Chicagoland’s Premier Foot and Ankle Centers
the best hands for your feet
The First Step Foot Care Distinction
We have been in practice for over 28 years, and patients like you are the foundation of our success.
First Step Foot Care was founded in 1991 by Dr. James P. Flood with the aim of providing the highest quality specialist service for the diagnosis and treatment of all foot and ankle problems.
Dr. James Flood and his associates are dedicated specialists in problems affecting the foot and ankle and have over one hundred years of combined experience! Dr. Flood’s quality team of physicians provide a comprehensive service of care for patients with all types of foot and ankle problems. This includes sports injuries (including high level / elite sportsmen and women), trauma, arthritis, metatarsalgia, diabetic care, and reconstructive foot surgery.
Meet Our Physicians
Dr. James P. Flood
Founder and Medical Director
Dr. Flood embarked into private practice after completing a tour of duty in the Army, serving as chief of Podiatric Surgery with Department of Orthopedics and Podiatry at Irwin Army Hospital, Fort Riley KS during the Iraq conflict. He founded First Step Foot Care in 1991 with the goal of providing the highest quality specialized service for the diagnosis and treatment of all foot and ankle problems in the Tri-County area.
Dr. Flood previously served as the Chief of Podiatric Medicine and Surgery-Department of Orthopedics and Podiatry at Irwin Army Community Hospital with the First Infantry Division, Fort Riley Kansas. He functioned in the roles practitioner and educator as a specialist in reconstructive foot and ankle surgery for the United States Army. He holds the distinction of the Army Paratrooper badge and Expert Field Medical Badge.
Dr. Flood also held the privilege as the Chief of Podiatric Surgery at Northwest Community Hospital. He is proud to have served on the Day Surgery Consulting Committee, Medical Staff Quality Committee, and Surgical QI Committee at Northwest Community Hospital in Arlington Heights.
Additionally, He gives back to the medical profession by his current commitment as a clinical instructor for the Internal Medicine Residency Program at Advocate/Aurora Lutheran General Hospital.
Dr. Flood works on all aspects of foot and ankle care including both conservative and surgical treatment options for his patients. Having competed in intercollegiate athletics in Cross Country and Indoor/Outdoor track, he has a special interest in the area of running injuries.
When not engaged with patient care, he enjoys all aspect of fitness and is an avid sports fan. He is married with three children.
“I am humble for spirit and grateful for the opportunity to serve the patient’s that seek my healing hand that God created for me to use. I feel that success in patient outcomes is a product of formulating good communication with patient and practicing medicine with evidence based treatment. I stress direct, understandable communication between myself and the patient to ensure that we as a team achieve excellent clinical results. I strive hard to provide a level of care that has excellence in diagnosis and treatment employing the latest medical technologies”— Dr. Flood
Dr. Fred Rahimi
Dr. Rahimi has been in practice since 1986 and has been a clinical professor of radiology at the Dr. William Scholl College of Podiatric Medicine since 1990. Dr. Rahimi was also a director of a very sought after residency program from 1995 - 2006. Dr. Rahimi was clinical instructor at Mount Sinai Hospital and is currently an American Board of Podiatric Surgery Oral Examiner.
Dr. Rahimi is married with four children. He enjoys staying active in his church community and remains very devoted to his faith. On his free time you can find him cooking or baking which are two of his favorite hobbies. He also enjoys spending time with his family and being outdoors.
Dr. Kellen Cohn
Dr. Cohn prides himself in being up to date with the newest and most advanced diagnostic and treatment options available. He is a native to the area and grew up in Deerfield, Illinois.
Dr. Cohn completed his undergraduate education at the University of Illinois – earning degrees in molecular and cellular biology, chemistry, and psychology. He earned his Doctorate of Podiatric Medicine from Dr. William Scholl College of Podiatric Medicine at Rosalind Franklin University. He then completed a very competitive 3-year surgical residency, with added credentials in reconstructive rear-foot and ankle surgery. He trained with faculty from Rush, Northwestern, and the University of Chicago. He has comprehensive exposure to the newest and most advanced treatment options for all foot and ankle problems. To further his educational enhancement, he routinely attends the finest medical education courses/workshops around the country.
As a physician, my mission is to provide care to every patient the same as I would my own family. Success begins with strong communication in order to put together a treatment plan tailored to each patient’s capabilities and outcome goals. Using evidence based medicine, I take time to formulate an individualized plan exhausting all conservative measures before entertaining any surgical correction
Dr. Stephen Roeske
Dr. Roeske graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Illinois at Chicago, and earned his Doctor of Podiatric Medicine from the Scholl College of Podiatric Medicine at Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine and Science. He then completed his residency training in Chicago at Rush University Medical Center, Department of Orthopedics, Section of Podiatry where he served as Chief Resident during his senior year. Throughout his 3 years of residency, Dr. Roeske received advanced training in reconstructive foot and ankle surgery directly under the region’s most respected podiatrists and orthopedic surgeons including faculty from Rush University, Northwestern University, and NorthShore University.
Throughout his training, Dr. Roeske has been active in research and has won various awards for his work on topics such as Hallux Rigidus and Diabetic Foot Ulcerations. He prides himself on staying up-to-date on the current medical literature in effort to provide his patients with the best evidence- based medicine available.
At First Step Foot Care, Dr. Roeske works on all aspects of foot and ankle care including both conservative and surgical treatment options for his patients. He has special interest in the treatment of arthritis, bunion correction, heel pain, flatfeet, hammertoes, neuromas, Achilles tendon pain, sports injuries, fractures, dermatological conditions, wound care, and at-risk diabetic evaluations. He enjoys having access to the latest medical technologies to better diagnose and treat his patients.
Dr. Roeske is a native to the area and grew up in Spring Grove, Illinois. Outside of work, he most enjoys spending his time with his wife and family. His hobbies include fishing, golfing, bicycling, cooking, and reading. He is an avid Chicago sports fan, and loves to talk-shop about the Cubs with anyone interested.
Dr. Michael Ferrari
Dr. Ferrari is a native to the Northwest suburbs of Chicago, growing up in Prospect Heights and attending Saint Viator High School in Arlington Heights. He then went on to obtain his undergraduate degree from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. After college he spent time with First Step Foot Care as a medical assistant, learning more about the field of podiatric medicine and surgery and it soon became his passion. To come full circle and join the same team years later is his great privilege and he cannot be more grateful to be part of a team that has proven to be a well-respected and dedicated servant to the community.
Dr. Ferrari earned his Doctor of Podiatric Medicine from the Scholl College of Podiatric Medicine at Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine and Science. Dr. Ferrari then completed his residency training in Chicago at Rush University Medical Center, Department of Orthopedics, Section of Podiatry. During his final year, he served the program as the chief podiatry resident. During his training, he was under the guidance of some of the most respected foot and ankle surgeons in the Chicagoland area and he has been exposed to all areas of podiatry including reconstructive foot and ankle surgery, bunion correction, hammertoe surgeries, fracture care of the foot and ankle, sports injuries, diabetic limb salvage and more.
In his spare time, Michael continues his passion for golf that was forged at Saint Viator, being on the first of three state championship winning teams in 2007. His team was recently inducted into the Saint Viator Hall of Fame. Michael also enjoys spending time with his long-time girlfriend and, of course, their golden retriever Luna. He also considers himself somewhat of an amateur chef, embracing his Italian heritage by making homemade pastas, sauces, and pizzas.
“I knew since starting my journey through medicine that I wanted to treat all patients how I would expect myself or my own family to be treated. Through great communication and practicing with compassion, I have been able to give patients the feeling that they have come to the right place and feel comfortable. By communicating clearly and directly with humility, in addition to practicing the latest evidence-based treatments, we can form a team with our patients that can achieve the best outcomes” — Dr. Michael Ferrari
Patient Testimonials
“After living with intense pain in my feet for over 20 years, Dr. Cohn recommended a treatment that solved the problem and left me pain free. What a blessing! In addition to being an excellent physician, who is indeed up to date with the newest and most advanced diagnostic and treatment options available, Dr. Cohn is personable, kind, and caring. Thank you, Dr. Cohn!
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“First Step Foot Care should be the guiding example for how all Doctors’ offices should run. I have always had excellent care by EVERYONE in the office. I have recommended people and they have all been equally satisfied. I really feel that they care about me and what may be ailing me. Recently, I had foot surgery and was stunned to receive flowers from the office within hours of arriving home; that was the ultimate in frosting on the cake! Thank you!”
“After seeing Dr. Flood at First Step I realized that even though they have the same specialty, my previous doctor was not a pro like Dr. Flood. And, the entire office and staff at First Step is so professional here that I would not go anywhere else.”
“Dr. Flood and Dr. Lee have cured my plantar fasciitis! I have been dealing with it mainly in my left foot for 3 years. I am very active, running weightlifting, plus on my feet all day at work. ”
“I highly recommend First Step. I was able to secure an appt in less than a week’s time, the office is shining new w/all the latest technology. Best of all Dr. Kellen Cohn was terrific: patient, answered every question fully, walked me through my x-ray and clearly explained my specific complaint. I definitely recommend them most highly! A very short wait time, a pleasant, courteous staff—overall an outstanding experience!”
“Dr. Flood has a bedside manner that most unfortunately do not posess. He actually cares about how his patients feelings and is very reassuring when explaining the treatment he thinks will work in your best interest. He is a caring person and a great doctor.”
