2023-2024 Chief Residents
“I chose Kaiser Santa Clara to complete my 3 years of residency because of the amazing training, and wonderful people I encountered during my externship month. I feel, the variety and amount of cases will allow me to become the best foot and ankle surgeon that I can be. The cherry on top for this program is definitely the approachable attending physicians we work with. Everybody here has an open-door policy and is willing to answer any question. When I’m not at the hospital, I enjoy hiking the great outdoors and discovering new restaurants here in Northern California.” – Huaitao “Tom” Zhang
“Kaiser Santa Clara is home to one of the most well-rounded residency programs in Podiatric Medicine and Surgery. Diversity is a pillar of excellent medical education, and I found it in the team, patients, and rigorous academic curriculum of Kaiser Santa Clara. I was drawn to the warm family spirit among the residents and the supportive mentorship from the attendings. I look forward to growing with this team that consistently demonstrates spirited leadership, passion for life-long learning, and genuine concern for others.” – Patricia “Pats” Limcaoco
“I wanted the best training possible with a great learning environment and I found that at Kaiser Santa Clara. Attendings and residents were easily approachable and always willing to teach. Everyone was personable, welcoming, knowledgeable and had an admirable work ethic. All the people I spent time with are people I look up to and hope to emulate in my future practice. Additionally, the quality of exposure, cases and diversity of pathology and population allows for a well-rounded residency experience both clinically and surgically. I feel tremendously blessed to have Kaiser Santa Clara as my residency which will benefit me for many years to come.” – Arjun Vijayakumar
2nd Year Residents
“Kaiser Santa Clara was my first externship as a student, and it quickly became my standard of what I wanted in a program based on its many qualities. Given that residents rotate through 3 different hospitals located throughout East Bay and South Bay, it offered a diverse patient population with an abundant number of surgical cases and pathologies that I can learn from. I was especially drawn to the inviting and approachable atmosphere created by the attendings and senior residents who were all willing to share their knowledge and even listen to my ideas. I know that this residency program will help build a strong foundation for surgical skills, clinical diagnosis, and open-mindedness to further my podiatric career. “– Andrew To
“I sought a program that would offer diverse clinical and surgical experiences, challenge me to think critically, emphasizes patient-centered care, and supports research endeavors. The program at Kaiser Santa Clara embodies all of these qualities, offering a well-rounded curriculum and rigorous training amongst a supportive and fun team. Furthermore, the collaborative relationship between other disciplines allows for discussing the best treatment options for patients with complex cases. Importantly, Kaiser emphasizes physician well-being because self-care is critical before caring for others. Overall, training at Kaiser Santa Clara is preparing me to become a confident foot and ankle surgeon, clinician, and advocate for my patients.” – Khanh Phuong Tong
Kaiser Santa Clara just felt like the right fit for me for various reasons. I always wanted to be part of a program that provided me with excellent clinical and surgical training and Kaiser Santa Clara has a variety of both. The attendings also trained from various different programs all over the country, which is very beneficial as a resident to learn different ways of doing things. Most importantly, the attendings love teaching and I couldn’t be happier to be part of such a well-rounded program. – Tamanna Hoque
1st Year Residents
“I choose 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