Fellows in the Critical Care Medicine Fellowship at Mayo Clinic in Jacksonville, Florida, come from around the U.S. and across the world. While all of our trainees have a love of learning and a compassionate approach to patient care, they come from diverse backgrounds, family status, and professional and personal interests.

Jeel Gala, M.B.B.S.

Hometown: Mumbai, India
Hobbies: Swimming, foreign language learning, dancing 

Why did you choose the Critical Care Medicine Fellowship? The program’s emphasis on excelling both as a clinician and in research is highly appealing to me. I appreciate that it not only supports clinical excellence but also fosters significant research opportunities. Additionally, the program’s commitment to incorporating fellows' feedback for continuous improvement underscores a collaborative and responsive environment, which I find very motivating.

What do you like about living in Jacksonville, Florida?  The beach was a significant selling point for me, as I thoroughly enjoy swimming and outdoor activities. Additionally, the city offers a variety of fun places to hang out, which enhances its appeal.

Raksha Venkatesan, M.B.B.S.

Hometown: Chennai, India
Hobbies: Painting sceneries, DIY interior designing of homes

What drew you to Mayo Clinic for residency training? The versatility of training and exposure to multiple branches of critical care. My ideology was simple — after I finish training and go into the real world I don't want to be scared.

What makes the Critical Care Medicine Fellowship unique? The faculty of the program and the eagerness to teach. The wide variety of clinical cases that you see. Exposure to transplant and complicated cardiac patients.

What is living in Jacksonville, Florida, like for you? It feels like home.

Harith Ghnaima, M.B., Ch.B.

Hometown: Baghdad-Iraq/Toronto-Canada
Medical school: University of Baghdad - College of Medicine
Outside interests/hobbies: When I'm not saving lives, you'll likely find me in the kitchen whipping a delicious meal or exploring new wines. I have a deep appreciation for the outdoors and enjoy staying active year-round — whether it's snowboarding, hiking in the spring, playing soccer in the summer, or simply relaxing by the water. I like DIY projects and love building things from the ground up. I'm also a devoted admirer of great art and creativity.

What drew you to Mayo Clinic for residency training? There was something truly unique about my interview experience here — it was an exceptionally welcoming environment from the very beginning. The hospital is not only state-of-the-art but also visually stunning. What impressed me most was how friendly and approachable the attendings were, creating a sense of support and collegiality. The fellowship program offers everything I’m looking for: extensive hands-on experience, genuine autonomy, and comprehensive exposure to a variety of intensive care settings, including the MICU, CVICU, NICU, and transplant ICU.

What is living in Jacksonville like for you? Jacksonville has balance suburban life, great food scene (especially if you like seafood!), beautiful beaches and great diverse population!

What makes this program unique? What makes this program truly unique is the balance between a high level of autonomy and a supportive, collaborative environment. The attendings are not only approachable and invested in teaching but also genuinely committed to helping fellows grow into confident, independent clinicians. One of the aspects I appreciate most is how accommodating the program is to each fellow’s individual career goals, whether in academic medicine, advanced subspecialty training, or clinical practice. I was pleasantly surprised by the flexibility in selecting electives tailored to my specific interests and long-term objectives. Additionally, the program promotes a great work-life balance, which has been essential in maintaining both personal well-being and professional development throughout fellowship.

When selecting your career path, how did you come to decide on a specialty? When selecting my career path, I was drawn to critical care medicine because of its fast-paced, high-acuity environment and the intellectual complexity it offers — particularly in managing patients with advanced cardiopulmonary physiology. Over time, I developed a strong interest in cardiac and post-transplant ICU care, where nuanced hemodynamic management plays a central role. What I love most about critical care is the opportunity to make meaningful, timely interventions that can significantly impact outcomes, often in the most vulnerable patient populations.

Clinically, I’m most passionate about advanced hemodynamics, mechanical circulatory support, and multi-organ failure management in the context of complex cardiac and transplant patients. From a research perspective, I’m interested in exploring hemodynamic optimization strategies, outcomes in cardiac ICU patients, and quality improvement in post-transplant care. I also find teaching and mentorship deeply rewarding, and I envision a career in academic medicine where I can combine hands-on clinical work with education, research, and eventually, a leadership role that helps shape the next generation of intensivists.

What do you like to do in your spare time? Outside of medicine, I enjoy staying active and creatively engaged. I have a background in the culinary world and previously pursued a career in cooking, which remains a strong passion of mine. I continue to enjoy developing recipes that are both visually appealing and thoughtfully crafted. I'm also a wine enthusiast, particularly interested in old-world wines and the science and craftsmanship behind winemaking. Staying physically active is important to me as well; I enjoy hiking, playing soccer, snowboarding, and working out. I also enjoy taking on different DIY projects in my spare time.

Looking ahead, after completing this program, I envision a career in academic critical care medicine with a focus on cardiac and transplant ICUs, where I can integrate high-level clinical care with teaching, research, and leadership. In 10 years, I hope to be in a position where I’m not only making meaningful contributions at the bedside but also mentoring future intensivists and helping shape the direction of critical care practice in an academic setting.

Katherine Quiza, M.D.

Hometown: East Brunswick, NJ
Medical school: Medical University of Lodz
Outside interests/hobbies: Rock climbing, hiking, spending time with family and friends

What drew you to Mayo Clinic for fellowship training? I was drawn to Mayo Clinic for its outstanding reputation in patient care, education, and research, along with its multidisciplinary approach and access to complex cases and advanced resources. What stood out to me most was the humility and approachability of the faculty, the supportive, collegial environment, and the strong emphasis on technology in training. I value the opportunity to work alongside dedicated experts, customize my learning through hands-on clinical experience and research, and contribute to a collaborative, patient-centered team.

What most interests you about living in Jacksonville? I’m looking forward to exploring Jacksonville especially exploring the local food scene, spending time at the beaches, and enjoying the beautiful parks and nature trails throughout the area.

What makes this program unique? What makes this program unique is its renowned clinical excellence, strong emphasis on multidisciplinary collaboration, and exposure to a diverse patient population with complex cases.

How did you choose your specialty? I chose Critical Care Medicine because I’m passionate about caring for the most critically ill patients through a multidisciplinary, team-based approach that delivers the highest standard of care.

What do you like to do in your spare time? Outside of medicine, I enjoy rock climbing, hiking, and spending time with my family and friends.