)
Jose Morcuende
MD, PhD
)
Nicole Grosland
PhD
)
Thomas Cook
PhD
)
Todd Becker
Managing Director
)
Julie Becker
Director of Customer Service
)
Ken Kolek
Board Member
)
Jon Olin
Board Member
)
Barb Thukral
Child Life Specialist
)
Julius Thukral
Online Marketing Intern & Director
Ambassadors of Our Mission
A product of Queens, NY, Mecir enjoyed an 11-year career in the major leagues. His most notable seasons came as a member of Oakland’s Moneyball teams of the early 2000’s, though he also pitched for Seattle, the Yankees, Rays, and Marlins. Mecir was the recipient of the Tony Conigliaro Award in 2003, given annually to the player who best “overcomes an obstacle and adversity through the attributes of spirit, determination, and courage that were trademarks of Conigliaro.” He received this award for having overcome being born with two club feet, going through multiple surgeries, and a right leg a full inch shorter than his left, to become a successful player in the MLB.
I was one of those children that was born with clubfoot before the Ponseti Method was widely used for clubfoot correction. My doctor elected to surgically reconstruct my foot. It brings me immense joy to see how successful the Ponseti Method is in avoiding surgery. With the Ponseti Method and Iowa Brace from Clubfoot Solutions, children from all over the world can avoid the cost and the pain that that can accompany congenital clubfoot. Just a little donation can go a long way in helping to eradicate clubfoot from the world.
Jim Mecir
Over 10 storybook seasons in the major leagues, Freddy made 3 All-Star teams, claimed the 2006 battling title with a .344 average and won two World Series as the second baseman for the San Francisco Giants. And he did it all while suffering ongoing complications from the surgical clubfoot treatment he received as an infant.
Freddy was born in 1977, before the Ponseti Method had been internationally accepted as the gold standard for clubfoot treatment. The painful surgery he endured as a child resulted in arthritis, continued medical intervention and an additional foot surgery that ended his 2004 season. Today, Freddy is an advocate for the Ponseti Method and Clubfoot Solutions because he wants the world to know that clubfoot can be corrected without pain or surgery.
I am very impressed with the results created by the Ponseti Method and Clubfoot Solution’s Iowa Brace. Not only are children in developed countries able to avoid surgery, children in developing countries without access to sophisticated medical operations can successfully be treated for congenital clubfoot. Clubfoot is not hopeless. Clubfoot correction does not have to be painful.
Freddy Sanchez
Clay Curts, a rising star in the Mid-Am Racing Series and 2022 Rookie of the Year, started life struggling with clubfoot. He credits the non-invasive Ponseti Method of clubfoot treatment with his ability to lead a normal life today. He is working with us to help children born with clubfoot around the world.
In a recent article by Richard Hakes, which originally appeared on May 5, 2023 in the Iowa City Press-Citizen, Clay Curts and his family tell their story. Read an excerpt below and read the full story here.
“Clay was just seven days old when he got his first set of casts,” said Kelly. “Dr. Ponseti himself saw him through all his treatments…”
The meticulous methods had a life-changing impact.
At age two, he was running around like any other kid on the block.
“It was a miracle,” his mother said.
Flash to the present and you can find Curts whipping around the regional stock car circuit at speeds of up to 90 MPH, bumper-to-bumper with other talented drivers.
Clay Curts
Born with a clubfoot and treated as a baby, Jannell Hembry transformed her journey into purpose. After overcoming early surgery and childhood bullying, she became known as the fastest kid in her neighborhood — going on to become MVP and captain of both her high school’s Track & Field and Cross Country teams and competed in elite events like the Penn Relays and National Championships.
Today, Jannell is a global youth advocate, author of Clubfoot Track Star, and now Ambassador for Clubfoot Solutions. Her mission is to raise awareness and provide support for children living with untreated clubfoot around the world — especially in low-income and overlooked communities. Her book serves as both a story and a tool to reach and educate families, helping connect them to life-changing treatment.
In partnership with MiracleFeet, Clubfoot Solutions, and Worldwide Orthopaedic Care, Jannell actively fundraises, speaks at schools and hospitals, and delivers healing-focused programs. She launched a literacy and running club in Kenya and uses book readings and youth races to inspire confidence while raising funds for corrective care.
In 2025, Jannell hosted a World Clubfoot Day celebration at St. Christopher’s Hospital for Children, presenting Community Clubfoot Awards on behalf of Clubfoot Track Star and honoring medical professionals dedicated to clubfoot treatment.
Learn more, book Jannell for an event
Jose Morcuende
MD, PhD
Dr. Morcuende, co-founder of Clubfoot Solutions, is Professor of Orthopedic Surgery and Rehabilitation, and Pediatrics, and Chief Medical Director of Ponseti International Association. Originally from Madrid, Spain, he studied Medicine at the Universidad Autonoma de Madrid, Spain, where he also did his PhD. He moved to the United States in 1991 to work with Dr. Ponseti. His clinical practice is in Pediatric Orthopaedics and Musculoskeletal Oncology, with especial emphasis on clubfoot. He has more than 100 publications and has spoken in many national and international meetings. He is former Chairman of the POSNA Bone and Joint Decade Committee, AAOS Bone and Joint Decade Committee and the USBJD Board of Directors.
Help Transform a Child’s Life
Your donation can make a world of difference for children born with clubfoot deformity, giving the child a chance to walk, run, and play without limitations.