Our residents and fellows: In their own words

Learn more about the experiences of our residents and fellows and what drew them to study at Mayo Clinic.

Christian Karime, M.D.

Program: Internal Medicine Residency
Location: Jacksonville, Florida

"When choosing a place to train, I looked for a program where I felt I would matter as a trainee, where my views and passions would be cultivated, and where the faculty and leadership had both the expertise and desire to invest in my growth as a learner. Having almost completed my three-year training at Mayo Clinic, I can say with confidence that Mayo Clinic truly is a great place to learn and grow as a trainee. Part of Mayo Clinic's legacy has always been the drive to improve the health of the patients and communities we serve. I truly feel that Mayo Clinic and the Internal Medicine leadership at Mayo Clinic embody this vision."

Saurabh Zanwar, M.D.

Program: Hematology/Oncology Fellowship
Location: Rochester, Minnesota

"Caring for patients is a constant source of joy and privilege. One instance reminds me that the small things we do that make a big difference. We were caring for a patient who had come to the U.S. to visit her child but received an unfortunate diagnosis while she was here. We have an amazing team that helped her get through her difficult treatment, and we noted an excellent response in her condition that made me very excited. But nothing made the patient light up as much as us saying a simple "hello" to her in her native language. She shared with us that our effort to learn even one thing about her culture to greet her helped allay a lot of her initial fears of getting sick in a foreign land with no knowledge of how the healthcare system works."

Shanterian (Shan) King, D.O. 

Program: Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation (PM&R) Residency, PM&R Sports Medicine Fellowship
Location: Rochester, Minnesota

"I was drawn to Mayo Clinic because on my interview day, I immediately noticed the genuine interest and investment that my PM&R department had in me and my aspirations. As a queer woman of color, I am always conscious about being able to enter spaces as I am and not having to alter who I am. At Mayo, I have been able to show up as my authentic self in every way which allowed me to be able to focus on my education and training. During my training, I have always felt seen, supported, and understood, and Mayo Clinic has been a place where I have grown as a person, physician, and leader."

Kelsie Prins, D.O.

Program: Family Medicine Residency
Location: LaCrosse, Wisconsin

"I always knew I wanted to be a family physician; the prospect of forming lasting relationships with patients, understanding their stories, and providing holistic care through all stages of their lives has been my goal for as long as I can remember. The choice to join Mayo Clinic for my residency was driven by its unparalleled reputation and the opportunity to learn from some of the best in medicine. I was particularly drawn to the La Crosse program for its unique blend of Mayo Clinic's excellence within a community-based hospital setting. I love that we’re the only residents in the hospital because it gives us the opportunity to really tailor our learning to our interests and we never have to compete for educational opportunities."

About Thank a Resident and Fellow Day

In 2018, the Gold Humanism Honor Society dedicated a day of recognition for residents and fellows, encouraging medical students at chapters throughout the nation to show their gratitude and appreciation. Thank a Resident and Fellow Day has since expanded to hundreds of programs around the country.