Reprinted with permission from APMA News, July/August 2026

Christina Han-Souksavong Ma, DPM, is a podiatric foot and ankle surgeon in Fresno, CA. She graduated from the Samuel Merritt University College of Podiatric Medicine and completed a foot and ankle residency at St. Mary's. Through her training, she is affiliated with Highland Hospital, Northbay Medical Center, PAMF, and Kaiser San Francisco/DVA.

Tell us about your path into podiatry and how you came to work at a Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC).

I grew up in Fresno, CA and completed my under-graduate education at University of California, Davis. After podiatry school and residency, I initially joined a private practice because I thought it would give me the surgical experience I was looking for. It was a busy mixed practice with heavy hospital responsibilities, and I often saw more than 40 patients a day. While I gained valuable experience, I realized I wanted something different. I was looking for better work-life balance and, more importantly, an opportunity to serve patients who truly needed access to care. That ultimately led me to join an FQHC. and it has been an excellent fit for both my professional and personal goals.

What were the biggest differences you noticed when you transitioned from private practice to an FQHC?

There is certainly a learning curve in both settings, but the day-to-day experience is very different. In private practice, there was constant pressure to maintain a high patient volume. You’re responsible not only for patient care but also for coding. billing, productivity, and making sure everything is financially sustainable.

At the FQHC, the focus shifts back to patient care. Our schedules are structured differently, and I generally see around 21 to 24 patients a day instead of more than 40. That gives me more time with each patient and allows me to concentrate on what they actually need rather than worrying about reimbursement or whether something was billed correctly. I find myself spending more time asking, “What's the best treatment for this patient?” rather than thinking about the business side of medicine. Not having the same administrative burden as in private practice has been one of the best parts about working at an FQHC.

Was serving an underserved population part of what attracted you to an FQHC?

Absolutely. I've always been drawn to mission-driven medicine. Many of the patients we care for are uninsured, underinsured, or experiencing homelessness. These are people who often have very limited access to specialty care, and they're incredibly appreciative when someone is willing to help them. Being able to provide care for those patients is one of the most rewarding parts of my job. It reminds me every day why I chose podiatry in the first place.

What have you done with the increased flexibility working at an FQHC has afforded you?

There's been a tremendous improvement in my schedule and stress management. I currently work four 10-hour days each week, which gives me one additional weekday off. This schedule has allowed me time to build relationships with podiatrists across California through professional development activities, meetings, and conferences. Having the time and space to make these connections is especially important when you're practicing in a rural or underserved area where you may be one of only one or two podiatrists.

Having colleagues you can call with difficult cases or reimbursement questions is invaluable. It creates a professional support network that makes you a better physician. I also have used this extra time to attend continuing education courses to strengthen my knowledge. So, I find myself a better physician who is able to provide better care because of my position at an FQHC.

In addition, the schedule has allowed me to become more involved in advocacy. I have been able to get more involved through APMA and the California Podiatric Medical Association, and I've been participating in advocacy activities that I simply couldn't fit into my schedule when I was in private practice. Having dedicated time for those professional activities has been incredibly valuable for my career, and I am becoming increasingly interested in getting even more involved in national advocacy. For example, the flexibility of my schedule allowed me to attend the 2026 House of Delegates meeting across the country in Washington, DC. I would have less bandwidth to put forth all this effort into advocacy if I were still at private practice.

Are there any last benefits of working at an FQHC you think podiatric medical students or young physicians should know about?

With the escalating costs of all education, including podiatric medical school, FQHCs have generous student loan relief and forgiveness programs. This can greatly reduce your stress when you first start out in the profession. Many FQHCs are in lower cost of living regions, but the salaries are still very competitive nationally, so you can end up better off financially at an FQHC. There are also FQHCs in and around major urban areas, so you have a wide variety of places to look for a position. If you are under financial stress, FQHCs are an option you should seriously consider.