Footnotes Summer 2024 - 28

is crucial. Sometimes it's like being a father figure in multiple
roles, guiding and mentoring in various aspects of their
development.
Q. What have been some of the significant challenges
you've faced in your career, and how have they
shaped your professional path?
One major challenge was studying for board exams. Back
when I was in school, there wasn't a lot of good study material
available. It was tough to find resources and motivate myself
to study. Another challenge was being the only resident at
the VA San Francisco. Balancing patient care, ER consults,
and surgeries as the sole resident taught me a lot about
organization and handling multiple responsibilities. These
experiences have helped me tremendously in my current roles.
Q. Can you share a memorable patient success story
that has had a significant impact on you?
One of the most memorable cases was my first surgery as
a resident-a transmetatarsal amputation. My attending
handed me the scalpel and guided me through the procedure.
It was a shock, but a successful surgery that turned out well.
Another notable case involved a patient with bilateral Achilles
tendon ruptures. We successfully repaired both tendons, and
the patient was incredibly grateful. Recently, I treated a soccer
player from the San Jose Earthquakes who went on to score
a goal in the next game after we modified his orthotics and
cleats. Moments like these are very rewarding.
Q. What do you find most rewarding about being a
podiatrist and a specialist in sports medicine?
The most rewarding aspect is the balance between professional
life and personal life. Podiatry allows me to spend time with
my family and be involved in sports medicine, treating athletes,
and building relationships with them and their teams. Seeing
residents I've trained succeed and become my colleagues is
also very fulfilling. Podiatry is a hidden gem with a wide range
of opportunities-from wound care to surgery and sports
medicine.
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SUMMER 2024
Footnotes Summer 2024

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