Residency Faculty

Isaac Chankai, MD (he/him)

Director Surgery Leadership and Health Systems Management

Dr. Chankai s a General Surgeon and Santa Cruz native.  After attending UC Santa Cruz, he went to Drexel University College of Medicine and trained in General Surgery Residency at Exempla Saint Joseph Hospital in Denver.  He was fortunate enough to return to Santa Cruz and practiced with both the Palo Alto Medical Foundation and the Surgical Associates of Monterey Bay. A natural leader, after being Chief of Staff for Dominican Hospital he is now Dominican’s Physician Advisor for Utilization Management and Medical Director.

In addition to coordinating the Surgery rotations, he directs the Leadership curriculum as part of “health systems management.” Dr. Chankai is a car racing enthusiast who brings the same energy to his teaching and leadership, a definite benefit to the residents’ experience.