Staff at PULSE Amputation Prevention Center
About Dr. M.Laiq Raja, M.D., F.A.C.C., F.S.C.A.I. - El Paso Cardiology Associates
Dr. Laiq Raja is an interventional cardiologist who is board certified in the treatment of peripheral vascular disease. He specializes in the treatment of patients with critical limb ischemia, which is a severe form of PAD. He has over 20 years experience in treating patients with these conditions and is one of the country’s foremost experts in the treatment of severe critical limb ischemia and amputation prevention. He is the director and one of the founders of PULSE Amputation Prevention Centers in El Paso, Texas, which is a unique program focusing on a team approach, working closely with your other physicians to treat circulation problems in the legs and wound care treatment to heal severe foot wounds and infection in order to prevent amputations. Dr. Raja is involved in many clinical trials and is a national thought leader in the treatment of PAD and critical limb ischemia. He has trained over 300 physicians nationwide in advanced techniques for the treatment of critical limb ischemia and has been published in numerous national journals for his work in this area. PULSE Amputation Prevention Centers is a multi-disciplinary treatment program that is focused on preventing amputations, treating PAD and critical limb ischemia early and aggressively to improve patient’s outcomes and quality of life.
About Dr Jason Mendivil, DPM, - Orthopaedic Surgeons Associates
Dr. Jason Mendivil is a native El Pasoan and graduated from Americas High School in 2002. He attended Trinity University for his undergraduate degree and went on to obtain his Doctor of Podiatric Medicine (DPM) degree from Barry University in Miami Shores, Florida in 2013. He completed a three year foot and ankle and reconstructive rearfoot surgery residency training at the Southern Arizona Veteran Affairs Healthcare System Hospital in Tucson, Arizona, where he worked closely with an amputation prevention and limb salvage team. Dr. Mendivil has extensive training and experience in limb salvage surgery and advanced wound management to include diabetic foot wounds and reconstructive surgery. He has become well known as a limb salvage expert in the area and continues to advance the field of podiatry through research and development of new treatments. He is a leader in his field using advanced treatments for wound healing, such as autogenous stem cell therapy and platelet rich plasma for advanced wound management
He is a leader in his field using advanced treatments for wound healing, such as autogenous stem cell therapy and platelet rich plasma for advanced wound management. He is experienced in performing the most advanced foot and ankle reconstructive surgical procedures available for limb preservation and amputation prevention. He is also one of the founders of PULSE Amputation Prevention Centers, currently serving as the Director of Surgery and Wound Care. Dr. Mendivil also serves as the Clinical Director for Fit Feet, part of the Healthy Athletes screening program for Special Olympics of Texas. In addition he has a partnership with TruliFit Fitness, Dr. Mendivil developed his first orthotic line JMAX11, to assist his patients (J MAX 11 | TruliFit He enjoys coaching youth sports and traveling with his wife Hope and children Mia, Alex, Jayden, Madison and Jett.
Lorena C. Henderson, APRN, MSN, FNP-C
Director, COO PULSE Amputation Prevention Centers
Clinical Research Coordinator, El Paso Cardiology Associates
El Paso, TX
Lorena C. Henderson, APRN, FNP-C is a Family Nurse Practitioner and the Administrator and Clinical Director of the Amputation Prevention and Patient Care Coordination Program at PULSE. She also serves as Clinical Research Coordinator for El Paso Cardiology Associates, under the direction of Dr. Laiq Raja, M.D.
Lorena earned her Bachelors of Science in Nursing at the University of Texas at El Paso and completed her Masters of Science in Nursing as a Certified Family Nurse Practitioner at the Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center School of Nursing in Lubbock, Texas.
Credentialed at all of the Hospitals of Providence (Sierra, Memorial and Transmountain) and Las Palmas Medical Center in El Paso, Lorena practices under the specialty of cardiology and has focused specialization in the treatment and management of critical limb ischemia and amputation prevention under direct supervision of Dr Laiq Raja, M.D. , one of the country’s foremost experts in the treatment of Critical limb ischemia, who is the director of the Amputations Prevention Program at the Hospitals of Providence as well as PULSE Amputation Prevention Centers.
A published author in Cath Lab Digest and Endovascular Today, Lorena has assisted in the development and initiation of a CLI and Amputation Prevention Treatment Program in collaboration with a local healthcare system as well as being a co- founder of PULSE Amputation Prevention Centers. Early in her career she was also involved in the development of heart failure program initiatives to establish dedicated heart failure clinics. Lorena is a member of the Sigma Theta Tau International Honor Society of Nursing.
About Dr Amy Bodart
Dr. Amy Bodart comes from a small town in north-central Ohio. She graduated from St. Olaf College in Northfield, MN with a degree in biology and a love of the Spanish language. After a year of AmeriCorps service at a school for children and adults with special needs, she returned to Ohio and earned her podiatric medical degree at the Ohio College of Podiatric Medicine.
Dr. Amy returned to Miami, Florida for a three-year residency at Kendall Regional Medical Center with specialized training in trauma as well as traditional podiatric medicine and surgery. During residency she recognized the value of and initiated interdisciplinary care for her patients, often reaching out to vascular and infectious disease physicians to ensure that her patients received the best possible outcomes.
In addition, she honed her Spanish-speaking skills by communicating with patients, physicians, nurses, and staff almost exclusively in Spanish. She remained in Florida for a few years, where she gained additional training at a wound care center, assisted in teaching residents, and treated podiatric conditions in the office, surgery center, wound care, and at various hospitals.
Fascinated by the mixture of cultures and eager to experience desert life, Dr. Amy decided to forego her tropical climate for a new adventure in El Paso. She joined the practice of Dr. Charles Pittle and his father, Dr. Alan, and is thrilled to be here! She has undergone additional wound care training and finds that aspect of podiatry incredibly rewarding, especially when she has to use her “MacGyver” skills to problem-solve. She has also developed strong relationships with physicians in multiple specialties and loves working within the collaboration that is already taking place at PULSE Amputation Prevention Center.
Dr. Amy loves to dance and took ballet for 14 years, International folk dance for 3, and finally discovered Israeli folk dancing, which she has done for the past 16 years. She also enjoys throwing pottery, playing guitar, cuddling with her kitties, and staying connected with friends and family. She looks forward to helping you take your next step toward a happier, healthier you!
About Dr. Gary Grindstaff, DPM
I have practiced Podiatrc Medicine and Surgery for over 40 years. I am board certified in foot and ankle surgery. I also am a fellow of the American College of Foot and Ankle Surgeons. I have practiced in El Paso for over 20 years. I have been involved with foot and ankle wound care throughout my entire career.
