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Meet Our Residents

The program accepts six residents each year. Learn more about residents in the Family Medicine Residency in La Crosse, Wisconsin.

Class of 2027

Bennett Harmelink, D.O.

Bennett Harmelink, D.O.


Hometown: Sioux Falls, South Dakota
Medical school: Des Moines University College of Osteopathic Medicine

About me: I am very excited to be joining Mayo Clinic in La Crosse. I hope to provide comprehensive care to a rural community, and I am confident I will be well-trained after my time at Mayo Clinic. In my free time, I enjoy running, biking, golfing, hunting, and fishing.

Kaitlyn Ihle, M.D.

Kaitlyn Ihle, M.D.


Hometown: West Salem, Wisconsin
Medical school: Medical College of Wisconsin, Wausau, WI

About me: Having grown up in West Salem, I've developed a deep love for this community, and I'm thrilled to return and serve the place that shaped me. This residency quickly became my top choice due to its tight-knit environment within a renowned health system. I find joy in hiking, biking, and kayaking adventures with my husband and our cherished dog, Sammie. Gardening and baking are also passions of mine, and I'm delighted to use fresh eggs from my chicken coop. My goal is to practice both inpatient and outpatient full-spectrum family medicine with an emphasis on community involvement and preventative care.

Kaitlyn Ihle, M.D.

Alexandra Nelson, D.O.


Hometown: Clearwater, Florida

Medical school: Nova Southeastern University Dr. Kiran C. Patel College of Osteopathic Medicine

About me: I am deeply committed to caring for my patients as if they were my own family members, and I have special interests in preventive healthcare and osteopathic manipulative medicine. Family medicine is an especially unique field because we have the pleasure of offering longitudinal care to all ages, allowing us to be present with patients in any stage of their life. It is of special importance to me to serve medically underserved populations, including the LGBTQ+ community. As a lifelong Floridian with family roots throughout Wisconsin, I am eager to train in La Crosse and relish in the beautiful seasons that this region has to offer! Some of my favorite pastimes include baking, gardening, taking entirely too many photos of my cat Cabbage, and hiking with my husband.

Khyati Patel, M.B.B.S.

Khyati Patel, M.B.B.S.

Chief Resident


Hometown: Surat, India
Medical school: Surat Municipal Institute of Medical Education and Research

About me: I chose Mayo Clinic in La Crosse due to its people. Throughout my time as an observer, everyone exhibited a warm reception and displayed genuine interest in getting to know me personally. I observed exceptional faculty members who were dedicated to fostering the professional development of the residents. In my free time, I relish outdoor activities such as hiking and exploring local cafes alongside my husband. I am also a culinary enthusiast. Following my residency training, I aspire to practice both inpatient and outpatient family medicine.

Austin Phippen, D.O.

Austin Phippen, D.O.

Chief Resident

 

Hometown: Eau Claire, Wisconsin
Medical school: University of Pikeville-Kentucky College of Osteopathic Medicine

About me: Mayo Clinic Health System in La Crosse has remained my top choice since my days at UWL, where I had the privilege to shadow several program graduates and observe first hand the exceptional care they delivered to their patients. I enjoy all aspects of family medicine and value the opportunity to cultivate long-lasting relationships with my patients. In my free time, I enjoy golfing, playing hockey, working out, and exploring new restaurants with my wife.

Jadin Schiller, M.D.

Jadin Schiller, M.D.


Hometown: Brainerd, MN
Medical school: University of Minnesota Medical School, Duluth, MN

About me: I was born and raised in small-town Minnesota and am the oldest of four girls. I met my husband, Cole, during college in Duluth, MN where we enjoyed canoeing, hiking, paddle boarding, fishing, and everything outdoors. We are excited for our time with Family Medicine Residency as it is in a beautiful area and the community was very welcoming and supportive during the whole interview process. I am excited to continue to pursue family medicine with special interests in sports medicine, pediatrics, and holistic medicine.

Class of 2028

Headshot of Abhishek Lakhra, M.D.

Abhishek Lakhra, M.D.

 

Hometown: Vancouver, Canada

Medical School: All Saints University School of Medicine

About me: I was born and raised in India and later moved to Vancouver, Canada, where I completed my undergraduate studies in molecular biology and biochemistry at Simon Fraser University. During my interview at Mayo Clinic's La Crosse Family Medicine Residency, I felt a genuine connection with the faculty and residents. It was clear that this is a resident-centered program that truly prioritizes support and growth. I was especially drawn to the full-spectrum training and the wide range of tracks and opportunities available to help shape a career in family medicine that aligns with my goals. Outside of medicine, I enjoy strength training at the gym and am an avid snowboarder. I’m excited to be here and look forward to growing both personally and professionally while enjoying everything this program and community have to offer. 

Headshot of George Letner, M.D

George Letner, M.D.

 

Hometown: Baldwin City, KS

Medical School: University of Kansas School of Medicine

About me: Originally from the single greatest state in the union (Kansas), I moved to La Crosse to pursue one of the finest family practice residency programs in the country and to work at one of the greatest hospital systems in the world. I plan to practice full scope primary care for underserved Midwest families. I have a passion for mentorship and educating learners who have an interest in the medical field. Currently working towards being the greatest doctor of all time. 

 

Headshot of Dylan Livingston. D.O.

Dylan Livingston, D.O.

 

Hometown: Rochester, MN

Medical School: Des Moines University College of Osteopathic Medicine  

About me: Being from Rochester, I always took the excellent care I received at Mayo Clinic for granted. I've been fortunate to work in the health system for years and now return for residency training here in beautiful La Crosse. The knowledge and independence that the residents possess are what drew me back. When not at work I enjoy spending time with my wife and outdoor activities such as hunting, fishing, and boating along the Mississippi River.

Headshot of Becca Mullenbach, D.O.

Becca Mullenbach, D.O.

 

Hometown: Osage, IA

Medical School: A.T. Still University Kirksville College of Osteopathic Medicine 

About me: I grew up in rural Iowa and completed my undergraduate education at Luther College in Decorah. Working in a nursing home as a certified nursing assistant created my passion for geriatrics and palliative care within family medicine. My husband and I are very excited to be a part of the vibrant La Crosse community. In my free time, I enjoy outdoor activities and putting together jigsaw puzzles.  

Headshot of Brock Murray, M.D.

Brock Murray, M.D.

 

Hometown: Lethbridge, Canada

Medical School: Ben Gurion University

About me: I was born and raised in Canada near Glacier National Park in Montana. Prior to studying medicine, I was a nurse for 10 years working mostly in critical care. I also worked for nine months as a nurse with Doctors Without Borders in the Central African Republic. I am very excited to be joining this amazing team at Mayo Clinic. I look forward to learning and growing over the next three years and experiencing everything Wisconsin has to offer. My interests include LGTBQ+, rural and global health, geriatrics, and palliative care. In my free time I like spending as much time outdoors as possible, swimming, biking, and gardening.  

 

Headshot of Rabia Saeed, M.B.B.S.

Rabia Saeed, M.B.B.S.

 

Hometown: Karachi, Pakistan

Medical School: Dow International Medical College

About me: I grew up in Karachi, Pakistan, and love basketball, outdoor activities, and exploring new cultures and cuisines. I believe in living life to the fullest and learning from every experience. I’m especially drawn to Geriatrics because I enjoy connecting with older adults and learning from their stories. I chose Mayo Clinic in La Crosse because of the people and the incredibly warm, welcoming community that made it feel like home.

Class of 2029

Mutsa Chiromo, M.D.

Mutsa Chiromo, M.D.


Hometown: Harare, Zimbabwe
Medical school: Medical College of Wisconsin - Milwaukee
About me: I was born and raised in Harare, Zimbabwe, and moved to the United States in 2016 to pursue my tertiary education. My mother, a Family Medicine physician, inspired my passion for medicine. I have always wanted to practice medicine as this specialty embodies it: caring for patients across all stages of life while building meaningful, lasting relationships.

What drew me most to the Mayo Clinic La Crosse Family Medicine Residency was the people. From my first interactions during interview season to my second look visit, I felt a genuine sense of warmth, humility, and community. This reminded me that behind every role in medicine is a human being first. I believe this perspective is essential in Family Medicine, as we care for people before we care for conditions. I am excited to grow alongside such supportive colleagues while developing the broad scope of training that makes this field so meaningful to me.

Gavin Hobbs, D.O.

Gavin Hobbs, D.O.


Hometown: Ames, IA
Medical school: A.T. Still University - Kirksville College of Osteopathic Medicine
About me: I’m very excited to join the Mayo Clinic team and continue my medical education in La Crosse! I aim to practice in a rural Midwest community with inpatient, outpatient, and ED coverage. Outside of medicine I enjoy weightlifting, pickleball, fishing, kayaking, hiking, video games, reading, and trying new restaurants with Sofia.

Headshot of Taylor LaChapelle, D.O.

Taylor LaChapelle, D.O.


Hometown: Adams-Friendship, WI
Medical school: Des Moines University College of Osteopathic Medicine
About me: I am originally from a small town in central Wisconsin and attended UW-La Crosse for undergrad. I'm very excited to be back in La Crosse to continue my training at Mayo Clinic and plan to return to a rural community after finishing residency. My professional interests include women’s health, sports medicine, and office procedures. In my free time, I enjoy staying active, traveling, reading, and spending time with family, friends, and my dog, Scrappy Doo. I am also a powerlifter and have competed internationally since age 14!

Tony Larson, M.D.

Tony Larson, M.D.


Hometown: Ham Lake, MN
Medical school: University of Minnesota Medical School
About me: I was attracted to family medicine because it allows me to enhance my patients' quality of life by establishing lifelong relationships. As someone from a long line of rural Midwesterners, I am passionate about improving rural healthcare through preventive and acute care for all ages and stages, and by using research to optimize rural systems of care. The Mayo Clinic Family Medicine Residency in La Crosse combines a commitment to training exceptional clinicians, researchers, and educators in a supportive environment, enabling me to make the greatest impact on the communities I will serve. My family and I are excited to return to the Coulee Region and experience all the wonderful things this community has to offer.

Sofia Pomeroy, D.O.

Sofia Pomeroy, D.O.


Hometown: Leawood, KS
Medical school: A.T. Still University - Kirksville College of Osteopathic Medicine
About me: I grew up in the suburbs of Kansas City and spent the majority of my free time dancing with the Kansas City Ballet School before completing my undergraduate education at Grinnell College in rural Iowa. I met my spouse in medical school and I'm excited to continue our medical journey together in La Crosse. Outside of medicine, I enjoy lifting at the gym, playing pickleball, watching reality TV, traveling, and trying new restaurants with Gavin.

Brandon Robley, M.D.

Brandon Robley, M.D.


Hometown: Brownsville, MN
Medical school: University of Minnesota Medical School - Duluth, MN
About me: Having grown up in the area, I have long been familiar with the quality of care Mayo Clinic provides and have experienced it for myself as well as with family and friends. I am excited and honored to be able to serve the La Crosse area and plan to practice rural Family Medicine post-residency. I'm drawn to Family Medicine because of the relationships formed with patients and the opportunity to care for a variety of people and health conditions. Outside of medicine I enjoy hunting, fishing, hiking, and watching the Packers.