Chief 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
2nd 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
1st Year Residents
“Choosing Kaiser Santa Clara for my podiatric surgery residency started well before I applied. During my time here as a student and extern, I could already tell this was a different kind of program, one where teaching stayed a priority even amid a busy service, and that difference is what drew me to this program. Coming from New York, I wanted a program that would push me surgically while still feeling like a community, and I sensed that balance from my first interactions here. The surgical volume and case diversity were a huge draw, ranging from trauma to elective and forefoot procedures, and the promise of real inpatient and clinic responsibility from day one was exactly the hands-on training I wanted to sharpen my clinical judgment early. Just as important were the people, attendings and residents genuinely invested in each other’s growth, along with off-service rotations that would broaden my foundation as a physician. On a personal level, relocating across the country with my spouse felt far less daunting knowing how welcoming this program and the Bay Area would be. Kaiser Santa Clara offered exactly what I was looking for: a place to grow into a confident, well-rounded surgeon, surrounded by people who genuinely care.” – Bill Choi
“Kaiser Santa Clara set the bar very high when I was here as a student, as it was my first externship. Since then, I knew it was the ideal place for me to grow into the surgeon I aspire to be. There are many reasons why I chose to complete my residency training here. From the phenomenal surgical training and breadth of operative experience available to residents, to the autonomy residents are entrusted with from day one, the program provides an exceptional environment for growth. Residents are exposed to a high volume of cases ranging from elective forefoot and rearfoot surgery to complex reconstructive procedures and trauma, giving them the opportunity to build surgical confidence and hone their skills. I was also drawn to the variety of attendings with different training backgrounds, each bringing unique perspectives and techniques that enrich the learning experience. Beyond the operating room, the strong academic curriculum and diverse patient population provide the foundation needed to become a well-rounded foot and ankle surgeon. Most importantly, the supportive culture among the residents and faculty creates an environment where learning is encouraged, challenges are embraced, and everyone is invested in each other’s success.” – Kirakos Tomas
“This program makes the journey of learning, training, and being challenged not only rigorous but truly fulfilling. I chose Kaiser Santa Clara because it offers a balanced surgical and clinical experience in foot and ankle trauma, limb salvage, and reconstruction, creating the ideal foundation for comprehensive growth as a surgeon. During my externship, I was especially moved by the attendings’ genuine passion for teaching and their commitment to giving residents the autonomy needed to learn and grow. The residents and attendings welcomed me warmly and treated me like part of the team from the beginning, whether in clinic, during academic sessions, or in the operating room. By the end of my three years, I believe this program will not only refine my surgical and clinical skills but also strengthen my confidence as a competent foot and ankle surgeon and clinician.” – Kossi Senagbe