Dr. Merrell K. Kauwe

About Dr. Kauwe

Dr. Merrell K. Kauwe is a board-certified podiatric surgeon at Rimrock Podiatry. While Dr. Kauwe was born in Hawaii, he has spent most of his life on the continental United States. He returns to Hawaii at least yearly, always stopping in at the island he considers home: Molokai. There he participates in cultural craft, including traditional stonework and cordage work.

Dr. Kauwe lives in Billings with his wife and children. His oldest son is the starting kicker for the University of Kentucky Wildcats. His younger children attend Billings West (with the youngest yet to start), and Dr. Kauwe is a happy sponsor of the school's athletic programs.

A Personal Approach to Patient Care

Dr. Kauwe is passionate about using the latest evidence-based surgical techniques to deliver the best possible outcomes for his patients. Whether in the operating room or evaluating a patient for the first time, Dr. Kauwe is thorough. He will walk you through the diagnoses, treatment options, and set clear expectations for recovery, whether that's surgical recovery or conservative care. Patients consistently appreciate his thoroughness and his ability to make complex surgical decisions feel understandable and approachable.

Contributing to Podiatric Research

Dr. Kauwe serves as a reviewer for the Journal of Foot and Ankle Surgery, one of the leading peer-reviewed publications in the field. In this role, he evaluates surgical research for scientific rigor and clinical relevance, contributing to the advancement of podiatric surgical best practices and ensuring that published studies meet the highest standards. This commitment to research keeps his clinical practice grounded in the latest evidence-based techniques.

Education & Training

Dr. Kauwe graduated from Utah Valley University before earning his Doctor of Podiatric Medicine from Des Moines University. His training provided a strong foundation in both surgical technique and the comprehensive medical knowledge required to manage complex foot and ankle conditions.