Connie Ornelas, DPM is a board-certified podiatric physician specializing in foot and ankle surgery. She is certified in Foot Surgery by the American Board of Foot and Ankle Surgery and brings over 15 years of clinical experience to her practice. Her areas of expertise include sports medicine, reconstructive foot and ankle surgery, diabetic limb salvage, and advanced wound care.
A former competitive gymnast raised in Northern California, Dr. Ornelas developed an early appreciation for athletic performance and injury prevention, which continues to influence her passion for sports medicine today. She is dedicated to helping patients of all ages return to pain-free, active lifestyles through both surgical and non-surgical care.
Dr. Ornelas earned her undergraduate degree from the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), before completing her Doctor of Podiatric Medicine degree at the Scholl College of Podiatric Medicine in Chicago in 2008. She went on to complete an intensive three-year surgical residency at Lakewood Regional Medical Center.
She is certified in Advanced Wound Care and Hyperbaric Medicine and previously served patients at the Los Alamitos Wound Healing and Hyperbarics Center. Dr. Ornelas is an Attending Physician for the UCI Health Lakewood Residency Program and Long Beach Memorial Residency Program, where she actively teaches and mentors medical students and residents. She maintains hospital affiliations with UCI Health - Los Alamitos and UCI Health - Lakewood.
Dr. Ornelas is a Fellow of the American College of Foot and Ankle Surgeons and served as Vice President of the Los Angeles County Podiatric Medical Association. She is also an active member of the American Podiatric Medical Association and the California Podiatric Medical Association.
Outside of the office, Dr. Ornelas enjoys traveling and spending time with her family. You can often find her cheering on her two young children at their sporting events or taking long walks with her dog. She values balance, wellness, and an active lifestyle—principles she encourages in both her personal life and patient care.
