Dr. Jengyu Lai, DPM
Meet Dr. Lai
Why I Practice Whole-Person Medicine
I want to understand more than where you hurt or what diagnosis you have. I want to understand what may be contributing to the problem, what may be getting in the way of healing or recovery, and what matters most to you.
Why Dr. Lai?
Specialized Experience. Broader Perspective.
Dr. Lai combines decades of clinical experience, research, continued learning, and global professional engagement with attentive, individualized patient care.
Advanced Training & Specialized Expertise
Specialized education and clinical experience across podiatric medicine, rehabilitation, wound care, biomechanics, and Lifestyle Medicine.
28+ Years Clinical Experience
Podiatric Orthopedics
Biomechanics
Three-Year NIH Fellowship in Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation at Mayo Clinic
Certified Physician Wound Specialist
Board-Certified Lifestyle Medicine
Functional Medicine Education
Regenerative Medicine Training & Experience
Research & Publications
Research Informs the Care.
Research and published work advancing understanding in wound healing, biomechanics, cellular science, and Lifestyle Medicine.
Unexpected Infections in Wound Management – Case Studies
J. Lai — Integr J Nurs Med, Volume 5: 1–3 · 2025
Lifestyle Education for Hypertension Management: Insights from a College Student Cohort
J. Lai & M. Liu — Integr J Nurs Med, Volume 5: 1–4 · 2024
Lifestyle Medicine Approach to Wound Management
J. Lai — Am J Lifestyle Med, Online April 4 · 2024
Levels of Expressions of Secretory Leukocyte Protease Inhibitor in Acute Wounds
J. Lai, J.R. Basford & M.R. Pittelkow — J. Wound Care, 31 (Suppl 7): S15–9 · 2022
Physiological Effects of Ultrasound Mist on Fibroblasts
J. Lai & M.R. Pittelkow — Int. J. Dermatol., 46:587–83 · 2007
Multiplexed PCR Genotyping of HPVs from Plantaris Verruca
J. Lai, R.J. Doyle, J.M. Bluhm & J.C. Johnson — J. Virol. Methods, 35:435–41 · 2006
Culture Confluence Regulates Gene Expression of Normal Keratinocytes
J. Lai & M.R. Pittelkow — Wound Repair and Regeneration, 12:613–7 · 2004
Mitosis Increases Levels of Secretory Leukocyte Protease Inhibitor in Keratinocytes
J. Lai, N.D. Borson, M.A. Strausbauch & M.R. Pittelkow — Biochemical and Biophysical Research Communications, 316:407–410 · 2004
The Labrum of the Calcaneocuboid Joint
J.D. Hollander, R.H. Lidtke & J. Lai — Journal of Foot and Ankle Surgeons, 37:308–312 · 1998
Raft Culture Propagation and Differentiation of Human Keratinocytes
J. Lai & J.C. Johnson — Lower Extremity, 3:257–263 · 1996
Global Professional Engagement
Sharing Clinical Experience Beyond Rochester
Sharing clinical knowledge, research, and experience with healthcare professionals in the U.S. and around the world.
Community Lifestyle Medicine Model for Improving Cognitive Health
American College of Lifestyle Medicine Annual Conference · Orlando, Florida · November 2026
Community Lifestyle Medicine Model for Improving Cognitive Health
British Society of Lifestyle Medicine Annual Conference · Warwick, United Kingdom · September 2026
Sarcopenia and the Development of Diabetic Foot Ulcers: Mechanisms, Risks, and Lifestyle-Based Management
Boswick Burn and Wound Symposium · Maui, Hawaii · January 2026
Whole-Person Strategies for Diabetic Foot Ulcers: From Biomechanics to Epigenetics
King's International Summit on Diabetic Foot · London, United Kingdom · October 2025
Whole-Person Strategies for Diabetic Foot Ulcers: From Biomechanics to Epigenetics
Diabetic Foot Study Group · Prague, Czech Republic · September 2025
Lifestyle-Driven Epigenetic Modulation in Wound Healing
Mayo Clinic Wound Symposium · February 2025
Using Point-of-Care Tissue Oxygenation Monitoring for Diabetic Ulcer Prevention
Boswick Burn and Wound Symposium — Maui · January 2025
Challenges in Preventing Diabetic Foot Ulcers – an Illustrational Case Study
Symposium on Advanced Wound Care — Las Vegas · October 2024
Wound Management: The Physiological Benefits of a Lifestyle Medicine Foundation
Mayo Clinic Vascular Center/Wound Care Center Teaching Conference · May 2024
The Impact of Sleep on Wound Healing
Boswick Burn and Wound Symposium — Maui · January 2024
Enhancing Wound Healing Through Modern Wound Culture Testing
Boswick Burn and Wound Symposium — Maui · January 2024
Lifestyle Medicine Approach to Wound Management
American College of Lifestyle Medicine — Denver · October 2023
Lifestyle Medicine in Lower Extremity Care
No-Nonsense Podiatry — Virtual · March 2023
Lifestyle Medicine in Podiatry
Lifestyle Medicine in Lower Extremity Care — Virtual · February 2023
Suspicion in Wound Management – Case Studies
Boswick Burn and Wound Symposium — Maui · January 2023
Lifestyle Medicine Approach to Wound Management
Boswick Burn and Wound Symposium — Maui · January 2023
Community Engagement & Education
Local Care. Broader Impact.
Bringing practical health education beyond the clinic to communities and organizations.
Food Is Medicine
Food Is Medicine Forum, CDC REACH Education Session to Hmong Community · Minneapolis · September 2026
Food as Medicine for Diabetic Foot Ulcer Prevention and Healing
Dine Bichi'iya' (Navajo) Nutrition Summit · Farmington, New Mexico · August 2026
Move to Thrive: How Exercise Transforms Metabolic Health and Overall Wellness
Community of Wellness Symposium — Rochester · April 2025
Unlocking Your DNA: How Lifestyle Medicine Prevents and Manages Cancer
Eagan, Minnesota · March 2025
Epigenetic Mechanisms of Lifestyle Interventions in Cancer Prevention and Management
Mayo Clinic Medical School — Rochester · February 2025
Osteoarthritis: An Inflammatory Disease
Community of Wellness Symposium · Rochester · May 2024
Plant Your Best Foot Forward
Plantbased MN at Greater Friendship Missionary Baptist Church · Minneapolis · April 2024
Brain Health
Olmsted County Senior Providers Group · Rochester · April 2024
Lifestyle Medicine Approach to Manage Diabetic Feet
Community of Wellness Symposium · Rochester · April 2023
Lifestyle Medicine Approach to Resilience and Mental Wellness
Olmsted County Public Health · Rochester · March 2023
Lifestyle Medicine Keeps You Dancing
Community of Wellness Symposium · Rochester · May 2022
Lifestyle Medicine and Employee Wellness
Community of Wellness Symposium · Rochester · March 2019
Stomp Out Chronic Diseases
Community of Wellness Symposium · Rochester · March 2018
The Treatment and Prevention of Lower Limb Osteoarthritis
Community of Wellness Symposium · Rochester · April 2017
Principle of Wound Management
Care Providers of Minnesota Annual Convention & Expo · Minneapolis · November 2014
Geriatric Foot Care
Care Providers of Minnesota Annual Convention & Expo · Minneapolis · November 2005
Strategies for Wound Management
Care Providers of Minnesota Annual Convention & Expo · Minneapolis · November 2005
Strategies for Wound Management
Olmsted Medical Center · Rochester · April 2004 — AMA 1 credit hour
Areas of Clinical Expertise
Specialized Care With a Broader Perspective
Beyond the Clinic
Curiosity, Education & a Global Perspective
Dr. Lai's curiosity extends beyond clinical practice. Through Healing Steps to Wellness, community education, professional relationships, and experiences across different cultures, he continues to explore how people eat, move, connect, age, and pursue healthier lives.
These experiences broaden his perspective and bring new conversations and ideas back to his patients and community.

Invite Dr. Lai to Speak
Bring the Conversation beyond the Exam Room
Dr. Lai shares his clinical knowledge, research, and whole-person health perspective through professional conferences, educational programs, community presentations, and media interviews.
What Matters Most to You?
Whether you want to manage pain, improve mobility, recover from an injury, or maintain independence, Dr. Lai begins by understanding your concerns and goals.
Your Goals Help Guide Your Care.
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