Our Team
People Who Care AboutYour Feet — and You
Meet the providers and staff who have made West Seattle Foot & Ankle Clinic a trusted neighborhood practice for over 45 years.
Matthew A. LaBella
DPM, FACFAS
Doctor of Podiatric Medicine & Surgery
- Board-Certified Podiatric Surgeon (ABFAS)
- Fellow, American College of Foot and Ankle Surgeons (ACFAS)
Dr. LaBella has been a cornerstone of West Seattle Foot & Ankle Clinic since 2003. Born and raised in Rockford, Illinois, he completed his undergraduate education at the University of Illinois before earning his medical degree from the Scholl College of Podiatric Medicine in Chicago, one of the country's leading podiatric medical schools.
He then came to Seattle to complete a rigorous three-year surgical residency at the Swedish Foot and Ankle Surgery Residency Program at Swedish Medical Center, where he trained in complex foot and ankle reconstruction. He has remained in the Seattle area and at the clinic ever since.
Dr. LaBella is board-certified in both foot surgery and reconstructive rear foot and ankle surgery, and holds Fellowship status in the American College of Foot and Ankle Surgeons. This distinction reflects his advanced training and commitment to the highest standards of patient care. He serves patients of all ages, from pediatric to geriatric.
"I've always believed that good care means taking time — to listen carefully, explain what we're seeing, and make sure each patient leaves understanding their condition and their options."
Dr. Matthew LaBella
| UNDERGRADUATE | University of Illinois at Champaign-Urbana (UIUC) |
| MEDICAL DEGREE | Scholl College of Podiatric Medicine, Chicago |
| RESIDENCY | Swedish Foot & Ankle Surgery Residency Program, Swedish Medical Center, Seattle (3-year) |
| CERTIFICATIONS | Board-Certified, Foot Surgery · Board-Certified, Reconstructive Rear Foot & Ankle Surgery |
| HOSPITAL STAFF | Swedish Medical Center · St. Anne Hospital (Virginia Mason Franciscan Health) |
| PATIENTS SEEN | All ages |
Outside the clinic
- Golfing
- Running
- Family time
Ryan J. Schwanke
DPM, FACFAS
Doctor of Podiatric Medicine & Surgery
- Board-Certified Podiatric Surgeon (ABFAS)
- Fellow, American College of Foot and Ankle Surgeons (ACFAS)
Dr. Schwanke is a board-certified podiatric surgeon who brings a patient-centered, collaborative approach to every visit. Born and raised in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, he completed his undergraduate degree at Marquette University before pursuing four years of podiatric medical education at the Dr. William M. Scholl College of Podiatric Medicine at Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine and Science in Chicago.
He came to Seattle to complete his three-year surgical residency at Swedish Medical Center, the same nationally recognized program where Dr. LaBella trained, and chose to stay in the Pacific Northwest to build his practice and career.
Dr. Schwanke specializes in reconstructive foot and ankle surgery, traumatology, and sports medicine. He works closely with active patients, from weekend hikers and youth athletes to lifelong runners, to develop treatment plans that prioritize return to activity and long-term function. He sees patients of all ages.
| UNDERGRADUATE | Marquette University, Milwaukee |
| MEDICAL DEGREE | Scholl College of Podiatric Medicine, Rosalind Franklin University |
| RESIDENCY | Swedish Foot & Ankle Surgery Residency Program, Swedish Medical Center, Seattle (3-year) |
| SPECIALTIES | Reconstructive Foot & Ankle Surgery · Traumatology · Sports Medicine |
| HOSPITAL STAFF | Swedish Medical Center · St. Anne Hospital (Virginia Mason Franciscan Health) |
| PATIENTS SEEN | All ages |
Outside the clinic
- Reading
- Snowboarding & skiing
- Golfing
- Mochi (his dog)
“I work with my patients to understand what their medical condition is, and together we create a plan of care they're happy and comfortable with. My ultimate goal is for patients to be pain free and have a functional foot and ankle they can be active on without limitations.”
Dr. Ryan Schwanke
Our Clinic Team
Our providers are only as effective as the team around them. From scheduling your appointment to coordinating your orthotics, our staff makes every visit smooth and welcoming.
Medical Support Staff
Chanae
Medical Assistant — Dr. LaBella's Team
Chanae joined the clinic in 2019 and serves as Dr. LaBella's primary medical assistant. In addition to supporting patient care, she coordinates the custom orthotics process from evaluation through fitting — making her your go-to contact for all things orthotics.
Cheyenne
Medical Assistant — Dr. Schwanke's Team
Cheyenne joined the team in 2024 as Dr. Schwanke's medical assistant. She supports patient care and helps ensure every appointment runs smoothly and on time. Patients often appreciate her warm, calm presence in the exam room.
Chanae
Medical Assistant — Dr. LaBella's Team
Chanae joined the clinic in 2019 and serves as Dr. LaBella's primary medical assistant. In addition to supporting patient care, she coordinates the custom orthotics process from evaluation through fitting — making her your go-to contact for all things orthotics.
Cheyenne
Medical Assistant — Dr. Schwanke's Team
Cheyenne joined the team in 2024 as Dr. Schwanke's medical assistant. She supports patient care and helps ensure every appointment runs smoothly and on time. Patients often appreciate her warm, calm presence in the exam room.
Administrative Team
Debbie
Billing Manager & Outpatient Surgery Scheduler
Debbie has been with the clinic since 2021, managing billing operations and coordinating outpatient surgery scheduling. She's the person to contact with questions about your account, insurance billing, or surgery logistics at Swedish or St. Anne Hospital.
Kacie
Office Manager & Primary Receptionist
Kacie joined the team in 2021 and is often the first voice you hear when you call the clinic. As office manager and primary receptionist, she keeps the front desk running and is happy to help with scheduling, questions, and anything you need before or after your visit.
Casie
Practice Administrator
Casie has served as practice administrator at West Seattle Foot & Ankle Clinic since 2008. She oversees the day-to-day operations of the clinic and is committed to making sure the practice continues to serve the West Seattle community with the care and consistency it has since 1979.
Our Approach to Care
We listen first
Every appointment starts with a conversation. We want to understand not just your symptoms, but your lifestyle, your goals, and what matters to you — before we recommend anything.
We explain everything
Medical jargon doesn't help anyone. We take time to explain what we're seeing in plain language, walk through your options, and answer every question before you leave.
Care plans you're comfortable with
Surgery is always a last resort. We explore conservative options first and only recommend more involved treatment when it's truly the right path — and when you're ready for it.
Our Affiliations
American Board of Foot and Ankle Surgery (ABFAS)
Dr. LaBella and Dr. Schwanke are ABFAS board-certified surgeons. ABFAS safeguards public health and well-being by certifying and continuously assessing the knowledge, skills, and abilities of podiatric surgeons to ensure excellence in surgical care.
American College of Foot & Ankle Surgeons (ACFAS)
Both Dr. LaBella and Dr. Schwanke hold Fellowship status in ACFAS, — a mark of advanced surgical training and peer-recognized excellence in podiatric surgery.
American Podiatric Medical Association (APMA)
Both Dr. LaBella and Dr. Schwanke are members of the APMA, the leading professional organization representing the interests of podiatric physicians and their patients nationwide.
Washington State Podiatric Medical Association (WSPMA)
Active membership in the state's professional association keeps our providers connected to local policy, continuing education, and the broader podiatric community.
Providence Swedish Affiliate
Both providers are on staff at Providence Swedish Medical Center, one of the region's leading hospitals, where they perform outpatient surgical procedures and have access to world-class surgical facilities.
St. Anne Hospital (Virginia Mason Franciscan Health)
Our providers also hold privileges at St. Anne Hospital, offering patients flexibility in where their surgical procedures are performed.
Independent Clinics of Washington (ICW)
West Seattle Foot & Ankle Clinic is a proud ICW member — an alliance of independent healthcare providers dedicated to high-quality, individualized care that keeps independent practices independent.
What Our Patients Say
Highly rated on Google and Yelp · West Seattle's trusted podiatry clinic
Schedule Your Appointment Today
Don't let foot or ankle pain slow you down. Our team is here for new patients, urgent visits, and everything in between.