Michelle Colbert, M.D.
Class of 2026

Why did you choose Mayo Clinic for your dermatology training?

I chose Mayo Clinic for the excellent clinical training and for the advancements Mayo contributes to the field of dermatology. We are at the forefront of integrating technology such as artificial intelligence and digital pathology into our daily practice. Our department is large, allowing for exposure to numerous specialty clinics led by esteemed faculty members. No matter where my career takes me, I know my experience at Mayo will set me up for success.

What is it like to live in Rochester, Minnesota?

Compared to bigger cities, Rochester has quieter pace of life which fosters a strong sense of community. There is an abundance of local music and art events in the summertime including concerts, art walks, and shows. Although winter is cold, there are many events to look forward to including the winter farmer’s market and Social-ICE! The Twin Cities are just a short drive away with tons of restaurants and shopping experiences to offer (Mall of America, anyone?)

What is one of your favorite experiences in the program or with your trainees?

It’s hard to choose just one! We are a close-knit group. Whether we’re eating lunch in the resident work room or hanging out at each other’s houses, we’re having a great time. We celebrate birthdays, holidays, and residency milestones together. Recently, we had an End of PGY-2 game night! It’s even more fun when our co-residents from the Mayo Jacksonville campus come to Rochester.

Kathleen Fletcher, M.D.
Class of 2026

Why did you choose Mayo Clinic for your dermatology training?

I chose Mayo Clinic because I knew I would receive comprehensive world-class training in all facets of dermatology. It was clear that the program, which offered a unique model of graduated autonomy, was intentionally structured to produce dermatologists who would feel confident heading into practice. Coming to work each day and learning from a variety of mentors who are truly world leaders in their respective areas is such a special opportunity. Specific to my own interests in complex medical and rheumatologic dermatology, I felt that Mayo would provide unmatched exposure to this patient population in both the clinical and inpatient settings. Lastly (and most importantly), I was blessed to rotate at Mayo as a medical student and quickly found that the entire department, including not just the physicians but also the nurses and other support staff, to be amazingly supportive and create an atmosphere that I knew I would enjoy working in each day.

Is there anything that surprised you about living in Rochester?

Being from the Midwest, I was pleasantly surprised to find that Rochester attracts a diverse group of people and cultures from all over, while simultaneously retaining a Midwestern feel. Furthermore, there is so much more to explore in and around Rochester than I was expecting, and yet nothing is more than 20 minutes away! Also, although I may love the Minnesota winters more than most, it was still a nice surprise to see how coordinated Rochester is to handle winter with tunnels and skyways connecting nearly everything in Mayo Clinic’s downtown campus.

How is Mayo Clinic helping you reach your career goals?

People within the program as well as throughout the department have gone out of their way to help create opportunities for me related to rheum-derm. This has already resulted in multiple projects as well as the chance to be involved in a clinical research trial related to rheum-derm as well. Beyond this, Mayo’s generous research trip policy is also making it possible for me to attend meetings related to my subspecialty of interest and network with leaders in the field. With my additional interest in academics, there have also been ample opportunities to get involved with teaching as a resident and interface frequently with medical students.

Reese Imhof, M.D.
Class of 2025

Why did you choose Mayo Clinic for your dermatology training?

I was fortunate to attend medical school at Mayo Clinic Alix School of Medicine in Rochester, Minnesota. From my experiences in medical school, I knew that if given the opportunity I would be thrilled to stay at Mayo for the rest of my training. Ever since I first came to Mayo as an interviewing medical student, I have been completely blown away by this place and that feeling has only strengthened over time. The outstanding clinical education, the privilege to learn from brilliant leaders in the field, incredible facilities and technology, and the endless opportunities to be part of exciting research and innovation are all attractive qualities of training at Mayo. However, the most important quality — what I love most about Mayo and what makes this place so special — is the focus on humanistic, patient-centered care. The needs of the patient come first is not just a slogan; it's a core value and I have been constantly inspired by the humble and selfless dedication of folks here who go above and beyond to provide the best care possible to patients.

What is your favorite thing about being a dermatology resident at Mayo Clinic?

The people I get to work with! Everyone in our program and the department is wonderful and I am energized and inspired by them every day.

Describe the work/life balance in this program.

We have excellent work/life balance. This was very important to me in choosing a residency program as I have young children, and having time for my family is very important to me. I strongly feel that as providers, we need to take care of ourselves in order to provide the best possible care to patients. This is a shared value as our program works to maintain work/life balance and prevent burnout.   

How is Mayo Clinic helping you reach your career goals? 

The mentorship I have received at Mayo has been incredible. I have felt completely supported in pursuing my specific interests in dermatology. Whatever your interest may be in dermatology, Mayo provides all the support and resources you could need. We have a large department, and it has been very easy to find mentors within my areas of interest who always have an open door and are excited to discuss career goals, share advice, and involve me in projects.

What is it like to live in Rochester, Minnesota?

Coming from New York there was an initial adjustment period as I had never lived in the Midwest, and I used to think I would always want to live in a large city. That has certainly changed as I love Rochester and have been very happy to live here for medical school, internship, and now residency. Rochester is a wonderful mid-size city. There is a sense of community here that I love. My neighbors are so kind and do things completely unexpectedly such as randomly mowing my lawn during the warm seasons or snowplowing my driveway in the winter, leaving food at our door, and handing down toys for my kids. "Minnesota nice" is a real thing! Rochester is also much more affordable than other places I have lived. There are plenty of great restaurants and coffee shops (with more popping up all the time), as well as beautiful trails, parks, and nature.

Is there anything that surprised you about Rochester?

I was pleasantly surprised that Rochester is much more diverse than I expected. As a lifelong New Yorker that was important to me, particularly raising my children to be in a diverse and welcoming community. Also, the winter is really not so bad, you get used to it!

Michael Zhang, M.D.
Class of 2025

Why did you choose Mayo Clinic for your dermatology training?

I chose Mayo Clinic for its emphasis on patient care and its track record of producing high-impact research. Being able to see bread and butter pathologies in addition to the once-in-a-lifetime diseases is a privilege that we have at Mayo Clinic. Also, I wanted to train with world-renowned leaders in the field who are changing the field of dermatology.

What is your favorite thing about being a dermatology resident at Mayo Clinic?

So far it's been my amazing co-residents and faculty. They've done an amazing job at sculpting a kind, talented, fun, and diverse cohort of residents. Additionally, all of the faculty are incredibly supportive teachers and are so approachable with any questions that we may have.

Describe the work/life balance in this program.

Work/life balance in the program has been phenomenal. I've always been able to finish my work before leaving the hospital or clinic. I think the level of work and expectations are very reasonable, and I haven't had to sacrifice my own wellness to complete it. We have one of the largest residency programs in the country, which allows calls to be split up among more residents.

What is it like to live in Rochester, Minnesota?

Rochester has been a beautiful place to live thus far (check back with me in the winter!). It has terrific restaurants, outdoor walking/biking trails, and events such as Thursdays Downtown or the Farmers Market. I also love that there is no traffic and that I can get to any place in 10 minutes or less.