Scripps Mercy Hospital Podiatric Residency

Advanced training in podiatric medicine and surgery

A Scripps resident physician conducts a foot exam as part of her training in podiatric medicine.

Scripps Mercy Hospital San Diego Podiatric Residency Program is designed to provide excellent training in foot and ankle disorders, including forefoot, rearfoot and ankle pathologies.


Residents are provided with opportunities to learn from medical and surgical specialists from multiple health care facilities in California.


Accredited by the Council on Podiatric Medical Education, the three-year program combines rigorous didactic training and hands-on clinical experience. It prepares podiatric residents to become excellent doctors, and experts in the medical and surgical management of all foot and ankle diseases, conditions, deformities and trauma.

Please note: Some of the footage and images in this video were taken prior to the COVID-19 pandemic. Scripps is currently following all CDC guidelines, and has implemented special protocols, to keep our facilities safe for our patients and staff. Read more about our precautions

Program highlights

Program highlights

San Diego’s diverse patient population exposes our podiatric residents to a wide variety of patients, including those with diabetes, complex foot and ankle deformities, and traumatic injuries.


The program’s comprehensive clinical training is complemented by rigorous didactic training — giving our residents the best opportunity for success. Other program highlights include:


  • An emphasis on biomechanical theory, patient care and clinical exposure that reinforces and expands on medical school experience
  • Preparation for PMSR-RRA certification in reconstructive rearfoot and ankle surgery
  • A cadaver lab, journal club, weekly lecture series and weekly x-ray conference
  • Working with orthopedic trauma surgeons and podiatric trauma surgeons at a Level I trauma center
  • Integration into a nationally renowned internal medicine training program at Scripps Mercy Hospital San Diego
  • Research and teaching opportunities at The Podiatry Institute’s fall seminar in San Diego
  • Outstanding medical and surgical rotations in a teaching-hospital setting that include a radiology rotation with Donald Resnick, MD, author of the three-volume radiographic extremity textbook
  • An infectious disease rotation with Gonzalo Ballon-Landa, MD, recipient of the Teacher of the Year award multiple times

Training sites

Scripps Mercy Hospital Podiatric Residency Program is proud to provide residents with high-quality training at various locations throughout San Diego and Sacramento. Each site offers unique learning opportunities and diverse patient populations.

Research opportunities

Podiatric residents at Scripps Mercy Hospital will be required to conduct a research project for their first and second year. First-year residents have the opportunity to hone their research and public speaking skills by presenting a topic to internal medicine residents and attendings at a conference.


At the beginning of their second and third years of residency, residents present their papers at The Podiatry Institute meeting. This annual event takes place in San Diego at the end of September.


Additionally, some of the podiatric residents attain research opportunities at Scripps Green Hospital, Kaiser San Diego and Scripps Mercy Hospital. In fact, second-year residents have the opportunity to present original research at the Orthopedic Conference held at Scripps Green.


First-, second- and third-year residents have the opportunity to present their research and/or case presentations at the annual Spring Geller research competition in PowerPoint, oral form or poster form for cash and awards.

Clinical rotations and curriculum

Our residents learn and gain valuable knowledge and experience in their rotations, allowing them to understand the important role each physician plays in the care of the patient.


Podiatry residents rotate through various other specialty departments where they are treated as equals and given the same responsibilities as members of the team while on a particular service.


Each year of training consists of 13 rotations. Rotations are four weeks long. Learn more about the rotations for each year of the program and additional training activities.

Current residents

Current residents of the Scripps Mercy Podiatric Residency Program:

Salary and benefits

The terms and conditions of resident training and employment are specified in the employment agreement (resident contract), including training obligations, stipend and benefits. Copies of the employment agreement, yearly rotation schedule, call schedules and other information are provided at the interview.

How to apply

Applications are accepted through the Centralized Application Service for Podiatric Residencies (CASPR) only. This service, sponsored by the American Association of Colleges of Podiatric Medicine (AACPM), submits:


  • Residency applications
  • Three letters of recommendation
  • Official medical school transcripts
  • Personal statements to residency program directors
  • Proof of current CPR and ACLS certification


View the 2024 CASPR/CRIP Program Schedule (PDF, 290 KB) to learn more about deadlines.


A $35 application fee is required to be submitted by the due date specified on the CASPR website. This fee is used to recover costs associated with processing the application and conducting the interview process. If an applicant is not granted an interview, the $35 fee is refunded.


The Scripps Mercy Podiatric Residency Program does not offer any form of Visa support.


A separate selection category is set up in CASPR for the three different third year residency positions — one position in San Diego, two positions in Sacramento, and one position in Ontario, California.


Please note that there is not a separate application process or fee to apply for one or all programs. However, the programs are matched separately by CASPR.


Before applying, it is highly recommended that you visit or extern in the program. The Scripps Mercy podiatric residency program accepts two to three externs each month to maximize the learning experience. Externing is highly recommended and desired, but it is not a requirement for acceptance into the residency program.