"Most MDs and DOs will refer to their own when they get the chance to"
I think it is great that you want to build a foot and ankle practice, as that is my plans as well. There are many people out there that will need foot and ankle surgeries and care. However, why would most MD's/DO's PREFER to refer a patient to someone who is less trained than a DPM? I understand that it is great that MD's/DO's will do the foot and ankle, but Podiatrists (DPM's) go through 4 years of medical school and 2-3yr intensive residencies just to do this. By all standards, DPM's (the ones with PM&S-24,PM&S-36 residencies) are way more trained and experienced to do the foot and ankle. The number of patient surgeries done by foot docs in these 2-3 years far surpases what a 1 year fellowship can offer. Also, DPMs are really good at using non invasive procedures to help peoples feet when surgery is not likely warranted. In addition, DPMs are also specialist in helping patients rehab their foot/ankle after surgery.
Please do not get offended by this, however it would alarm me if MD's/DO's would prefer to have "their own" do this rather than someone who has dedicated their life to the foot and ankle. "I am not saying that you are not doing this yourself." Its like favoring the referral of a patient with an eye problem to a neurosurgery doctor with a 1 year ophthalmology fellowship, versus an ophthalmologist.
Anyway, good luck
I like to see more MD's/DO's that understand the importance the foot and ankle has on peoples lives. You will do well helping people with their foot/ankle as well other orthopaedic parts of the human body.