The 2009 alum says his passion for podiatry would not be possible if it were not for the dedication and push to graduate from the California School of Podiatric Medicine (CSPM) alongside his older brother Dr. Mher Vartivarian. “I had always been interested in surgery, and podiatry provided that challenge. It made sense to pursue the same field as my brother, and I was motivated to go to podiatry school with him.”
Shahan Vartivarian, DPM
His three year residency through St. Mary’s Medical Center has been a great teaching tool, according to Shahan. He has treated podiatric patients with diabetic wound care, resulting in the saving of limbs. He agrees that the demand for podiatry is huge with an ever-growing aging population.
“With the surge in people with diabetes, podiatrists are playing a particularly critical role in preventing amputations. Through clinical practice and training, I’ve been exposed to every demographic of patient in a multitude of facilities from county hospitals to well-organized private practices.” What excites Shahan about the podiatry profession is the variety of speciality areas and the flexibility to choose where he would like to make an impact. “How hard you want to work and the type of practice you would like to build is driven by what motivates the individual physician.”
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