Inside a Thriving Lunula Practice: Clinical Success, Patient Demand & Smart Growth 

Sandra Franco, DPM, MS
Podiatric Physician & Surgeon

Dr. Sandra Franco is a distinguished podiatric physician and surgeon known for her clinical expertise, surgical precision, and commitment to advancing foot and ankle medicine. A native Chicagoan, she relocated to South Florida to pursue her medical education at Barry University’s School of Podiatric Medicine, where she earned her Doctor of Podiatric Medicine (DPM) degree. She then completed an intensive three-year surgical residency at Westchester General Hospital in Miami, Florida, gaining extensive hands-on experience in forefoot, rearfoot, and ankle procedures.

Board-certified in podiatric surgery, Dr. Franco has built a reputation for delivering exceptional patient care, combining technical excellence with a compassionate, patient-centered approach. Her clinical interests include cosmetic lower extremity procedures, regenerative medicine therapies, and innovative nonsurgical treatments that enhance mobility, function, and quality of life.

Beyond her clinical practice, Dr. Franco is also an accomplished medical scientist. She has served as principal investigator and medical monitor on numerous clinical trials, with a focus on onychomycosis, lower extremity wounds, and diabetic peripheral neuropathy. Her research contributions have helped expand evidence-based treatment options for complex podiatric and neuropathic conditions, reinforcing her passion for improving patient outcomes through science and innovation.

She holds clinical teaching appointments at Florida International University Herbert Wertheim College of Medicine and Barry University School of Podiatric Medicine.

Dr. Franco, a native of Chicago, earned his B.S. and Ph.D. from Loyola University Chicago, as well as an M.B.A. and M.P.H. from Benedictine University. He is currently pursuing an LL.M. in Intercultural Human Rights at St. Thomas University.

With extensive experience spanning higher education, corporate, nonprofit, and government organizations, Dr. Franco has taught at numerous institutions in Illinois, including the University of Illinois at Chicago, City Colleges of Chicago, Harper Community College, and Lake County Community College. His professional background includes roles at Heartland Human Care Services, the Illinois Department of Public Health, and Elgin Mental Health Center.

In 2003, Dr. Franco relocated to Miami to join Miami Dade College as a full-time faculty member. The following year, he transitioned into corporate leadership, joining Royal Caribbean Cruises in Training, Development & Quality Assurance. After successfully establishing a contact center in Oregon, he moved to Broadspire to focus on organizational development.

Dr. Franco later held leadership roles at FedEx Express Latin America & Caribbean Division, where he managed programs in Financial Systems & Controls, Sales Learning & Development, and Leadership Development, overseeing initiatives for more than 4,000 employees across 50 countries and territories. He also led global citizenship initiatives, including FedEx Cares Week, the United Way Campaign, and the March of Dimes March for Babies Campaign.

Currently, Dr. Franco serves as Director of the Institute for Ethical Leadership at St. Thomas University, a Catholic institution sponsored by the Archdiocese of Miami. In this role, he oversees interdisciplinary undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral programs in Ethical Leadership, teaches across various academic levels, and advances the Institute’s mission through research, advocacy, and strategic initiatives. His leadership focuses on increasing the Institute’s visibility, fostering academic excellence, and securing funding for program growth and impact.

Dr. Franco also holds a dual appointment as an Assistant Professor at Florida International University’s Herbert Wertheim College of Medicine and an Adjunct Professor at FIU’s College of Business Administration, teaching in both the R. Kirk Landon Undergraduate School of Business and the Chapman Graduate School of Business. His research agenda explores moral development, ethical decision-making, and minority leadership formation. He is currently the principal investigator of a pioneering national study, Latina Physician: Leadership Identity Formation Exploration (LP-LIFE), and is writing two books: Emotional Intelligence in Higher Education & Beyond and the Leadership Journey of Ellen Latham, Founder of OrangeTheory.

A recognized thought leader, Dr. Franco is a frequent guest on CNN en Español, providing expert analysis on executive leadership, compensation, and organizational behavior.

In his free time, Dr. Franco enjoys Pilates and competing in marathons.