Jenneffer Pulapaka

A Love of Medicine, Food, & Wine.

Podiatric Surgical Fellow, Wound Care Expert, Founder, Restauranteur, Sommelier, Women Owned

The preservation of health will not come from our Nation’s leaders. It begins in our homes, in our kitchens, with our family & friends. The success and survival of our health are dependent upon knowing our vulnerabilities; and out of that knowledge will come strength, if we learn the lessons presented.

Since 2005, Dr. Jenneffer Pulapaka’s expertise in wound care and podiatric surgery has helped thousands of patients. She established her practice that year,  DeLand Foot and Leg Center (DFALC), where she currently sees patients. DFALC was the first female podiatric surgeon’s office in a community where less than 10% of the surgeons were women. It is the first and longest-running female surgical practice in West Volusia County.  She was the first Podiatrist to be Board Certified Diplomate in Lifestyle Medicine,  “I believe every patient needs a physician who will be an advocate to help them regain their health.” Her surgical training has taken her to Miami for her residency and the Ilizarov Institute, in Russia, for her fellowship. To that end, she was the first certified Women-Owned medical practice in the United States.

Dr. Pulapaka was named as one of the Top Influential Women in Business in Volusia/Flagler County. ”I am proud and honored to be among this group of women and men. This is an inspiration to work harder on issues that remain important to me, such as health care and food sustainability. 

Dr. Pulapaka is one of the initial two Founders, with her husband,  and the groundbreaking Wine Director of Cress Restaurant,  a business dedicated to improving our food system, through local sources, sustainable practices, and refined flavours.

During the inception of the restaurant in 2008, she noted that “Cress had relationships with where their food came from, with the individuals who were growing them: the farmers, the fishermen, the cattlemen. Sustainability rests on the principle that we must continue to meet the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations.”

My goal is to study, travel, drink, and eat with others, inspiring positive change.”

  • Health
  • Food
  • Passion
  • Parity

My Story

WHAT I ALSO DO

No one knows this better than Dr. Pulapaka, that women need to push and  demand parity. Empowering women to thrive is both a global commitment and a foundational mission. Women Inspiring Change & Community Development (WICCD) was founded in 2017, by Dr. Pulapaka to encourage women in round-table discussions, podcasts, and talks with decision makers who seek ideal aspirations, goals, missions, and objectives while inspiring positive change. 

In 2005 began my own private practice DeLand and Orange City and enjoyed that until 2008, where I decided to focus my care full-time to the DeLand community.  DFALC was the first female podiatric surgeon’s office in a community where less than 10% of the surgeons were women. It is the first and longest-running female surgical practice in West Volusia County. 

 “I believe every patient needs a physician who will be an advocate to help them regain their health.” Her surgical training has taken her to Miami for her residency and the Ilizarov Institute for her fellowship.  She was the first certified Women-Owned medical practice in the United States.

I’m grateful to have studied with some of the world’s most influential podiatrists and with a master surgeon for external fixation. I emphasize in surgerywound caresports medicine, and nail disorders as well as general preventative podiatry care.

Patients want positive lifestyle options.  Patients want and need healthy, affordable options for fresh vegetables and fruits. Sadly, only 9% of adults meet the daily vegetable intake recommendation. The top two reasons for this: the cost of and lack of access to good quality fruits/vegetables.  So 2019, Dr. Pulapaka opened discussions with other physicians in her community to combat the fact that, “Ten Leading Causes of Death” are linked to poor nutrition. Thankfully, there are simple ways to help unhealthy patients who have said they often choose less healthy options because of cost. One way to help is by building a free community garden for patients, like the one at DFALC- Plant to Plate Patient Garden.   Another way is with a physician-driven RX: Veggies & Fruits Patient Program. They coordinate with local vendors to be able to provide patients, that do not have enough money to purchase healthier food options, a prescription for free or discounted fresh produce/fruits locally.  Additionally, Dr. Pulapaka is certified in Plant-Based Nutrition and is Board Certified with the American College of Lifestyle Medicine, as a DipABLM. 

Dr. Pulapaka’s husband, Global Master Chef Hari Pulapaka, has been a driving force along with her family.  Their support enabled Dr. Pulapaka to be recognized in 2021 & 2013 Top Influential Women in Business Volusia / Flagler County, 2019 Pop Tech, 2018 Grist, 2015 Wine contributor in Dreaming in Spice, 2014 Orlando Sentinel Culinary Hall of Fame, James Beard Foundation for her contributions over multiple years, WSET – Level 2 Award Wines and Spirits, Wine Scholar Guild-Burgundy Advanced-level Somm,  2014 Founding Member goFLA & #Sunshineplate, 2014 Power Couple Central Florida,  2014 Emeril’s Florida Season 2 Premiere – Coming to America!  and founder of Cress Restaurant (est 2008). She frequently is a guest speaker regarding our Podiatric Lifestyle Medicine, food systems, wine pairings, wound care, and limb salvage care plans, also she has a podcast show, Podiatry DocTalk.  

Location

844 N. Stone St, #208
DeLand, FL 32720

Contact

386.738.3733
info@jenneffer.com