Nicole Takeda, MD, is completing a five-year General Surgery residency at UCSF Fresno. She is staying to complete a fellowship in Minimally Invasive and Bariatric Surgery with Advanced Laparoscopic Surgery Associates Medical Group in Fresno.

Born and raised in Fresno, she attended Valley Oak Elementary School, Kastner Intermediate School, and Clovis West High School. She obtained a bachelor’s in Human Biology from UC San Diego and earned a medical degree from the UC Davis School of Medicine.

“A future in medicine was not immediately clear to me,” said Dr. Takeda. “I worked in pharmaceutical research. I was focusing on diseases, illnesses, and conditions, but I felt disconnected from the people at the core of our mission.”

Wanting to make an impact, she applied for volunteer jobs and landed one at a mobile health clinic where she witnessed the effects of health care inequality. Those images left an indelible mark and further steered her toward medicine. However, her father unexpectedly died during her fourth year in medical school.

“That moment continues to color my perspective and shapes my relationships. As a soon to be physician (at the time), a profession closely intertwined with death, I had come to a compromise or at least an understanding with death,” Dr. Takeda said. “I never anticipated what it would feel like to lose someone you love.”

Her father’s death taught life-changing lessons that resonate in her work. “It is important to consider the role we play as physicians,” she said. “Our words and actions matter. It takes little energy to be kind, and to the recipient, it may mean the world. We also must make our time count because sometimes there is no later.”

While patient advocacy drew her to medicine, she chose surgery for the hands-on patient care that combines a quest for knowledge with a way to serve and alleviate suffering.

She is a proud aunt to two amazing nieces who are a reminder to cherish what is often taken for granted.

Since her job requires her to be indoors, Dr. Takeda’s spare time is spent outdoors – running, hiking, fishing, camping, and enjoying family time.

Reflecting on training at UCSF Fresno, she said, “The faculty, staff, residents, students, and patients make this program unique. It is a culture that provides support and flexibility which are vital in a busy work environment. Serving the Valley is an opportunity to care for those in need and to learn from unique pathologies and disease processes.”

Cristina Vega, PA-C, ATC-L, MMSc, MHA/Ed, completed a 12-month postgraduate physician assistant (PA) residency training program in Orthopaedic Surgery at UCSF Fresno. Raised in Snellville, Georgia, a suburb outside of Atlanta, PA Vega stayed local after completing training. She is currently employed by Central California Faculty Medical Group and working in a clinical setting at University Orthopaedic Associates in Clovis and assists with surgeries.

PA Vega attended Brookwood High School, the University of Georgia and graduated from Emory University School of Medicine’s Physician Assistant Program. Prior to PA school, she worked in sports medicine with orthopaedic physicians. A mentor who had followed the same path encouraged her to become a PA.

“I never thought I would get into PA school because I have a learning disability and I am not a strong test taker,” she said.

Her PA school evaluated applicants comprehensively and considered more than grades and test scores. School was demanding but a strong support system and accommodations approved for testing and tutors helped greatly.

The fact that I was able to become a PA regardless of my learning disabilities is a point of pride, said Vega, giving credit to her strong support system.

After PA school, she was eager to have specialized training and decided to pursue a residency. She was drawn to orthopaedics because of her prior experience.

“I did not feel prepared to start my career unless I continued my education in the field I wanted to work in,” said Vega. “I loved working directly with the attendings and residents. I am much more confident in my ability having completed the UCSF Fresno Orthopaedic PA Residency Program.”

PA Vega decided to stay because of the family atmosphere in ortho. She works in multiple specialties and sees a variety of cases. In addition, the Fresno/Clovis area reminded her of where she grew up. It felt like home.   

In her spare time, she enjoys being outside and staying active with water sports, hiking and yoga. She enjoys visiting family in the East Bay and watching her niece and nephews grow up.