Catherine Gao, M.D.

Hometown: Urbana, IL 

Undergraduate: Johns Hopkins University

Medical School: Mayo Clinic 

Hobbies: Lately, spending time with my 5-month-old baby and watching him discover the world. Trying new restaurants in the Cities, estate sale shopping, being a plant mom to 30+ houseplants.

Favorite things to do in Rochester: Catching a movie at Pop’s Art Theater, tacos from El Super Gallo, and evening walks along the Douglas Trail. Not quite in Rochester, but we love to visit the Elba Fire Tower or Lanesboro for views of the beautiful fall foliage.

Why Mayo: Fantastic clinical training, mentors who are genuinely interested in supporting you, and good work-life balance. 

Future plans: OB Anesthesia fellowship at Mayo Clinic

Joe Gottwald, M.D., Pharm.D.

Hometown: Millerton, PA

Undergraduate: Albany College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences, Albany, NY

Medical school: Mayo Clinic Alix School of Medicine

Hobbies: Essentially anything sports-related. I play softball, baseball, basketball, golf, and ultimate frisbee. I'm a huge Philadelphia sports fan.

Favorite things to do in Rochester: I love competing in various recreational league sports in town.

Why Mayo: It's hard to define, but I had a "feeling" about Mayo the first time I visited when interviewing for med school. It felt like a top-notch place to train and also a place I could realistically see myself wanting to live and work in the long term. When deciding on residency plans, I liked the critical care practice structure here and the ability to develop not only in room provider experience in advanced cases but also significant opportunities to act as a mentor and sub-consultant/attending for junior residents and nurse anesthetists.

Future plans: Critical care fellowship at Mayo Clinic followed by mixed practice of general anesthesia and critical care.

Alexander Kiel, M.D., Ph.D.

Hometown: Rochester, MN

Undergrad: University of Illinois

Medical school: Indiana University School of Medicine

Hobbies: Learning about new developments in science or medicine, reading, cooking, spending time outdoors hiking and fishing, sports, traveling, doing all the touristy stuff and enjoying local food scenes, and spending time with family, friends, and my two cats, Luke and Leia.

Favorite things to do in Rochester: Hiking and fishing at the numerous nearby parks, ice fishing, cross-country skiing, playing frisbee golf, trying out new restaurants and breweries, enjoying a night out at one of the many local pizza farms, and spending time with family and friends.

Why Mayo: Mayo offers exceptional clinical training in the context of an outstanding work culture. The patient and case diversity throughout all divisions of anesthesiology is unparalleled. There is unending support from the department, residency program, multiple resident-focused groups, and Mayo as a whole. The residency program embraces the feeling of being close-knit both within and outside the work environment.

Future plans: Neuroanesthesiology fellowship, Mayo Clinic in Rochester, MN

Donald Kleppel, M.D.

Hometown: Cleveland, OH

Undergraduate: University of Dayton

Medical school: University of Toledo College of Medicine and Life Sciences

Hobbies: Golf, snowboarding, working out and fitness, movie buff, travel, and outdoor activities (hiking and whitewater rafting).

Favorite things to do in Rochester: Golfing, summer sand volleyball, and weekly Thursday trivia.

Why Mayo: Being at Mayo has brought me opportunities that I wouldn’t receive at other programs. At Mayo, we train amongst some of the best and brightest physicians around the world. As a resident, I have been encouraged to become increasingly independent as my training progresses, challenge myself daily, and be confident in my abilities to practice anesthesia after residency all while having an incredible support system. I know that training at Mayo has prepared me to become an excellent anesthesiologist in any type of practice.

Future plans: Continuing education through a Pain medicine fellowship

Steven Dotzler, M.D., Ph.D.

Hometown: Foley, MN (Pop. 2700, one hour NW of the Twin Cities)

Undergraduate: Concordia College (Moorhead, MN)

Medical School: Mayo Clinic Alix School of Medicine

Hobbies: Raising my 2-year-old son, singing bass in a choir (ninth year with Choral Arts Ensemble in Rochester), strategy board and card games (Quacks of Quedlinberg is a personal favorite), escape rooms/exit games, and mobile video games (Clash Royale).

Favorite things to do in Rochester: Spend time with friends, weekend trips to the family cabin, and order take-out. The Mystery Caves near Spring Valley are pretty cool!

Why Mayo: Mayo Clinic is a world-renowned institution that happens to be in my home state! My grandpa held Mayo in high esteem after receiving stroke care here and was proud to know I became part of that mission for medical school. My dream was to train at Mayo Clinic, and after eight years of M.D. Ph.D. here, I truly believe every day was a privilege…and was equally ecstatic to remain here for residency!

Future plans: Pediatric cardiac anesthesia (my Ph.D. was in long QT syndrome/cardiac gene therapy)

Trevor Gauthier, M.D.

Hometown: Crivitz, WI 

Undergraduate: University of Wisconsin-Madison. Major in neurobiology and minor in education 

Medical School: Wisconsin Academy for Rural Medicine through the University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health

Hobbies: I enjoy exercising, playing Oculus VR games, and mixing cocktails for my friends. When I visit my home in Wisconsin, I enjoy hanging out with the animals on my family’s farm.

Favorite things to do in Rochester: I like to explore the state and county parks in the area on my days off. I also enjoy the social events we do together as a resident class.

Why Mayo: Mayo focuses on our education as residents more than they rely on us as a workforce. This allows us to participate in interesting cases and learning opportunities while also maintaining time outside of work for independent study and for wellness. The anesthesiology department and the residency leadership give priority to both our education and our well-being.

Future plans:  I intend to remain in the Midwest and will likely pursue a general anesthesiology career, as I enjoy the breadth of experiences this provides. However, I am open to a fellowship, particularly one in critical care, if I become drawn to a subspecialty during my time in residency.

Vianca Insignares, M.D.

Hometown: Barranquilla-Colombia

Medical School: Universidad del Norte

Hobbies: Hiking, cycling, photography, and watching movies/shows.

Favorite things to do in Rochester: Biking the Douglas Trail, Thursdays on first, trying new restaurants with friends

Why Mayo: Mayo Clinic is a place with the unique combination of a nurturing community, excellent education, approachable experts in the field, limitless opportunities/resources, and exceptional patient care. I feel privileged to collaborate and learn from some of the most skilled and brilliant physicians every day while being able to enjoy an amazing quality of life surrounded by the most kind, friendly, and supportive colleagues.

Future plans: Regional anesthesia

Robert Owen, M.D.

Hometown: Nashville, TN; Anderson, IN

Undergraduate: Life School of Ministry; Middle Tennessee University

Medical School: Mayo Clinic

Hobbies: Ultimate Frisbee, volunteering at the prison ministry and at my church, and playing sports and board games with my wife and kids.

Favorite things to do in Rochester: Strawberry and apple picking, hiking, chopping wood, sledding, and snow tubing.

Why Mayo: Inspiring heritage. Visionary future. The Mayo family sacrificed so much of their lives and personal resources to establish this institution. Mayo’s values of “patient first” and teamwork really create a culture between coworkers for collaboration instead of ladder-climbing or money-chasing. Rochester is a wonderful town with great people for raising a family, and it has become home for my wife and three kids.

Future plans: Continuing to serve in medical missions to underserved populations locally and abroad who have limited healthcare access.

Preston McMullin, M.D.

Hometown: Bluffdale, UT

Undergraduate: Brigham Young University

Medical School: UT Health San Antonio

Hobbies: Fly fishing, golf, smoking meats, watching sports, and spending time with family

Favorite things to do in Rochester: There are some great outdoor options near and around the Rochester area. The city itself has several parks, and beyond the city, there are several state parks and towns with excellent fishing and other outdoor opportunities. And if you’re looking for a larger-city event such as professional sporting events or the arts, the Twin Cities are just over an hour away.

Why Mayo: Choosing Mayo for residency was easy as soon as I got a taste of the culture and interacted with the people here. Everyone I have worked with has been helpful, happy, smart, and dedicated to improving the lives of patients. The anesthesia residency program itself provides very robust training in all aspects of anesthesia and will prepare you for fellowship or private practice. The alumni network is also very extensive, which allows for widespread job opportunities after training. These features, in combination with Rochester being a very livable city and having a relatively low cost of living, made coming to Mayo a no-brainer.

Future plans: Undecided

Savannah Whitfield, D.O.

Hometown: Missoula, MT

Undergraduate: University of Montana

Medical School: Idaho College of Osteopathic Medicine

Hobbies: Running, gardening, reading, hiking, kayaking, and board games.

Favorite things to do in Rochester: Visiting the local restaurants and hanging out at Chester Woods Park or Whitewater State Park. 

Why Mayo:  During my rotation as a fourth-year medical student, I found myself deeply enamored with both the atmosphere and the individuals I encountered. The culture fostered an exceptionally inclusive learning environment, one that I was certain would continually push me to excel. Each person I crossed paths with exuded an unwavering dedication to providing exceptional patient care – a commitment I was eager to embrace and contribute to!

Future plans: Unknown at the moment

Annie Bell, M.D.

Hometown: Hattiesburg, MS

Undergraduate: Tulane University

Medical School: Tulane University School of Medicine

Hobbies: Scuba diving, playing frisbee with Boops (my Border Collie), cooking Cajun food, and swimming .

Favorite things to do in Rochester: Finding live music at local venues, going to Forager Brewery, hiking, and eating at Mango Thai .

Why Mayo: I was so impressed with the close-knit community at Mayo Clinic during my interview. In addition to the outstanding clinical training and research opportunities, the program’s commitment to resident education and professional development is unbeatable. I feel so lucky that I get to do my residency training at such an incredible place. 

Future plans: Undecided but very interested in Pain fellowship 

Paul Cacioppo, M.D.

Hometown: Collinsville, IL

Undergraduate: University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign

Medical School: Southern Illinois University School of Medicine

Hobbies: Spending time with my wife, watching YouTube, and video games, and browsing shelter websites for adoptable dogs.

Favorite things to do in Rochester: Shopping at Costco, trying new restaurants, eating at Kwik Trip, exploring small towns around Rochester, and spending time with my co-residents when we can get together.

Why Mayo: I really enjoyed my virtual interview here at Mayo and got the vibe that everyone would be collegial and personable. I was right! Everyone has been so supportive and invested in our training. Mayo Rochester is also unique in that there is a very well-renowned hospital in a relatively smaller city fit for families.

Future plans: Undecided

Megan Ellis, D.O.

Hometown: Brownsdale/Hayfield, MN

Undergraduate: Wartburg College

Medical School: Des Moines University College of Osteopathic Medicine

Hobbies: Gardening, landscaping, running, and spending time with family.

 Favorite things to do in Rochester: Tuesday night date night at Bleu Duck.

Why Mayo: Being from a small town I place a lot of value on getting to know people. At Mayo, I believe many of the consultants take the time to know you both inside and outside of the OR. The residency program also does a great job of instilling a sense of community/family among the residents. My family even made a comment that I seem to attend more social events in residency than I did during medical school.

Future plans: To be determined

Aubrey Euteneuer, D.O.

Hometown: Sauk Rapids. MN

Undergraduate: University of Minnesota 

Medical School: Pacific Northwest University College of Osteopathic Medicine 

Hobbies: Rock climbing, camping, and playing board/card games. 

Favorite things to do in Rochester: Spending time at the local rock climbing gym. Hiking through some of our local parks with my husband and two pups. Spending time with friends at one of our lovely breweries or close-ish wineries.

Why Mayo: I was excited for the opportunity to learn from our phenomenal consultants and supportive staff. I am lucky to also be close to family by returning to Minnesota. 

Future plans: Currently, I'm undecided. I plan to complete a fellowship and with my previous experience as a Surgical First Assistant in CV Surgery, I will likely choose to specialize in Cardiothoracic Anesthesiology. Both my husband and I are from the Midwest, but we enjoyed the Pacific Northwest immensely and could see ourselves settling anywhere.

Kyle Farrell, M.D.

Hometown: Rochester, MN

Undergraduate: Rochester, MN

Medical School: Creighton University

Hobbies: Skiing, running, backpacking, cooking, gardening, and podcasts.

Favorite things to do in Rochester: Biking and running on the Douglas Trail, swimming, and stand-up paddle boarding at Chester Woods Park.

Why Mayo: Mayo Clinic provides a unique combination of exceptional clinical training, patient-centered collaborative care, and a supportive learning environment with numerous opportunities for personal and professional development. Together this makes training at Mayo a privilege and an exceptional educational adventure.

Future plans: Undecided, likely critical care fellowship

Mitchell Malecha, M.D.

Hometown: Faribault, MN

Undergraduate: University of Wisconsin-La Crosse

Medical School: University of Minnesota

Hobbies: Playing basketball, competing in backyard games, and cheering on Minnesota sports teams.

Favorite things to do in Rochester: Walking/running the many trails, hanging out on Thursdays Downtown, and trying new restaurants.

Why Mayo: I chose Mayo because of its commitment to high-quality patient care, emphasis on daily learning, and dedication to a balanced clinical curriculum. Similarly, Mayo offers the perfect blend of challenging and complex cases within a supportive and collaborative learning environment. In total, the people and culture are what make Mayo special.

Future plans: General anesthesia or pain medicine fellowship

Cameron Thiele, M.D.

Hometown: Highlands Ranch, Colorado

Undergraduate: Colorado State University

Medical School: Mayo Clinic Alix School of Medicine

Hobbies: In my free time I enjoy CrossFit workouts, house projects, lawn care, and fly fishing. I'm also a part of an adult ice hockey league. 

Favorite things to do in Rochester: I enjoy exploring the various parks and walking trails and going on long walks with my wife and dog!

Why Mayo: The residency program is very committed to our education and overall well-being. I wanted to train at a place where I felt supported every step of the way. The culture of Mayo Clinic as an institution was also a big draw for me. Going to medical school at Mayo, I learned early on in my day-to-day interactions that Mayo prioritizes professionalism, kindness, approachability, and mutual respect, and it was these attributes in addition to many others that sold me on wanting to train here. 

Future plans: Uncertain at this point. I'm keeping my options open as I continue through CA-1 year.

Emily Bero, M.D.

Hometown: Milwaukee, WI

Medical school: Medical College of Wisconsin

Hobbies: Trail running with my rescue dogs, gravel biking, traveling, gardening, and camping with friends.

Favorite things to do in Rochester: Biking, hiking, running, exploring and camping in the stunning Driftless landscape, spending time with my co-residents, exploring the restaurants and bars, and going to concerts in the Twin Cities.

Why Mayo: Patient-centered care, collaborative team environment, supportive learning environment, growth mindset throughout the institution, and long-term career development and opportunities.

Future plans: Undecided

Brittany Bryant, M.D.

Hometown: Southlake, TX

Undergraduate: Baylor University

Medical school: Baylor College of Medicine

Hobbies: Running, scrapbooking, traveling, reading, and cooking new recipes.

Favorite things to do in Rochester: Love all of the biking trails – the summer in Rochester is gorgeous and I have loved getting to explore!

Why Mayo: I wanted to be a part of a world-class program with exposure to a wide variety of conditions in a diverse patient population. During my interview day, I was blown away by the kindness and camaraderie between residents as well as the exceptional way Mayo Clinic culture seeks to put patient care first.

Future plans: Pediatric cardiovascular anesthesia

Christiana Driver, M.D., M.S.

Hometown: Berkeley Heights, NJ

Medical school: Mayo Clinic Alix School of Medicine

Hobbies: Swimming, hiking, cycling, and cross-country skiing.

Favorite things to do in Rochester: Finding new playgrounds for my daughter (two years old) to explore, exploring the biking and hiking trails (especially Oxbow Park and Zoo, Quarry Hill, and Chester Woods), and Thursdays on First (weekly festival with music/food/vendors) in the summer.

Why Mayo: Having been here for medical school, I knew Mayo had a very strong anesthesiology program. The consultants and CRNAs are excellent and invested teachers and we get exposure to a wide variety of cases, both bread-and-butter and rarities. The opportunities and resources are endless and there is flexibility to tailor training to individual goals, as well as take on sub-consultant roles to prepare for life after residency. I feel very fortunate to continue training here.

Future plans: Chronic pain fellowship

Jennifer Eller, M.D.

Hometown: Helena, MT

Medical school: University of Washington School of Medicine

Hobbies: Fly fishing, skiing, running, and hiking.

Favorite things to do in Rochester: Fly-fishing at the surrounding streams of the Driftless, running one of the many local trails, doing stand-up paddleboarding on lakes in the area, and enjoying a cold beer at one of the local breweries.

Why Mayo: Mayo offers incredibly specialized training, the opportunity to work with world-renowned physicians, and exceptional caseload/diversity. Mayo maintains an incredibly collegial environment where everyone's input on the team is valued. Life is just generally easy here living in a smaller city. I truly believe there is no other residency in the U.S. that can offer the same training experience!

 Future plans: Uncertain at this time but highly considering pain.

David Finkel, M.D.

Hometown: Spokane, WA

Medical school: Mayo Clinic Alix School of Medicine

Hobbies: Weightlifting, cuddling with our dog, playing video games, and audiobooks and podcasts.

Favorite things to do in Rochester: Going on bike rides with the dog, getting up to the cities, trying out restaurants and breweries, and hosting our friend group in our new house for game or movie nights.

Why Mayo: I did medical school here and got to meet many of the amazing residents and consultants and saw how friendly and welcoming almost everyone is from janitors to surgeons. I also really appreciate how easy it is to live in and how affordable Rochester is. We would not have been able to afford a house at any other program I was considering, and likely would have had a longer commute as well. Everything in Rochester is literally less than 10 minutes away, and if you want the big city experience it’s easy to spend weekends up in the Cities or in Chicago.

Future plans: Undecided

Elijah Germo, M.D.

Hometown: Mapleton, MN

Medical school: University of Minnesota

Hobbies: Hanging out with friends and family, golfing, going to the lake, traveling, and attending sporting events (Go Gophers!). Being close to Minneapolis allows for easy access to a large airport for travel as well as the ability to attend professional sporting events, large concerts, etc.

Favorite things to do in Rochester: My wife and I live close to the Douglas Trail and try to use it as often as we can. It's always a blast to meet co-residents at events in Rochester such as Thursdays on First or Social Ice. We also enjoy exploring local coffee shops and breweries.

Why Mayo: Mayo residency offered the ability to train at a world-class hospital with rare and challenging cases as well as be taught by experts in the field. Our consultants are genuine, caring, and want the best for the residents. In the midst of excellent training and performing large cases, Mayo is still able to offer residents a great work-life balance. While exploring other residencies, Mayo stood out because it truly had it all.

Future plans: General anesthesia

Jonte Jefferson, M.D.

Hometown: Grand Rapids, MI

Medical school: Michigan State College of Human Medicine  

Hobbies: Fishing, cooking, weightlifting, and playing card games.

Favorite things to do in Rochester: Enjoying the outdoors, checking out new restaurants nearby, and hanging out with my fiancee and daughter.

Why Mayo: One of the best hospitals in the world. Rich in resources, top-notch teaching, and a supportive work culture environment.

Future plans: General anesthesia or pain  

Christopher Marcellino, M.D.

Hometown: San Francisco, CA

Medical school: Case Western Reserve University

Hobbies: Cycling, home remodeling, neurosurgery, and scuba diving.

Favorite things to do in Rochester: Trying out new restaurants, cycling, and going to the Mystery Cave.

Why Mayo: Best training program(s) I could ask for.

Future plans: Critical care, neurosurgery, and anesthesia hybrid practice

Mariana Restrepo-Holguin, M.D.

Hometown: Medellin, Colombia

Medical school: Universidad CES

Hobbies:  Traveling, road biking, snowboarding, cooking, and plants.

Favorite things to do in Rochester: Summer days by the pool with friends, walking and biking on the trails, and visiting the nearby wineries and breweries.

Why Mayo: Mayo felt like the place where I would be supported to see beyond and become far more than what I thought possible. The program offers each of its residents the opportunity to train with leaders in the field, in an innovative and inclusive environment with a sense of belonging. It allows residents to be successful in whichever career path they choose and provides resources that could not be found anywhere else.

Future Plans:  Regional anesthesia

Christopher Tipton, M.D.

Hometown:  Bowling Green, MI

Undergraduate: University of Missouri – Columbia

Medical school:  University of Missouri - Columbia

Hobbies: Hunting, fishing, time with my kiddos, Xbox, and watching my Mizzou Tigers play on Saturday.

Favorite things to do in Rochester: Taking my family to the local parks, Thursdays on First, fishing and hunting on public grounds, and any excuse to use my pellet grill.

Why Mayo: I'm a non-traditional applicant. I worked as a flight paramedic on a helicopter for several years before going to medical school. With this experience, I wanted to challenge myself with high-acuity and complex cases at a world-renowned facility and to be trained by the experts in our field. What surprised me most about Mayo was the collegiality and approachability of the experts. Mayo really is a special place to train.

Future plans: Cardiothoracic versus critical care fellowship

Rachel Corbitt, M.D.

Hometown: Atlanta, GA

Medical school: Medical College of Georgia

Hobbies: Watching anything Marvel, making cocktails (posting them to @theresidentmixologist on Instagram), listening to podcasts from NPR, and staying up-to-date on the latest Ben & Jerry’s and Oreo flavors.

Favorite things to do in Rochester: Eating nachos at Forager Brewery, Thursdays On First during the summer (tacos and beer), Saturday Farmers Market (bread and butter pickles), potluck/game night with other residents, and taking a walk on the trail behind my apartment.

Why Mayo: Toward the end of the interviews, all the programs started to blur together, but Mayo stood out as having the best vibe for me—chill residents who got along and wanted to learn, and faculty who wanted to teach and give the best care to their patients. Despite being a big-name program, I feel so comfortable and supported here.

Future plans: Regional fellowship, then I plan to stay in Minnesota.

Timothy Evans, M.D.

Hometown: Omaha, NE

Medical school: Creighton University

Hobbies: Cycling, hiking, and reading.

Favorite things to do in Rochester: Biking trails and Thursdays downtown.

Why Mayo: The ability to see unique and interesting cases that will promote my professional growth and skillset. The didactics and simulation training are unparalleled.

Future plans: General anesthesiology

Marc Granata, M.D.

Hometown: Reno, NV

Medical school: Ross University School of Medicine

Hobbies: Taking family trips, hunting, fishing, camping, watching and playing most sports, listening to all kinds of music, and just spending quality time with my wife, kids, and dogs.

Favorite things to do in Rochester: Trying new restaurants with family and friends, checking out new bicycle paths with my wife, and practicing archery.

Why Mayo: After completing a one-month visiting clinician observership at Mayo, I knew there was nowhere I would rather go for my additional residency training in anesthesiology. It was evident to me from very early on that Mayo is a unique and special place. There are many things that set Mayo apart, but perhaps most impressive to me are the unparalleled culture of caring and the collaborative approach to patient care that helped earn it the designation of the number one hospital in the world year after year. Moreover, at Mayo, I'm honored to be surrounded every day by some of the most brilliant and talented clinicians in the world and to be receiving some of the best training in Anesthesiology anywhere!

Future plans: General anesthesiology

Lucas Heldt Manica, M.D.

Hometown: Porto Alegre, Brazil, and Honolulu, HI

Medical school: University of Hawaii (JABSOM)

Hobbies: Aquascaping, caring for my two pet box turtles, planting trees, watching anime, doing outside activities, and doing home improvement projects.

Favorite things to do in Rochester: All-you-can-eat sushi at Ichi Tokyo, biking on the local trails, and stand-up paddle boarding at the local lakes.

Why Mayo: Once I interviewed at Mayo, I knew it would provide exceptional clinical training. There are many reasons that make Mayo an extraordinary place to train and work. For me, it was the focus on patient care where the patient's needs come first, the breadth and depth of clinical opportunities, and the people whom I met on my interview day. Also, there are endless opportunities and support for personal and professional development.  

Future plans: Undecided, looking forward to subspecialty rotations during CA-2 year

Amira Joseph, M.D.

Hometown: Portland, OR

Medical school: Wake Forest School of Medicine

Hobbies: Running, hiking, reading, and listening to true crime podcasts.

Favorite things to do in Rochester: Running and walking on the many bike paths, biking in Lanesboro, grabbing ice cream at Flapdoodles, hanging out at Newts (South location is the best location), cross-country skiing and ice skating at Soldiers Field, and playing pickleball at Kutzky’s Park.

Why Mayo: Mayo provides the opportunity to participate in patient care with physicians who are experts in their field in a collaborative and welcoming environment. Rochester offers a small-town feel with the ability to take fun day trips to Minneapolis and nearby rural towns.

Future plans: General anesthesiologist in Minneapolis

Maryna Khromava, M.D.

Hometown: Brooklyn, NY

Medical school: Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai

Hobbies: Photography, cooking, watching fantasy shows, biking, and board games.

Favorite things to do in Rochester: Checking out new restaurants, grabbing cocktails at Bitter and Pour, biking Rochester’s nature trail, and going to listen to my significant other's amateur band (check out BabyFoot playing when visiting).

Why Mayo: Mayo Clinic is a unique place. You feel like you're in the center of the medical world and patient care excellence. It's probably the only hospital where you can have it all – you will do anesthesia for level-one traumas, transplant surgeries, cardiac surgeries, difficult OB cases, complex neurosurgeries, and regional cases. You'll be taught by the anesthesiologists who wrote your textbooks. At the same time, everyone is extremely nice and approachable.

Future plans: Cardiac fellowship

Genya Turgul, M.D., J.D.

Hometown: Milwaukee, WI

Medical school: Medical College of Wisconsin

Hobbies: Road cycling, gardening, home lighting/automation, and occasionally tinkering with electronics.

Favorite things to do in Rochester: Spending time with my family, taking my three small kids to Quarry Hill Park, Whitewater State Park, and the Oxbow Park & Zollman Zoo, going on long walks on the Douglass State Trail, patronizing Forager, Little Thistle, and other local breweries, and overall embracing the Minnesota Spring, Summer, and Fall seasons.

Why Mayo: Outstanding institutional reputation, faculty, and staff who are genuinely dedicated to resident education and care about trainee success, and most importantly happy residents. Mayo is a truly unique place with immense opportunities for medical training. Rochester is extremely livable and an ideal place to complete a residency.

Future plans: Currently undecided (pending completion of CA-2 subspecialty rotations)

Tyler West, M.D.

Hometown: Fenton, MI

Medical school: Ohio State University College of Medicine

Hobbies: Playing and watching soccer, fly fishing, skiing, video games, and watching movies.

Favorite things to do in Rochester: Playing soccer and trying new restaurants.

Why Mayo: Mayo is one of the very few programs that have excellent clinical training in every anesthesia fellowship, especially at Mayo Clinic's campuses in Arizona and Florida available for away rotations. I knew I would be working with experts in each field of anesthesiology which would allow me to participate in high-impact research. The camaraderie between the anesthesia and surgical specialties is also excellent. Additionally, the work-life balance is great, which allows you to participate in activities outside of clinical duties such as your hobbies and research.

Future plans: General anesthesia in Wisconsin