By Dr. Kayla Wright, DPM
This Veterans Day, November 11, Metro Foot & Ankle honors the veterans in our community from every branch of service, including those who served in the National Guard and Reserve. We are grateful for your service—and for the opportunity to help you address the foot and ankle concerns affecting your life today.
Start with what you want to do more comfortably
Maybe an old ankle injury still makes you hesitate on uneven ground. Perhaps heel pain interrupts your morning walk, or your usual shoes have become uncomfortable.
Whether symptoms began during service or developed years later, an appointment starts with understanding what is happening now.
Dr. Kayla Wright provides foot and ankle care in Tempe. You can explore our information about heel pain, ankle sprains, and custom orthotics, then bring your questions and activity goals to the visit.
Our earlier guide to foot and ankle care for service members, veterans, and first responders covers occupational demands and common concerns. This Veterans Day, we also want to make the next step toward an appointment easier to understand.
Using VA benefits? Start with your referral
For routine specialty care through VA Community Care, your VA health care team must approve the care and provide a referral before you schedule with a community provider.
Ask your VA team about a podiatry referral and whether Metro Foot & Ankle is an available option for your care. Call our office at 480-831-0700 (opens in a new tab) to confirm current participation and referral requirements before booking under VA benefits.
Once the referral is in place and the provider arrangements are confirmed, you may schedule yourself or have your VA team schedule for you. If you schedule yourself, VA asks that you notify your team within 14 days.
Review your authorization letter before receiving care. It identifies the approved provider, services, and authorization period. Booking an appointment does not establish VA coverage.
You can read the complete process in the VA’s community care referral and appointment guide (opens in a new tab).
Arizona veterans can also find their local VA system through VA Phoenix Health Care (opens in a new tab).
Where WellHive fits
WellHive supports VA scheduling with community providers, helping VA staff find appointment availability and coordinate referrals through participating systems. You can read background on WellHive’s role in VA scheduling (opens in a new tab). It is not Metro’s booking page.
That scheduling technology does not replace VA’s referral and authorization process. If your VA team is arranging the appointment, coordinate with them before making a separate booking.
Bring your questions—and your goals
Bring your usual shoes, any braces or orthotics, a medication list, and available imaging reports. Tell us what you have already tried and which activity you most want to return to.
If you are considering a particular treatment, ask what it is intended to accomplish, what alternatives exist, and what your coverage or financial responsibility would be. The recommendation should fit your diagnosis and goals.
Request your appointment directly with Metro
When you are ready to schedule—and any required VA referral arrangements are confirmed—use Metro’s own appointment page:
Request an appointment with Metro Foot & Ankle
Prefer to speak with our team? Call 480-831-0700 (opens in a new tab).
Metro Foot & Ankle, 3231 S Country Club Way, Suite 108, Tempe, AZ 85282
Military and veteran resources
U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (opens in a new tab) · U.S. Department of Defense (opens in a new tab) · U.S. Army (opens in a new tab) · U.S. Navy (opens in a new tab) · U.S. Marine Corps (opens in a new tab) · U.S. Air Force (opens in a new tab) · U.S. Space Force (opens in a new tab) · U.S. Coast Guard (opens in a new tab)
These links are for reference only and do not indicate Metro’s participation with VA or any patient’s coverage.
To our veterans: thank you for your service. We welcome the opportunity to help you take care of the feet and ankles that carry you through everyday life.