CT Family Foot Care and Surgery

Lori K. Paragas, DPM, FACFAS

Podiatrist in Hamden, CT CT Family Foot Care and Surgery Dr. Paragas completed her residency in foot and ankle surgery at the prestigious Yale/VA CT Healthcare System. She is board certified in Foot Surgery and is a fellow of the American College of Foot and Ankle Surgeons. In addition, she is a diplomate of the American Board of Podiatric Surgery Education Doctor of Podiatric Medicine California College of Podiatric Medicine, San Francisco, California 1994-1999 Honors Awarded First Place – 9th Annual American Podiatric Medical Writers Association Student Writing Competition, 1996 “Foundation for Excellence in Podiatric Medicine” Scholarship Recipient, 1996 CCPM Honors List, 1996-1998 Leadership Positions President Class of 1999 CT Campus, 1998-1999 Vice-president Class of 1999, 1995-1996 Teaching Assistant, Lower Extremity Lab, 1997-1998 Teaching Assistant, Clinical Neurology Lab, 1997 Vice-president, American Diabetes Awareness Club, 1997-1998 Workshop Coordinator, American College of Foot and Ankle Surgeons, Student Chapter, 1997-1998 Community Activities Podiatric Homeless Health Project – Pes Clinicus, 1996-1997 6th Street Women’s Clinic, 1995 Podiatric Medicine Team, Corporate Challenge Race, 1996 & 1997 Bachelor of Science, Mechanical Engineering 1983-1987 Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, Troy, New York Post Graduate Education / Residency Three Year Residency in Foot and Ankle Surgery 1999-2002 Yale / VA CT Healthcare System, New Haven, Connecticut and affiliated hospitals Chief Resident 2001-2002 Publications Blume, P.A., Paragas, L.K., Sumpio, B.E., Attinger, C.E. Single-Stage Surgical Treatment of Noninfected Diabetic Foot Ulcers Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, 109(2): 601-609, February, 2002 Paragas, L.K., Blume, P.A. Everything You Should Know About Nail Surgery Podiatry Today, pp 40-47, Oct 2001. Paragas, L.K., Attinger, C., Blume, P.A. Chapter 4, Local Flaps In Blume PA Ed. Clinics in Podiatric Medicine and Surgery, Philadelphia: W. B. Saunders, 17(2):267-318, Apr 2000. Paragas, L.K., Varin, J., Berenter, R. Use of Gait Patterns to Reveal Possible Disorders in the Geriatric Patient Journal of American Podiatric Medical Association, 90(4):183-193, Apr 2000. Licensure State of Connecticut Board Certifications American Board of Podiatric Surgeons Fellow, American College of Foot and Ankle Surgeons Diplomate, American Board of Podiatric Surgery Affiliated Hospitals and Surgery Centers Temple Surgery Center, New Haven, CT Hospital of Saint Raphael, New Haven, CT Yale-New Haven Hospital, New Haven, CT Professional Memberships American College of Foot and Ankle Surgeons American Podiatric Medical Association Connecticut Podiatric Medical Association

Dr. Kristina Bystrak

Dr. Kristina Bystrak is a Connecticut native. She grew up in Wolcott, Connecticut which she jokingly refers to as “the small town next to Waterbury that nobody has heard of.” Dr. Bystrak graduated from Wolcott High School and went on to pursue her undergraduate degree at Marist College in Poughkeepsie, New York. She competed on Marist’s Division 1 swim team in backstroke and individual medley events as well as playing flute in the Marist College Band. She graduated Marist Cum Laude with a Bachelor of Science in 2015 with academic honors including Dean's list and Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference All-Academic Team. Dr. Bystrak continued her studies at the New York College of Podiatric Medicine in New York City. During this time, she served as an academic tutor and held several club leadership positions, as well as became involved in the New York Cares volunteer organization. After being a medical volunteer at several marathons, Dr. Bystrak developed a passion for running, completing two half marathons among other races. Dr. Bystrak graduated from NYCPM with her Doctor of Podiatric Medicine in 2019 and completed her surgical residency training at St. Francis Hospital and Medical Center in Hartford, Connecticut from 2019-2022. During residency, she expanded her medical knowledge of foot and ankle surgery and served as chief resident from 2021-2022. Outside of residency, Dr. Bystrak also began learning Krav Maga which she now substitute teaches in her free time. Dr. Bystrak is a licensed podiatric physician in the state of Connecticut and is Board Qualified in Foot Surgery. She looks forward to joining the team at CT Family Foot Care and Surgery and providing high-quality personalized care to her patients.

Education: Undergraduate degree at Marist College , Doctor of Podiatric Medicine New York College of Podiatric Medicine , Surgical Residency St.Francis Hospital and Medical Center, Hartford, CT