“It’s more important to know what sort of person has a disease than to know what sort of disease a person has.”
This Hippocrates quote, shared by Dr. John Phillips during our Heart of Innovation interview, perfectly captures the philosophy that has earned Dr. Sara Rose-Sauld recognition as America’s PAD Podiatrist of the Year for 2025.
Dr. Rose, a podiatrist at Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston, embodies this patient-first approach in every aspect of her practice. She sees beyond the condition to understand the whole person—a perspective that has made her exceptionally effective at healing complex wounds and preventing amputations that others might have deemed impossible.
This prestigious honor comes directly from patients who’ve experienced her life-changing care. They consistently highlight how Dr. Rose addresses both the physical and emotional aspects of peripheral artery disease (PAD)—poor circulation mainly in the legs which impacts one in five people over the age of 60.
During our interview, Dr. Rose shared that treating complex PAD cases wasn’t her original career plan. “I did not go into podiatry thinking this is what I was going to do. I went into podiatry thinking I was going to treat kids and sports and everything was going to be cute.”
Her perspective changed when she discovered the profound impact she could make through limb salvage. “When you treat these patients, it’s actually extremely rewarding as a clinician to make a significant difference in a life. The patient that I’m actually saving their foot and saving their limb, potentially saving their life, I found that a lot more rewarding than making someone’s foot look a little cuter or bunion a little straighter.”
Dr. Rose completed extensive training in limb salvage during her surgical residency in Florida before joining Mass General, where there was a significant need for her expertise. But as our guest co-host Dr. Alper pointed out, Mass General wasn’t traditionally podiatry-forward.
How did she overcome this challenge? “What I did was just make a whole bunch of friends,” she explained. Her breakthrough came when Dr. Anahita Dua, a vascular surgeon who started around the same time, paged her about a patient. “She paged me and said, ‘Hey, can you see this patient? Do you think they need a below knee amputation?’ And I said, ‘No, they just need a ray amputation.’” Dr. Dua invited her to scrub in, and their collaboration began. “I just helped prevent an amputation. And she’s like, ‘This is awesome. I’ll send you all my patients.’”
This partnership highlights the importance of multidisciplinary teamwork in treating PAD effectively. Dr. Phillips noted during our conversation, “There’s such a symbiotic relationship… it truly does take a village to take care of these people. No one person can do it themselves.”
What truly sets Dr. Rose apart is her deep compassion for patients. She shared a story about a large, intimidating patient who already had one leg amputated and a partial amputation on his other foot. When he came in for a skin graft, he refused to let the nursing staff place an IV and threatened the resident.
Where others saw an uncooperative patient, Dr. Rose recognized fear. “He was scared that he was going to lose his other leg,” she explained. Her solution was remarkably simple: “I literally held this man’s hand while he got the IV put in.” That compassionate act made all the difference. “If I had not sat there holding this man’s hand, I think he may not have another leg because he would have not gone into the operating room that day.”
Dr. Rose also challenges the typical “non-compliance” label often applied to patients. “A lot of times these patients, they’re labeled noncompliant, and a lot of times they are. But sometimes there’s a reason behind that,” she points out. “They’re not elevating their leg—maybe they don’t have a place to elevate their leg at home.” This perspective shift from judgment to understanding is crucial for effective patient care.
Patient education is another cornerstone of Dr. Rose’s approach. She finds that patients at all educational levels are interested in the research behind their treatments. “Even when they’re involved in a clinical trial, they think it’s the coolest thing. They want to learn more about it. We see a lot of different people… homeless people, very well-educated Harvard staff, celebrities… It doesn’t matter. They all have some interest when you’re like, ‘Hey, look at this. This is the latest data we’ve come up with.’”
Despite her remarkable success, Dr. Rose candidly shared the emotional toll of cases where amputation couldn’t be avoided. She recounted the devastating story of a Somali patient with five children whom she had treated for years. After successfully healing a wound on one foot, the patient developed a heel wound on the other foot that wouldn’t heal. When the patient became septic, Dr. Rose recommended amputation, but the patient and her husband initially refused consent despite extensive efforts to involve interpreters and spiritual care.
“By the time they did consent, it was too late,” Dr. Rose shared, clearly still affected by the loss. This willingness to share both triumphs and heartbreaks reveals her deep commitment to her patients.
On a lighter note, Dr. Rose’s sense of humor came through when she shared a story about a patient who wanted to preserve her auto-amputated toe to make into a Halloween necklace. The patient had her mummified toe “sitting right there on her dresser” and was looking for someone who could help her turn it into jewelry!
Creating a Legacy in PAD Care
Dr. Rose doesn’t just treat PAD patients—she’s transforming how the entire medical community approaches limb salvage. During our conversation, Dr. Alper reflected on the evolution of podiatric involvement in PAD treatment. “When I was training and when I first started—the first 20 years of my practice—this was not even an option on the radar for a podiatrist. We just didn’t do these things.”
Back then, podiatrists primarily served as “gatekeepers,” identifying the disease and referring patients to other specialists. Frustrated by these limitations, Dr. Alper eventually “set down my surgical practice to focus completely on wounds… because to me, there had to have been a better option for these patients.”
Dr. Rose represents that better option. As Dr. Alper put it, “Sarah was right out in front with working with other physicians, other specialties to really make sure that the patient got everything they needed, right down to the physical therapist to help teaching them walk again.”
Her collaborative approach creates a comprehensive care model that addresses all aspects of PAD. But her influence extends beyond her own patients. Through lectures across the country, she’s shaping how the next generation approaches limb salvage. “She not only talks to people that are peers, but she’s inspiring the students as well to say, ‘This is something that I could do,’” Dr. Alper explained.
This educational impact multiplies her effectiveness. While Dr. Rose personally saves hundreds of limbs, by training others, she’s indirectly saving thousands more. As Dr. Alper noted, “This really is not only the future, this is the presence of podiatry in general.”
Taking Action: What PAD Patients Need to Know
The work of physicians like Dr. Rose demonstrates that PAD doesn’t have to lead to amputation. Early intervention is key, and recognizing symptoms is the first step.
If you experience leg pain when walking, slow-healing wounds, or numbness in your feet, don’t dismiss these as normal signs of aging. They could indicate PAD, and timely treatment can prevent serious complications.
Call our Global PAD Association’s Leg Saver Hotline at 1-833-PAD-LEGS to learn more about PAD, discuss your symptoms, and connect with skilled specialists like Dr. Rose who understand the importance of limb preservation.
You can also find support through our communities: join our Facebook PAD group at padsupportgroup.org or our PAD walking group at walkingsupportgroup.com to connect with others who understand your journey.
Dr. Rose’s story reminds us that with the right care approach—one that combines clinical expertise, collaboration across specialties, and genuine compassion—we can save both limbs and lives. Sometimes, saving a limb starts with something as simple as holding a patient’s hand and truly seeing the person behind the disease.
Disclaimer: These awards are not to be considered an endorsement for any specific doctor. They are nominated and voted on by patients and an independent panel. Always do your homework to find the best doctor for your situation. You can call the Global PAD Association’s hotline for help finding appropriate care for your specific needs.
