Dr. Leslie Hess graduated from the Pennsylvania College of Podiatric Medicine (now Temple University School of Podiatric Medicine) in 1979 and was the recipient of the prestigious Peripheral Vascular Disease Award. In 1980 Hess completed his surgical residency at the Washington Township Hospital, in Turnersville, New Jersey, and opened a private practice, the Foot and Ankle Center, P.C., in Washington Township and Medford, New Jersey. This was the first of two practices he opened in South Jersey. After 30 years as a successful entrepreneur, Hess sold his practice and opened Hess Ankle and Foot Center in Swedesboro, New Jersey.
As an educator, Hess taught classes at the Philadelphia College of Pharmacy and Science in pharmaco-therapeutics and was a clinical instructor at the School of Podiatric Medicine. Hess also worked as the staff pharmacist at the Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine and was the medical director for the podiatry program at U.S. Healthcare.
Hess conducted ongoing research on pharmaceuticals and lower extremities. Hess published an article in the Journal of the American Podiatric Medical Association on “Physiologic changes in the foot during pregnancy.” Hess is a member of the American Podiatry Association, American College of Foot and Ankle Surgeons and the American Board of Podiatric Medicine. Hess is board-certified by the American Board of Podiatric Surgery.
Hess remains passionate about the field of podiatry and the vital role it plays today, especially for diabetic patients. The career change from pharmacy to podiatry is one that transformed his life and his love of the profession, allowing him to work directly with patients.
Hess established the Kate L. Paine Memorial Scholarship in honor of a bequest from Kate Paine to provide scholarships for fourth-year podiatry students. Hess also established the Felix A. Hess and Ruth Hess, Edu ’78 Scholarships in honor of his beloved parents, to provide scholarships for podiatry students based on academics and financial need. Hess also earned a master’s in business administration from St. Joseph’s University in Philadelphia.