Claire Foley, MD

Surgery Resident
Medical School: Eastern Virginia Medical School

Hi future surgeons! I grew up in the Hampton Roads area and have lived there most of my life before coming to UVA. My husband, who is currently a medical student, was previously in the Navy which came with the benefit of briefly living in beautiful, beachy places like San Diego and Charleston. UVA is actually my alma mater and after four great years, I graduated with undergraduate degrees in Biology and Psychology. Afterwards, I earned my Master’s degree in Physiology from George Squared which is a unique partnership between George Mason University and Georgetown University. I spent a few years scribing in various clinical environments before starting medical school at Eastern Virginia Medical School.

My favorite hobby is spending time with my husband and our two little dogs who have very big personalities. I love to be active with outdoor activities like hiking, cycling, skiing, or exploring Charlottesville, but I also love to relax and spend time at the pool with a good book or stay inside for a game night. I discovered audiobooks during the busy years of medical school and although some people may not consider it really reading, I love to multitask with a good book playing in the background.

I’m so glad you’re considering UVA for your surgical training. For me, answering what drew me to this program is incredibly easy. Having gone to UVA for my undergraduate degree, I already knew I loved the gorgeous and vibrant city of Charlottesville. I came here for an away rotation during medical school and very quickly realized that the program checked off every item of my residency wish list. You will hear over and over how great the culture is here, and it cannot be overstated. From day one, I’ve experienced a genuine dedication from attendings, faculty, co-residents, and hospital staff to foster an environment where residents can grow and succeed. Whether it’s through direct mentorship or simply lending a helping hand during challenging times, there’s a palpable sense of camaraderie and encouragement. Not only is UVA is committed to providing exceptional patient care, but there is also a strong focus on training academic surgeons who are actively involved and passionate about teaching students and advancing surgical research.  UVA grants residents the opportunity to train in a diverse array of surgical subspecialties, with the added benefit of not having many surgical fellows competing for operating time. Most importantly, the residents here graduate with exceptional surgical skills and knowledge after a well-rounded residency and consistently match into top competitive fellowships all over the country. I am honored to have joined the UVA General Surgery program and cannot wait to evolve as a surgical trainee alongside my co-residents, who already feel like family.

Wahoowa!