Our residents come from medical schools around the U.S. and outside the country. Learn more about their backgrounds and interests outside of the Anatomic and Clinical Pathology Residency at Mayo Clinic in Jacksonville, Florida.

Class of 2029

Yousif Abdelmoneim, M.B.B.S.

Hometown:  North Sudan, Wad Madani
Medical school:  University of Gezira Faculty of Medicine
Residency:  Anatomic and Clinical Pathology

What inspired you to pursue a career in anatomic and clinical pathology? My inspiration to pursue a career in anatomic and clinical pathology originated from a curiosity sparked in childhood to discover the world under the microscope. I even attempted to build a microscope as a child. This early fascination evolved into a passion for understanding disease mechanisms and their impact on patient care. Over the past five years, through my extensive research at Mayo Clinic in solid organ transplant and the Comprehensive Cancer Center/Clinical Studies unit, my interest in pathology was further ignited. These experiences helped me appreciate the critical role of a pathologist, a vital cog without which the wheels of any research and clinical practice in this domain cannot start turning. I have come to appreciate that pathologists are leaders in their field and medical communities, setting a high standard across medical specialties. Their work is pivotal in advancing medicine and research, as they uncover mysteries, enhance the accuracy of diagnostic tests, open new avenues for medical discoveries, and help other physicians solve diagnostic and even therapeutic riddles. They truly are the doctors' doctors.

What attracted you to Mayo Clinic for residency training? Its unwavering commitment to the principle that the needs of the patient come first. Over my five years of experience, I have consistently witnessed this dedication in action, which has deeply impressed and inspired me. Mayo Clinic is renowned as a top-notch institution, not only for its cutting-edge medical advancements but also for its exceptional culture and support system. The collaborative environment fosters learning and innovation, allowing residents to thrive and grow professionally and personally. Additionally, the opportunity to work alongside leading experts in the field and to be part of a team that prioritizes compassionate, patient-centered care is truly unparalleled. This combination of excellence in patient care, education, and research makes Mayo Clinic the ideal place for my residency training.

What makes the Anatomic and Clinical Pathology Residency at Mayo Clinic in Jacksonville, Florida, unique? This program is unique due to its comprehensive training, exposure to diverse and complex cases, and access to cutting-edge technology.

What has your experience living in Jacksonville, Florida, been like? The past five years has been an incredibly rewarding experience. The city’s beauty is unmatched, with its clean, green spaces and proximity to stunning beaches. Jacksonville's geographic location is ideal, offering easy access to various attractions and amenities. The vibrant community and natural surroundings provide a perfect balance for both professional and personal life. The city's welcoming atmosphere and diverse cultural offerings make it a wonderful place to call home, aligning perfectly with my appreciation for both tranquility and accessibility.

What does your future look like right now? The future looks promising with opportunities for professional growth in pathology and personal fulfillment in Jacksonville. I'm eager to make innovative contributions to the field of pathology, balanced with enjoying the city's natural beauty and vibrant community. This path is marked by a commitment to excellence, continuous learning, and a strong connection to the local environment.

What are your hobbies/interests? As an advanced oil painter, I find great joy in expressing creativity through art. I also enjoy playing chess and table pool, which challenge my strategic thinking. Recently, I've started to explore water activities, adding a refreshing dimension to my hobbies. I have a deep appreciation for piano music, which complements my artistic interests. In the field of pathology, I'm particularly interested in advancements in diagnostic techniques and the integration of digital pathology, which align with my passion for innovation and analytical skills.

Mitra Abdollahi Neisani, M.D.

Hometown:  Niagara, Ontario, Canada
Medical school:  Najafabad Islamic Azad University of Medical Sciences, Iran

What inspired you to pursue a career in anatomic and clinical pathology? It was my lifelong passion for art and detail that inspired me to pursue pathology. Since childhood, I’ve loved painting and drawing. During medical school, I was fascinated by the colorful, art-like images I saw under the microscope. I believe each slide tells a unique story about a patient’s health. What I like most about pathology is the challenge of solving complex cases. I enjoy connecting clinical information with lab findings to make accurate diagnoses and appreciate the attention to detail, knowing even small details can make a big difference in patient care.

What attracted you to Mayo Clinic for residency training? Its excellent reputation in patient care, education, and research. The pathology program offers a wide variety of complex cases, which is a great opportunity to learn. I also really like the team-based environment and the strong focus on teaching and mentorship. Mayo’s values, especially putting the needs of the patient first, really match my own. I believe it’s a great place to grow and become the best pathologist I can be.

What makes the Anatomic and Clinical Pathology Residency at Mayo Clinic in Jacksonville, Florida, unique? What makes the program unique is the combination of strong teaching, high case volume, and a supportive learning environment. Residents get exposure to a wide variety of complex and rare cases, which is great for building strong diagnostic skills. The faculty are not only experts in their fields, but also very dedicated to teaching and mentorship. I also think the collaborative, team-based culture and the focus on patient-centered care make the training especially well-rounded and meaningful.

What has your experience living in Jacksonville, Florida, been like? Living in Jacksonville has been a wonderful experience. I truly love the city. It offers a great balance between professional opportunities and quality of life. One of my favorite things is being close to the beach, spending time by the ocean has been both relaxing and refreshing. I also enjoy playing golf, and there are plenty of beautiful courses in the area. Another highlight was the food scene. There’s a wide variety of restaurants. Overall, Jacksonville has been a great place to live, with a nice mix of work, nature, and fun activities in my free time.

What does your future look like right now? Right now, I see my future in academic pathology. I find the academic environment very stimulating. It allows me to keep growing, learn from experienced colleagues, teach residents and medical students, and stay up to date. I’m also passionate about research, and I appreciate that academic centers provide strong support and resources to pursue it.

What are your hobbies/interests? Outside of work, I enjoy playing squash, it’s a great way to stay active and clear my mind. I also love painting and drawing, especially with soft pastels. It’s something I’ve enjoyed since childhood and still find very relaxing. I like dancing as well; it helps me unwind and have fun.

Class of 2030

Chloe Bakkum, M.D.

Hometown:  Moorhead, MN
Medical school:  University of North Dakota School of Medicine and Health Sciences

What inspired you to pursue a career in anatomic and clinical pathology? I have always enjoyed solving puzzles and am good at spotting patterns. During medical school I realized I could combine those skills with my passion for public health by pursuing pathology. I was also very drawn to the people in pathology. They tend to share my sense of humor and have satisfaction with their jobs that I didn’t always see in other specialties. I always felt at home on my pathology rotations and that is ultimately what solidified for me that this was the specialty I belonged in.

What attracted you to Mayo Clinic for residency training? I knew I wanted to train somewhere with a large case volume with a lot of diverse cases, but I also knew I wanted to be a part of a smaller resident cohort. It can be hard to find a program where those things overlap, and Mayo was one of the few places that fit both. Growing up in Minnesota I of course also had a good idea of Mayo’s great reputation and that it would offer me top quality training.

What makes the Anatomic and Clinical Pathology Residency at Mayo Clinic unique? Because Mayo is the place people go when they need highly specialized and cutting-edge care, I knew that I would see plenty of “weird” cases that would prepare me for eventual independent practice. The collaborative culture and focus on education at Mayo also really stood out to me. Getting the chance to help shape this new residency program is exciting, and I think will provide opportunities I would not have gotten anywhere else.

What has your experience living in Jacksonville, Florida, been like? I knew I wanted to be in Florida for residency, and so far, it has been great. I am really enjoying the farmers markets and local art scene. And living so close to the beach is certainly a perk.

What does your future look like right now? I plan to pursue fellowship training in pediatric pathology, and I look forward to a career where I can use my pathology training to contribute to public health initiatives. I am unsure right now if I want my career to be more academic or more community practice, but I am sure my time here at Mayo will help shape what route I ultimately decide on.

What are your hobbies/interests? I enjoy drawing, and specifically anatomic illustrating. I am also a huge musical theater fan and often attend shows and hope to be able to eventually participate in productions again. I spend a lot of time reading and spending time with my pets. I am excited to explore some of the hiking and kayaking in the area with my dog.

Hussien O. Al Asi, M.B., Ch.B.

Hometown:  Cairo, Egypt
Medical school:  Kasr al Ainy Medical School, Cairo University

What inspired you to pursue a career in anatomic and clinical pathology? Throughout my 20s, most of my endeavors were in the pursuit of science. During my early years of medical school, I found myself attracted to histology, microbiology, and pathology. In the back of my head, I had always known I wanted to be a diagnostician. Anatomic and Clinical pathology seemed to be one of the few specialties that combined my passion for science and diagnostics in a ratio that felt incredibly fulfilling.

What attracted you to Mayo Clinic for residency training? I was a postdoctoral research fellow in computational pathology and artificial intelligence from 2024 to 2026 at Mayo Clinic. My experience as a postdoc has been enriching scientifically, academically, medically, and personally. The infrastructure at Mayo Clinic allows for the pursuit of innovation and excellence which also extends to Graduate Medical Education. The strong culture of wellbeing, teamwork, as well as the RICH TIES that sow the fabric of institution together making it one of the most desirable places to train.

What makes the Anatomic and Clinical Pathology Residency at Mayo Clinic unique? Mayo Clinic accessions a large amount of surgical and cytological cases every year. This ensures comprehensive exposure to common pathologies as well as rare diseases and esoteric tests. In addition, Mayo Clinic runs a robust outside consult service, both in the United States as well as globally. This ensures trainee exposure to difficult cases, helping develop a strong clinical acumen. The crowning jewel would have to be the fully digital, state of the art, surgical pathology workflow. This digital workflow allows for unprecedented access to cases, slides, and resources across all three campuses. In addition, the academic culture makes the pursuit of research, attending conferences, as well as going after new interests incredibly easy. Your next project or paper is only a door knock away.

What has your experience living in Jacksonville, Florida, been like? Living in Jacksonville has been fun. The weather is phenomenal all year round and access to the beach makes for spontaneous weekends. There’s always something to do (or eat), no matter your interests, somewhere around town.

What does your future look like right now? In addition to my passion and work in informatics/computational pathology, I’m interested in pursuing a fellowship in dermatopathology as well as bone/soft tissue or head and neck pathology. I mostly envision myself working at a large academic institute, as I enjoy teaching and will likely continue to have a robust research presence.

What are your hobbies/interests? I enjoy reading, cooking, baking, and bike riding in my spare time. I’m also an avid gamer, particularly mmorpg games and indie developed titles. If I’m not doing any of the above, I’m at home on my couch watching tv with my husband and our three dogs Dolly, Dakota, and Stella.

Mayo Fellows Association (MFA)

The Mayo Fellows Association (MFA) offers a peer and social support network for residents and fellows and their families with social events, athletics, and advocacy. The MFA also holds an annual resident and fellow appreciation event open to all trainees with complimentary massages, stress-reducing activities, and social support.