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Department of Surgery Department of Surgery
  1. Department of Surgery
  2. Divisions
  3. Vascular and Endovascular Surgery
  4. Education
  5. Residency
  6. Current Residents

Current Residents

  • John Hallsten, MD

    John Hallsten, MD

    PGY5

    Undergraduate Institution: University of Notre Dame
    Medical School: Loyola University Chicago Stritch School of Medicine
    Clinical Interests: Chronic limb threatening ischemia, cerebrovascular disease, hemodialysis access, and aortic and iliac aneurysmal disease
    Why UC San Diego? UC San Diego stands out for one reason — the people. I have the pleasure of working with brilliant and caring surgeons on a daily basis. UC San Diego surrounds us with excellence. Our large, diverse patient population provides a massive spectrum of diseases within every vascular bed, making patient care exciting and dynamic. UC San Diego provides the most up-to-date endovascular and open vascular surgical care to our patients. My surgical training here is world-class.
    What do you like about San Diego? What is not to love? The weather is perfect and the food is incredible! This is truly one of the most beautiful places in the country.
  • Kevin Yei, MD

    Kevin Yei, MD

    PGY4 

    Undergraduate Institution: California Institute of Technology
    Medical School: UC San Diego
    Clinical Interests: Carotid, aorta, dialysis access and peripheral arterial disease — I enjoy the diversity in vascular surgery!
    Why UC San Diego? I have been fortunate to call San Diego home for nearly my entire life and have a strong support network of friends and family here. As a medical student, I was deeply inspired by our vascular surgery division and the amazing work that is done in patient care, education and research on a daily basis. Our residency program also gives us a unique opportunity to rotate through a variety of different clinical sites while taking care of a diverse and complex patient population as the only major academic institution in the area.
    What do you like about San Diego? San Diego’s natural beauty and excellent weather help encourage a positive and collaborative community. We have excellent diversity in our population, recreational activities and dining. One of my personal favorites is our surgery resident Taco Tuesday, where we explore different taco locations on a weekly basis.
  • Joshua Fallentine, MD

    Joshua Fallentine, MD

    PGY-3

    Undergraduate Institution: Brigham Young University
    Medical School:     Georgetown University
    Clinical Interests:     Aortic surgery, limb salvage, carotid disease, venous insufficiency, dialysis access and spine exposure
    Why UC San Diego?     The vascular surgery program at UC San Diego offers training in all aspects of vascular pathophysiology, with highlights including complex endovascular and open aortic surgery, limb salvage and carotid disease. Our program also boasts a strong clinical research program, which interfaces very well with other academic research programs here at UC San Diego.
    What do you like about San Diego?     San Diego is right on the water! Nothing beats walking the beach with my family, sailing the bay, and then an occasional surf or spearfishing trip down south in Mexico!

  • Olivia Fuson, MD

    Olivia Fuson, MD

    PGY-2

    Undergraduate Institution: Creighton University
    Medical School: Oregon Health & Science University
    Other education: none
    Clinical Interests: Caring for patients with all varieties of arterial and venous disease
    Why UC San Diego? I chose UC San Diego because it was a great opportunity to learn to treat the entire spectrum of vascular pathology and care for a diverse patient population in a supportive teaching environment. 
    What do you like about San Diego? Besides the unbeatable sun and beach, I have loved finding new running trails and coffee shops around San Diego. It's a big city, but still has that neighborhood feel to most of it. The amount of ice cream here has also been a pleasant surprise!
  • Sina Zarrintan, MD, MS, MPH

    Sina Zarrintan, MD, MS, MPH

    PGY-1

    Undergraduate Institution and Medical School: Tabriz University of Medical Sciences
    Master's: Medical Education at Smart University of Medical Sciences
    MPH: Shiraz University of Medical Sciences
    MAS: Clinical Research at UC San Diego
    Clinical Interests: Peripheral artery disease, carotid artery disease, aortic dissections and vascular trauma
    Why UC San Diego? Strong mentor-mentee relationships, cutting-edge clinical training and research opportunities and diverse case volume.
    What do you like about San Diego? Friendly people, great weather and a healthy work-life balance.