ACFAS Regions

Big West Region

Alberta, Arizona, Colorado, Idaho, Kansas, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Mexico, North Dakota, South Dakota, Utah and Wyoming

Big West Region President

Austin Matthews, DPM, MHPE, FACFAS
Torrington, WY


Region Officers

Haywan Chiu, DPM, FACFAS
Vice President
Albuquerque, NM

Bryan Hall, DPM, FACFAS
Secretary/Treasurer
Tucson, AZ

Contact the Big West Region


State Liaisons

Vanousheh Ghandhari, DPM, FACFAS  
Arizona

Randal Wraalstad, DPM, FACFAS 
Idaho

David Laha, DPM, FACFAS  
Kansas

Ronald Ray, DPM, FACFAS  
Montana

Rachael Renschler, DPM, FACFAS 
North Dakota

Monica Schweinberger, DPM, FACFAS 
Wyoming

Residency Director Mentors

Michael D. Vaardahl, DPM, FACFAS
North Colorado Medical Center
Greeley, CO

Bryan J. Roth, DPM, FACFAS
Creighton University School of Medicine – Phoenix
Phoenix, AZ

Contact the Mentors





Big West Region Meeting Attendee – Winner of an Apple Air Pods Pro              
04/21/26

Congratulations to Lael Beachler, DPM, FACFAS, who attended the Big West Region meeting held in Las Vegas, Nevada during ACFAS 2026 and was the winner of an Apple Air Pods Pro. The winner was selected from Big West Region member attendees.

Austin Matthews, DPM, FACFAS, Big West Region President with Lael Beachler, DPM, FACFAS

ACFAS Regions Support NFAR
06/25/25

ACFAS proudly introduces the National Foot and Ankle Registry (NFAR) – a groundbreaking clinical data registry created to provide foot and ankle surgeons with powerful insights into surgical outcomes, support evidence-based decision-making, and drive quality improvement across the specialty.

The success of NFAR relies on widespread participation, and the ACFAS Region Presidents Council is stepping up to help make that happen. In 2025, each ACFAS Region will support the launch of at least one new NFAR site - nine sites in total. Each selected site will receive first-year funding support covering the full $2,000 annual NFAR participation fee and $500 setup fee. Funding is awarded on a first-come, first-served basis within each Region.

Complete the NFAR application today and help shape the future of foot and ankle surgery!

Region Goals for 2026

  • Attend Region Presidents Council Meeting held during the Annual Scientific Conference in Las Vegas, NV
  • Host ACFAS Big West Region Meeting held during the Annual Scientific Conference in Las Vegas, NV
  • ACFAS Big West Region support of:
    • Posters and manuscripts presented at the Annual Scientific Conference in Las Vegas, NV
    • 1st Year (PGY-1) Resident dues
    • Research Grant program
    • National Foot and Ankle Registry (NFAR)
    • Arizona College of Podiatric Medicine Student Club
    • FASTRAC publication fees for Residents program