We are pleased to announce Ellen Barton, DPM, will begin providing Podiatric services at Door County Medical Center.
"The opportunity to practice community-based medicine is what initially drew me to Door County," Dr. Barton says. "After visiting the hospital and clinic," she continues, "and meeting with the fantastic staff and physicians, I had no doubt that DCMC provides the highest-quality care and is completely committed to the patient—I'm excited to be joining a great team."
Dr. Barton will be providing conservative and surgical treatment for any ailment that involves a patient's foot or ankle. "As a Podiatrist, my role in your health focuses on treating direct injuries to that area, such as ankle sprains and broken bones," she relates. "However," she adds, "a good portion of my role as a Podiatrist also focuses on the way systemic conditions, like diabetes, affect the foot."
"I take an individualized approach to medicine," she continues, "What works well for one patient may not help another—it's important to take the time to get to know the patient and determine what treatment plan will work best based on their preferences, lifestyle and family."
"Healing foot and ankle injuries often means the patient will spend time on crutches or in a wheelchair—sometimes for months," Dr. Barton says, adding, "The best part of my job as a Podiatrist is when a patient finally comes back for a follow-up appointment and walks through my doors without help and without pain. Seeing that always gives me so much joy."
Dr. Barton grew up in the small, rural town of Custer Park, Illinois, located about an hour south of Chicago. While working toward her undergraduate degree she decided to pursue a career in medicine. "No one in my family worked in medicine," she recalls, "so I trained as a nursing assistant to gain more exposure in the field and to make sure it was the right choice for me. During training," Dr. Barton continues, "I was exposed to podiatry as a career. I shadowed with a few podiatrists and liked the hands on nature of the job, as well as the relationships they developed with their patients."
In 2014, Dr. Barton received her Bachelor of Science degree from Marquette University in Milwaukee. She completed her podiatry training at the College of Podiatric Medicine and Surgery at Des Moines University in Iowa in 2018. Earlier this year, Dr. Barton completed her residency at Gundersen Health Systems in La Crosse, Wisconsin, where she served as Chief Resident.
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"I enjoy spending as much time outside as possible," Dr. Barton says, "I enjoy camping, gardening, spending time in the water, and hiking the state parks (one of my bucket list items is visiting every state park in Wisconsin). I'm looking forward to living in Door County—it's a natural fit for me." She continues, "Everyone has been so welcoming and willing to lend a hand. That's the type of person you want as your neighbor and friend. So, I'm also looking forward to getting involved in the community. And," she adds, "even though I'm from Illinois, I'm a Packers fan."