Who are you and what do you do?
"Nice to meet you, and thank you for having me. I’m Dr. Juan Martinez, and I’m a podiatrist, which means I specialize in foot and ankle care."
How did you first hear about Quincy and Plumas District Hospital?
"Before coming here, I was living in the Los Angeles area. While it was nice, I was looking for something a bit different. I’ve trained and practiced in rural areas before, and Quincy really aligns with that environment. It felt like a great fit for both me and my family."
What is something you like about the Quincy area?
"I grew up in Reno, so I’m very familiar with this region. I spent a good part of my childhood coming here and have always loved the Sierra area. Being back around the mountains is something I truly enjoy, and I’m excited to be close to that again."
What kinds of things do you enjoy doing when recreating or exploring the area?
"My wife actually attended Grizzly Camp for several years, just down the road at Bucks Lake, so she’s very familiar with the area as well. We’re very outdoors-oriented people. I grew up camping, boating, hiking, and skiing, so it feels very natural and refreshing to be back in an environment like this—something you don’t always get living in the Los Angeles area."
What is your practice, and how would you describe what you do to the everyday person?
"That’s a great question. I treat conditions involving the foot and ankle, ranging from simple issues like toenail problems to more complex conditions such as ankle fractures. Essentially, from the ankle down to the tips of the toes—whether it’s a skin issue, a bone problem, a deformity, or a sore—I take care of those concerns. My practice can also extend up to the knee. While I don’t perform knee procedures—that falls under orthopedics—I am able to treat skin and wound conditions that occur anywhere up the leg, up to the knee."
What drew you to the field of medicine and your specific specialty?
"Since high school, I’ve always been interested in science and anatomy, and I did very well in those subjects. Going into medicine felt like a natural fit for me. As I shadowed doctors in different specialties, I found myself most connected to foot and ankle care. I could relate personally, having experienced many of the same issues growing up while playing sports—ankle sprains, plantar fasciitis, ingrown toenails. When exploring different areas of medicine, podiatry felt the most relatable and meaningful to me."
What are you looking forward to about your work here?
"I look forward to being a close and reliable resource for the people of Quincy. I trained in a small rural town, and I saw firsthand how valuable local doctors can be. I take that responsibility very seriously.
I always explain my role this way: my job as a doctor is to clearly explain what’s going on, help patients understand what needs to be done to address the problem, and then work together toward a solution. When patients and providers collaborate, outcomes tend to be very successful. I take the trust of my patients seriously, and I hope they feel confident relying on me for their care."
Do you have anything else you’d like to add about joining the PDH team or becoming part of the community?
"I’m excited not only to be part of the hospital team, but also to become part of the Quincy community. I have a young family—my children are in elementary school, with one heading into middle school—and we’re invested in being here for the long term. We look forward to growing our family here, growing my practice here, and providing excellent care to the people of this community."