Dennis Adaaquah, M.D.

Hometown: Woodbridge, VA
Medical school: Meharry Medical College School of Medicine
About me: In my spare time, I like to hike or go to the gym. I also enjoy watching sports and trying new restaurants.
Why Mayo? I am fortunate to be training at Mayo. After interviewing, I felt Mayo would be a great place to train due to its strong dedication to education, research and improving patient care. I knew I would be learning from the best in every subspecialty. Mayo places a strong emphasis on resident wellness and creating a positive learning environment.

Madison Breiland, M.D.

Hometown: Bozeman, MT
Medical school: Medical College of Wisconsin
About me: I love outdoor activities all year round, whether that is hiking and kayaking in the summer or ice skating and downhill skiing in the winter!
Why Mayo? Training at Mayo Clinic offers a resident the ability to see high-volume cases with a wealth of complex pathology, as well as the opportunity to work with staff who are experts in their field of sub-specialization. I know going forward that I will be well prepared to practice in any setting and with any subspecialty that I choose.

Kendall Cooper, M.D.

Hometown: Hiram, GA
Medical school: Morehouse School of Medicine
About me: I like to be active. Working out, playing sports, going on walks/hikes/jogs. I also enjoy video games, chess, and fantasy football. Anything that is a competition or can become one is fun for me.
Why Mayo? I chose Mayo because of the combination of unparalleled training, friendliness/collegiality of residents and consultants, and the overall atmosphere in Rochester, MN. I wanted to do residency in a place where I would see as many rare diagnoses as possible while still having the volume that would allow me to easily transition into academia or private practice. 

Nicholas Decker, M.D.

Hometown: Peru, IL
Medical school: Southern Illinois University School of Medicine
About me: In my free time I enjoy playing chess, tennis, working out, and keeping up with Chicago sports.
Why Mayo? While the education and the opportunities are second to none, the ultimate reasons I chose Mayo were the focus on the patient as well as the people. The friendliness and collegiality of the staff and residents at Mayo on interview day left me knowing this was where I wanted to be. 

Preet Dhillon, M.D.

Hometown: Huntley, IL
Medical school: University of Illinois College of Medicine
About me: I greatly enjoyed playing the clarinet and reading historical fiction in my spare time.
Why Mayo? I believe the variety of pathology at this institution is unparalleled. 

Sean Huls, M.D.

Hometown: Pierz, MN
Medical school: Medical College of Wisconsin
About me: In my spare time I like golfing, fishing, and trying new restaurants and breweries. I took up downhill skiing during my intern year so I plan to go on ski trips during the winter.
Why Mayo? The opportunities are endless. I am still open to many things in my career and I know that no matter what niche I find I will be able to pursue it here.

Matthew Milam, M.D.

Hometown: San Antonio, TX
Medical school: University of Texas Medical School
About me: In my spare time I enjoy playing guitar, hiking, basketball, binging TV shows, and trying to keep plants alive.

Lindsey Miley, M.D.

Hometown: St. Louis, MO
Medical school: Creighton University School of Medicine
About me: I enjoy anything outdoors especially hiking, running, and camping with my dogs.
Why Mayo? An unparalleled variety of pathology and high volume with opportunities to work one-on-one with staff. Everyone here is approachable and eager to help you learn.

Marika Pitot, M.D.

Hometown: Rochester, MN
Medical school: Pennsylvania State University College of Medicine
About me: In my free time, I enjoy trail running, hiking, seafood, sitcoms, and skiing (in the winter). My husband and I were also recently gifted a pair of snowshoes for our wedding, so we are planning to go on some adventures with those in the snowier months!
Why Mayo? I chose Mayo for many reasons, but the number one factor was the culture. Everyone is so welcoming, warm, humble, and willing to help out. Because of Mayo's reputation, it attracts a vast array of rare and unique pathology that you are unlikely to see anywhere else, which also makes it a very special place to train. The research is cutting edge and there are endless ways to become involved in a project.

Julia Poe, M.D.

Hometown: Winchester, VA
Medical school: Marshall University - JC Edwards School of Medicine
About me: In my spare time, I enjoy cooking, playing piano, and equestrian sports. My newest hobby is training and taking care of a new puppy! 
Why Mayo? Mayo offered exceptional training opportunities as well as a friendly and welcoming environment. Everyone puts the patient first and strives to provide the best possible care. 

Eyal Ron, M.D.

Hometown: Madison, WI
Medical school: University of Arizona College of Medicine
About me: In my spare time, I enjoy playing with my 6-month-old daughter. My wife and I take her on walks down different trails in Rochester most days. I also enjoy playing tennis and personal finance. 
Why Mayo? Going into the process, my wife and I knew we wanted a smaller city where we could afford to live in a house rather than an apartment. I knew I also wanted to train at an academic center, and Mayo checked all the boxes for us.

John Welby, M.D.

Hometown: Rochester, MN
Medical school: Mayo Clinic Alix School of Medicine
About me: In my spare time I enjoy mountain biking, road biking, fly fishing, restoring vintage audio equipment, and exploring new restaurants with my grandma.
Why Mayo? I chose Mayo because of the incredible resources, patient-focused curriculum, vast array of pathologies, location, and mentorship opportunities.

Mark Brown, M.D.

Hometown: Brandon, SD
Medical school: University of South Dakota Sanford Schools of Medicine
About me: I was raised in rural South Dakota. Prior to medical school, I studied mechanical engineering and worked as an engineer for one year. I enjoy reading about history, bicycling, and 3D printing.
Why Mayo? I could learn radiology at an excellent training program that has exposure to a wide range of pathology.

Crystal Chang, M.D.

Hometown: Long Grove, IL
Medical school: Loma Linda University School of Medicine
About me: I’m happily married and am a proud dog mom. I enjoy trying new foods and recipes, brewing coffee, watching TV, board game nights, and spending quality time with loved ones.
Why Mayo? The collegial environment and so that I could learn the breadth and depth of radiology from the experts in the field.

Anika Dutta, M.D.

Hometown: Wilmette, IL
Medical school: Chicago Medical School
About me: I enjoy traveling, reading, spending time with family, and learning about personal finance.
Why Mayo? The exceptional training, variety of pathology, complexity of cases, and endless opportunities.

Rachel Davis, M.D.

Medical school: University of South Florida Morsani College of Medicine
About me: I’m from Florida originally and have lived there my entire life. I’m one of four and have an older brother and two younger sisters. I’m married to one of the PM&R residents, Patrick, who I couples-matched with here at Mayo. We have a 90-pound Bernedoodle named Indie.
Why Mayo? The culture of the program. Everyone I spoke with on my interview day was so welcoming and friendly and seemed genuinely happy here. My husband had the same experience with his department as well, so we decided it was a perfect fit.

Francisco Eguia, M.D.

Hometown: Harlingen, TX
Medical school: Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine
About me: I’m a cat-loving, casual vegan, and admittedly somewhat of a big-city person. I was born in Chile and have had the opportunity to live in several places throughout the U.S. My partner, an East Coast lifer, and I love trying all sorts of new foods together while navigating our noncommittal relationship with veganism and my distaste for cheese.
Why Mayo? Robust clinical and research exposure with an emphasis on resident education.

Laura Jorgenson, M.D.

Hometown: Peoria, IL
Medical school: University of Illinois College of Medicine at Peoria
About me: I enjoy spending time with my husband, children, and border collie. I like the social events with my co-residents. We enjoy hiking, running, cycling, birdwatching, making music, and chess.
Why Mayo? The world-class physicians on staff and the incredible training opportunity due to the breadth of diseases seen at this center. I wanted to work with a group of people who are passionate about their impact on people's lives, and this is true at Mayo. The staff are truly outstanding radiologists and teachers. The availability of staff in the reading room creates many valuable teaching moments. There are ample research opportunities as well as mentors to guide my interests. I knew I would get good call experience here in a supportive environment. Rochester is also a great place to raise my family.

Aditya Khurana, M.D.

Hometown: Phoenix, AZ
Medical school: Mayo Clinic Alix School of Medicine - Arizona
About me: I moved around the country a lot before settling in Phoenix, Arizona. I love exploring coffee shops and breweries in whatever city I’m in. I also like to work out, run, and cycle in my spare time.
Why Mayo? The diversity and breadth of cases. Everyone else's zebras can be our bread and butter at times. Also, the institution as a whole has made artificial intelligence and innovations to electronic health data a strong pillar of its strategic plan, which means there are many opportunities to collaborate with others in these exciting new fields.

Volha Mazziotto, M.D.

Hometown: Minsk (Belarus, Eastern Europe)
Medical school: Northeast Ohio Medical University
About me: Before going into medicine, I studied foreign languages and intercultural communication. Besides Belarus and the U.S., I also lived in Germany and Singapore. I enjoy spending time outdoors, traveling, learning about other cultures, cooking, and saunaing.
Why Mayo? Mayo Clinic impressed me by not only offering outstanding opportunities to learn from industry leaders but also by its friendly, collegial, and nurturing education environment. In addition, I was looking for a program in a family-friendly location as I’m a mom of three young children. Rochester is a perfect town for training and raising a family.

Zaid Saadeh, M.D.

Hometown: Kingman, AZ
Medical school: University of Arizona College of Medicine Phoenix
About me: I was raised in northern Arizona where I developed a love for the outdoors and medicine. My family is from Jordan originally and we utilized summers to go back and visit. International travel and experiences abroad continue to be big parts of my life. I did my undergraduate studies at University of California San Diego before coming back to Arizona for medical school. Now I’m excited to experience the Midwest for residency at one of the best institutions in the country.
Why Mayo? The training provided here is phenomenal. The faculty are world-class, and with the resources and the diverse patient population available, unique pathology and imaging are commonplace. The atmosphere is amazing with huge amounts of support and Rochester is a gem that I’m excited to explore more.

Diane Sun, M.D.

Hometown: Albuquerque, NM
Medical school: University of New Mexico School of Medicine
About me: I was born and raised in Albuquerque, New Mexico. I enjoy playing water polo, swimming, playing with my dogs, watching sports, and going to Costco.
Why Mayo? The supportive staff who we get to work closely with, a large volume of studies and procedures, diverse pathology, independent call, and a collegial and collaborative environment among all specialties.

Robert Turlington, M.D.

Hometown: Rochester, MN
Medical school: Saint Louis University School of Medicine
About me: I grew up in Rochester. I attended St. John's for middle school and Lourdes High School just a couple of blocks away from Mayo Clinic.
Why Mayo? Proximity to family combined with top-tier training and educational opportunities.

Kendal Weger, M.D.

Hometown: Lafayette, IN
Medical school: Indiana University School of Medicine -West Lafayette
About me: I grew up and spent most of my life in Lafayette, IN right across the river from the great Purdue University. I finally moved away last year for a surgical intern year in Des Moines, Iowa.
Why Mayo? The friendly, patient-centered, and education-focused atmosphere I experienced here on my interview day.

Christopher Wiger, M.D.

Hometown: Brainerd, MN
Medical school: University of Minnesota Medical School
About me: I’m married and most of my family lives around central Minnesota. I enjoy spending time outdoors and with my family.
Why Mayo? Mayo offers an incredibly wide breadth of pathology, top-notch education, and a friendly, collegial environment.

Alind Amedi, M.D.

Hometown: Flowery Branch, GA

Medical school: University of Southern California Keck School of Medicine

About me: My favorite hobbies are working out/playing soccer, trying new restaurants, and making coffee in the mornings.

Why Mayo? It was important to me to go to a program that will train me to be a very well-rounded radiologist, both in terms of breadth and depth of experience.

Rhett Carpenter-Thompson, M.D.

Hometown: Lake City, MI

Medical school: Wayne State University

About me: I am from a small town in Northern Michigan, I attend Central Michigan University for undergrad, and then Wayne State in Detroit for Medical School. Some of my favorite activities are kayaking, paddleboarding, and biking. I also enjoy going for walks with my wife, watching comedies, catching up with friends and family, and exercising.

Why Mayo? Mayo Clinic was a great all-around fit for me. The breadth of radiological exposure at Mayo Clinic is unparalleled and it will provide many opportunities to learn from complex cases. The faculty members are top notch and I look forward to learning from the best. The connections for getting involved in research, community, and teaching are also great. I enjoy the location of Mayo Clinic in the Midwest and being a medium-sized city with lots of nearby trails for walking/biking.

Rebecca Chun, M.D.

Hometown: San Diego, CA

Medical school: University of Arizona College of Medicine Phoenix

About me: I’m a bit of a nomad having lived all across the country over my life, but I consider California my home base. When I'm not working, I can be found hiking with my dog Willow, at the barn riding horses, or watching reruns of Cutthroat Kitchen while cooking new recipes.

Why Mayo?  Mayo has an unparalleled supportive environment that emphasizes lifelong learning and meaningful patient care. The faculty, staff, and residents are also genuinely happy to be here!

Benjamin Fletcher, M.D.

Hometown: Omaha, NE

Medical school: University of Nebraska Medical Center College of Medicine

About me:  I enjoy spending time with my wife and dog, particularly traveling and cooking together. I am also a sports fanatic (unfortunately a die-hard Husker fan), Escape Room and trivia enthusiast, and average-at-best chess player.

Why Mayo? The combination of world-class patient-focused education, incredible resources, and unparalleled exposure to a wide range of pathology while surrounded by friendly and down-to-earth colleagues and teachers.

Joe George, M.D.

Hometown: Willowbrook, IL

Medical school:  University of Illinois College of Medicine

About me: In my spare time, I like to hang out with my family and my cat. I also like to play video games and stay physically active.

Why Mayo? The complex pathology seen at Mayo is unparalleled. All of the staff were so friendly during interviews, too.

Austin Gonzalez, M.D.

Hometown:  Fredericksburg, VA

Medical school:  University of Virginia

About me:  I pretty much have spent my entire life living in Virginia, so the move to Rochester has been a big but enjoyable experience so far! My wife and I met in high school and started dating in 10th grade, getting married after my first year of medical school. We have a cat named Suki who we treat as the queen of the house. I’m always picking up new hobbies, with the most recent one being golf this year!

Why Mayo?  My brother was a family medicine resident at Mayo and had nothing but great things to say about the system and training environment – prompting me to apply here for residency. On interview day, it was clear to me that this was one of (if not THE) best radiology training programs in the country. My wife and I were looking to venture out of our home state and knew Rochester would be a great approachable city to ease that transition away from family. It’s also one of few programs of this caliber where we could buy a house!

Onyedika Isaac, M.D.

Hometown: Anambra, Nigeria

Medical school: Spartan Health Sciences University School of Medicine, St. Lucia

About me: I grew up in Nigeria, and moved to Minnesota from Jamaica where I lived. I love the process of learning, which is what drew me to radiology. I'm passionate about global medical education and advocacy. My other interests are chess, gaming, tennis, and soccer (playing and watching).

Why Mayo?  The people, the team approach, the mentorship. Here I feel like more than just a number. The culture is inclusive and supportive.

Michael LaVere, M.D.

Hometown:  Greensboro, NC

Medical school: University of South Florida

About me: I started out wanting to be a writer and did my undergraduate degree in English & Creative Writing before medical school. I'm into hiking, grilling, live music, and Minnesota’s sports teams, so you will definitely find me at a Vikings or Timberwolves game. Otherwise, I spend my free time reading and playing with my cats.

Why Mayo?  The emphasis on the patient and Mayo's values of respect and excellence.

Motassem Nashawaty, M.D.

Hometown: Minnetonka, MN

Medical school: University of Minnesota Medical School

About me: A Minnesota native of Syrian descent, I enjoy exploring diverse cuisines and restaurants, traveling, working on cars, and spending time with family and in the outdoors.

Why Mayo?  I chose Mayo Clinic for its breadth and depth of education, with access to unique pathologies, procedural opportunities, and world-class educators.

Sam Nowicki, M.D., M.B.A.

Hometown: Woodstown, NJ

Medical school: Tufts University School of Medicine

About me: I grew up in South Jersey and moved to Boston for college. I played football, basketball, and baseball growing up. I've been married to my wonderful wife for 3 years and we have a dog named Luna. In my spare time, I've enjoyed the hiking trail systems around Rochester!

Why Mayo?  Culture, culture, culture... I could tell this was the place to be from my interview. Everyone is so friendly and helpful, seems like the ideal place to learn and grow.

Hayden Swartz, M.D.

Hometown: Menomonie, WI

Medical school: Medical College of Wisconsin

About me: I grew up in rural Wisconsin. I thoroughly enjoy cabin time and outdoor recreation. I love planes, trains, automobiles, and science-related topics.

Why Mayo?  I grew up as a patient, and Mayo Clinic was my main inspiration for going into medicine.

Shelby Swartz, M.D.

Hometown: Rochester, MN

Medical school: Medical College of Wisconsin

About me: I grew up in Rochester and attended undergrad at St. Olaf College, and medical school at MCW where I met my husband (who is also a radiology resident!). I enjoy attending my twin siblings' college sports games, Minnesota summers on the lake, outdoor hikes, and have recently been quite busy with home improvement projects with my husband.

Why Mayo?  As a Rochester native, I have always been captivated by the Mayo model of care and the symbolism behind the three shields. I truly believe there is no better place to train in the world. The patient-centered approach to care fosters a collaborative working environment amongst employees and creates a culture that is second to none.

Paul Yousif, M.D.

Hometown: All over the Metro Detroit area in Michigan

Medical school: Western Michigan University Homer Stryker School of Medicine

About me:  I was born in Amman Jordan, but I moved to Michigan at a young age and stayed there most of my life! In my free time, I enjoy reading, cooking, time outdoors, and spending time with friends. I also love trying new things and seeing new places.

Why Mayo?  Mayo’s culture of always putting the needs of the patient first was the biggest draw for me. Other than that, I knew the excellent and approachable staff and a wide variety of pathology would make for an excellent training program.

Elliot Chang, M.D.

Hometown:  Hartland, WI
Medical school: University of Wisconsin School of Medicine
About me:  A lifelong Midwesterner, I grew up in Wisconsin, went to undergrad at Northwestern, returned to Wisconsin for medical school, and am staying in the best part of the country for residency! I like to keep active in my free time by powerlifting, running, biking, and hiking. I then proceed to end most workouts with ample amounts of desserts. My residency goals include completing an Iron Man and thoroughly ranking all the dessert shops in Rochester.  
Why Mayo: A mentor once said, “Seeing is learning in radiology.” Inspired by this, I sought Mayo for its unmatched breadth and exposure to the numerous pathologies and diseases that make up modern medicine. The Midwestern collegiality, extensive support, and robust research infrastructure were welcome bonuses.  

Priya Dave, M.D.

Hometown:  Greenwood, IN
Medical school: Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai
About me: I moved to Rochester, MN after five years of living in Manhattan. It's been amazing and so valuable to experience training in both settings! Outside of work, I enjoy hiking and traveling both locally and internationally. Some of my favorite hikes have been climbing Mount Kilimanjaro and El Camino in Spain.
Why Mayo: The culture at Mayo of being at the cutting edge is an incredible environment to train in! The conference policy, fellowship opportunities, global health, supportive educators, and emphasis on creating an inclusive environment are other truly distinctive features of the program. Further, I chose based on my research interests in bioethics and humanities, which Mayo has incredible opportunities and support for!

Alexandra Davis, M.D.

Hometown:  Edina, MN
Medical school: University of Minnesota Medical School
About me:  In my free time, I love spending time outdoors with my husband and our dog Stella. I also enjoy reading, traveling and sports generally - I played hockey in college and somehow still bring myself to religiously watch the Vikings let me down every year.
Why Mayo: The Mayo radiology program is unique in that it provides world-class training with a huge breadth and depth of cases while also being fun, family-friendly, and welcoming. The 1:1 resident to attending teaching ratio in the reading rooms as well as the broad range of backgrounds in trainees and staff here were big draws for me as well.

Lara Fahmy Abdou Gad Alla, M.D.

Hometown:  Dubai, United Arab Emirates
Medical school: Wayne State University School of Medicine
About me:  I am a proud Egyptian-American Costco membership owner who enjoys the arts and crafts, cooking with my family, trying new restaurants with friends, and jamming to Arabic music. In my spare time, I am trying to learn how to train the falcon living on my apartment's rooftop.
Why Mayo: I simply wanted to learn from the best.

Thomas Hartmann, M.D.

Hometown:  Pittsburgh, PA / Fort Lauderdale, FL
Medical school: University Of Central Florida College Of Medicine
About me: I grew up mostly in Pittsburgh, PA before moving to Fort Lauderdale, FL. I did medical school in Orlando, FL and my intern year at NCH in Naples, FL. In my free time, I enjoy working out at the DALHC, playing intramural sports, watching college and professional sports, brewing coffee, and exploring new restaurants.
Why Mayo: I chose Mayo because of the amazing culture of the program as well as robust clinical and research opportunities provided in a friendly, collegial environment. The program places a strong emphasis on resident education and the staff are approachable and enthusiastic about mentoring trainees. Mayo has incredibly diverse and complex pathology with the opportunity learn from world-class radiologists who are leading experts in their fields.

Zohaib Lakhani, M.D.

Hometown:  Hoschton, GA 
Medical school: Louisiana State University School of Medicine in New Orleans
About me: Born and raised in Karachi, Pakistan. I moved to a small town outside of Atlanta, Georgia when I was a teenager. Throughout my medical training, I have lived in multiple cities in the southeast United States. Outside of radiology, I enjoy art, soccer, and cricket. 
Why Mayo: Mayo Clinic has an excellent radiology program, and the faculty at Mayo Clinic are experts in the field of radiology. I also admire the opportunity to experience a wide variety of complex cases and pathologies during my training.

Kaden Neuberger, M.D.

Hometown: Heber City, UT
Medical school: University of Utah School of Medicine
About me:  My wife and I have 2 boys (4 and 1) who keep us busy and life fun. Outside of radiology, I enjoy all types of biking (mountain, gravel, road) and running. When I'm not at home with my family or at work, chances are I'm out biking and exploring the amazing gravel roads of the Rochester area.
Why Mayo: Rochester is a great place to raise a family. There are lots of things to do with kids, and people are warm, friendly, and professional. I immediately felt part of the radiology team here at the Mayo Clinic where the wide variety of complex pathology and training are unmatched.

Alex Powell, M.D.

Hometown:  Bainbridge Island, WA
Medical school: University of Utah School of Medicine
About me: My wife and I are the proud parents of two girls (5 and 2). Grew up on the west coast and love doing anything outdoors. Right now, our family is spending most of our free time exploring the parks in Rochester.
Why Mayo: World class training in a very livable location. Everyone here is on the same team which makes the energy excellent.

Jesse Steadman, M.D.

Hometown:  Tooele, UT
Medical school:  University of Utah School of Medicine
About me:  I grew up in rural Utah riding dirt bikes and exploring the outdoors. I enjoy spending time with friends, exercising at the gym, trying new things/food, college sports, and hiking. I am happily married to my wife, Kaylyn, with three fur children.
Why Mayo: The combination of world-class training, clinical diversity, and unmatched opportunity led to my family choosing Mayo Clinic.

John Strikwerda, M.D.

Hometown:  Holland, MI
Medical school: Mayo Clinic Alix School of Medicine
About me: I am married and have a two-year-old son, as well as a grumpy corgi and a mischievous cat. In my spare time, I enjoy being outside fishing, golfing, canoeing, and running. I also love to cook and eat.
Why Mayo: I chose to train at Mayo because of the patient-centered culture of the institution, the focus on resident education within the department, and the breadth of pathology I would be exposed to.

Luke Teigen, M.D.

Hometown:  Fargo, ND
Medical school: University of North Dakota School of Medicine
About me: I was born and raised in Fargo, North Dakota. My wife and I enjoy a variety of outdoor activities including hiking, camping, biking, fishing, skiing, and spending time at the lake. We have a pet cat named Sybil. 
Why Mayo: I chose Mayo Clinic due to the extensive range of pathology and world class staff in combination with a supportive learning environment. The location is also ideal as I was hoping to remain in the Midwest.

Mitchell Thelen, M.D.

Hometown:  Albany, MN
Medical school: University of North Dakota School of Medicine
About me: I spend most of my free time with my wife and daughter. Activities I enjoy include weightlifting, golf, disc golf, reading Stephen King novels, and watching MN sports.
Why Mayo: Having a world-class hospital and faculty just two hours from my hometown made it an extremely easy decision to come to Mayo for my radiology training.

Ethan Thonn, M.D

Hometown:  Watertown, MN
Medical school: University of Minnesota Medical School 
About me:  In my free time you can find me outside. I enjoy biking, hiking, camping, Nordic skiing and being on the water. When the time allows, my wife and I enjoy traveling.
Why Mayo: The opportunity to train one-on-one in a highly resourced hospital with experts in their field. There is huge variety of pathology seen at Mayo.