Medical School: Keck School of Medicine of the University of Southern California
Residency: Medical University of South Carolina

I chose to do my breast imaging fellowship at Mayo Clinic in Arizona for many reasons. Mayo Clinic in Arizona is one of the longest standing breast centers utilizing contrast enhanced mammography, which allows fellows to gain experience on a daily basis becoming experts at CEM. The breast fellowship was also the most balanced fellowship I found. Almost every day involved interpreting MRIs, CEM, screeners, and MBIs. One of the biggest strengths of this fellowship is the attendings. They are incredibly supportive and love to teach. Lastly, the program allows for flexibility to do electives in other departments, allowing trainees to hone skills outside of breast imaging.

The environment here is extremely collegial and friendly. Procedural training is truly incredible. We do procedures here that may be turned away at other institutions. The innovation is unmatched, and we perform all imaging at the highest level, including an introduction to using AI in breast imaging. It is the ideal fellowship to become a well-rounded breast imager. I was surprised at how collaborative the department is within itself and with other departments.

Medical School: Creighton University School of Medicine Omaha, NE
Residency: Creighton University Arizona Health Education Alliance, Phoenix, AZ

Mayo Clinic Arizona’s Breast Imaging fellowship has provided an outstanding training experience. Training in a high-volume, multidisciplinary environment with exposure to complex and diverse cases has been invaluable in further developing my clinical skills. What I have appreciated most so far is the collegial atmosphere and the genuine investment faculty place in fellow development, both clinically and academically. The structured yet supportive learning environment has allowed me to refine my diagnostic and procedural skills while gaining confidence in independent decision-making.

I had the pleasure of working with Mayo Clinic's Breast Imaging Department as a resident, which made choosing Mayo Clinic for my fellowship training one of the easiest decisions I have made. I had the opportunity to work with every imaging modality in the field, including contrast-enhanced mammography and molecular breast imaging. The staff was very education focused, and I had not gone a day without learning and improving. We also had fantastic and experienced technologists and sonographers who we valued as essential members of our team. My favorite part of the fellowship was the people I worked with, but a close second are the invaluable opportunities I had been given to become not just a competent breast radiologist, but an outstanding one.

Mayo Clinic in Arizona's Breast Imaging Department offers state-of-the-art technology with training that includes screening and diagnostic mammography, contrast-enhanced mammography, breast ultrasound, breast MRI, molecular breast imaging, and breast interventional procedures including radioactive I-125 seed localizations. I worked closely with breast surgeons, medical oncologists, and radiation oncologists during our multidisciplinary conferences to optimize patient care. The breast imaging faculty were wonderful to work with and provide a breadth and depth of knowledge which challenges you to continue to learn and grow. There were also many research opportunities to pursue to expand your experience. I enjoyed coming to work every day and appreciated the opportunity to be a part of the Breast Imaging Fellowship.

The Breast Imaging Fellowship prepared me for a career in academic medicine. The program and institution are supportive of research endeavors, offer the opportunity to teach residents in the reading room every day, and allowed me to independently practice and perform breast imaging procedures early on in the fellowship. This learned confidence made the transition from fellow to staff easy and fun.

I was fortunate to learn from highly respected experts in my field and to strengthen my overall skillset through exposure to additional radiology disciplines during the course of the Breast Imaging Fellowship. I emerged from this program with a complement of skills that has enabled me to function very proficiently at an extremely high level. I left prepared for busy clinical practice. Most importantly, I know that I am a better physician and a better person because of my time at Mayo. I would recommend this program without reservation and I believe it to be, hands down, the best fellowship training experience obtainable.

I am so grateful for the privilege of completing a fellowship with the Breast Imaging division at Mayo Clinic in Phoenix, Arizona. Working closely with passionate attendings who were so dedicated to my education and quality patient care has been one of the most formative experiences in my career. From discussing all of our cases of the day, to reviewing board-style questions and engaging with multidisciplinary colleagues, Mayo professors always provided a dynamic learning environment. As a result, I became proficient and confident at evaluating and managing patients with a diverse spectrum of breast diseases.

The Breast Imaging Fellowship at Mayo Clinic in Phoenix, Arizona, cultivated my interests in research and provided what was, for me, the ideal fellowship experience. Through excellent teaching, faculty mentoring, interdepartmental collaboration, and access to the best current and emerging breast imaging technologies, my fellowship at Mayo allowed me to successfully complete multiple research projects, conference presentations, and publications.