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Podiatry. Take a Step in the Right Direction.

Meet Our Team

Crystal Falls Foot + Ankle Specialists

Meet Our Team

At Crystal Falls Foot + Ankle Specialists, we are dedicated to providing exceptional podiatric care to patients in the Leander, TX area. Our team comprises highly skilled professionals who are committed to addressing your foot and ankle health needs with compassion and expertise. Learn more about our esteemed doctors and staff below, and discover how we can help you achieve better health by contacting us today.

Dr. Brian Hochman

D.P.M., AACFAS

Dr. Brian Hochman was born and raised in Miami, Florida. He received his undergraduate degree from Appalachian State University and graduated cum laude with a B.S. in Industrial Design/Furniture Design. He then went on to receive his Doctorate in Podiatric Medicine from Barry University. Dr. Hochman completed a rigorous three-year surgical residency at Roger Williams Medical Center in Providence, Rhode Island where he served as Chief Resident. During residency, he gained extensive and meticulous training in elective foot and ankle procedures, sports medicine, and limb salvage/wound care. Dr. Hochman is Board Qualified in Foot Surgery and Reconstructive Rearfoot and Ankle Surgery, which are recognized by the American Board of Foot and Ankle Surgery. He is a member of the American College of Foot and Ankle Surgeons, the American Podiatric Medical Association, and the Texas Podiatric Medical Association. After completing residency he and his wife, Dr. Van Dao Hochman, moved to Leander to open their practice, Crystal Falls Foot + Ankle Specialists.


Dr. Hochman co-authored a textbook chapter on metatarsalgia as well as presented original research on the incidence of hot foot in the cycling community. He has been a speaker at multiple regional podiatric conferences. Dr. Hochman treats all types of problems in adults and children, with a special interest in sports medicine and biomechanics. He is an avid cyclist who has crossed the United States twice with organizations raising money and awareness for affordable housing.


Dr. Hochman enjoys spending time with his wife, Dr. Van Dao Hochman. In his spare time, he also enjoys the great outdoors, including cycling, running, hiking, swimming, and kayaking. Other hobbies include woodworking, ceramics, and chair restoration.

Dr. Van Dao Hochman

D.P.M.

Dr. Van Dao Hochman was born and raised in Plano, Texas. She received her undergraduate degree from The University of Texas at Dallas with a B.A. in Biology. Dr. Dao Hochman comes from a family with a strong background in Podiatry and went on to receive her Doctorate in Podiatric Medicine from Barry University in Miami Shores, Florida. She completed a prestigious three-year surgical residency at Beaumont Hospital - Farmington Hills (formerly Botsford Hospital) in Farmington Hills, Michigan. During residency, she gained extensive training in diabetic wound care, elective foot and ankle procedures, various pediatric foot ailments, and a strong base of clinical patient care. During residency, Dr. Dao Hochman was actively involved in Operation Footprint, a mission trip in Tegucigalpa, Honduras where she spent a week evaluating and treating congenital deformities in young children. During residency, Dr. Dao Hochman spent time with a renowned pediatric orthopedic surgeon in Washington, D.C. to further her knowledge in pediatric patients. Dr. Dao Hochman is Board Certified by the American Board of Podiatric Medicine. Dr. Dao Hochman is a member of the American College of Foot and Ankle Surgeons, the American Podiatric Medical Association, and the Texas Podiatric Medical Association.


Dr. Dao Hochman has completed research in areas of recurrent tarsal tunnel syndrome, wound management in open fractures, and athletes with acute Achilles tendon ruptures.



Dr. Dao Hochman is fluent in Vietnamese. She enjoys spending time with her husband, Dr. Brian Hochman. She also enjoys spending time with her family, exploring the outdoors, and traveling.

Brenda Northcutt

Front Desk Administrator

Brenda Northcutt was born in Waco, Texas. She graduated from McLennan County Community College in 1986 with a degree in Radiology. For twenty years, she worked as a Registered Diagnostic Medical Sonographer in the North Dallas and Plano area. Brenda temporarily retired in 2010 and decided to embark on a new job venture. For the next four years, she worked in Sports Publishing.


In 2017, she moved to Leander, Texas where she met her significant other, Gary. They both enjoy taking their camper to the beach, going to music festivals, and cooking. They have two fur babies, named Chewbacca and Chloe Scarlett, that keep them on their toes. 

Annie Martins

Medical Assistant

Annie Martins was born in South Africa. She graduated from Pretoria Technical College in Office Administration in 1989 and worked in Finance. She married her high school sweetheart in 1991 and welcomed her beautiful daughter in 1994. Annie relocated to the United States in 2001. She lived in California for 15 years where she started to work at her daughter's elementary school, which turned into a new career for her. She's worked in Podiatry while living in Utah and found an extreme interest in it. She eventually moved back to Texas in 2022. Annie has been married for 32 years. She is a big people's person, loves animals, and has two adorable cats. She loves to read, decorate, photography, and the great outdoors.

Vikki Walsh

Medical Billing and Coding Specialist

Vikki Walsh was born in New York, where she lived until 2021, when she and her husband relocated to Georgetown, TX. She has been in the medical billing and coding field since 1991, working in all aspects of the medical field, including the emergency room, oncology, orthopedics, and outpatient surgery centers. Podiatry is new to her, and she is jumping in feet first! She has two sons, a daughter-in-law, and a granddaughter who live back in New York. Vikki enjoys crafting and spending time with her husband and their dogs, Fiona and Charlotte. She and her husband, Tom, are big advocates for animals, especially dogs. Vikki is a huge line dance fanatic and has been line dancing since 1999. She began teaching line dance around 2010 and currently teaches a weekly class in Sun City, TX. She is very excited to join the Crystal Falls Foot + Ankle Specialists team!

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