Lourdes Podiatry Residency

PGY-I

Jacob Azzawi, DPM

Hometown: Houston, TX
Undergrad School: University of Houston
Medical School: Kent State University College of Podiatric Medicine
What drew me to Podiatry: My passion for podiatry is deeply rooted in both personal experience and a keen understanding of medical specialization. Growing up immersed in the hospital environment alongside my brothers, who are physicians, I developed an appreciation for the unique sense of community and collaboration that thrives within healthcare settings. The efficiency and expertise of specialists particularly resonated with me, as I recognized their potential for precision in patient care and error reduction. My commitment to podiatry was cemented by my father's struggle with diabetes-related complications, which led to multiple amputations. This personal journey underscored the importance of early intervention and specialized care in preventing such life-altering outcomes. My aim is to apply my focused expertise in podiatry to spare others from the hardships my family endured, and to enhance the quality of life for my patients through proactive and compassionate care. My dedication to education and mentorship further complements my aspirations in podiatry. My experience as a high school teacher equipped me with invaluable skills in gauging understanding and fostering learning among students. I plan to leverage this skill in nurturing future podiatrists, as I aspire to take on a role as an attending physician or even a residency director within the field of podiatry. By combining my passion for specialized care with a commitment to shaping the next generation of podiatrists, I aim to contribute to both the advancement of podiatric medicine and the cultivation of exceptional podiatrists.
What do I like to do in my free time:  When I have free time, I find myself drawn to intellectually stimulating pursuits. I thoroughly enjoy engaging in thought-provoking discussions that delve into the intricacies of how things work and solving complex problems. This not only satisfies my innate curiosity but also allows me to continuously expand my knowledge base. Additionally, I cherish spending quality time with my family, as our bond is of great importance to me. Engaging in outdoor activities for leisure further complements my inclination towards holistic well-being and fosters meaningful connections with those around me.

 

Benjamin Chen, DPM

Hometown: Boston, MA
Undergrad School: University of Massachusetts Amherst
Medical School: Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine & Science
What drew me to Podiatry: When I was applying for medical school, I found out I was waitlisted and was considering what to do next. One of my college friends who was doing her anesthesia residency at the time recommended I explore podiatry. I shadowed some local podiatrists and thought it was a great career with the possibility of a good balance between clinic and surgery. I applied, was accepted, and I couldn't be happier with my decision.
What do I like to do in my free time: Work out, practice guitar, watercolors.

 

Tiffany Duong, DPM

Hometown: Arlington, Texas
Undergrad School: University of Texas at Arlington 
Medical School: Midwestern University in Glendale, AZ
What drew me to Podiatry: I am enthusiastic about Podiatric Medicine due to its diverse range of specialties. The field offers everything from wound care and orthotic modification to advanced procedures such as nerve decompression surgery and rearfoot reconstruction, making each day engaging and dynamic. Additionally, I am passionate about the broad spectrum of patients I have the opportunity to care for in this field.
What do I like to do in my free time:  In my free time, I like to read thriller books, binge watch reality TV shows, travel the world, try new restaurants, explore nature, thrift shop, and spend time with my family/loved ones. 

 

Naima Yusuf, DPM

Hometown: Rochester, MN
Undergrad School: University of Minnesota
Medical School: Des Moines University
What drew me to Podiatry:  The balance between clinic and surgery
What do I like to do in my free time: Travel and visit Art museums

 

 

PGY-II

William Bui Tran, DPM

Hometown: Albertville, MN
Undergrad School: University of Iowa
Medical School: Des Moines University College of Podiatric Medicine and Surgery
What drew me to Podiatry: During my senior year of college, I was completing my final project, which was about monitoring endotracheal tube. The surgeon which I was in the OR with happened to be a foot and ankle surgeon and he was doing Total Ankle Arthroplasty at that time.
What do I like to do in my free time: Travelling and exploring local coffee shops.

 

Carl Larusson, DPM

Hometown: Carmichael, CA
Undergrad School: University of California, Davis
Medical School: California School of Podiatric Medicine
What drew me to Podiatry:  I had the privilege of being introduced to the field of podiatric medicine by my university's healthcare counselor. Intrigued by this newfound knowledge, I embarked on a journey of thorough research to gain a deeper understanding of podiatric medicine. It felt like stumbling on a hidden gem. The specialized nature of podiatric medicine, focusing on the diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of foot and ankle disorders, appealed to me greatly.
What do I like to do in my free time: I like to bike, run, swim, kayak, cook, read, travel, make new frinds and learn new things. My favorite thing would be taking dogs for a long walk.

 

Kirk Metzger, DPM

Hometown: Sioux Falls, SD
Undergrad School: University of Iowa
Medical School: Des Moines University College of Podiatric Medicine and Surgery
What drew me to Podiatry:  From a young age I was interested in a career in the medical field because my mother is a nurse and I always enjoyed listening to her stories from work. A few sports injuries while growing up sparked my interest in orthopedics and sports medicine, and as I researched it some more my interest in doing surgery also grew. I shadowed a Podiatrist in undergrad and really liked his practice that he ran, the variety of patient pathologies he was able to treat, the instant relief he was able to give some patients from their symptoms, and the work-life balance that Podiatrists are able to have.
What do I like to do in my free time: Explore new restaurants and bars in the Binghamton area with my girlfriend, work out and be active, watch and play sports, go to the farmers market (partially for the hot dog stand), relax with a good movie/show

PGY-III

Suril Amin, DPM

Hometown: Philadelphia, PA
Undergrad School: Pennsylvania State University
Medical School: Temple University School of Medicine
What drew me to Podiatry:  Let me tell you folks, choosing Foot & Ankle surgery? The best decision, tremendous. People say, "Why feet? Why ankles?" You know why? It's because they're so underrated, believe me. Everyone talks about hearts, brains, lungs, but nobody gives respect to the feet. They carry you around all day, every day, they take the brunt of everything. And when they mess up, what happens? You're finished, folks. You're limping, you're in pain, you're a shadow of your former self. That's why I chose Foot & Ankle surgery. It wasn't just about the challenge, though that's always there. It's about the comeback. Seeing someone hobble to the clinic, defeated, and then sending them out walking tall, pain-free, like a new person? That's the best victory there is. It's like building a skyscraper from the ground up, starting with the foundation - and let me tell you, a strong foundation starts with strong feet. The complexity of it all, that's what gets me, too. You think a foot's simple? Bones, flesh, done? Absolutely not. It's a machine, folks, a marvel of engineering. Tiny bones like dominoes, muscles like springs, tendons like cables. One wrong move, one misjudgment, and it's all kaput. But when you get it right? When you repair that tear, realign that bone, adjust that tendon? It's like you've solved a Rubik's Cube with scalpels. Pure genius, I tell you. And let's not forget the athletes. Imagine, you're Aaron Rodgers, tearing up the field, then bam! Achilles ruptures, career over. They come to me, shattered, and Foot & Ankle surgeons put them back together. Stronger, faster, even better than before. Because that's what champions do, they come back from rock bottom, and we give them the tools they need to do it. It's more than surgery, folks, it's giving them back their dreams. So, next time you see someone walking pain-free, take a second to appreciate their feet. Because underneath it all, there might be a story of triumph, a comeback orchestrated by Foot & Ankle Surgeons. Believe me.
What do I like to do in my free time: Travel, spend time with my family, meditate, practice yoga, watch sports, workout, and bollywood films

 

Anthony DiLeo, DPM

Hometown: Scranton, PA
Undergrad School: University of Scranton
Medical School: Temple University School of Podiatric Medicine

 

 

Diksha Mohapatra, DPM

Hometown: Sacramento, CA
Undergrad School: UC Davis
Medical School: California School of Podiatric Medicine (Samuel Merritt University)
What drew me to Podiatry: Rapport with patients; integrating medicine, mental health, physics (biomechanics of the foot and ankle), and surgical principles; being a holistic physician of everything lower extremity; lifestyle; the great need.
What do I like to do in my free time: My favorite pastimes are dancing, traveling, immersive activities, nutrition, and spreading the word about podiatric surgery/medicine.

 

Shawna Propes, DPM

Hometown: Scranton, PA
Undergrad School: University of Scranton
Medical School: Temple University School of Podiatric Medicine
What drew me to Podiatry: LOVE FOOTSIES!!!
What do I like to do in my free time: I like to drink Dunkin