Dr. MichAl M. Szpara, DPM
Dr. Michal Szpara was born in Poland and moved to Bridgeport, Connecticut with his parents when he was nine years old.
He graduated from the University of Hartford with a bachelor’s degree in health science. Dr. Szpara attended the New York College of Podiatric Medicine and graduated in 2017. He then completed a three-year podiatric medicine and surgical residency in Rhode Island at a Brown University affiliated residency program where he completed over 1500 surgical procedures with emphasis on trauma and Charcot arthropathy. During his final year in residency Dr. Szpara served as co-chief resident with Dr. Matthew Lawrence.
Dr. Szpara specializes in conservative and surgical treatment of all aspects of foot and ankle pathology. Dr. Szpara is dedicated to getting his patients back on their feet pain free. Dr. Szpara is on staff at Lawrence and Memorial Hospital as well as Westerly Hospital where the Coastline Foot and Ankle team rounds on their inpatients daily.
During his free time Dr. Szpara enjoys running, cooking, and spending time with friends and family.
Dr. Matthew W. Lawrence, DPM
Dr. Matthew Lawrence is a Connecticut native, growing up in nearby Waterford. He is the son of Drs. Debra and David Lawrence, two local podiatrists who have served the community for a combined 70 years.
Dr. Lawrence attended college in Virginia where he received a B.S. in Biology. He then attended Podiatric medical school at Temple University in Philadelphia. He completed a rigorous 3 year surgical residency in Rhode Island at a Brown University affiliated program which specialized in both conservatively and surgically treating all aspects of foot and ankle pathology. Completing over 1,500 surgeries in residency, Dr. Lawrence is well rehearsed in both simple and the most complex foot and ankle procedures. Fortunately, the majority of his patients are able to recover without major surgery due to the variety of conservative techniques and minor procedures that are readily available.
When surgery is necessary, a team approach is utilized to ensure that the best procedure and technique for each unique patient is performed. Dr. Lawrence is dedicated to getting his patients back on their feet pain free in a timely manner. On staff at Lawrence & Memorial and Westerly Hospitals, the Coastline Foot and Ankle team takes pride on seeing their inpatients daily.
In his spare time, Dr. Lawrence enjoys bike riding, golf, kayaking, boating, and spending time with his wife and family.
Dr. Emily B. Stefanski, DPM
Dr. Emily Stefanski is originally from Western Connecticut, growing up in the small town of Ridgefield.
She attended the University of Connecticut where she competed in Division I Track and Field and Cross Country. She graduated with a bachelor’s degree in Biology and English. From there, Dr. Stefanski completed her podiatric medical degree at the New York College of Podiatric Medicine in New York City. She completed her three year surgical residency at a rigorous Brown University affiliated program in Rhode Island. Her residency training specialized in both conservatively and surgically treating all aspects of foot and ankle pathology. She completed over 2000 surgeries in residency from routine treatment of minor foot and ankle ailments to complex reconstructive surgery. During her final year of residency, Dr. Stefanski served as chief resident.
Dr. Stefanski treats each problem with an evidence-based and patient-centered approach. She is dedicated to getting her patients back on their feet. She is on staff at Lawrence & Memorial Hospital and Westerly Hospital, where the Coastline Foot and Ankle team rounds daily on their inpatients and are on call 24/7 for any lower extremity emergencies.
On her days off, Dr. Stefanski enjoys running marathons, cross country skiing, and reading a good book on the beach.
Dr. David M. Lawrence, DPM Dr. Debra C. Lawrence, DPM.
Drs. Debra and David Lawrence have practiced in their East Lyme, CT and Westerly, RI offices for 37 years. They both have been on staff at Lawrence & Memorial Hospital and Westerly Hospital since 1987.
Dr. Debra Lawrence grew up in Lancaster, Co. Pennsylvania and graduated from Houghton College with a BS in Biology. She then graduated Temple University School of Podiatric Medicine which was followed by a surgical residency in Detroit, MI.
After 36 years of practice, Dr. Debra Lawrence has retired.
Dr. David Lawrence is a CT native, growing up in Waterford, CT. He graduated from University of Connecticut with a BS in Biology. He then graduated the Ohio College of Podiatric Medicine where he did a surgical residency in Detroit, MI where he met his wife, Debra.
Dr. Debra and David Lawrence are both board certified ABPOPPM.