Our Providers
Bob Baravarian, DPM, FACFAS
Dr. Bob Baravarian is a Board-Certified Podiatric Foot and Ankle Specialist. He ABFAS® Board Certified in Foot Surgery and Reconstructive Rearfoot/Ankle Surgery (RRA) and one of only a handful of foot and ankle surgeons to have both foot and reconstructive rearfoot and ankle certifications as a Fellow of the American College of Foot and Ankle Surgeons.
He performed a comprehensive three-year residency at the University of Pittsburgh with an emphasis on sports medicine, reconstructive surgery, foot, and ankle trauma, and diabetic limb salvage. He then joined the podiatry group at UCLA prior to opening University Foot and Ankle Institute.
He is a past member of UCLA Medical Group and Chief of Podiatric Surgery at Santa Monica/UCLA medical center and Orthopedic Hospital. He is currently an assistant clinical professor at the UCLA School of Medicine. He also serves as co-director of the University Foot and Ankle Institute. He is Editor Emeritus of the international medical journal, Foot and Ankle Specialist.
Dr. Baravarian has been involved in athletics his entire life and played competitive tennis in high school and college. He has an interest in sports medicine, arthritis therapy, and trauma/reconstructive surgery of the foot and ankle. He serves as a consultant to the ATP (Association of Tennis Professionals) tour, multiple running organizations, and several shoe manufacturers. He is also fluent in five languages (English, French, Spanish, Farsi, and Hebrew).
Podiatrist Dr. Bob Baravarian is available for consultation at our Santa Monica and Sherman Oaks offices.
Gary B. Briskin, DPM, FACFAS
Dr. Gary B. Briskin, a lifelong sports enthusiast, maintains a special passion for hockey and running. He parlays that same spirit into all aspects of podiatry: sports medicine, arthritis prevention, and reconstructive surgery.
As co-founder and co-director of University Foot and Ankle Institute, board-certified Dr. Briskin began his medical training by serving a residency at Flint General Hospital in Michigan. Once completed, he established a practice in Century City Hospital, where he soon became chief of podiatric surgery.
In addition to his current work with the University Foot and Ankle Institute, Dr. Briskin also serves as an assistant clinical professor at the UCLA School of Medicine. He is ABFAS® Board Certified in Foot and Ankle Surgery and a Fellow of the American College of Foot and Ankle Surgeons.
Dr. Briskin resides in Manhattan Beach with his wife and son. He is currently involved with multiple running, hockey, and soccer organizations.
Dr. Briskin is available for consultation at the Santa Monica and El Segundo University Foot and Ankle Institute offices.
Anna-Maria Burachek, DPM
Dr. Anna-Maria Burachek is a Fellow at the University Foot & Ankle Institute. Born in Cahul, Moldova, Dr. Burachek grew up in Sacramento, California. She completed her undergraduate studies at the University of California, Merced, and earned her medical degree from the Temple University School of Podiatric Medicine. Dr. Burachek then completed her residency at Montefiore Medical Center in the Bronx, New York. She currently resides in Santa Monica, California.
Her passion for podiatry began with her own experience as a ballet dancer in her teenage years when she developed peroneal tendonitis. A skilled podiatrist diagnosed and treated her, enabling her to continue dancing without pain and allowing her to realize the vital role podiatrists play in helping people maintain mobility and quality of life.
When she’s not providing exceptional care to her patients, Dr. Burachek can be found supporting her favorite sports team, the Sacramento Kings, or enjoying the vibrant community of Santa Monica.
Dr. Burachek speaks fluent Russian and Romanian and is also proficient in Spanish.
Justin Franson, DPM, FACFAS
Dr. Justin Fransonis a Board-Certified Podiatric Foot and Ankle Specialist. He is a Diplomate of the American Board of Podiatric Surgery.
His idyllic childhood, growing up in New England, hiking the Appalachian Trail, fishing rivers and streams, and eating wild berries all summer long instilled a joy of life that he maintains to this day.
It was during this time in Maine that Dr. Franson began a lifelong love of sports, running cross-country and playing basketball. He grew up with enough people to form a basketball team, with eight siblings and his parents. Medicine certainly runs in his family, as half his siblings are involved in various aspects of healthcare.
After studying accounting and then leaning toward a physical therapy at Brigham Young University, Dr. Franson decided to pursue podiatry as his career. He then attended the School College of Podiatric Medicine in Chicago and supported himself by toiling at a number of part-time jobs until he got his degree. It was during this time he learned how to balance hard work and busy life. When not working or attending school, the future doctor enjoyed “a lot of Chicago’s famous deep-dish pizza.”
Upon graduation in 2001, Franson accepted a three-year residency program at the Greater Los Angeles VA and UCLA County Hospital. His residency-training program included a lot of time in the hospital, emergency room, clinics, and operating room.
Dr. Franson specializes in several areas including total ankle replacement and sports medicine. Treating athletes and weekend warriors like himself brings him a lot of joy. “I love being able to provide true relief to the physical problems that people come see me about. I am one of those people who truly enjoy the personal interactions with my patients.”
His family, complete with four children, keeps him and his wife busy with numerous sports and activities. Dr. Franson, a resident of the Santa Clarita Valley, is also an active member of the community, donating time and resources to a number of local organizations, clubs, and teams.
Like his kids, Dr. Franson is active too, running marathons, triathlons, hiking, basketball, and golf. He says, “These activities continue to give me new and valuable insights into different sports injuries and the mindset of those of us who love to participate in them.”
Podiatrist Dr. Franson is available for patient consultations at University Foot and Ankle Institute in Valencia, California.
Abimbola Johnson, DPM
Our newest podiatrist at University Foot and Ankle Institute is Dr. Abimbola Johnson, who relocated to the Los Angeles area from St. Paul, Minnesota.
Dr. Johnson took his undergraduate degree at Loyola University Chicago, where he played Division II rugby and was also involved in social justice clubs aimed at helping younger students prepare for college.
Upon graduation, he entered Scholl College of Podiatric Medicine, where he served as president of the practice management club and volunteered as coordinator at the Free Foot Clinic in Chicago. He served his residency at Regions Hospital/Health Partners in St. Paul.
Dr. Johnson welcomes you to the Santa Barbara practice
Upon graduation, he entered Scholl College of Podiatric Medicine, where he served as president of the practice management club and volunteered as coordinator at the Free Foot Clinic in Chicago. He served his residency at Regions Hospital/Health Partners in St. Paul.
The doctor began podiatry shortly after college, working as a medical assistant. “I loved the care we provided patients,” he says. “We were able to provide immediate relief for most conditions, and also long-term care for chronic pathologies. I enjoyed the variety of conditions that we treated.”
Dr. Johnson provides comprehensive medical and surgical care for a wide spectrum of foot and ankle conditions, including common and complex disorders and injuries. The doctor is uniquely qualified to detect the early stages of disease that exhibit warning signs in the lower extremities, such as diabetes, arthritis, and cardiovascular disease.
In addition to healing conditions that may pose an ongoing threat to a patient’s overall health, the doctor places further emphasis on sports-related pathologies such sprains, fractures, and overuse injuries.
Born in Lagos, Nigeria, Dr. Johnson moved to the United States in 1997 and lived in Chicago.
Though not actively taking part in competitive sports currently, Dr. Johnson considers himself an avid fan of the Chicago Bears. He also enjoys hiking on weekends with his wife, 18-month-old child and their Boston terrier.
Charles Kelman, DPM, FACFAS
“When I was a senior in college I spent time with my cousin, who was a podiatrist in Saginaw, Michigan,” said Dr. Kelman, who went on to attend California College of Podiatric Medicine. “He was a truly nice guy who really loved what he did to help people and it convinced me to pursue podiatry.”
Dr. Kelman took his residency at Monsignor Clement Kern Hospital in Warren, Michigan.
Now working out of our Westlake Village location, Dr. Kelman specializes in forefoot surgery, sports medicine, and rheumatology.
Dr. Kelman, who entered into practice in 1980, lives in Agoura Hills with his wife of 36 years, Simone, who practices physical therapy. The couple has two rescued Labrador retrievers, Lucky and Cooper.
The Kelman’s have two daughters, one of whom is also a physical therapist, and a son who is studying at California State University Channel Islands. They also recently welcomed a new granddaughter to their family.
Dr. Kelman is ABFAS® Board Certified in Foot Surgery , as well as a Fellow of America’s College of Foot and Ankle Surgeons.
When not tending to his patients, Dr. Kelman is an avid deep-sea fisherman and loves to cook his catch while entertaining family and friends. In addition to taking several six-mile hikes each week with Lucky and Cooper, the doctor enjoys a variety of sports, “but, being from Michigan and growing up playing ice hockey, my heart is always with the Wolverines,” he said.
Dr. Kelman has volunteered as a Clinical Instructor at the Northridge Family Practice Residency Program since 1989. He also donates his time to the Westminster Free Clinic.
Gi Ryoung Kwon, DPM
Dr. Gi Ryoung Kwon is a Podiatrist at the University Foot & Ankle Institute. Born in Seoul, Korea, Dr. Kwon grew up in New Jersey and New York. He completed his undergraduate studies at Pace University in NYC and went on to earn his medical degree from the New York College of Podiatric Medicine (NYCPM). Dr. Kwon then completed his residency at Mount Sinai in New York. He currently resides in Santa Monica.
His passion for podiatry stems from his lifelong love of soccer, a sport that introduced him to the importance of foot health and injury prevention. In part due to his interests, he specializes in minimally invasive procedures, but has experience with all manner of lower extremity conditions and operations.
When he’s not providing exceptional care to his patients, you can find Dr. Kwon enjoying a wide variety of cuisines, supporting the soccer team Juventus in Serie A, or following his local LA Dodgers.
Dr. Kwon speaks Korean fluently and is also studying Spanish and French.
Dana Lavian, DPM, FACFAS
Dr. Dana Lavian is a board-certified podiatrist with over two decades of experience in podiatry and podiatric surgery.
Dr. Lavian received her Bachelor in Biology (PreMed) with honors from Hofstra University before attaining her Doctorate of Podiatric Medicine from Temple University School of Podiatric Medicine with honors as well. She then completed her post-graduate training at St. Agnes Medical Center in Philadelphia. There, she focused on evaluation and management of all aspects of foot and ankle pathology, as well as the systemic disease contributing to these disease processes.
As a licensed podiatrist, she believes her patients deserve to have the information needed to make good choices about their foot and ankle care. Her goal is to educate each patient and begin a relevant treatment program with the highest quality of care available. Whatever the foot and ankle issue, Dr. Lavian prides herself on providing patients with a comfortable office experience and will work with her patients to find answers that will bring them relief.
She provides her patients with the most advanced and modern surgical and non-surgical techniques available in foot and ankle surgery. Podiatric maladies can have a significant negative impact on one’s physical and emotional well-being, which is why she is dedicated to helping patients feel their best.
Dr. Lavian also has a military background, having served in the training department in the Israeli Defense Force and retiring as Lieutenant.
Dr. Lavian supports her patients in English, Hebrew, and Spanish.
Leslie Levy, DPM, FACFAS
Dr. Leslie Levy is a well-established board-certified podiatrist with over four decades of experience in podiatry and podiatric surgery.
Dr. Levy attained his Bachelor of Science degree in Biology from State University of New York, then went to California College of Podiatric Medicine for his Doctorate of Podiatric Medicine. He furthered his medical education with his residency at Western Medical Center.
He holds several certifications and remains active in several committees. He is a standing member of the Surgical Department Committee for Holy Cross Medical Center and the Quality Assurance Committee for Valencia Outpatient Surgical Center. Dr. Levy is also the past president and current board member of the California Society of Industrial Medicine.
Dr. Levy remains active in his field and enjoys teaching and spreading his podiatric knowledge to future medical professionals. He is an assistant clinical professor of podiatry/podiatric medicine for California College of Podiatric Medicine and Los Angeles County USC Medical Center. Outside of his medical practice, he also is a clinical consultant/peer review for Health Net Corporation. In the past, he has also served as a clinical instructor/clinical consultant for health and pharmaceutical centers.
Hoda Naei, DPM
Dr. Hoda Naei specializes in Sports Medicine. She is board-qualified in foot surgery and is a member of the American Society of Radiologic Technologists.
Dr. Naei was born in Missouri but grew up in Michigan. She graduated from Wayne State University with a degree in radiation therapy technology.
After Wayne State, she obtained her podiatry studies at Kent State University in Ohio and completed her residency at Beaumont Farmington Hills in Michigan.
She loves sports and has participated in many, from basketball to martial arts. During her college years, she was an avid kickboxer. Her experience with a sprained ankle during her kickboxing career led her to specialize in Podiatry.
“I still remember the pain I encountered after I had performed an uncoordinated kick,” she says. Practicing kicks is crucial to becoming a great kickboxer and is one of the most important parts of training.
The poorly performed kick left her with a sprained ankle that required medical attention. During her schooling and hospital rotations, it held her back when students must be in top physical shape. She (obviously) went to a podiatrist to evaluate her sprained ankle and get her back on track.
“He took the time to explain the healing process and assured me I would not have any negative long-term physical problems,” she recounts. “The support and confidence that my podiatrist gave me eased my fear … and enhanced my interest in podiatry.”
She could do mixed martial arts for years and now enjoys hiking.
Dr. Naei currently lives in Santa Monica with her fiance. She is fluent in English and Farsi.
Gina Nalbandian, DPM
Dr. Gina Nalbandian specializes in reconstructive and revisional foot and ankle surgery, foot and ankle trauma, sports medicine, lapiplasty, and limb salvage.
The doctor brings to the staff a lifelong love of sports and a deep passion for helping patients to live active lives. Her interest in podiatry started while growing up and watching her brother suffer from flat feet. “It was tough seeing him in pain with no real options given.”
“While looking into podiatry it was great to see doctors alleviate patients’ problems so quickly and how grateful they were,” says Gina, who is qualified by the American Board of Foot and Ankle Surgery. “I remember I was able to watch a flatfoot reconstruction surgery and it was amazing that the surgeon essentially created a new foot.”
Gina stayed active through her youth in Los Angeles and participated in competitive volleyball and track. She took a get-over-it-and-keep-going approach when suffering from minor physical setbacks.
The idea of practicing medicine blossomed during high school when she took part in a medical-focus program. “Being able to allow patients to walk, run, and play sports pain-free was definitely something I wanted to be a part of,” says Gina, who majored in microbiology at UC San Diego. “I love the diversity this field offers. You can see an ankle fracture, bunion, arthritis, Achilles tendinitis, and a diabetic wound all in one day.”
While an undergrad, Gina volunteered at free clinics, hospitals and with the AIDS Project in Los Angeles, all the while exploring various careers in medicine. She also conducted and published her research in the lab on campus. “I soon found out that the lab life wasn’t for me, and I wanted a more hands-on approach to medicine,” she says.
Dr. Nalbandian did her residency at St. Elizabeth’s Medical Center in Boston, which is affiliated with Tufts University. As a resident, she served an academic coordinator and chief resident.
A resident of Sherman Oaks, Gina continues to volunteer her expertise with the Special Olympics, Happy Feet (providing foot care at homeless shelters), and the Boston Marathon.
Gina is a member of American College of Foot and Ankle Surgeons (ACFAS) and American Podiatric Medical Association (APMA).
She speaks English, Armenian and (medical) Spanish.
Dr. Gina Nalbandian is available for consultation at our Westlake Village office.
Gray O’Brien, PT, MPT, OCS
Gray O’Brien, PT, MPT, OCS is a physical therapist licensed by the Physical Therapy Board of California. He graduated with his Master’s in Physical Therapy from Long Island University, where he completed his thesis on the rehabilitation of the lower back and core strengthening. Gray has been with UFAI since 2006.
Gray was born and raised in the Chicago area. A natural athlete, he spent time skiing, diving, and playing football, but nurtured a particular passion for tennis. He could be found on the courts as early as age five, all the way through his senior year of high school, when he won a Wisconsin State Doubles Title in 1979.
Gray worked in the commodities business in Chicago for 10 years until he decided he needed a career change. He took a year to explore his career options and with the help of career counselors and volunteer and shadowing opportunities, he found his true calling in sports rehabilitation. As a kid who was always in and out of the orthopedic clinic with an assortment of tennis and skiing injuries, Gray was always impressed with his therapists and the ways they made the rehab setting so enjoyable.
Since 1999, Gray has been working with weekend-warriors, high school, collegiate, and professional athletes, with a special focus on orthopedic/sports rehabilitation. He specializes in foot and ankle pathologies and post-operative recovery. He lives in the Santa Monica area and proudly shares a “soccer parent” status with his wife and four children.
Lydia Salinas, PTA
A lifelong runner and favorite of the Westside running community, Lydia Salinas, PTA, joins UFAI to bring her expertise and extensive experience to the physical therapy team.
Lydia has over 30 years of clinical experience in outpatient orthopedic and sports medicine physical therapy. She takes pride in getting to know her client’s personal needs and taking a hands-on approach to restore functional movement, balance, strength, and conditioning.
Her journey into physical therapy began when she was just a child, watching her mother undergo treatment for a fractured pelvis at White Memorial Hospital in Los Angeles. The experience stuck with her, and since then, she knew what she wanted to do with her life: help injured people to feel better and get moving once again.
Born, raised, and educated right here in Los Angeles, Lydia graduated from UCLA in 1982 with a Bachelor of Science in Kinesiology. During her collegiate years, you could find her on the pitch and in the scrum, playing rugby for the UCLA Bruins.
Lydia may have hung up her boots, but she could never give up her true passion for running. Today, she treats several longtime members of some of LA’s biggest running clubs, including Track Club LA, the LA Road Runners, and the LA LEGGERS.
On the weekends, you can catch Lydia cruising the classic motorcycle and vintage Volkswagen circuit. Lydia is also our resident amateur Herpetologist. Doesn’t every office need one? Next time you spot a wacky-looking frog, lizard or turtle while you’re out there pounding the trails, snap a picture for her!