Elise Janowak , DPM

Dr. Janowak grew up in a small town in southeastern Wisconsin as the youngest of five children in a family deeply connected to healthcare. Her father is an otolaryngologist, her mother worked in pediatric intensive care, and two of her siblings also pursued careers in medicine. After exploring a variety of specialties during her studies, she discovered podiatry as the perfect intersection of her interests in radiology, orthopedics, primary care, and surgery.

Her postdoctoral training took place in Utah, where she was mentored by surgeons involved in the Association for Extremity Nerve Surgery (AENS). That experience shaped a major focus of her practice: addressing complex peripheral nerve issues through modern surgical techniques. Her work includes nerve decompression procedures and advanced approaches to limb salvage—procedures especially beneficial to patients managing diabetes, chronic wounds, or past injuries.

I see many patients who’ve been told that nerve pain is something they simply have to live with. It’s deeply rewarding to offer high-success-rate options that not only improve quality of life, but in many cases prevent complications like ulcers or amputations.

Though she also treats a broad range of more common conditions—such as fractures, ingrown toenails, arthritis, and sports injuries—her specialty in treating neuropathic pain and saving limbs at risk sets her apart. Nerve decompression, for example, can significantly relieve pain while reducing ulcer risk for up to a decade, especially for diabetic patients.

Dr. Janowak moved to New Mexico in 2020 after working in southwestern Oregon, and for the past five years has served patients in Santa Fe, Los Alamos, and Taos. Taos, she says, feels most like home — a place where the small-town environment and strong sense of community resonate deeply with her.

Holy Cross reminds me very much of the small, strong, independent community hospital that I grew up with. Patients in rural areas deserve the very best in modern medical care delivered in and from the community that they live in.

Outside of work, Dr. Janowak stays active with snowboarding, hiking, biking, and cooking elaborate meals.