My fellow Alaskans,
In light of recent allegations of unprofessional conduct related to my practice as a podiatrist, it is my responsibility as a man, an Alaskan, a medical doctor, and a candidate to be the Governor of this Great State to set some things straight and to make things right.
Some of the allegations, in particular those that were only made after the initial wave, are patently false. There was nothing untoward in my suggestions that we produce an ad for my campaign using primarily stock footage of marathon runners’ feet. It was only ever meant to be a pun on “running” for office. Similarly the tagline “Alaska can stand on its own two feet” was meant as a pun on my profession. Regrettably, the allegations of inappropriate behavior while casting models for Alaska’s “two feet” are true.
For the harm that I have caused as a consequence of my preferences and lifestyle, I am truly sorry. To my wife of 35 years, Stacey, I offer my most sincere apologies that this behavior has become public. I love you, and will never be able to fully express my gratitude for your support as I have sought to manage this need over the decades we have been together.
As heartbreaking and humbling as it is to say this publicly, I can only cling to the words of John 8:32 — “the truth will set you free.” I am and have been for as long as I can remember, a foot fetishist, and for the past two decades I have allowed my foot fetish to interfere with my practice as a podiatrist. My beautiful wife and my pastoral care team have sat with me and my affliction over the years and given me guidance and support that I can never repay. If I have let them down, I can only apologize.
“Unprofessional conduct” is something I take seriously, and I hope that my colleagues will take it seriously too, recognizing that we must be precise in our definitions and unsparing. I invite them to consider whether a true love of your area of practice, even if it may lead you astray, meets that standard. Despite calls for me to withdraw from the Gubernatorial race, I have no plans to step away.
If you believe that is the wrong decision, please email or call our campaign:
- Email: [email protected]
- Phone: +1 (907) 297-9788
Out of respect for those individuals who have shared their truth, I will be publishing a selection of their allegations on my campaign website below this letter.
Andrea K.
Former Patient
“I visited Dr. Heilala about a bunion back in 2006; at the time I had never even heard of a foot fetish, and it was an unsettling lesson. From what I’ve read since, I was one of the lucky ones. He asked me for some very specific aftercare photos, which back then meant getting the film developed. I told the clerk at the lab they were for my doctor but he didn’t believe me. Thank goodness this was before wikifeet.”
“Dr. Heilala always insisted that we call him Matt, which I never thought was too weird, but I just stuck to Dr. Heilala. It was early in my career and I wanted to be professional. One day when we were closing up the office, he got real close and was kind of badgering me about not calling him Matt, and then he told me something I’ll never forget, that he likes to be called Matt because it makes him think about being stepped on.”
Kim W.
Former Staff
Carolyn L.
Actor
“You know, my first instinct when I heard about the “Two Feet“ campaign ad was that it was some kind of foot fetish thing, and when the agency clarified that it was about a podiatrist running for office that just sounded fake, but I needed the work. The guy, Heilala, tried to act like because he was a doctor it was okay for him to examine our feet that way but I wasn't okay with it. That guy is a creep.”
“As a runner, I’m in and out of podiatrist’s offices more than the average bear. When I moved to Anchorage in 2023 and found myself dealing with plantar fasciitis, I needed to find a new doctor. Dr. Heilala seemed great at first, until one day I walked in on him smelling my socks.”
Jesse R.
Former Patient
Yvette O.
Former Patient
“Dr. Heilala asked me to install an app on my phone to send him pictures after surgery to help monitor my recovery. I’d get short replies letting me know if there was anything I needed to worry about, until once around 11pm I realized I had forgotten to send my picture for the day. I sent one and was putting my phone away when I got the response, it makes me so horny when they look so fresh.”
“I went to med school with Matt, and looking back, I wonder if I should have been able to see the signs. But for all the hurt he’s caused, at least it’s just podiatry. Not to put too fine of a point on it, but Matt Heilala doesn’t know shit about pediatric medicine and for that we should be grateful.”
Stephen G., M.D.
Neurologist