The UCSF Orthopaedic Surgery Residency Class of 2031 gathers during the department's annual White Coat Ceremony and Welcome BBQ. Pictured from left are Emily Luo, MD, MHSc; Emma Tapp, MD; Gabrielle Gilmer, MD, PhD; Shravya Kakulamarri, MD; Walter Sobba, MD; Julia Ralph, MD; Nikhil Gattu, MD; and Joshua Porto, MD, MS. (Photo: UCSF Department of Orthopaedic Surgery)
Annual White Coat Ceremony and Welcome BBQ celebrate the newest members of the UCSF Orthopaedic Surgery Residency Program.
SAN FRANCISCO (June 23, 2026) — The UCSF Department of Orthopaedic Surgery recently welcomed eight new residents during its annual White Coat Ceremony and Welcome BBQ, a long-standing tradition that marks the beginning of residency training and celebrates the newest members of the UCSF Orthopaedic Surgery family.
Hosted by Residency Program Director Anthony Ding, MD, at his home, the Welcome BBQ brings together incoming residents, faculty, current trainees and families in an informal setting before the start of the academic year. The gathering follows the White Coat Ceremony, a milestone that symbolizes residents' transition from medical school to graduate medical education.
The department's welcome BBQ brings together incoming residents, faculty, current trainees and families in an informal setting before the start of the academic year. (Courtesy Photo)
The Class of 2031 includes physicians from leading medical schools across the country, each bringing unique experiences, perspectives and interests to UCSF.
"Welcoming a new residency class is one of the most meaningful moments of the year for our program," said Dr. Ding, residency program director for the UCSF Department of Orthopaedic Surgery. "The White Coat Ceremony and Welcome BBQ reflect who we are as a community. We are committed not only to training outstanding orthopaedic surgeons, but also to supporting each resident as they grow as physicians, leaders and people. We are excited to welcome these talented individuals to UCSF and look forward to all they will accomplish."
Please join us in welcoming the UCSF Orthopaedic Surgery Residency Class of 2031:
- Nikhil Gattu, MD
- Gabrielle Gilmer, MD, PhD
- Shravya Kakulamarri, MD
- Emily Luo, MD, MHSc
- Joshua Porto, MD, MS
- Julia Ralph, MD
- Walter Sobba, MD
- Emma Tapp, MD
The department looks forward to supporting these talented physicians as they begin their orthopaedic surgery training and continue UCSF's tradition of excellence in patient care, education and research.
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