Christina Alexandres, M.D. (she/her)

Hometown: Redlands, CA
Undergraduate school: University of California, Los Angeles
Medical school: Mayo Clinic Alix School of Medicine
Career interests: Movement disorders

Hidden talent: Sleeping. (I can sleep14 hours at a time if I don't set an alarm.)
Hobbies: Rock climbing, singing, listening to music, hiking
Favorite things to do around Rochester: Rock climbing at Roca.

Audrey Blazek, M.D. (she/her)

Hometown: Naperville, IL
Undergraduate school: University of Illinois at Champaign-Urbana
Medical school: Rush Medical College
Career interests: Movement disorders

Why Mayo Clinic? Along the interview trail, I recognized that most programs would provide excellent neurology training. Mayo took this a step further by providing outstanding education while showing us that patients come first. Simultaneously, as residents our passions and priorities both in and out of the hospital are valued. I’m so grateful to be in a program that supports me during every high and low of being a physician.

Favorite things to do around Rochester: Running/hiking the many trails in Rochester and surrounding towns with my fiance and our puppy Gooseberry, visiting local breweries, coffee shops, and bookshops (I read 20+ books for fun each year).

Susannah Gattas, M.B.B.S. (she/her)

Hometown: Brisbane, Australia 
Undergraduate school: University of Queensland 
Medical school: University of Queensland 
Career interests: neuromuscular, neurogenetics 
Why neurology: It’s hard to articulate exactly why I chose neurology and love it so much. It is a great privilege in life to find a job that is more than just a means of earning money but is a vocation in an area that is intellectually interesting and allows you to care for vulnerable people. 
Hobbies: reading, research my next travel destination and looking for the best flat white in Rochester 
Favorite food: Nutella

Fiorella Guido, M.D. (she/her)

Hometown: Toronto, Ontario

Undergraduate school: University of Toronto

Graduate school: McGill University, Masters in Neuroscience

Medical school: SUNY Upstate Medical University

Career interests: MS, women’s neurology, and medical education

Why Mayo Clinic? The outstanding resident education and dedication to patient care.

Hobbies/passions: Spending time with my cats Lorenzo and Pistachio, indoor cycling, reading, practicing my Italian, traveling

Favorite Rochester restaurant: Thai Pop!

Jonathan Lang, M.D., Ph.D. (he/him)

Hometown: Neenah, WI
Undergraduate school: University of Wisconsin - Madison
Medical school: University of Pennsylvania
Career interests: General neurology in a community setting

Why Mayo Clinic? Large neuro department with every subspecialty represented, happy residents, an easy place to live, and a great city to raise my kids!

Hobbies: Exercise, reading, spending time with my wife and kids
Favorite things to do around Rochester: Riding on the extensive network of bike trails and spending time outside in the beautiful city parks.

Samir Nath, M.D., Ph.D. (he/him)

Hometown: Ellicott City, MD
Undergraduate school: University of Maryland
Medical school: University of Michigan
Career interests: Neuromuscular, movement disorders, neuroimmunology

Hobbies: Board games, golf
Favorite restaurant: Bleu Duck
Favorite things to do around Rochester: Spending time in the parks with my wife and son.

Michael Rigby, M.D., Ph.D. (he/him)

Hometown: Glen Ellyn, IL
Undergraduate school: University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
Medical school: University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health
Career interests: Basic science and translational research in neurodegenerative diseases with a clinical interest in movement disorders

Why neurology? The physical exam is actually important! When in doubt, rely on your localization.

Hobbies: Gardening including bonsai, hunting (deer/turkey/elk), spending time with my two daughters Isabel and Eliana
Favorite TV show: The Expanse (must see for anyone who likes Sci-Fi)
Favorite Restaurant: Crave American Kitchen & Sushi bar — tasty food with a great view of the city

Bowen Song, M.D. (he/him)

Hometown: San Diego, CA

Undergraduate school: University of California, San Diego

Medical school: Wayne State University School of Medicine

Career interests: Movement disorders, clinical neurophysiology, EMG

Why neurology? I love the detective nature of neurology!

Why Mayo: The culture, the people, and the training offered here at Mayo Clinic are unparalleled and are the best in the nation in my opinion.

Favorite restaurant/bar around Rochester: Thai Pop has amazing drinks and very authentic Thai cuisine. I have always had a good time there whenever I visit.

Hobbies/Passions: Cooking, curling, karaoke, Costco shopping

Favorite things to do around Rochester: Hiking, fishing, hanging out with friends and co-residents

Brett Sterk M.D. (he/him)

Hometown: Duluth, MN

Undergraduate school: Carleton College Medical School: University of Minnesota

Career interests: Neurocritical care, neuro hospitalist, education

Why Mayo: Mayo stood out as having the absolute best training in an environment that is truly collaborative and patient-centered. You are also surrounded by people who care not only about your success but also about the well-being of you and your family.

Hobbies: Spending time with my wife, daughter, and two cats; pretty much anything to do with the outdoors (hiking, backpacking, canoeing, fishing, hunting, bike commuting, cross-country skiing, birdwatching, gardening).

Favorite things to do around Rochester: My wife and I love taking advantage of the many outdoor recreation opportunities Southeastern Minnesota has to offer! It’s actually quite the destination for trout fishing and offers a number of parks with wooded hiking/biking trails, bluffy overlooks, and crystal-clear trout streams.

Helena Xeros, M.D. (she/her)

Hometown: Burr Ridge, IL
Undergraduate school: Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, Missouri
Medical school: University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, Illinois
Career interests: Stroke

Hobbies: Hiking, running, yoga, thrift/vintage/antique shopping, exploring new restaurants/bars/coffee shops, hanging out with friends, hosting wine nights and bonfires, and reading
Favorite foods: My family's homemade Spanakopita (Greek spinach pies) and Tiropita (Greek cheese pies)
Favorite things to do around Rochester: The thrifting and vintage shopping here is incredible! I love exploring estate sales, vintage flea markets, and thrift stores in Rochester, surrounding towns, and Minneapolis.

Erin Finn, M.D. (she/her)

Hometown: West Bloomfield, MI
Undergraduate school: University of Michigan
Medical school: University of Michigan Medical School
Career interests: Undecided, happily exploring the breadth of opportunities here at Mayo Clinic

Why Mayo Clinic? Mayo exudes a quiet excellence. The institution carries high expectations for itself, yet the people who work here have proven to be humbly devoted to patient care and education. It's an honor to train amongst giants in the field who are also teaching me how to truly care for patients and colleagues.

Hobbies/passions: I have the ability to photosynthesize, so anything in the sun gives me life. Running, hiking, reading, writing, coffee drinking, and more, as long as it's outside!
Favorite things to do around Rochester: Sunrise runs on the bike path, nature walks in the evenings, and Hollandberry Pannekoeken. I also enjoy biking to work when it’s less than 0 degrees outside and seeing people’s reactions when I tell them about it.

Kasey Hill, M.D. (they/them)

Hometown: Shakopee, MN
Undergraduate school: University of Minnesota
Medical school: Yale School of Medicine
Career interests: Diversity, equity, and inclusion research, working with Latino and Spanish-speaking patients, stroke, and inpatient neurology.

Why Mayo Clinic? The people! Everyone who works at Mayo Clinic is wonderful. I cannot say enough kind things about my co-residents, nursing staff, support staff, and program leadership. All of the consultants are great teachers and amazing mentors.

Favorite things to do around Rochester: Hiking, trivia, trying new restaurants
Favorite food: Ice cream

Rachel Knopp, M.D. (she/her)

Hometown: Hudson, WI
Undergraduate school: University of Wisconsin - Madison
Medical school: University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health
Career interests: Undecided specialty, medical education, public health

Why Mayo Clinic? Mayo Clinic sets itself apart by truly putting the needs of the patient first. This sustains an incredible culture of collaboration, support, and lifelong learning that is unmatched and attracts the most genuine and astute colleagues from around the world with whom I now get to work. There is no institution that fosters a better environment for innovation and professional development for its trainees, making Mayo Clinic the obvious choice for me.

Hobbies: Running, hiking, waterskiing, and trying new restaurants to find the best nachos!
Favorite food: The abundance of free food provided around the hospital!

Anna Liu, M.D. (she/her)

Hometown: Peoria, IL
Undergraduate school: University of Illinois at Chicago
Medical school: University of Illinois College of Medicine
Career interests: Vascular neurology, neurohospitalist, community engagement!

Why Mayo Clinic? From my interview day and beyond, it is evident that everyone at Mayo are truly invested in helping you grow as a person and physician. There is ample support for your individual interests and goals.

Hobbies: Traveling, tennis, spending time outdoors, ballet, music, watching Formula 1, trying new coffee shops and cuisines
Favorite things to do around Rochester: Thursdays downtown, Squash Blossom Farm, Whitewater State Park

Santiago Martinez-Sosa, M.B.B.S (he/him)

Hometown: Buenos Aires, Argentina
Undergraduate school: University College London, UK
Medical school: University College London, UK
Career interests: Neuroimmunology, neurohospitalist, medical education

Why neurology? The nervous system is the most fascinating organ! I am enthralled by neurology's breadth and depth. The ability to localize deficits to specific neuroanatomical sites through examination is empowering. The lesion differentials are challenging and engaging. The yet undefined edges of the field invite meaningful, novel research that will transform patient care. Through neurology, we can understand and treat this incomparable organ whose function we depend entirely on and whose injury or degeneration causes unparalleled impairment.

Why Mayo Clinic? There are many excellent medical institutions in the U.S., but you would be hard-pressed to find a more wholesome one than Mayo. I was floored by Mayo’s culture of collaboration, the friendly atmosphere, the humility of their world experts, the warm and pleasant staff, and the palpable driving force at the center of it all: a genuine desire to help patients to the best of our ability.

Hidden talent: Charcoal portraits, creative writing
Favorite food: Empanadas, asado, helado argentino

Sofia Rael, M.D. (she/her)

Hometown: I was born and raised in Bogota, Colombia, until nine years of age and then spent the rest of my childhood in Colorado (Broomfield, Colorado).
Undergraduate school: Metropolitan State University of Denver (Go Roadrunners!)
Medical school: Mayo Clinic Alix School of Medicine
Career interests: Currently neuro-oncology but open to exploring all the subspecialties neurology offers!

Ryan Nguyen, M.D., M.S. (he/him)

Hometown: Plano, TX
Undergraduate school: Texas A&M University
Medical school: Texas A&M Health Science Center - Engineering Medicine Program
Career interests: Epilepsy, Movement, General Neurology, Academic Medicine

Why neurology? I love neurology because clinical neurology engages my engineering problem-solving brain like no other specialty. I also value the impact neurologists can make in the daily lives of patients.

Why Mayo Clinic? I chose Mayo Clinic because of the collegial and supportive atmosphere and because Rochester is a great place to raise my kids.

Favorite neurology-related TV show: Severance
Favorite medicine-related TV show: Scrubs
Favorite reality TV show: Terrace House

Nathaniel Rogers, Jr., M.D. (he/him)

Undergraduate school: University of Virginia
Medical school: Tulane University School of Medicine
Career interests: Neurocritical care, medical education, history of medicine

Favorite food: Half-baked chocolate chip cookies
Hobbies: Reading, videogames, lifting weights, photography, coding
Favorite Rochester restaurant: First Meeting Noodle
Favorite Rochester bar: Bitter & Pour
Favorite Rochester coffee shop: Café Aqui

David Sohutskay, M.D., Ph.D. (he/him)

Hometown: Cleveland, OH
Undergraduate school: The Ohio State University
Graduate school: Purdue University Weldon School of Biomedical Engineering
Medical school: Indiana University School of Medicine
Career interests: Neurocritical care, neurohospitalist, neurogenetics, computational biology

Why neurology? The brain is the coolest organ, and I find neurological disease uniquely interesting and terrifying.

Why Mayo Clinic? Amazing clinical opportunities in every subspecialty of neurology, a multitude of rare and interesting cases, and cutting-edge research!

Favorite historical figure: My favorite historical physician-scientist is Hermann von Helmholtz – among whose many accomplishments include being the first to measure the speed of nerve conduction, a postulate of free energy that underlies modern computational mechanics, equations of vortex formation, and the development of the ophthalmoscope.

Anna Thomsen, M.D. (she/her)

Undergraduate school: Carthage College
Medical school: University of Kansas
Career interests: Undecided in career interests, but love the long-term relationships with patients so many specialties in neurology offer.

Hobbies: When my partner and I moved to Rochester we immediately adopted a Shepard mix puppy from Paws and Claws and we are obsessed with her. So, currently, our favorite thing to do is explore the parks and trails with her (at least during the summer).
Favorite restaurant: First Meeting, I will hopefully make my way through all the noodles on the menu during residency.
Favorite book: I'm an active member of a Zoom book club with friends (a positive that came out of the pandemic for me!), so I am always looking for recommendations. But historically my favorite is Pride and Prejudice, I am just a sucker for a happy ending!

Allison Valerius, M.D. (she/her)

Hometown: Fargo, ND
Undergraduate school: The College of Saint Benedict
Medical school: University of North Dakota
Career interests: Neuro-oncology, global neurology, vascular neurology

Favorite food: Crumbl cookies!
Hobbies: Long runs on the Douglas Trail, cross-country skiing, hiking, watching hockey games with my husband, reading a good book in my hammock, visiting local breweries, exploring new countries, finding cool Airbnbs.

Why Mayo Clinic? Growing up in the Midwest, I’ve long heard stories from neighbors and family about their positive patient experiences at the Mayo Clinic. While on a visiting rotation at the Clinic as a medical student, it was evident these positive experiences extend into the trainee experience as well. At Mayo, I am immersed in a warm and welcoming learning environment, filled with endless opportunities and support to foster my clinical, academic, and personal interests.

Hira Chouhdry, M.D. (she/her)

Hometown: Naperville, IL
Undergraduate school: University of Illinois at Chicago
Medical school: University of Kansas, Kansas City
Career interests: Vascular neurology
Hobbies/passions: Cooking, baking, painting, henna art, watching crime thrillers
Favorite food: Any type of pasta
Favorite TV show: Criminal Minds

Rikki Cunningham, M.D. (she/her)

Hometown: Eureka, CA
Undergraduate school: Humboldt State University
Medical school: University of California, Davis School of Medicine
Career interests: Neuro-palliative care, behavioral neurology
Why Mayo Clinic? The allure of the official state fish, the walleye, was undeniable. Kidding. It was actually the weather. No, it was because Mayo’s primary value, that the needs of the patient come first, was evident in each of my faculty and resident interactions on interview day and beyond. I knew I wanted to be surrounded by educators and learners who shared the same passion, and my experience has already far exceeded my expectations.

Hobbies: Lying very very still on the couch, watching bunnies hop, ambient music, placing items in my virtual cart then taking them out again, spraying hose water on hot cement (for the smell)
Favorite music: Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf
Fun facts: I was diagnosed with Bell’s Palsy during cranial nerve week in medical school (I was born for this!).

Ganiru Mathis, M.D. (she/her)

Hometown: Columbus, OH
Undergraduate school: Case Western Reserve University
Medical school: University of Toledo College of Medicine
Career interests: I am interested in pursuing a career in headache and hope to incorporate medication education into my future work!  
Why Mayo Clinic? I knew that by choosing Mayo, I’d have an unparalleled level of support and strong training. With an emphasis on multidisciplinary collaboration and patient-centered care, Mayo Clinic provides an ideal environment for me to develop into a well-rounded physician.

Favorite book: Remarkably Bright Creatures by Shelby Van Pelt
Hobbies/passions: I love cooking, trying new foods/restaurants, exercising, and traveling.

Rebecca Merrill, M.D. (she/her)

Hometown: Moorefield, WV
Undergraduate school: Wake Forest University
Medical school: Wake Forest University School of Medicine
Career interests: Undecided on specialty maybe neuro-oncology? I enjoy medical education and mentorship so would like to stay in academic medicine.
Why neurology? Neurology combines many of my interests in medicine including undifferentiated mysteries, imaging findings, physical exam, and most importantly close patient connections.
Why Mayo Clinic? I remember going into my Mayo interview hoping that I would not fall in love with it as I had been spoiled by the warm summers and mild winters of North Carolina, and I was not eager to move to the cold. After the interview, I instantly knew that I had fallen in love with the people, opportunities, and love for medicine at Mayo. Mayo encompassed all of the things I was looking for in a residency program and would prepare me for whatever career path I decided to pursue.
Hobbies/passions: I enjoy playing tennis, going on long walks after work, gardening, and cooking.
Favorite things to do around Rochester: Exploring all the restaurants and parks! Any other fun facts: I was raised on a family farm!

Tanish Modi, M.B.B.S. (he/him)

Hometown: Chandigarh, India
Medical school: Government Medical College Chandigarh, India
Career interests: Neuromuscular, but open to exploring many others during residency!
Why neurology? Conditions affecting the nervous system can be highly debilitating and directly impact daily functioning. Assisting patients in reclaiming their quality of life is something I find immensely fulfilling. Moreover, the long-term nature of many neurological disorders enables neurologists to build deep, meaningful relationships with their patients, providing ongoing support, understanding, and care throughout their medical journeys.
Hobbies: Swimming, calligraphy
Favorite read: Calvin and Hobbes
Favorite food: Butter chicken, dal makhani with garlic naan

Nicole Rigler, M.D. (she/her)

Hometown: San Diego, CA
Undergraduate school: University of California Berkley
Medical school: University of California San Diego School of Medicine (UCSD)
Why Mayo Clinic? The people! I immediately felt that the faculty, staff, and residents in the neurology department were my people on interview day. Everyone was so friendly and welcoming, and it felt like they truly cared about my passions, interests, and my future career from the start!

Favorite things to do around Rochester: River walks with my dog and husband, Flapdoodle’s, the farmer’s market, and Thursdays on First
Favorite Book: The Midnight Library by Matt Haig
Hobbies/passions: I love trashy TV, the Great British Bake Off, gardening, cooking, and painting/crafting

Rishi Sharma, M.D. (he/him)

Hometown: Rochester, MN
Undergraduate school: University of Minnesota
Medical school: University of Minnesota
Career interests: At this point, I am most interested in stroke and/or genetics. While I do plan on sub-specializing, I do hope to continue to practice general neurology long-term.

Why neurology? I chose to pursue a career in neurology because the brain is easily the most exciting, interesting, and complex system in the human body. A career where I can care for patients with neurological disorders and have an opportunity to advance the field through research is an ideal fit for me.

Hobbies: Basketball, video games, and hanging out with my cat named Princess Bunny.
Favorite food and restaurant in Rochester: Tinn's. Get the Chipotle Philly, you will not be disappointed.

Lorraine Siebold, M.D., Ph.D. (she/her)

Hometown: Berrien Springs, MI
Undergraduate school: Andrews University in Michigan
Medical school: Loma Linda University in Southern California
Career interests: Epileptology

Why neurology? Neurology offers the ability to engage my intellectual curiosity and my compassion for individuals who have had their lives turned upside down by a neurological condition. Neurology is an ever-growing field of diagnosis and treatment providing ample opportunities for a developing physician-scientist. Neurology gives me the opportunity to be my favorite version of myself.

Favorite books: I love listening to Audible and have several favorite books including most books by Simon Sinek (my favorite is Leaders Eat Last), Mistakes Were Made (but Not by Me) by Tavris and Arsonson, and my most recent favorite is Range by Epstein.
Fun facts: Prior to starting med school, I taught high school science for six years. I love my sweet little geriatric dog who is the most opinionated mutt rescued from the streets of San Francisco. I am a very proud aunt of two nephews and two nieces. Microglia are my favorite cell in the body and if you ever want to see me really excited, just ask me about these remarkable little cells.

Nanthaya (Yui) Tisavipat, M.D. (she/her)

Hometown: Bangkok, Thailand
Undergraduate and medical school: Faculty of Medicine Siriraj Hospital, Mahidol University
Career interests: Neuroimmunology and more! I'm still exploring the possibilities.

Why Mayo Clinic? Amazing mentorship, resources, and policies that support individual growth.

Hobbies/passions: Seeing musicals and concerts
Favorite things to do around Rochester: Exploring new restaurants and shows by local theater companies
Favorite food: Japanese curry rice

Zachary Trottier, M.D. (he/him)

Hometown: Pequot Lakes, MN
Undergraduate school: Carleton College
Medical school: University of Colorado
Career interests: Behavioral neurology/neuropsychiatry, neuro-palliative care, general neurology

Why neurology? The underlying neuroscience is fascinating, the broad range of patient populations we see, we have excellent continuity with patients, and the rapid growth and progress of the field were all factors that made neurology the right choice.

Favorite Rochester bar: North Star Bar: The Guiding Light
Favorite things to do in Rochester: Enjoying the many walking/biking trails, climbing at RoCA, fighting the war on gravity at the DAHLC, and failing to exhaust my polar bear cub (i.e. Great Pyrenees-it’s basically the same thing)
Favorite movie: Silence of the Lambs
Favorite book: The Stand by Stephen King How to Change Your Mind by Michael Pollan
Fun facts: I once caught a live trout bare-handed (I do not fish), and I went to college with plans to be an ecologist.

Emma Wetmore, M.D. (she/her)

Hometown: Orangeburg, SC
Undergraduate school: University of Virginia
Medical school: Medical University of South Carolina
Career interests: Movement disorders, social determinants of health, medical education and headache
Why neurology: Neurology is the most fascinating and exciting field of medicine! It is constantly advancing with innovative research, technologies, and therapeutics. I love having the opportunity to support patients with chronic neurological conditions through long-term relationships.

Hobbies/passions: Watching Clemson football, going on walks with my husband and havanese puppy, snow skiing, and attending as many broadway productions as possible
Favorite book: Jurassic Park by Michael Crichton
Favorite movie: The Devil Wears Prada

Isabel Friedenberg, M.D. (she/her)

Hometown: Danville, PA

Undergraduate school: (We Are) Penn State

Medical school: LKSOM at Temple University

Career interests: Undecided

Why Mayo: After attending medical school at a patient-driven institution, I found myself wanting a similar residency experience. Mayo’s dedication to the patient stood out among others as a place where the mission statement is more than just words.

Hobbies: Baking, thrifting/vintage shopping, film, anything sports

Favorite food: My mom’s food, no contest

Felipe Giuste, M.D., Ph.D. (he/him)

Hometown: Appleton, WI

Undergraduate school: Washington University in St. Louis

Medical school: Emory University School of Medicine

Career interests: Neurology

Why Mayo: The patient actually comes first!

Why neurology: You get to leverage the physical exam, advanced imaging, and breakthrough treatments to solve problems and help patients

Greg Heller, M.D., Ph.D. (he/him)

Hometown: Cupertino, CA

Undergraduate school: University of California, Riverside

Medical school: University of Illinois, Chicago

Career interests: Neurocritical care

Why Mayo: Mayo Clinic is a truly unique place where the patient truly comes first. The usual obstacles are circumvented to ensure that everyone receives the best care possible.

Why Neurology: Neurology patients have impairments that hamper their ability to think, to move, and to communicate – the things that make us who we are. Being able to help these patients get their lives back is incredibly fulfilling.

Favorite book/show: Currently reading the Expanse series and loving it!

Jairo Hernandez, M.D. (he/him)

Hometown: Managua, Nicaragua

Undergraduate school: University of Florida

Medical school: University of Florida College of Medicine

Career interests: Neurocritical care, vascular neurology, global health, and medical education

Why Mayo: From the brief glimpse I had during the interview, I sensed that Mayo’s values matched the kind of physician I wanted to become. That feeling turned out to be right. Patients consistently speak about the high-quality, respectful care they receive, and it's meaningful to be a part of that. The faculty are approachable, engaged, and genuinely committed to our learning. I'm grateful to be training in a place that values both clinical excellence and human connection.

Hobbies: Rock climbing, weightlifting, running, and playing video games

Favorite movie: Interstellar

Hassan Karoam, M.D., Ph.D. (he/him)

Hometown: originally from Kawa, Sudan; raised in Iowa City, IA

Undergraduate school: University of Iowa

Medical school: University of Iowa CCOM

Career interests: Central lesions and how they relate to the experience of pain

Why Mayo: The exceptional training in a place that emphasizes patient care made Mayo an easy choice for residency. Here, you can explore your clinical interests and further underscore them with endless research opportunities. The reach, depth, and breadth of the Neurology program makes it world class for training.

Hidden talent: keeping my talents hidden

Hobbies: playing tennis and basketball

Favorite movie: Good Will Hunting

Krystyna Cios Phillips, M.D. (she/her)

Hometown: Richmond, VA

Undergraduate school: University of Virginia

Medical school: University of Virginia

Career interests: General neurology, neurophysiology, healthcare access, medical education

Why Mayo: While there are many great neuro programs, Mayo is unique because of the lived mission (“the needs of the patient come first”), strong leadership, and abundant resources. When a hospital system sets you up for success, it’s easier to show up to work enthusiastic, curious, patient, humble, and kind — the Mayo culture is real! I also appreciate the opportunity to get world class training in a place where I can afford a house, don’t have to worry about traffic, and get to enjoy the roughly 1 million* parks in the area. *1 million is hyperbole, but there are a lot.

Favorite TV shows: Gilmore Girls and Modern Family are constantly on the rewatch rotation

Favorite book: East of Eden

Favorite spot in Rochester: Chester Woods Park — great for a walk, paddle, or kayak!

Neha Reddy, M.D. (she/her)

Hometown: Edina, MN

Undergraduate school: Brown University

Medical school: University of Minnesota Medical School

Career interests: Preventive neurology, undecided subspeciality

Why Mayo: It is so clear how much patients trust and value the care they receive at Mayo Clinic, and I wanted my training to prepare me for that level of trust. Mayo’s patient-centered values and culture of mutual respect make it a truly special place to provide and receive care.

Hobbies: Reading, baking, painting, ice skating, running, and trying new workout classes

Favorite Rochester dessert spot: Flapdoodles makes the best mint chocolate chip ice cream!

Matt Rode, M.D. (he/him)

Hometown: Toledo, OH

Undergraduate school: The Ohio State University

Medical school: Mayo Clinic Alix School of Medicine, Rochester

Career interests: Neuroimmunology, peripheral nerve, neurophysiology EMG

Why Mayo: The opportunities at Mayo Clinic are unmatched. If you have a specific passion, you can start making your impact in clinical care, research, education, quality improvement, administration, innovation, health equity, policy, health economics, literature, and international medicine even as a resident! Moreover, the neurology program believes that to become a competent clinical neurologist, the program must balance learning from clinical responsibility and didactics. 

Favorite Rochester restaurant: First Meeting Noodle — some of the best quality and value food in town!

Hobbies: My girlfriend and I love playing pickleball, and Rochester has a thriving community of players offering both competition and friendship! (Summer in Minnesota is very underrated). I also love watching Ohio State football and Formula 1.

Mario Shammas, M.D., Ph.D.

Hometown: Baghdad, Iraq

Undergraduate school: University of Michigan

Medical school: University of Chicago

Career interests: Movement disorders

Why Mayo: I have always been interested in rare diseases, and Mayo is often people’s last hope for a diagnosis. I want to be part of that system which continues to give hope to those who feel like there is none left

Why neurology: Neurology lies at the intersection of the physical and metaphysical (let’s call it the physical-metaphysical junction). In it we find the tools to answer some of the most fundamental questions that we face

Hobbies: Collecting etymologies, tennis, guitar, Roman Empire

Favorite book: The Master and Margarita

Favorite movie: Wings of desire

Jennae (Nae) Shelby, M.D., Ph.D. (she/her)

Hometown: Columbus, OH

Undergraduate School: The Ohio State University

Medical School: Wright State University, Boonshoft School of Medicine

Career Interests: I am currently exploring the many subspecialties within neurology to find the best fit. I am passionate about combining patient care with research and envision a career that bridges both clinical practice and scientific discovery.

Why Mayo: Mayo Clinic is an institution that prioritizes the well-being of its residents both inside and outside the hospital. I was drawn to the unparalleled resources available for training, learning, and growth. Mayo’s strong reputation attracts exceptional faculty and mentors who are deeply invested in teaching. What stood out most during the interview process was the warm, welcoming culture and the genuine camaraderie among the residents. It felt like a place where I could thrive.

Favorite Restaurant in Rochester: Thai Pop

Hidden Talent: Hand embroidery

Hobbies: I enjoy gardening, cooking and trying new restaurants. I value laughs shared over a dinner table and how people come together over a meal.

Favorite TV show: I’m a big fan of the One Piece manga series by Eiichiro Oda

Fun Fact: I collect playful and funny pop culture earrings. My favorite pair are bottles of Kuzco’s poison from The Emperor’s New Groove, with my mouse brain slide earrings coming in a close second.

Emma Vivlamore, M.D. (she/her)

Hometown: Woodstock, GA

Undergraduate school: Wake Forest University

Medical school: Wake Forest University

Career interests: Undifferentiated — I like too many things!

Why neurology: In high school, I attended a summer program course on molecular biopsy, which covered the pathophysiology of several neurological diseases. One of our homework assignments was to read the memoir of a patient with Huntington’s disease. I was moved by her story and realized that I wanted to treat other patients like her.

Hobbies: Reading, writing, baking, knitting, and playing the flute

Favorite book: Juliet by Anne Fortier

Favorite TV show: House of the Dragron

Favorite movie: Star Wars

Favorite food: Ice cream (even in the winter)