Doctors: University Foot & Ankle Institute

BEVERLY HILLS - SANTA MONICA - VALENCIA - TORRANCE - MANHATTAN BEACH - SHERMAN OAKS - WEST HILLS - UCLA

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	Dr. Bob Baravarian is a board certified podiatric foot and ankle specialist. He is a Diplomate of the American Board of Podiatric Surgery and a Fellow of the Americal College of Foot and Ankle Surgeons. He has been involved in athletics his entire life and played competitive tennis in high school and college. He performed a comprehensive three year residency at the University of Pittsburgh, Southside Hospital (formerly St. Francis Health System Residency Program) with emphasis of sports medicine, reconstructive surgery and diabetic limb salvage of the foot and ankle. He then joined UCLA for a period of four years prior to opening The Foot and Ankle Institute . He is currently a member of UCLA Medical Group, chief of podiatric surgery at Santa Monica/UCLA medical center and an assistant clinical professor at the UCLA School of Medicine. He also serves as co-director of The Foot and Ankle Institute. He is Editor In Chief of the international medical journal, Foot and Ankle Specialist. He has an interest in sports medicine, diabetic foot care, arthritis therapy and reconstructive surgery of the foot and ankle and is a consultant to the ATP (Association of Tennis Professionals) tour, multiple running organizations and several shoe manufacturers. Dr. Baravarian is available for consultation at the Santa Monica and Sherman Oaks offices.

	Dr. Gary B. Briskin is a board certified podiatric foot and ankle specialist. He is a Diplomate of the American Board of Podiatric Surgery and a Fellow of the Americal College of Foot and Ankle Surgeons. He performed his residency training at Flint General Hospital in Michigan. Following his training program, he moved to Southern California and established a practice in Century City Hospital. He then joined UCLA for a period of time before his current position as co-founder and co-director of The Foot and Ankle Institute . He continues to serve as a member of UCLA Medical Group, and is an assistant clinical professor at the UCLA School of Medicine. He has had a life long interest in hockey and running and is currently involved with multiple running, hockey and soccer organizations. He is the past chief of podiatric surgery at both Century City Hospital and Cedar Sinai Medical Center. He has an interest in general podiatric care, sports medicine arthritis prevention and reconstructive surgery of the foot and ankle. Dr. Briskin is available for consultation at the Santa Monica and Manhattan Beach offices.

	Dr. David J. Soomekh is a board certified podiatric foot and ankle specialist. He is a Diplomate of the American Board of Podiatric Surgery and a Fellow of the Americal College of Foot and Ankle Surgeons. Being one of a select few doctors to have trained at the Stanford residency program, he has performed many of the most complex foot and ankle cases in his training. He concluded 3 years of residency surgical training at the Palo Alto VA Hospital and California Pacific Medical Center in San Francisco. He is a Clinical Instructor at UCLA School of Medicine. He is a member of the editorial board of the international medical journal, Foot And Ankle International. Dr. Soomekh has dedicated much time to the advancement of arthritis prevention and is an expert in the treatment of degenerative arthritis. He has several publications in medical journals and comprehensive textbooks regarding many different foot and ankle topics. Dr Soomekh also has a special interest in foot and ankle reconstructive surgery, diabetic wound management and arthroscopy of the foot and ankle. In his free time, Dr. Soomekh enjoys outdoor sports and travel and is a nationally recognized opera singer. Dr. Soomekh is available for consultation at the Santa Monica and Beverly Hills offices.

	Dr. Justin Franson is a board certified podiatric foot and ankle specialist. He is a Diplomate of the American Board of Podiatric Surgery and a Fellow of the Americal College of Foot and Ankle Surgeons. He is a Clinical Instructor at UCLA School of Medicine. He performed a three year comprehensive residency training program in foot and ankle surgery in the Greater Los Angeles area, including the West Los Angeles VA Medical Center, Olive View/UCLA Medical Center, and Century City Hospital. A resident of the Santa Clarita valley, he is interested in providing advanced and progressive foot and ankle care to the community of which he is an active member. In addition to work with the Foot and Ankle Institute, he is an attending foot and ankle specialist with two major teaching hospitals in the area. As a runner who has completed many competitive races and marathons, he has a personal interest in athletics and sports medicine. He is dedicated to providing comprehensive care of the foot and ankle, from injury prevention and basic foot and ankle care to the most complex reconstructive surgery of the foot and ankle. Outside the office, Dr. Franson enjoys spending time with his family, including a wife and four young children. Dr. Franson is available for patient consultations at the Valencia office.

	Dr. Jon Thompson is a podiatric foot and ankle specialist. He is an Associate of the Americal College of Foot and Ankle Surgeons. Dr. Thompson completed a three year comprehensive foot and ankle surgical residency at the Veterans Administration Program, West Los Angeles. Prior to his residency program, he completed his medical studies at the California School of Podiatric Medicine, Samuel Merritt College. Dr. Thompson has conducted research on bunion and reconstructive hindfoot surgery and arthritis of the great toe with hemi-implant resurfacing. He is interested in a full spectrum foot and ankle practice with emphasis on forefoot and hindfoot reconstructive surgery. Dr. Thompson is available for consultation in the Manhattan Beach and Torrance offices.

	Dr. J. Braxton Little is a board certified podiatric foot and ankle specialist. He is a Diplomate of the American Board of Podiatric Surgery and a Fellow of the Americal College of Foot and Ankle Surgeons. He completed a residency in Podiatric Medicine and Surgery at Beverly Hills Medical Center. Prior to joining University Foot and Ankle Institute Dr. Little practiced in West Los Angeles and most recently in Pacific Palisades. Dr. Little is currently Chief of Podiatric Medicine and Surgery at St. John’s Health Center in Santa Monica. He is also on staff at Santa Monica / UCLA Medical Center Hospital and the Surgery Center of Santa Monica. Dr. Little has an interest in reconstructive foot surgery, sports medicine and diabetic foot care. He and his wife Nancy have three children. They all enjoy tennis, hiking, soccer and snow sports. Dr. Little is available for consultation in the Santa Monica and West Hills offices.