The News Herald (Willoughby, OH)
IF THE SHOE FITS
Meeting runners’ individual needs a goal of podiatrist-owned shop in Willoughby
The Taco Test is probably the best way to tell if you need new running shoes, according to foot and ankle surgeon Dr. Mark J. Mendeszoon.
“If you can bend your shoe over like a taco, it’s not supporting you any more, and it’s time for replacement,” he said.
Mendeszoon, who recently moved his Achilles Running Shop from Mentor to Willoughby, is able to operate a trio of shoe stores along with his medical practice thanks to his wife, Kris, who leads the retail operation.
It’s the only physicianowned running shoe store in the area.
“We moved here to have more foot traffic,” said Kris.
The pair also operate
Achilles Running Shops in Erie and Cleveland Heights.
She said each of the shops is different in the clientele served.
“Here in Willoughby, we do really well with our Smart Wool socks and running apparel,” she said.
My visit was more wishful thinking than a need to replace my running shoes. I no longer run, or even jog, but I try to walk regularly. But my balance has been compromised, and now my workouts at the gym are related mostly to improving it. I thought new shoes might help.
Staying upright is a key to successful aging, as well as walking and certainly running.
Mendeszoon, a podiatrist practicing at Precision Orthopaedic Specialties with offices in Chardon and Middlefield, has a track in the middle of his Achilles Running Shop to watch how his would-be customers walk. He is often at the new Willoughby store seeing customers.
He’s trained his employees in biomechanics and the science behind the creation of running shoes. Running shoes should be replaced every 500 miles, he said.
I brought my runner friend Aldona Stungys to help look for shoes. She runs at least 70 miles per week — mostly outdoors — and replaces her shoes every two months.
“I’m a supinator,” she said, explaining that she tends to run on the outside of her foot and needs to compensate for that in purchasing shoes.
As a podiatrist, Mendeszoon knows ill-fitting shoes cause problems, so he trains his employees to learn about the needs of his customers and to spot potential foot issues. Different sections of his store are devoted to shoes for competitive runners, those who run outdoors on trails and those who run on tracks.
Mendeszoon said supination is a common problem among runners. In a normal stride, he said, the foot rolls inward a little so the weight falls on the ball of the foot and you push off using your big toe. When you supinate, he explained, the weight falls on the outside of the foot and you push off from your outer toes instead. That can result in leg and knee pain, he said.
That’s something I have, along with bunions — a protrusion of the big toe knuckle that often results from wearing high heels and ill-fitting shoes.
“Bunions can also be inherited,” he said.
After the shoes I walked in with failed the “taco test” and bent double, it was obvious they weren’t giving my feet the support I needed. So after measuring my foot and determining I needed an extra-wide D width, he asked employees to bring out a couple pairs of shoes for me to try on and walk along the track.
“You need a big toe box,” he said, showing me the wide and deep front of a pair of new shoes.
After trying on three pairs and noting their differences, it was clear to me that the gray and pink ASICS shoe, size 9 wide, improved my sense of balance. Walking on the in-store track was the ideal test.
Most of the Achilles employees have worked there for years, and several come from the ranks of the high school runners he coaches at Chardon High School.
“One of the things I’m most proud of is that 13 of my former students have themselves become doctors of podiatry,” Mendeszoon said. “Some of them even worked here while they were in medical school.”
Ohio University
More than 2,300 students graduated with bachelor’s, master’s or doctorate degrees from Ohio University for fall semester 2020. Students included:
Richard Balog Sr. of Ashtabula graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (Baccalaureate Nursing) from OHIO’s College of Health Sciences and Professions
Gryphon Beyerle of Willoughby Hills graduated with a Bachelor of Arts majoring in English - Creative Writing from OHIO’s College of Arts and Sciences
Chance Brinkman-Sull of Chagrin Falls graduated with a Master of Arts (Photography) from OHIO’s Scripps College of Communication
Denise Brown of Kingsville graduated with a Master of Health Administration from OHIO’s College of Health Sciences and Professions
Unique Brownlee of Cleveland graduated with a Bachelor of Applied Human and Consumer Sciences majoring in Customer Service Leadership from OHIO’s Gladys W. and David H. Patton College of Education
Jennifer Brunetti of Cleveland graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (Baccalaureate Nursing) from OHIO’s College of Health Sciences and Professions
Shelby Burgess of Middlefield graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Visual Communication majoring in Visual Communication - Photojournalism from OHIO’s Scripps College of Communication
Logan Burton of Willowick graduated with a Bachelor of Business Administration majoring in Finance from OHIO’s College of Business
Jacob Butch of Willoughby graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Computer Science from OHIO’s Russ College of Engineering and Technology
Colleen Cahill of Thompson graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (Baccalaureate Nursing) from OHIO’s College of Health Sciences and Professions
Brianna Carmichael of Concord Township graduated with a Bachelor of Arts majoring in Psychology from OHIO’s College of Arts and Sciences
Carly Chaney of Mentor graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (Baccalaureate Nursing) from OHIO’s College of Health Sciences and Professions
Patrick Chirdon of Mentor graduated with a Master of Science in Biomedical Engineering from OHIO’s Russ College of Engineering and Technology
Deborah Cimperman of Madison graduated with a Master of Science in Nursing (Nurse Educator) from OHIO’s College of Health Sciences and Professions
Shawntee Clay of Euclid graduated with a Bachelor of Technical and Applied Studies from OHIO’s University College
Hatina Daniel of Lyndhurst graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (Baccalaureate Nursing) from OHIO’s College of Health Sciences and Professions
Shaniqua Davis of Wickliffe graduated with a Master of Science (Chemistry) from OHIO’s College of Arts and Sciences
Jennifer Davis of Painesville graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (Baccalaureate Nursing) from OHIO’s College of Health Sciences and Professions
Sarah Debaggis of EUCLID graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (Baccalaureate Nursing) from OHIO’s College of Health Sciences and Professions
Gabriella Dicicco of Mayfield Heights graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Human and Consumer Sciences majoring in Family and Consumer Sciences Education - Community Leadership from OHIO’s Gladys W. and David H. Patton College of Education
Emmy Dorsey of Chagrin Falls graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Child and Family Studies from OHIO’s College of Health Sciences and Professions
Hannah Doytek of Willowick graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (Baccalaureate Nursing) from OHIO’s College of Health Sciences and Professions
Allan Ehrenreich of Cleveland graduated with a Master of Science in Nursing (Family Nurse Practitioner) from OHIO’s College of Health Sciences and Professions
Concetta Formichelli of Mayfield Heights graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (Baccalaureate Nursing) from OHIO’s College of Health Sciences and Professions
Amanda Galla of Mentor graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (Baccalaureate Nursing) from OHIO’s College of Health Sciences and Professions
Mackenzie Gardner of Wickliffe graduated with a Bachelor of Science majoring in Biological Sciences from OHIO’s College of Arts and Sciences
Amanda Givens of Cleveland graduated with a Bachelor of Arts majoring in Economics from OHIO’s College of Arts and Sciences
Tatche Grant of Euclid graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (Baccalaureate Nursing) from OHIO’s College of Health Sciences and Professions
Jonah Gregory of Chagrin Falls graduated with a Associate in Applied Business (Business Management Technology) from OHIO’s College of Business
Kelly Hayes of Mentor graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (Baccalaureate Nursing) from OHIO’s College of Health Sciences and Professions
Alan Hernandez-Rios of Mentor-on-the-Lake graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Applied Management from OHIO’s College of Business
Daisy Howard of Mentor graduated with a Bachelor of Specialized Studies from OHIO’s University College
Sara Irvine of Fairport Harbor graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (Baccalaureate Nursing) from OHIO’s College of Health Sciences and Professions
Khemi Kasabwala of Mentor graduated with a Bachelor of Science majoring in Biological Sciences - Preprofessional from OHIO’s College of Arts and Sciences
Jacqueline Kisthardt of Aurora graduated with a Master of Science in Athletic Administration from OHIO’s College of Business
Susan Klaue of Montville graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (Baccalaureate Nursing) from OHIO’s College of Health Sciences and Professions
Emily Klein of Cleveland graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Health majoring in Health Services Administration from OHIO’s College of Health Sciences and Professions
Kevin Klicman of Willoughby graduated with a Bachelor of Specialized Studies from OHIO’s University College
Julia Klingemier of Chardon graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (Baccalaureate Nursing) from OHIO’s College of Health Sciences and Professions
Elawyn Kohl of South Euclid graduated with a Master of Science in Nursing (Nurse Educator) from OHIO’s College of Health Sciences and Professions
Matthew Kontra of Concord graduated with a Bachelor of Business Administration majoring in Business Analytics and Management Information Systems from OHIO’s College of Business
Lori Lanagan of Painsville graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (Baccalaureate Nursing) from OHIO’s College of Health Sciences and Professions
Kendall Linfante of Willoughby Hills graduated with a Bachelor of Business Administration majoring in Accounting and Business Pre-Law from OHIO’s College of Business
Roselyn Lloyd of Cleveland Hts graduated with a Master of Health Administration from OHIO’s College of Health Sciences and Professions
Frank Lukehart of Willoughby graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (Baccalaureate Nursing) from OHIO’s College of Health Sciences and Professions
Crystal Martin of Richmond Heights graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (Baccalaureate Nursing) from OHIO’s College of Health Sciences and Professions
Elena Mayernik of Willoughby graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Integrated Healthcare Studies from OHIO’s College of Health Sciences and Professions
Melissa Mayewski of Chagrin Falls graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (Baccalaureate Nursing) from OHIO’s College of Health Sciences and Professions
Rosalie McKinney of Chardon graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (Baccalaureate Nursing) from OHIO’s College of Health Sciences and Professions
Jonathan McMillan of Painesville graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Recreation Studies majoring in Recreation Management from OHIO’s Gladys W. and David H. Patton College of Education
David Meinen of Mentor graduated with a Bachelor of Business Administration majoring in Management Information Systems from OHIO’s College of Business
Melannie Meyers of Mentor graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (Baccalaureate Nursing) from OHIO’s College of Health Sciences and Professions
Medeanah Miles of University Heights graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (Baccalaureate Nursing) from OHIO’s College of Health Sciences and Professions
Brandon Monty of Mentor graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Journalism majoring in Journalism News and Information from OHIO’s Scripps College of Communication
Jennifer Nicholson of Mentor graduated with a Doctor of Nursing Practice from OHIO’s College of Health Sciences and Professions
Ben Nikolajczyk of Painesville graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (Baccalaureate Nursing) from OHIO’s College of Health Sciences and Professions
Julie O’Boyle of Willowick graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (Baccalaureate Nursing) from OHIO’s College of Health Sciences and Professions
Alex pastrick of University Heights graduated with a Bachelor of Business Administration majoring in Accounting and Finance from OHIO’s College of Business
Jasmine Perrotti of Lyndhurst graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (Baccalaureate Nursing) from OHIO’s College of Health Sciences and Professions
Samantha Pierce of Jefferson graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (Baccalaureate Nursing) from OHIO’s College of Health Sciences and Professions
Katelyn Prince of Thompson graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (Baccalaureate Nursing) from OHIO’s College of Health Sciences and Professions
Christopher Rasch of Painesville graduated with a Master of Engineering Management from OHIO’s Russ College of Engineering and Technology
Redghi Remy of Cleveland graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Physical Education majoring in Physical Activity and Sport Coaching from OHIO’s Gladys W. and David H. Patton College of Education
Peter Russ of MAYFIELD VILLAGE graduated with a Bachelor of Arts majoring in English - Creative Writing from OHIO’s College of Arts and Sciences
Kayla Santoro of Chardon graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Food and Nutrition Sciences majoring in Applied Nutrition from OHIO’s College of Health Sciences and Professions
Morgan Saunders of Cleveland graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Education majoring in Early Childhood from OHIO’s Gladys W. and David H. Patton College of Education
Elizabeth Savage of Mentor graduated with a Master of Business Administration (Strategic Selling and Sales Leadership Concentration) from OHIO’s College of Business
Tiffany Seames of Ashtabula graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (Baccalaureate Nursing) from OHIO’s College of Health Sciences and Professions
Cassie Sironen of Conneaut graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (Baccalaureate Nursing) from OHIO’s College of Health Sciences and Professions
Alexandria Skowronski of Aurora graduated with a Bachelor of Science majoring in Biological Sciences - Marine, Freshwater, and Environmental Biology and a Bachelor of Science in Visual Communication majoring in Visual Communication - Photojournalism from OHIO’s College of Arts and Sciences and Scripps College of Communication
Amanda Spehar of Cleveland graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Communication majoring in Communication Studies from OHIO’s Scripps College of Communication
Kim St.John of Chardon graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (Baccalaureate Nursing) from OHIO’s College of Health Sciences and Professions
Jason Tantlinger of Chagrin Falls graduated with a Master of Business Administration (Business Analytics) from OHIO’s College of Business
Abbey Taylor of Chagrin Falls graduated with a Bachelor of Science majoring in Biological Sciences - Marine, Freshwater, and Environmental Biology from OHIO’s College of Arts and Sciences
Jennifer White of Euclid graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (Baccalaureate Nursing) from OHIO’s College of Health Sciences and Professions
Rachel Yilit of Madison graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (Baccalaureate Nursing) from OHIO’s College of Health Sciences and Professions.
Lakeland College
The following are iSTEM students named to the Lakeland Community College Dean’s List for the Fall Semester 2020. These iSTEM students participate in the College
Credit Plus (CCP) program earning dual (high school and college) credit. Alexander, Madeline Barson, Mariella Bottesch, Dylan Brickner, Caleb Curry, Joshua Dean, Samantha Doolan, Noah Estep, Caitlin Gionti, Gianna Glasier, Cassidy Kern, Jack Koscho, Owen Loveman, Elyse Lower, Alyssa Mankas, Jeremiah Martin, Alison McConville, Luke Motley, Arianna Overholt, Emily Pettrey, Owen Reed, Eric Reeves, Austin Reminder, Aaron Richard, James (Simon) Schroeder, Alex Semmelroth, Kayla Senning, Logan Shutic, Jacob Shutic, Joshua Smith, William Solich, Meghan VanArsdale, Hannah
University of Cincinnati
Bowen Alexy of Kirtland has been named to the dean’s list for the fall semester at the University of Cincinnati.
He is a business major.
Centenary University
Centenary University President Bruce Murphy, Ed.D., has announced the Dean’s List for the Fall 2020 semester.
To achieve this honor, full-time students must achieve a GPA of 3.8 or above and complete a minimum of 12 semester credits. Included on the list is Ashley Joyce of Painesville.