Meet Our Residents

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Our residents have diverse backgrounds, interests, and career goals.

Amra Sakusic, M.D., Ph.D.

What attracted you to Mayo Clinic?

"I worked in the Middle East, Eastern Europe, did my research at Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota, and I am doing my residency at Mayo Clinic in Florida. There is no such place like Mayo Clinic. Whenever I left Mayo I just had one goal in my mind: to come back! The Mayo culture is a blessing that you cannot find anywhere else. Everybody is so kind and approachable, and the learning environment is just amazing. I can confidently say I am happy and blessed to train here."

Shan Ali, M.D.

Is there anything that surprised you at Mayo Clinic?

"Mayo Clinic not only emphasizes clinical education but also medical innovation and provides access to a patent agent, a 3-D printing lab, and has partnerships with engineering universities to help you develop your ideas from rough napkin drawings to a real prototype."

Mohammed Badi, M.B.B.S.

What attracted you to Mayo Clinic?

"Mayo Clinic has always been a dream – a place where a lot of miracles happen. Ever since I was in medical school back in Sudan, whenever I heard the name Mayo Clinic it was always associated with the epitome of medicine. So, naturally, Mayo Clinic was the place to further my education. As a research fellow at Mayo Clinic, I was further impressed by the care the hospital provides, the research that pushes boundaries and the love of staff for education. It was the easiest decision to apply and rank Mayo Clinic in Florida first."

Elizabeth Saionz, M.D., Ph.D.

Is there anything that surprised you at Mayo Clinic?

"I have been impressed at the approachability of everyone here at Mayo Clinic. It’s astonishingly easy for me to reach out to colleagues, whether in neurology or across other specialties to discuss a patient case, ask questions, or develop an interdisciplinary management plan. It’s clear that the needs of the patient truly do come first."

Meet our residents from PGY-2, PGY-3, and PGY-4 and learn about their hometown, where they went to medical school, why they chose Mayo Clinic, and what they enjoy doing outside of work.

Class of 2024

	Mohammed Badi, M.B.B.S., M.D. Quality and Wellness Chief Hometown: Khartoum, Sudan Medical school: The National Ribat University, Sudan About me: My main interest is in vascular neurology with a special interest in central nervous system small vessel diseases. Outside of medicine, I play soccer and follow my favorite team, Manchester United. I enjoy walks on the beach, watching movies, playing volleyball, and Arabic calligraphy. I also enjoy history, politics, and reading novels.
	Christian Rainey, M.D. Recruitment Chief Hometown: Scranton, PA Medical school: Geisinger Commonwealth School of Medicine, PA About me: I'm pursuing an epilepsy fellowship though I enjoy all aspects of neurology. I like Mayo Clinic because of the great people and the friendly culture in the hospital. Outside of work, I enjoy board games, bicycling, tennis, and music.
	Amra Sakusic, M.D., Ph.D. Administrative Chief Hometown: Tuzla, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Europe Medical school: Faculty of Medicine University of Tuzla, Bosnia and Herzegovina About me: I have special interests in neurology ICU and research. The best thing I like about Mayo Clinic is the culture and safe learning environment. Outside of medicine, I enjoy spending time with my family, painting, designing clothes, and walking on the beach.
	Amen Yonas, M.D. Education Chief Hometown: Houston, TX Medical school: UT Southwestern Medical School, TX About me: Academically, I'm interested in epilepsy and vascular neurology with a focus on caring for underserved communities. My hobbies include basketball, table tennis, weightlifting, reading, video games, and going to the beach!

Class of 2025

	Maria Barrios, M.D. Hometown: Barranquilla, Colombia, and Orlando, FL Medical school: Indiana University School of Medicine, IN About me: Academically, I'm interested in epilepsy and vascular neurology, but I'm keeping my options open. We have a great/fun group of residents, and I'm very happy with my experience at Mayo Clinic! Outside of medicine, my hobbies include playing softball, tennis, ping pong, chess, travel (especially famous beach destinations), and real estate (flipping houses)!
	Jessica Creager, M.D. Hometown: Clemson, SC Medical school: University of Kentucky About me: Hello! I'm a neurology resident, currently most interested in neuro-palliative care. I have been enjoying my time in residency, including my preliminary year in internal medicine and in neurology. There is a culture of support and helpfulness that was obvious from my first day, and the attendings are wonderful teachers and often leaders in their field. I would recommend this program to anyone interested in pursuing neurology. In my free time, I like to play video and board games, spend time outdoors, and make stuffed animals for friends and family.
	Ryan Hunter, D.O. Hometown: San Diego, CA Medical school: Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine, Georgia Campus About me: I chose Mayo Clinic because I sought immersion in an environment of world-class learners and educators. I have academic interests in diseases of the nervous system secondary to neurodegenerative processes, namely movement disorders and behavioral neurology. My hobbies include cooking, biking, and attempting to pose my cat photogenically against his will.
	Samuel Jones, M.D. Hometown: Charleston, SC Medical school: Medical University of South Carolina About me: Academically, my interests are in vascular neurology, critical care, and neurodegenerative disease. I think Mayo Clinic excels in its patient-centered approach to care. There is access to world experts across all fields of medicine and exciting ongoing research. My hobbies include playing the guitar and piano, weightlifting, and traveling with my wife.
	Zoe Wolcott, M.D. Hometown: Salt Lake City, UT Medical school: University of UT About me: I chose Mayo Clinic because of the unique exposure to rare and diverse clinical pathology and the extraordinary teaching on display during my interview on professor rounds. I couldn't be happier with my co-residents and feel lucky to interact with such incredible teachers every day. I have a strong interest in cerebrovascular disease and autoimmune neurology. Apart from neurology, my hobbies include biking on my electric bicycle, skiing, rollerblading, and going to the beach with friends.

Class of 2026

	Shan Ali, M.D. Hometown: Camp Hill, PA Medical school: Medical University of Gdansk About me: I was born in Pakistan, grew up in Pennsylvania, and went to medical school in Poland. I’m interested in pain medicine for my fellowship. Other than clinical neurology, my interests are in medical device innovation, creative writing, and producing dance music. In my free time, I like to spend time with my partner and child.
	Ansley Madala, M.D. Hometown: Saint Simons Island, GA Medical school: Mercer University About me: It’s no secret that Mayo Clinic in Florida is a nation-renowned, stellar, remarkable program for neurology residency. However, my primary reason for choosing to train here is attributed to the feeling I had at the conclusion of my interview day. Easy flowing conversations, personalized interviews, and pre-interview phone call, smiling faces of current residents, in congruence with the breadth of opportunity offered and focus on "patient care, education, and research" made the decision for me. The phenomenal training, invaluable and incredible attendings, remarkable reports of patient experiences, and the feeling of the Neurology Residency program at Mayo Clinic in Florida is more of a family program makes it extraordinary.
	Annamaria Malati, M.D. Hometown: Tulsa, OK Medical school: University of Tulsa About me: I chose Mayo Clinic for the opportunity to see complex pathology in a collegial environment that values resident education. I suppose the weather and proximity to the beach sweetened the opportunity a little bit! During my time here, I have been amazed by the wide array of institutional opportunities for education, innovation, and research. If you have a particular career interest, odds are there is an avenue for you to pursue it at Mayo. In my free time, you can find me at the beach with friends, baking, traveling, and trying out new restaurants!
	Elizabeth Saionz, M.D., Ph.D. Hometown: Wynnewood, PA Medical school: University of Rochester School of Medicine & Dentistry About me: Before coming to the Mayo Clinic in Florida, my research focus was restoring vision after occipital stroke. Since starting residency, I remain interested in vascular neurology, but I am keeping an open mind because there is so much world-class neurology to learn here. My hobbies include reading, listening to podcasts, running, enjoying the Florida sunshine (with SPF), and voicing the inner monologue of my dog, Bear.
	Tia Turner, M.D., Ph.D. Hometown: Hewlett, NY Medical school: Virginia Commonwealth University About me: I chose Mayo Clinic because of its core values, the unique exposure to a wide variety of neurological conditions including rare pathologies, the opportunity to learn from eminent faculty in multiple neurologic subspecialties, and the multidisciplinary approach to patient care. I have strong interests in vascular neurology and neuro-oncology. In addition to neurology, I enjoy music, cooking, interior design, and all things Harry Potter.