Meet the Physicians of Central Florida Foot & Ankle Institute — Family, Expertise, and a Community-First Approach

Meet the physicians of Central Florida Foot & Ankle Institute: Dr. Robert Hoover, Dr. Carli Hoover, and Dr. Christopher Mason. Lake Mary and Downtown Orlando.

By Dr. Carli Hoover, DPM

Meet the Physicians of Central Florida Foot & Ankle Institute — Family, Expertise, and a Community-First Approach

Walk into either Central Florida Foot & Ankle Institute (CFFAI) location in Lake Mary and you'll notice something different. The waiting room hums quietly, patients greet the front-desk staff by name, and physicians take the time to sit down and explain things in plain English. This isn't a coincidence. It's the deliberate result of a practice built around an old-school philosophy: medicine should feel personal, not transactional.

CFFAI was co-founded by Dr. Robert T. Hoover II, DPM, FACFAS, and his daughter Dr. Jaclyn "Carli" Hoover, DPM — a true second-generation podiatry team. Today the practice is staffed by four experienced foot and ankle physicians serving patients across Orange, Seminole, Lake, and Volusia counties. This article introduces each of them, their training, and the conditions they treat — so you know exactly who you'll see when you book your visit.

The Practice at a Glance

CFFAI operates two clinics in Lake Mary, plus a Downtown Orlando SODO location:

  • Lake Mary — Waymont Court Clinic: 100 Waymont Court, Suite 110, Lake Mary, FL 32746 (Dr. Robert Hoover & Dr. Carli Hoover)
  • Lake Mary — Medplex Clinic: 4106 W Lake Mary Blvd, Suite 125, Lake Mary, FL 32746 (Dr. Christopher Mason)
  • Downtown Orlando — SODO Clinic: 1405 South Orange Ave, Suite 600, Orlando, FL 32806

The practice is in-network with most major insurance plans, including Medicare, Aetna, United Healthcare, FL Blue Cross, Humana, Cigna, and AARP supplemental plans.

Dr. Robert T. Hoover II, DPM, FACFAS — The Founding Patriarch

Background and Training

Dr. Robert T. Hoover II has been serving Central Florida patients for more than 30 years, carrying forward a multi-generational family legacy in healthcare. He holds a Bachelor of Science in biology and earned his Doctor of Podiatric Medicine (DPM) degree from the Illinois College of Podiatric Medicine — one of the oldest podiatric medical schools in the United States, now part of Rosalind Franklin University's Dr. William M. Scholl College of Podiatric Medicine.

Dr. Hoover is board-certified in Foot and Ankle surgery and is a Fellow of the American College of Foot and Ankle Surgeons (FACFAS) — a designation reserved for surgeons who meet rigorous training, examination, and continuing-education standards.

Practice Focus

Dr. Hoover holds privileges with AdventHealth hospitals across the Central Florida region. He treats the full spectrum of foot and ankle conditions, with particular expertise in:

  • Lapiplasty 3D Bunion Correction (a modern, three-dimensional bunion correction technique)
  • Trauma foot and ankle surgery
  • Achilles tendon repair
  • Flat foot reconstruction
  • Diabetic foot care and limb-salvage procedures
  • Workers' compensation cases
  • Second opinions on complex foot and ankle problems

Teaching the Next Generation

What sets Dr. Hoover apart is his commitment to education. Beyond his clinical practice, he is actively involved with the AdventHealth East Orlando Podiatry Residency — helping train the next generation of foot and ankle surgeons. Over the years, he has mentored dozens of residents and students, completing thousands of cases at every level of complexity.

Outside the Clinic

Dr. Hoover is a husband of more than 30 years, father of four, and grandfather of eight ("the more the merrier," he says with a smile). He's an avid golfer, fisherman, and dedicated community volunteer.

Dr. Jaclyn "Carli" Hoover, DPM — The Second-Generation Innovator

Background and Training

Dr. Jaclyn "Carli" Hoover has called Central Florida home her entire life, growing up in the Longwood, Florida area. She is a second-generation podiatrist, following directly in her father's footsteps. Her academic résumé is impressive:

Published Research

Dr. Carli Hoover is a contributor to peer-reviewed podiatric research. She has served as an abstract author for publications appearing in the Compendium of Podiatric Medicine and Surgery (Data Trace Publishing Company, 2015), with contributions on:

  • Topical phenytoin sodium zinc oxide paste for trophic skin ulceration in leprosy (Sehgal V.N.)
  • The in vitro design of a novel lytic bacteriophage cocktail with therapeutic potential against organisms causing diabetic foot infections (Mendes J.J.)

This research background gives her a deep evidence-based perspective when making treatment recommendations — particularly for diabetic wound care and infectious complications.

Practice Focus

Dr. Carli Hoover affiliates with AdventHealth's Central Florida and East divisions. She sees patients at the Lake Mary Waymont Court clinic and treats:

  • Foot and ankle pain across all age groups
  • Lapiplasty 3D Bunion Correction
  • Trauma foot and ankle surgery
  • Achilles repair
  • Flat feet, neuromas, gout
  • Diabetic foot care
  • Workers' compensation evaluations
  • Sports-related injuries (ankle sprains, fractures)
  • Common skin and nail conditions (athlete's foot, plantar warts, ingrown toenails)

Outside the Clinic

Beyond practice, Dr. Hoover is a wife and mother. She's passionate about her growing family, the beach, fishing, and giving back to the community through volunteer work.

Dr. Christopher Mason, DPM, FACFAS — Lake Mary's Long-Standing Specialist

Background and Practice History

Dr. Christopher Mason brings over 30 years of podiatric care experience to the Lake Mary–Central Florida community. As a long-standing podiatry specialist practicing at the Lake Mary Medplex, his arrival as a provider with CFFAI represents continuity — patients see the same trusted physician they've known for years, in the same familiar location.

Dr. Mason is, like Dr. Robert Hoover, a Fellow of the American College of Foot and Ankle Surgeons (FACFAS) — denoting board-level surgical credentials and a lifetime commitment to continuing education.

Practice Focus

Dr. Mason specializes in both conservative and surgical treatment of foot and ankle conditions, with a deliberate emphasis on patient-focused, attention-to-detail care. His practice covers:

  • Comprehensive foot and ankle examination
  • Surgical correction of bunions, hammertoes, and structural deformities
  • Conservative management of plantar fasciitis, heel pain, and tendon injuries
  • Diabetic foot care
  • Helping patients regain mobility and improve quality of life

He accepts most major insurance plans, including Medicare, AARP supplemental plans, UnitedHealthcare PPO, Blue Cross Blue Shield PPO, and others.

Outside the Clinic

Dr. Mason stays active outside of medicine — he's an enthusiastic cyclist and a contributor to local community activities.

What Sets the CFFAI Team Apart

Four physicians, four different paths, one common philosophy: patients are not just a number.

Dr. Carli Hoover put it best in a recent interview: "We are trying to get back to old-school medicine. Patients to us are not just a number. We are hitting the refresh button on healthcare."

That philosophy shows up in concrete ways:

  • Personalized treatment plans — Each patient receives an individualized plan based on their condition, lifestyle, and goals
  • Conservative-first approach — The team consistently exhausts non-surgical options before recommending surgery
  • Continuity of care — You see the same physician across your visits, not a rotation of strangers
  • In-network with major insurance — Including Medicare, Medicaid, and most commercial plans
  • Multi-generational expertise — From traditional procedures honed over 30+ years to modern techniques like Lapiplasty 3D bunion correction and laser nail therapy

Common Conditions the CFFAI Team Treats

Between them, the four physicians manage virtually every foot and ankle problem you might encounter:

Pain conditions — Plantar fasciitis, heel pain, Achilles tendinitis, Morton's neuroma, metatarsalgia, arch pain

Structural problems — Bunions, hammertoes, flat feet, high arches, tarsal coalition

Sports injuries — Ankle sprains, stress fractures, tendinopathy, turf toe, return-to-sport rehabilitation

Diabetic foot care — Annual screenings, ulcer prevention and treatment, neuropathy management, custom diabetic shoes

Skin and nail conditions — Athlete's foot, fungal nails, plantar warts, ingrown toenails, corns and calluses

Surgical procedures — Bunion correction (including Lapiplasty), hammertoe correction, Achilles repair, fracture fixation, tendon repair

Diagnostic services — Digital X-ray, gait analysis, neuropathy screening, vascular assessment

How to Schedule Your Visit

For patients experiencing (or with a stubborn case of heel pain, weighing options for bunion surgery, or simply due for an annual diabetic foot screening, the CFFAI team is ready to help.

Call (407) 307-0006 to schedule with any of the four physicians, or visit FloridaFAI.com to book online. New patients are welcome at all locations.

For referrals, medical records, or other administrative needs, the practice fax line is 407-743-0091.

References & Verified Sources

Ready to experience the CFFAI difference? Call (407) 307-0006 today or book online at FloridaFAI.com. Quality care, every step of the way.

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