2025-2026 Chief Residents
“I chose Kaiser Santa Clara to do my foot and ankle residency for many reasons. Kaiser was very well rounded, with residents being able to handle busy call schedules/consults, be proficient in the operating room, and manage clinic patients, including surgical follow-ups. Something that made this program stand out to me was how genuine everyone I interacted with was, while working extremely hard. The staff and residents support each other, which helps create a learning environment that pushes you in a safe space. The attendings are approachable and open to discussion. From student to resident, I have felt that everyone here wants to help me learn and grow into the best surgeon and physician possible. The surgical training was unmatched and had cases that ranged from trauma to complex reconstructions, and elective cases. A wide variety of pathologies are seen among diverse populations. The off-service training was a great plus, as it is diverse in many areas that will help me in the future, such as vascular, dermatology, and many others. A number of built in academics weekly and research opportunities completed the program for me. Picking Kaiser for residency was an easy choice!” – Camray Brenner
“My decision to join the Kaiser Santa Clara Podiatry Residency Program was fueled by a combination of factors. First & foremost, I was drawn to this program by the high surgical volume, combined a with a great balance of clinic & inpatient care. Our attendings graduated from many different residency programs across the country, which exposes us to a diverse set of teaching styles & surgical techniques. In addition to the excellent training, the mentorship & guidance I received from both residents & attendings throughout my externship reinforced that this residency was the perfect fit for my personal & professional growth. There really is a supportive & collaborative learning environment that is fostered here, and I feel so fortunate to be a part of such an exceptional group.” – Lili Hooshivar
“I chose Kaiser Santa Clara because the program values academic rigor, clinical excellence, and professional growth in a supportive and inclusive atmosphere. There are many opportunities for residents to engage in a challenging and stimulating learning environment with a high surgical volume, diverse case mix, and exposure to complex pathology across three different hospital populations. The residents and attendings possess a genuine passion for teaching. During my clerkship here, I was impressed with the residents’ work ethic and their dedication to making residency a fun and memorable experience. While residency can be intense and challenging, there is a strong sense of camaraderie and a family-feel among the residents that is essential in promoting personal growth and well-being during the demanding residency years. Furthermore, the attending physicians are very approachable and generous in their support and mentorship.” – Tiffany Tran
2nd Year Residents
“I chose Kaiser Santa Clara program because it offers a unique opportunity to train with a diverse patient population, ensuring I gain comprehensive clinical and surgical experiences. The group of residents here are confident, competent, and caring, and they inspire me to strive and thrive every day. The attendings at Kaiser Santa Clara are deeply passionate about teaching, consistently going above and beyond to prioritize our education. Additionally, the program’s location provides an ideal balance of work and leisure, with a wide range of indoor and outdoor activities to enjoy during downtime.” – Sophia Huynh
“I chose Kaiser Santa Clara because it met the criteria I was looking for in an ideal residency program. The residents are exposed to a high volume and wide variety of surgical cases from elective bunions to complex trauma. This program also offers great hands-on experience in running a busy inpatient service as well as treating patients in clinic. There is also a strong emphasis on academics with frequent workshops and lectures, which was a characteristic I desired in a residency. More importantly however, through all of these experiences, the attendings are willing to teach and the residents are there supporting one another. During my externship here as a student, I genuinely sensed a family-feel that exuded camaraderie and gave me a feeling of belonging. I believe that in this type of collaborative environment, I could flourish and become a better person, physician and foot & ankle surgeon. Finally, it is a privilege to be able to live in the beautiful, diverse Bay Area where there is no shortage of things to do or boba to try!” – Lucy Xu
“I was always very interested in Kaiser Santa Clara, even as a student. I knew I wanted to end up at a residency program with an environment where learning is celebrated. I felt that immediately when I was at Kaiser Santa Clara. This residency program also offers a variety of surgical cases and clinical experiences that are necessary in become a successful foot and ankle surgeon. In addition to all of this, the relationship between residents was another thing that stood out to me. Everyone is so supportive and willing to help each other out. Residency is tough and your success sometimes lies within your support group. I feel so happy call myself a part of this group. Additionally, the location is also a plus! Santa Clara is an amazing place to live with a lot of things to do and a lot of good food.” – Chanelle Mariano
1st Year Residents
“I chose Kaiser Permanente Santa Clara for my podiatric surgery training because of its well-rounded, comprehensive approach to patient care and education. The program offers exposure to a wide variety of pathologies and surgical procedures, with a balanced experience in both outpatient and inpatient settings that helps develop strong clinical and surgical skills. I was also drawn to the program’s academic focus and dedication to evidence-based medicine, which fosters critical thinking and the integration of current research into everyday practice. The faculty’s diverse training backgrounds create a rich and dynamic learning environment, offering multiple perspectives and mentorship styles that enhance the overall educational experience. Just as important, the program is known for its supportive, family-like atmosphere where residents, attendings, and staff work collaboratively to ensure each trainee thrives. With a proven track record of graduating highly competent and confident physicians and surgeons, Kaiser Santa Clara stood out as the ideal environment for me to grow both personally and professionally.” – Donya Rabadi
“I chose the Kaiser Santa Clara’s residency program for its emphasis on literature, academics, high surgical volume, and case diversity. As an extern, I was impressed by the program’s integration of academic knowledge with surgical application. Unlike other programs I visited, this program was consistently committed to literature and evidence-based surgical practices, which is essential to becoming a well-rounded podiatric surgeon. This program’s attendings graduated from different residencies, thus bringing different perspectives and surgical techniques that enhance educational experience. The residents I worked with were proficient in surgery, professional, approachable, and enthusiastic about teaching. This program offered a supportive learning environment which I wanted to be a part of. As an extern I was also able to appreciate the diversity of cases – from elective procedures to complex trauma. I was also impressed by residents making their own schedule, which fosters autonomy. And resident-led weekly academics, radiology rounds, lecture series, and complex case presentations which help foster research and academic growth. Lastly, the unique and diverse patient population offers a wide range of pathology in podiatry, internal medicine, emergency medicine and other off-service rotations, which will enhance my clinical and surgical training. I am also excited to give back by teaching new incoming residents. Overall, I am excited to work alongside residents and attendings who are leaders in podiatry. Being part of this program will help me set a strong foundation and provide mentorship and networking opportunities for long term success in podiatry.” – Abdulla Ismail
“Kaiser Santa Clara was my first externship as a student, and it quickly became the standard I measured other programs against. I was drawn to how well-rounded the training is, offering a balance of clinic, call, and surgical experience that prepares residents for all aspects of podiatric care. The program’s variety and extended off-service rotations also stood out, providing exposure to multiple specialties and helping shape residents into well-balanced physicians. I appreciated that the attendings trained at different programs across the country, which exposed me to a variety of treatment philosophies and surgical techniques. Outside of the hospital, the program is located in a fun area with a great food scene, and I loved seeing how close the residents were — often hanging out together after work and exploring the area. The combination of supportive training, variety in learning, and a great community made the program stand out to me.” – Samantha Berggren