she discusses how to formulate an evidence-based management plan, including wound care, antibiotic therapy, glycemic control, and surgical intervention when indicated.

Recording:

Presented by:

Alithea Gabrellas
MD

Dr. Alithea Gabrellas, MD, is an Infectious Diseases Physician. Dr. Gabrellas received her medical degree from Sidney Kimmel Medical College at Thomas Jefferson University, and specialized in Infectious Diseases and Internal Medicine.

Dr. Jorge Mera
Dr. Jorge Mera
Faculty

Dr. Jorge Mera is the director of the Infectious Disease Department at the Cherokee Nation Health Services, the largest tribally operated health care system in the United States. In 2014, in response the HCV national epidemic he launched the first ProjectECHO hub in the state of Oklahoma. This hub was focused on Hepatitis C treatment and elimination and has provided treatment recommendations to over 1400 American Indian/Alaska Native patients with HCV. In addition, Dr. Mera has been instrumental in the implementation of other ECHO hubs across Indian Country. These hubs have focused on COVID-19, HIV, HIV PrEP, infectious diseases, substance use disorders and eliminating the HIV/HCV/SUD/Syphilis syndemic. Dr. Mera completed his fellowship in Infectious Diseases and Clinical Microbiology at Baylor College of Medicine in Houston, Texas and is Board Certified by the American Board of Internal Medicine in Infectious Diseases. He is an Associate Professor in the Infectious Diseases Division at the University of New Mexico, Health Science Center, Strategic Advisor for Project ECHO in Latin America, as well as the ECHO Medical Director for the Northwest Portland Area Indian Health Board. Dr. Mera is a Fellow of the American College of Physicians.

Read the full bio …

Resources Provided:

Date added: April 1, 2026