Our Residents | Orthopaedics | UC Davis Health

Undergraduate School: University of California, Los Angeles
Medical School: University of California, Davis
USAF Resident

Undergraduate School: Virginia Commonwealth University
Medical School: University of California, Davis

Undergraduate School: Washington and Lee University
Graduate School: University of Liverpool, UK
Medical School: University of Chicago, Pritzker 

Hometown: Houston, TX      
Scholarly interests: Performing arts, Social and cultural studies, Engineering 
Hobbies or interests: Listening to music, going to the gym, boxing        

Favorite thing to do in the Sacramento area?     
Picnic at McKinley Park
Why UC Davis Orthopaedic Surgery?      
I was particularly drawn to the strong Trauma program here, but I've been most grateful for how invested everyone is in my professional growth, from my co-residents to the attendings. Everyone here is really rooting for your success.

Fun fact about you?       
Finally, I pulled the trigger and invested in a saxophone my intern year! Hoping to work on my musical skills as I refine my surgical craft throughout the rest of my residency.

Undergraduate School: University of California, San Diego
Medical School: University of California, San Diego

Undergraduate School: Boston University
Medical School: Boston University

Undergraduate School: Middlebury College
Graduate School: Georgetown University
Medical School: Georgetown University

Hometown: Seattle, Washington        
Scholarly interests: Orthopedic trauma, bone and cartilage healing/regeneration, orthobiologics, hip preservation, outcomes research          
Hobbies or interests: Adventures with my partner and our dogs, alpine and Nordic skiing, fitness and nutrition, running/trail running/hiking, sustainable living, mindfulness and meditation         

Favorite thing to do in the Sacramento area?     
Try new restaurants from our ever-growing list  
Why UC Davis Orthopaedic Surgery?      
Exposure to diverse orthopedic pathology across sub-specialties, stellar surgical training, and a close-knit, high-functioning team of passionate faculty and trainees.     

Fun fact about you?       
I worked for a winter as a remote property caretaker in the habitat of the largest bears in the world.

Undergraduate School: Dartmouth College, NH
Graduate School: Case Western Reserve University
Medical School: Case Western Reserve University

Hometown: Brookhaven, NY
Scholarly interests: Medical device design, biomechanics, innovation              
Hobbies or interests: Rock climbing, mountaineering, 3D printing         

Favorite thing to do in the Sacramento area?     
Go to Pipeworks climbing gym  
Why UC Davis Orthopaedic Surgery?      
I chose this program for its outstanding trauma training, which will prepare me to handle diverse orthopedic cases in my future practice, while also providing excellent subspecialty training and fostering a research-oriented environment. 

Fun fact about you?       
My undergraduate research culminated in a patent for occluding fallopian tubes.

Undergraduate School: University of Tennessee
Medical School: Meharry Medical College

Undergraduate School: Bucknell University
Medical School: Albany Medical College of Union University

Hometown: Cold Spring Harbor, NY      
Scholarly interests: Undecided                    
Hobbies or interests: Running, tennis, football, traveling, fitness, scuba diving and mountain climbing.     

Favorite thing to do in the Sacramento area?   
I'm new to the area, so I'm very excited to explore and experience all the amazing things Sacramento has to offer.              
Why UC Davis Orthopaedic Surgery?   
The community UC Davis Ortho cultivated is a diverse and supportive residency emphasizing orthopaedic fundamentals while maintaining a high case volume and operative experience.                  

Fun fact about you?    
I summited Mount Kilimanjaro after graduating from college.    

Undergraduate School: The Ohio State University
Medical School: Eastern Virginia Medical School
USAF Resident

Hometown: Scottown, OH    
Scholarly interests: Sports Medicine and Trauma   
Hobbies or interests: Bodybuilding, snowboarding, rock climbing, fishing, basketball, hiking, bowling, surfing    

Favorite thing to do in the Sacramento area?     
Visiting new restaurants and breweries with co-residents              
Why UC Davis Orthopaedic Surgery?      
When I rotated at Davis last summer, I had a great experience. The volume and complexity of cases on different services and the teaching from attendings and residents stood out to me. I really appreciated the camaraderie among residents and the supportive nature of the program. As an Air Force resident, I get the opportunity to practice both civilian and military medicine and understand both patient populations and the differences among them. I knew this program would give me the skills needed to become very skilled in medical decision-making and operating while surrounded by people encouraging my success.         

Fun fact about you?       
I am a (self-proclaimed) cheeseburger critic and used to run a burger review page in college

Undergraduate School: University of California Santa Barbara
Medical School: Vanderbilt University School of Medicine

Hometown: Danville, California
Scholarly interests: DEI in Orthopaedics, Technology in Medicine, Pediatrics.
Hobbies or interests: Dance (jazz, contemporary), hiking, kayaking, vegetarian cooking and baking, reading (goodreads enthusiast).

Favorite thing to do in the Sacramento area?
One of my favorite things about Sacramento is the proximity to nature, even if it's just going on a walk by the river or driving up to Tahoe to do some more serious hiking, you are never too far from the outdoors.
Why UC Davis Orthopaedic Surgery?
One thing that I wanted in a program, and that stuck out to me about UC Davis, was the feeling of family. That everyone had each other’s backs. There is always so much support in your learning and a culture of lifting each other up that was so important to me, not to mention the incredible training and faculty we get to work with every day.

Fun fact about you?
I have traveled to over 35 states, and my goal is to visit all 50!

Undergraduate School: California State University East Bay
Medical School: Rush Medical College of Rush University Medical Center

Hometown: San Lorenzo, CA
Scholarly interests: Upper extremity, Trauma, Sports
Hobbies or interests: Golf, poker, karaoke, food, Golden State Warriors

Favorite thing to do in the Sacramento area?
Explore the food scene, skiing in Lake Tahoe, and day trips to Napa. Hosting poker nights, fishing the Sacramento and American River.
Why UC Davis Orthopaedic Surgery?   
I got a chance to rotate at UC Davis as an AI. Particularly noteworthy things I experienced were the camaraderie, commitment to excellence, and high standards of the residents. These are qualities of the training environment that I want to immerse myself in. Additionally, Northern California is my home, and being so close to family is an added bonus.

Fun fact about you?     
In 2009, I was ranked 19th in the world in the video game Madden NFL on Xbox. 

Undergraduate School: Washington State University
Medical School: Washington State University Elson S. Floyd College of Medicine
USAF Resident

Hometown: Vaughn, Washington
Scholarly interests: Fracture non-union, global orthopaedics, and sports medicine.
Hobbies or interests: Snowboarding, finding new places to hike/swim, and getting food/drinks with friends.

Favorite thing to do in the Sacramento area?
Going to the American River with my dog.
Why UC Davis Orthopaedic Surgery?
The people. After my Sub-I here as a fourth year I knew this program was a family. I knew this was a place where I could get excellent surgical training with some great people.

Fun fact about you?
I have never lived outside of Washington State for more than 3 months until now.

Undergraduate School: Cornell University
Medical School: Weill Cornell Medicine

Hometown: Maplewood, NJ   
Scholarly interests: Hand & Upper Extremity Surgery, Microsurgery, Myoelectric prostheses, Osseointegration, Innovation.   
Hobbies or interests: Fashion, digital and film photography, videography, sewing, learning songs on electric guitar.

Favorite thing to do in the Sacramento area?
Riding my bicycle
Why UC Davis Orthopaedic Surgery?
I worked with two traumatologist at an outside hospital who happened to be alumni of the UC Davis residency program. They were incredibly skilled in providing orthopaedic care for complex pelvis and acetabulum fractures and were great teachers. My only experience with UC Davis was during the virtual interview, which was incredible. There was a strong focus on developing the residents to be strong operatively and confident in managing a broad range of orthopaedic injuries. Additionally, the program had exciting developments in surgical innovation.      

Fun fact about you?
I have 5 million views on YouTube for discussing fashion-related topics and teaching sewing.    

Undergraduate School: University of California, Davis
Medical School: University of California Davis School of Medicine

Hometown: Salinas, CA
Scholarly interests: Pediatrics and Spine   
Hobbies or interests: Cartooning, Olympic Weightlifting, watching A LOT of Anime and spending quality time with my loved ones.

Why UC Davis Orthopaedic Surgery?
I chose UC Davis for my training because of the collective mindset the entire team has and the drive instilled in us by our attendings toward nothing but excellence. As a medical student, I was in awe of the residents and our attendings, and during all of my away rotations and interviews, I kept hearing, “Wow, you're from UC Davis. You are so lucky.” I am truly lucky, and I hope to emulate their success and serve as a role model for traditionally underrepresented students in Orthopaedic Surgery. As a research resident, I also want to help PRIME students at Davis enter the field, and being at Davis will allow me to do just that.
Favorite thing to do in the Sacramento area?
Explore new restaurants and cafés with my girlfriend.

Fun fact about you?
My last name is Piña, which means pineapple in Spanish.

Undergraduate School: Chapman University
Medical School: Albany Medical College, NY 

Hometown: Palo Alto, California  
Scholarly interests: Sports medicine, shoulder and elbow, and diversity/equity/inclusion in surgery
Hobbies or interests: Dance (ballet and hip hop), painting, movie nights, and making charcuterie boards with friends.

Favorite thing to do outside?     
Going to cat cafes and catching up on my favorite shows.
Why UC Davis Orthopaedic Surgery?      
As a fourth-year med student, I had the opportunity to rotate at UC Davis. I truly loved how connected the residents were and how positive the culture was in the program. Everyone is there for one another, both in and out of the hospital, and getting the opportunity to work with world-renowned attendings who are incredible mentors was something I had dreamt of being a part of.  

Fun fact about you?       
I performed at the 50th Super Bowl Halftime show with Beyonce, Bruno Mars, and Coldplay.

Undergraduate School: Colorado School of Mines
Medical School: University of Arizona College of Medicine, Tucson
USAF Resident

Hometown: Broomfield, Colorado
Scholarly interests: Hip joint biomechanics and pathology, sports medicine, and engineering
Hobbies or interests: Running, weightlifting, skiing, hiking, and fishing

Favorite thing to do in the Sacramento area?
I enjoy running multiple times per week, hiking, and skiing

Why UC Davis Orthopaedic Surgery?      
I have full confidence that UC Davis will provide me with a solid foundation for becoming an effective orthopedic surgeon. The combination of a high clinical volume and its strong emphasis on fundamental principles will equip me with a solid foundation of knowledge and technical skills that are necessary for a long and successful career of helping others. Furthermore, the camaraderie among the residents and the support of the dedicated faculty fosters an environment conducive to long-term professional development and high-quality surgical care. As an Air Force resident, UC Davis will also train me to become a surgeon capable of treating both civilian and military patients upon the completion of my residency.

Fun fact about you?       
I am a two-time All-American athlete.

Undergraduate School: Oregon State University
Medical School: Washington University, St. Louis

Hometown: Grants Pass, Oregon
Scholarly interests: Still figuring that out, but I tend to gravitate toward trauma, arthroplasty, and sports-related topics.
Hobbies or interests: I love being active and outdoors — basketball, pickleball, golf (poorly), fishing, kayaking, rafting, camping — basically anything outside. I’m also a fan of good food and good company.

Favorite thing to do in the Sacramento area?
Spending time with my wife, our dogs, family, and friends.
Why UC Davis Orthopaedic Surgery?      
It’s the perfect fit. Incredible, committed faculty, high surgical volume, a strong sense of community and pride in the program, and close to home for me — I couldn’t imagine a better place to train.     

Fun fact about you?       
Before med school, I spent a few summers as a whitewater rafting guide in Oregon. Looking forward to checking out the American River.

Undergraduate School: University of California, Los Angeles
Medical School: Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California 

Hometown: Huntington Beach, CA  
Scholarly interests: Joints and Sports
Hobbies or interests: Basketball, Manchester United, travelling, finding new places to eat/drink   

Favorite thing to do in the Sacramento area?
I love playing basketball whenever I get the chance and hope to keep lacing them up throughout residency.
Why UC Davis Orthopaedic Surgery?      
I was drawn to UC Davis for its incredible surgical training, with high case volume and strong operative experience. Additionally, the program’s culture of camaraderie and dedication to excellence was very important to me.

Fun fact about you?
My name means ocean in Hindi, and my brother’s name, Sahil, means coast.

Undergraduate School: University of Nottingham, UK
Medical School: University of Nottingham, Faculty of Medicine & Health Sciences, UK

Hometown: Hong Kong
Scholarly interests: Arthroplasty, teaching & mentoring, promoting diversity in orthopaedic surgery
Hobbies or interests: Pickleball, Formula 1, making and playing music, and being a long-suffering supporter of the England national football team

Favorite thing to do in the Sacramento area?
Playing pickleball, soaking up the Sacramento sun, and exploring the food scene
Why UC Davis Orthopaedic Surgery?      
After leaving the UK, I spent two years as a postdoc here, where I experienced first-hand the supportive and collaborative culture of the department. I was fortunate to be mentored by amazing faculty and residents, and to build lasting friendships with colleagues and students. I'm now excited to transition to the clinical side and train with this fantastic team.

Fun fact about you?
Music has always been a passion – I have produced music professionally as a side gig, and continue to perform at friend’s weddings.

Undergraduate School: University of California, Berkeley 
Medical School: University of California, Los Angeles  

Hometown: Los Angeles 
Scholarly interests: Wearable technology, machine learning predictive models, surgical infection prevention. 
Hobbies or interests: hiking, pick-up soccer, trying out new food places as a Yelp Elite member, reality TV. 

Favorite thing to do in the Sacramento area?
Folsom Lake, trying local breweries and spending time with family.  
Why UC Davis Orthopaedic Surgery?  
The people. During my sub-internship, I saw an immensely strong sense of camaraderie amongst the residents, which really drew me to this program. We love to work hard and have a good time while doing it! Furthermore, the early graduated autonomy at a high-volume level one trauma center, dedicated faculty who are invested in us, and access to endless research opportunities that provide innovative solutions for patients, is invigorating. 

Fun fact about you?  
I’ve hiked at over 20 national parks and hope to do more during residency! I am also learning how to DJ and am working on my first mix set. 

Undergraduate School: Calvin College
Medical School: Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine

Hometown: Littleton, CO
Scholarly interests: Biofilm signaling and development, hardware infections, prosthetic joint infections, osseointegration, innovation
Hobbies or interests: Cooking, skiing, hiking, running, biking

Favorite thing to do in the Sacramento area?
Be outside with my family! I love hiking, skiing, going to the ocean, and biking around the city
Why UC Davis Orthopaedic Surgery?
UC Davis stands out for the depth of training, including an exceptional trauma experience for a solid foundation, the quality of faculty mentors, a commitment to research, and the strong camaraderie between the residents. 

Fun fact about you?
I’ve made pour over coffee almost every day for the past 12 years. I have a log of the different coffees I’ve made over the years.

Undergraduate School: UC Davis
Medical School: UC Davis School of Medicine

Hometown: Nanning, China
Scholarly interests: Biomechanics, trauma, health disparities, medical education, diversity equity and inclusion in orthopaedics
Hobbies or interests: Playing basketball (Go Warriors and Valkyries!), running, weightlifting, collecting (and wearing) sneakers, building Legos 

Favorite thing to do in the Sacramento area?
Reading and doing crossword puzzles at local coffee shops with my partner, exploring the food scene around Sacramento, going to Kings vs. Warriors games, enjoying sushi at Kru 
Why UC Davis Orthopaedic Surgery?
High volume; diverse patient populations; opportunities to be involved in orthopaedic education and mentorship via regularly scheduled lecture series with medical students, the Perry Initiative Program, and the Nth Dimension program 

Fun fact about you?
I was one of the five players on the Class of 2026 basketball team that won the 2026 UC Davis School of Medicine Basketball Tournament!

Undergraduate School: James Madison University
Medical School: Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences 
USAF Resident

Hometown: Sparta, NJ
Scholarly interests: Adult Reconstruction, Trauma, General Orthopaedics
Hobbies or Interests: Ice hockey, skiing, hiking, camping, woodworking

Favorite thing to do in the Sacramento area?
Hike with my dog and wife
Why UC Davis Orthopaedic Surgery?
UC Davis offers an incredible opportunity to train with top-tier orthopedic surgeons while also providing a great environment to do it in with a fun group of residents.

Fun fact about you?
I can play guitar and piano

Undergraduate School: CSU Stanislaus
Medical School: University of Washington