Michael Zapf, DPM
Dr. Michael Zapf earned a BS degree in Microbiology (Cal State Long Beach) and Master of Public Health from UCLA with a specialty in Infectious and Tropical Diseases. After graduating from the California College of Podiatric Medicine, he served a residency in foot surgery in San Jose, CA. He is a past associate professor of podiatry at the LAC-USC Medical Center. He is on active staff at Los Robles Medical Center, the Thousand Oaks Surgical Hospital and the Los Robles Surgicenter. He is actively involved in the community belonging to the Westlake Sunrise Rotary Club, the Triunfo YMCA and the Conejo Free Clinic. For the last six years he has volunteered for an annual children’s foot surgery mission in Honduras. He lives in Oak Park with his wife and son.
Stephen Benson, DPM
Dr. Stephen Benson is originally from Santa Maria. He attended Brigham Young University where he graduated with a degree in Molecular Biology. He attended the California College of Podiatric Medicine and completed a three year podiatric surgical residency at the VA Hospital in West Los Angeles. Dr. Benson continues to help teach students and residents at both the VA Hospital and Olive View-UCLA medical center. He is a clinical adjunct professor at both the Ohio and Arizona colleges of podiatric medicine. He is an associate of the American College of Foot and Ankle Surgeons and the American Professional Wound Care Association. Dr. Benson is certified in wound care by the council for medical education and testing. Dr. Benson enjoys spending time with his wife and three children.
Darren Payne, DPM
Dr. Darren Payne is a long time resident of the Conejo Valley and a graduate of Thousand Oaks High School. He received his undergraduate education from Brigham Young University in Provo Utah, and UCLA with an emphasis in Human Biology. He received his medical degree from the California College of Podiatric Medicine (CCPM) in San Francisco. In 2000, he completed a two year surgical residency at Madigan Army Medical Center and VA American Lake in Tacoma Washington, where he was the Chief Podiatric Resident. He is a past faculty member of the Western Podiatric Medical Congress and has frequently lectured and performed workshops on flexible flat foot correction. He is certified by the American Board of Podiatric Surgery and a Fellow of both the American College of Foot and Angle Surgeons and American Professional Wound Care Association. He is married and has two sons and a daughter. He loves to play softball, ski, camp and hike.
Trevor Takeyama, DPM
Dr. Trevor Takeyama was born and raised in Southern California. He completed his undergraduate studies at the University of California Irvine, obtaining a Bachelors of Science degree in Biology. He then completed his podiatric medical school training, obtaining his Doctor of Podiatric Medicine degree from Western University of Health Sciences where the curriculum was fully integrated and taken alongside the osteopathic medical students. He graduated at the top of his class, was named Valedictorian and was selected to be a member of the Pi Delta National Podiatric Honors Society. Dr. Takeyama is board qualified by the American Board of Foot and Ankle Surgery. He holds a passion for resolving pain involving the wide spectrum of foot and ankle ailments both surgically and non-surgically. Dr. Takeyama always strives to stay up to date with the newest evidence-based medicine in order to provide the best patient care. He finds the best outcomes involve patient-centered treatment plans and collaborative efforts to resolve pain. Outside of work, he enjoys spending time with his loved ones and playing sports.
Jeffrey S. Hurless, DPM
Dr. Jeffrey S Hurless is a Podiatrist and Foot and Ankle Surgeon with a distinguished career spanning over two decades, dating back to 1999. He holds the title of Diplomat of the American Board of Foot and Ankle Surgery and is board-certified by the American College of Foot & Ankle Surgeons (ACFAS). Dr. Hurless commenced his academic journey at the University of Akron in Ohio, where he earned his undergraduate degree in Biology. Demonstrating unwavering commitment to academic excellence, he furthered his scholarly pursuits by obtaining a master's degree in physiology at the same institution. Venturing to San Francisco, Dr. Hurless pursued his doctorate at the renowned California College of Podiatric Medicine, where he garnered the highest honors. His thirst for knowledge and commitment to excellence led him to refine his podiatry and surgical expertise through a rigorous residency training program at Kaiser Permanente in Santa Clara, CA, culminating in a comprehensive three-year surgical residency within the Department of Orthopedics. Beyond his clinical proficiency, Dr. Hurless is a respected lecturer, having delivered captivating presentations across the nation on a wide range of topics, including Diabetes, Sports Medicine, and Pediatric Foot Pathology. His depth of knowledge and engaging speaking style have made him a sought-after authority in the medical community. Dr. Hurless's dedication to his chosen field stems from the diverse patient population it affords him the privilege to serve, ranging from infants to elderly grandparents. With a substantial track record of successful bunionectomies and reconstructive forefoot surgeries, Dr. Hurless has solidified his reputation as an accomplished expert in the field. Beyond his role as a dedicated healthcare professional, he is a devoted husband and father of three, taking great pride in fostering a true family-oriented medical practice. In his spare time, he enjoys playing golf, watching college football, wine tasting and spending time with family and friends.
Juan Martinez, DPM
Dr. Juan “Jonny” Martinez is originally from Northern CA. He graduated with honors from Utah Valley University in 2013 with a degree in Biology. During his undergraduate years Dr. Martinez emphasized his studies in Advanced Human Anatomy, wherein he developed his passion for medicine and surgery. He completed his podiatric medical education at the New York College of Podiatric Medicine in 2017. He then went on to compete a rigorous 3-year residency training in foot and ankle surgery in Beaver, Pennsylvania at the Heritage Valley Health System. He served as Chief Resident from 2019-2020. From 2020-2024, Dr. Martinez resided in the California Central Valley, wherein he worked amongst the state’s most medically underserved population. This provided him with ample experience in managing complex foot and ankle pathologies.
Dr. Martinez takes a comprehensive and thorough approach in treating his patients. He understands that it’s not just a foot or ankle coming into his office – there is a person coming into his office with a foot or ankle issue. Dr. Martinez believes communication is integral to a successful doctor-patient relationship. “Both the doctor and patient have important roles in the healing process”, he says. “It is very much a partnership, and communication between the two are key on the path to recovery.”
While Dr. Martinez performs surgery on a regular basis, he understands it is rarely the first line of treatment. He works with his patients to ensure more conservative approaches are taken first.
Dr. Martinez is fluent in both English and Spanish. He married his high school sweetheart in 2008, and they have three children. When not working, he enjoys running, hiking, camping, traveling with his family to National Parks, and cooking Caribbean cuisines.
Tam Nguyen, DPM
Dr. Tam Nguyen is a specialist in the foot and ankle. Born and raised in Los Angeles he calls Southern California his home. He completed his bachelor’s degree in cell and molecular biology and decided to broaden his education by studying philosophy and theology. With a special interest in ancient languages, he took courses in biblical Greek, ancient Hebrew, ecclesial Latin and modern day Spanish. Dr. Nguyen then attended Western University of Health Sciences in Pomona for his medical training. Afterward, he completed his intensive residency training at the Stanford affiliated Veteran Affairs hospital in Palo Alto California where he served as chief resident.
He is board qualified in reconstructive foot and ankle surgery through the American Board of Foot and Ankle Surgery. He enjoys treating all aspects of foot ailments including bunions, forefoot deformity corrections, diabetic limb salvage and trauma. He enjoys evidence-based medicine and working as a team with patients to provide the best possible care.
Outside of work he enjoys reading science fiction, working on cars and meeting other people with difficult to pronounce last names. He spends the rest his free time playing with his two young boys, Benedict and Francis.
