Governor Tim Pawlenty today announced the appointment of Edward Lebrija and Esther Newcome to the Board of Podiatric Medicine. 

Edward (Alex) Lebrija, of Morris, has been a licensed Minnesota podiatrist since 2000.  He currently practices at Stevens Community Medical Center in Morris and at ELEAH Medical Center in Elbow Lake.  Dr. Lebrija is board certified in both Foot Surgery and in Rearfoot Reconstruction and Ankle Surgery by the American Board of Podiatric Surgery.  He received his D.P.M. degree from Barry University School of Podiatric Medicine in Miami, Florida.  Dr. Lebrija completed three years of surgical residency at Millcreek Community Hospital in Erie, Pennsylvania.  He is appointed as a podiatrist member of the Board and will serve a four-year term which ends January 5, 2009.  Dr. Lebrija fills the seat formerly held by Dr. Troy Boffeli. 

Esther Newcome, of White Bear Lake, is retired from a sales and marketing career with Carlson Travel in White Bear Lake.  She was previously employed by American National Bank in St. Paul, as well as the Superintendent's Office of Chicago (Illinois) Public Schools.  Newcome previously served eight years as a member of the Metropolitan Council.  She also served as a member of the Health East Foundation Grants Review Committee, the St. Joseph Hospital Auxiliary, the East Metro Women's Association, the White Bear Lake Women's Club, and as past president of the White Bear Lake Historical Society.  Newcome is appointed as a public member of the Board and will serve a four-year term which ends January 5, 2009.  She replaces Jane Jones on the Board. 

The Board of Podiatric Medicine is responsible for licensing and disciplining doctors of podiatric medicine.  The board is made up of seven members appointed by the Governor.