Our Doctors

Dr. Michael J Chin, DPM, FACFAS is a foot and ankle physician and surgeon with a passion for treating the motivated and health-conscious patient. His knowledge in lower extremity biomechanics allows him to treat those ailments at the source. The Running Institute was created from his vision to provide a comprehensive team approach to treating his patients.

Each patient is given a comprehensive physical and biomechanical evaluation in order to identify the root of the problem. Whether Dr. Chin recommends a surgical treatment or conservative plan, he listens to the needs of the patient to determine the best course of care. He prides himself in providing excellence in preventative, rehabilitative, and surgical care to his patients. He is dedicated to the patient, the patient’s needs, and will take the time to provide a clear understanding of the course of treatment.

Dr. Chin received his Doctor of Podiatric Medicine from the William M. Scholl College of Podiatric Medicine and his Bachelor of Science from Purdue University.  He completed his residencies at the Veterans Administration Hospital and Stanford University Medical Center in Palo Alto, California, and at Advocate Illinois Masonic Medical Center in Chicago. He is affiliated with the American College of Foot and Ankle Surgeons, American College of Sports Medicine, American Podiatric Medical Association, Illinois Podiatric Medical Association, International Aesthetic Foot Society, Director of the Chicago Marathon Podiatry Medical Tent, and Team Podiatrist for CARA, National AIDS Marathon, and Run for Prentice.

Dr. Chin's practice includes custom foot orthotics and biomechanical analysis of the lower extremity, sports medicine and endurance training related injury evaluation, and corrective procedures for foot and ankle deformities. He also plays an active role in shoe technology and design.

Dr. Chin is an avid tennis player, runner, and golfer and lives with his wife Shannen and their son Samuel.

Dr. Sarah Dickey, DPM, AACFAS is a foot and ankle surgeon, who has a passion for treating the sports medicine population.  Her love for sports medicine evolved from a skiing accident endured in high school, necessitating surgical reconstruction of her knee, and extensive physical rehabilitation.  This experience has evoked her passion to understand how the human body works and what it takes to rehabilitate and keep the body functioning optimally.  Being an athlete herself, and overcoming an injury, makes her more attuned to her patient's needs, and motivated to help athletes continue living out their passion.

Dr. Dickey graduated from Indiana University, Bloomington with a Bachelor of Science degree in Biology.  After College, she attended Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine and Science attaining her Doctorate of Podiatric Medicine.  Dr. Dickey then completed a three year Podiatric Medicine and Surgical residency at Stroger Cook County Hospital and Advocate Illinois Medical Center.

Dr. Dickey's abilities include diagnosing and treating common foot and ankle ailments with emphasis on athletic conditions and early return to function.  Her residency training afforded her an excellent skill set in performing elective surgical procedures such as correction of bunion and hammer toe deformities, and neuromas.  Also, Dr. Dickey is well versed in reconstructive foot and and ankle surgery treating deformities such as flat feet and pes cavus and traumatic injuries including achilles tendon ruptures, adult and pediatric ankle fractures.

Dr. Dickey is an member of the Illinois Podiatric Medical Association, American College of Foot and Ankle Surgeons, and the American Podiatric Medical Association.  She also volunteers in the Medical tent at the Chicago Marathon and Chicago Triathlon.  In her free time, she enjoys playing volleyball, running, and yoga.

Dr. Robert S. Ardell, DPM graduated from the Illinois College of Podiatric Medicine, now named the William Scholl College of Podiatric Medicine, in 1972. After completing a two year preceptorship in surgical podiatry, he went into private practice in Elk Grove Village, IL. In 1996 he became an associate of the North Suburban Clinic, a multi-specialty group with offices in several suburban locations. He has also had positions with Mobile Doctors and Aggeus Healthcare and served as a consultant to the Niles West High School Athletic Department.

Dr. Ardell is board certified and trained in many aspects of Podiatric Medicine with over 37 years of practice experience. Dr. Ardell is an avid sports fan and enjoys playing golf, tennis and walking. He is a lifelong Chicagoan, currently living in Skokie, IL.

Balu Natarajan, M.D. is one of the few physicians in the Chicagoland area who is Board Certified in both Internal & Sports Medicine. He is also a Diplomate of the American Board of Internal medicine. Dr. Natarajan received his undergraduate degree from Northwestern University and continued his studies in medicine at Northwestern Medical School. After residency, he completed a sports medicine fellowship in Minneapolis, MN where he focused specifically on work with high school and college area athletes. Dr. Natarajan began his solo practice in 2003.

In addition, he serves on the Medical Team of the Chicago Marathon and has extensive experience with patients preparing for endurance events. He also serves as team physician for the Chicago Storm and traveled to Brazil with the US World Cup Beach Soccer Team.

As both an internist and Sports Medicine specialist, Dr. Natarajan treats adolescent and adult patients. With his dual specialties, he is particularly qualified to treat “the whole patient” including diabetes, abdominal pains and asthma in athletes. 

He was born and raised in Chicago and is, himself, a runner and recreational athlete.

Dr. Sarah Kelly is a chiropractic physician and certified acupuncturist, as well as a runner. In addition to treating back and neck pain, she sees patients for various other health issues including sports injuries, shoulder, elbow and wrist problems, hip, knee and foot pain, and headaches. An area of special interest for Dr. Kelly is in using natural medicine techniques including hair analysis and saliva testing, and dietary and nutritional counseling. She assists patients with a variety of conditions including injury recovery, weight loss, female hormone imbalances, gastrointestinal issues, allergies, high cholesterol, and learning how to eat for a healthy, busy lifestyle.