John Damianos, M.D.

Residency: Internal Medicine, Yale New Haven Hospital

Hobbies: Tennis, travel, cooking, Greek food, linguistics, and board games.

Why Mayo: Mayo has the perfect mix of outstanding patient care, innovative and practice-changing research, and a dedicated commitment to education. This is fueled by Mayo's guiding philosophy of patient-centered care and enhanced by its world-renowned faculty. The culture is one of intellectual curiosity and humility, always striving to figure out how we can advance clinical care. I am particularly excited about the substantial clinical and research efforts to further our understanding of the gut microbiome and how to harness it to prevent and treat disease. 

Future plans: Gut microbiome therapeutics, nutrition, inflammatory bowel disease, and disorders of gut-brain interaction.

Tommy Fredrick, M.D.

Residency: Internal Medicine, Mayo Clinic

Hobbies: Swimming, hiking, baking (specialties are pies, cookies, and lemon bars), playing board games, and enjoying all the local Rochester breweries.

Why Mayo: I was lucky enough to do my residency here at Mayo, and during my residency was amazed by the collaborative atmosphere and quality of teaching provided by the GI department. Every fellow and consultant I worked with showed a passion for education and getting trainees involved in research. I felt incredibly supported by the department and loved being able to learn from the experts within each unique aspect of gastroenterology. 

Future plans: My research interests are in the mechanism and treatment of inflammatory bowel disease, and in particular focusing on immune checkpoint inhibitor induced colitis. I am hoping to further explore the role of the microbiome in incidence and severity of immune checkpoint-inhibitor induced colitis as well as response to treatment. 

Caroline Matchett, M.D.

Residency: Internal Medicine, Mayo Clinic

Hobbies: Traveling, Peloton, hiking, collecting records, and photography.

Why Mayo: I chose Mayo Clinic for my GI fellowship training because of its exceptional culture and standard of care. The institution's commitment to patient needs is evident, and the renowned experts in every subspecialty are enthusiastic about teaching and providing mentorship to trainees like me. The collaborative environment fosters a sense of camaraderie and support, while the opportunity to work alongside legendary clinicians and engage in cutting-edge research ensures a solid foundation for my future career. Mayo Clinic's dedication to patient care, unparalleled mentorship, and its reputation as a world-class referral center for complex cases make it an ideal choice for fellows seeking comprehensive clinical training and research opportunities. 

Future plans: Portal hypertension. I am also passionate about medical education and professional identity formation research.

Krystal Mills, M.B.B.S.

Residency: Internal Medicine, Morehouse School of Medicine

Hobbies: Dancing, musical theater productions, art exhibitions, reading, traveling, and learning new cultures.

Why Mayo: I was drawn to the ethos of Mayo Clinic which emphasizes patient-centered care. The focus on innovation highlights a system that is intentional about meeting the healthcare needs of our dynamic world. There’s a genuine interest in providing me with world-class training in gastroenterology and hepatology while equipping me with the ideal mentorship and resources for honing my niche career interests.

Future plans: Gastrointestinal neoplasia, health disparities.

Shuji Mitsuhashi, M.B.B.S.

Residency: Internal Medicine, Thomas Jefferson University

Hobbies: Bouldering, lead climbing, outdoor climbing, camping, hiking, road trip, traveling, and Kendo martial arts.

Why Mayo: One of the key reasons I chose Mayo Clinic is because it houses the mentors who I deeply desired for both my research endeavors and clinical practice. It was clear from my interview that Mayo Clinic's program genuinely prioritizes the well-being and growth of its fellows, ensuring a superb educational experience encompassing education, research, and clinical training.  I truly connected with the faculties and current fellows during the interview and made me want to work with them! I am truly excited about the world-class clinical training that awaits me at Mayo Clinic, and I am incredibly grateful for this remarkable opportunity.

Future plans: I am still debating between a transplant hepatology or an advanced endoscopy fellowship. I am also interested in medical education, driven by my love for teaching and sharing knowledge with others!

Eugene Nwankwo, M.D.

Residency: Internal Medicine, Saint Louis University

Hobbies: Soccer, weightlifting, reading non-fiction books, economics, and finance.

Why Mayo: Mayo Clinic strives to educate trainees and practice medicine at the intersections of clinical practice, innovative research, and world-class education. This goal forms the backbone of our GI curriculum through which we are exposed to a wide range of pathologies and procedures. I chose Mayo for its collaborative culture, excellent mentorship, and top-class clinical training. I am thankful to spend the next few years learning in the midst of world-renowned experts at the forefront of their fields.

Future plans: I am interested in exploring and providing solutions to alleviate disparities in the access and delivery of healthcare for underserved and marginalized populations in gastroenterology and hepatology.

June Tome, M.D.

Residency: Internal Medicine, Mayo Clinic

Hobbies: Traveling/exploring new countries, spending time with my family in Spain, hiking, downhill skiing, and spending time outdoors.

Why Mayo: I am grateful to continue training at Mayo Clinic for the incredibly collaborative culture, outstanding patient care, as well as unparalleled mentorship and research opportunities. It is a privilege to learn from leaders in the field who are committed to your success.

Future plans: Microscopic colitis, inflammatory bowel disease, and artificial intelligence in GI.

Kara Jencks, M.D.

Residency: Internal Medicine, University of Michigan

Hobbies: Poetry, painting, exercise, cooking vegetarian meals, board games, playing with our two cats and dog, and camping/hiking.

Why Mayo: The opportunities awarded at Mayo are unmatched at other places, especially with the protected research time and ability to pursue a funded master’s degree. Mayo is one of the world's expert hubs for neurogastroenterology and translational research, which is my career focus. Plus, the environment is forward-thinking, and everyone seems to be inclusive and kind, so far. The PD is also great!

Future plans: Brain gut axis, translational neurogastroenterology, LGTBQ+ health.

Ryan Alexander M.D.

Residency: Internal Medicine, Mayo Clinic

Hobbies: Playing golf and basketball. I am also a serious Detroit sports fan and watch every Lions game religiously. I also have a 2-year-old Doberman that I frequently take to the park.

Why Mayo: I chose Mayo Clinic gastroenterology for the culture, excellent teaching, and the balance of clinical duties, endoscopy, and research time. The culture is one of personal and professional growth, and I feel comfortable calling any of my consultants with a G.I. question. The ability to be taught and mentored by a variety of sub-specialists is a unique opportunity. Lastly, the transition from clinic and consult heavy in the first year, primarily research in the second year, and primarily endoscopy in the third year was suitable for me.

Future plans: I want to be an academic gastroenterologist, hopefully at Mayo, and have a balance of clinical duties, including esophagus clinic and esophageal manometry as well as allocated research time for clinical trials related to the esophagus.

Mouhand Mohamed M.B.B.S., M.S.

Residency: Internal Medicine, Brown University 

Hobbies: My wife and I are blessed with a beautiful boy and girl, and we love spending our free time together as a family. We enjoy exploring kid-friendly activities like playgrounds, water parks, museums, and restaurants. I also enjoy making new friends, watching short videos or movies, and chatting over a cup of coffee!

Why Mayo: I chose Mayo Clinic because it offers exceptional training with direct guidance from world-renowned GI experts. The chance to learn from such esteemed consultants while caring for patients with complex conditions from around the globe was appealing. Additionally, working alongside intelligent and dedicated co-fellows who share a similar passion for patient care, continuous learning, education, and research is incredibly motivating. This learning environment will undoubtedly help me reach my full potential!

Future plans: While I’m eager to explore all that GI has to offer, I envision myself working in a large academic setting, focusing on IBD and other autoimmune/inflammatory conditions affecting the GI system. I aim to contribute to excellent patient care, education, global health training, innovation, and impactful research.

Jessica Atieh M.D.

Residency: Internal Medicine, University of Pittsburgh

Hobbies: Swimming, hiking, going to music festivals, and more recently learning Spanish.

Why Mayo: I initially came to Mayo Clinic for a one-month rotation in endocrinology as a medical student, and later returned for a research fellowship in neurogastroenterology after completing medical school. I was deeply impressed by the Mayo way and the inspiring, down-to-earth mentors I met here. The emphasis Mayo Clinic places on patient care, coupled with its strong support for trainee growth and career development, drew me back after my residency.

Future plans: My goal is to become a clinical investigator in neurogastroenterology.

Alex Ticho M.D. Ph.D.

Residency: Internal Medicine, Mayo Clinic

Hobbies: I love being outside at Rochester's many parks and trails. I spend as much time as I can on my bike, whether it's mountain biking or riding around the neighborhood with my daughters in the Burley.

Why Mayo: I chose Mayo Clinic because of the value the institution places on putting our patients first. As a physician scientist, Mayo is one of the best places to learn how to take exceptional care of patients and how to conduct research that addresses their needs.

Future plans: I'm planning a career in academic gastroenterology as a physician scientist, spending part of my time in clinic and part of my time running a research lab.

Sarah Khan M.D.

Residency: Internal Medicine, Cleveland Clinic 

Hobbies: I love to read and visiting independently owned bookstores brings me joy. I also love spending time with animals, outdoors and trying new restaurants with family and friends. I love travel: it is my goal to visit 1-2 new countries every year.

Why Mayo: When I interviewed, Mayo felt like a dream to me. Every conversation I had with each attending just opened my eyes to how supportive this environment is towards any potential interest a fellow could have academically. The collegial and unique culture was evident to me even virtually, and I looked forward to the opportunity to explore my interests as a fellow. I also appreciated how serious a priority fellows' education is, and how the division is set up around fellows' schedules.

Future plans: I hope to pursue a transplant hepatology fellowship and care for sick patients with cirrhosis. I am particularly interested in critically ill patients with liver disease and look forward to learning how I can help improve the road to transplant in these patients.

Adedayo Okanlawon JR M.D.

Residency: 

Internal Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital

Hobbies: I really enjoy cooking, particularly BBQ. In another life I would've gone to culinary school. I also love listening to entrepreneurial podcast, any and everything Texas A&M athletics, and playing pick-up basketball in my free time.

Why Mayo: I chose Mayo GI because I love the culture, the environment, and the commitment to education and trainee career advancement. Everyone here is so invested in your success and helping you accomplish your goals both short term and long term.  I also love the intradisciplinary collaboration and collegiality. Everyone who works at Mayo is treated with respect and the work each of us does is all focused on ensuring the needs of the patient are met.

Future plans: I am interested in pursuing a career in advanced endoscopy or General GI. I hope to work in an academic center where I can be exposed to new novel techniques and also be able to teach the next generation of physicians as well.

Ankit Chhoda M.B.B.S.

Residency: Internal Medicine, Yale New Haven Health

Hobbies: I like to paint with watercolors and hike with my husband and our dog "Laddu." We also like to cook(not always good...lol).

Why Mayo: I was impressed by patient-first ethos of the institution. Moreover, the profound breadth of knowledge and skills intertwined with humility resonated with me.

Future plans: I aim to pursue academic gastroenterology with focus on pancreatic disease.

Hanna Erickson M.D., Ph.D.

Residency: Internal Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital

Hobbies: I enjoy traveling, exploring different breweries, trying new recipes, cheering on the Minnesota Gophers, delving into the Lord of the Rings lore, and spending time outdoors.

Why Mayo: I knew I wanted to train at a place where I could have both top-notch clinical training and have the support to develop a research program that would be the steppingstone to a long and fruitful career. What truly set Mayo apart was how genuine, passionate, and brilliant everyone is and at the same time that they show a commitment not only to clinical training and research but also to seeing and treating you as a whole person. On my interview day, I felt that I was seen not only as a potential trainee but as a potential future colleague.

Future plans: I aim to become an academic physician-scientist specializing in the care of patients with liver disease and performing research focused on understanding the metabolic pathways that contribute to the pathophysiology of liver disease.

Saqr Alsakarneh M.D., M.S.

Residency: Internal Medicine, University of Missouri- Kansas City

Hobbies: I enjoy playing and watching soccer, cooking Mediterranean food, hiking, rock climbing, playing video games, and traveling.​

Why Mayo: I chose Mayo Clinic because of its unique culture, where putting the patients' interests first is seamlessly integrated with a deep commitment to innovation and research. You’ll find world-renowned leaders in every aspect of gastroenterology, yet what impressed me most was their humility and genuine investment in trainees. During my interview, I felt that every conversation was centered around my goals and how Mayo could support my growth. That sense of support and community made it clear that this was the right place for me.​

Future plans: I plan to pursue a career in academic gastroenterology, with a focus on advancing endoscopic innovation, integrating AI into GI care, and conducting research at the intersection of PSC-IBD.

Lizeth Cifuentes De La Torre M.D.

Residency: Internal Medicine, University of Pittsburgh​

Hobbies: I love exploring, whether it's through travel, trying new foods, or wandering down ChatGPT rabbit holes.​

Why Mayo: I chose Mayo Clinic because of its unparalleled infrastructure for clinical research and its commitment to academic medicine. It’s a place where questions are encouraged, curiosity is supported, and interdisciplinary collaboration is part of everyday life. That environment inspires me to not just deliver excellent care, but to also contribute to advancing it.​

Future plans: I’m still exploring all the subspecialties within GI, but I know I want to be in an academic environment where I can combine clinical care, research, and teaching.​

Sergio De La Torre M.D., M.S.

Residency: Internal Medicine, UCLA

Hobbies: As a new homeowner, my hobbies include all things regarding home improvement and landscaping! I am also an avid Chicago Bears fan.​

Why Mayo: Aside from offering unparalleled dedicated research time/opportunities, mentorship with leaders in the field, and the ability to train in a hospital system that treats both common and the rarest of conditions, Mayo also conveyed a strong sense of community and family among its trainees, faculty and staff. It was also the leadership and warmth of our program director Dr. Simonetto and associate program director Dr. Wang, that has made me feel incredibly fortunate to train at Mayo. ​

Future plans: I currently have strong interests in transplant hepatology and esophageal adenocarcinoma with plans to stay in academic medicine.​

Ahmed Elnaiem M.D., M.P.H.

Residency: Internal Medicine, Brigham and Women’s Hospital

Hobbies: Photography, videography, and DIY projects, especially fixing bikes or tinkering around the house. I also love playing soccer and am a lifelong Liverpool supporter, following in my father’s footsteps.​

Why Mayo: I chose Mayo because it radiates a deep, consistent sense of purpose. From my earliest interactions, it was clear this is a place where people take joy in clinical excellence, in teaching, and in standing with patients during their most complex moments. The environment is driven by values that are lived out daily — especially the unwavering commitment that the needs of the patient come first. Everyone I met spoke with conviction about the culture, the camaraderie, and the pride they feel in their work. I wanted to train in a place where the pursuit of excellence is communal, grounded in humility, and sustained by mentorship. ​

Future plans: I was born and raised in Sudan, and that experience continues to shape my vision for the future. I hope to build a career that unites academic gastroenterology, global health, and health equity and to leverage implementation science, epidemiology, and capacity building to translate advances in GI care to under-resourced settings.​

Hannah Phillips M.D.

Residency: Internal Medicine, Mayo Clinic

Hobbies: My wife and I are big WNBA fans (go Valkyries!) and hope to make it to some games this year. I also enjoy playing pickleball, doing jigsaw puzzles, trying new restaurants, and playing with my dog, Nova, and my cat, Bean!​

Why Mayo: I chose to do my GI fellowship at Mayo because of the unparalleled culture, dedication to trainees, and the exceptional standard of clinical care. Multidisciplinary teams are intentionally created to make sure each need of the patient is met to the highest standard. I have been beyond impressed with the teaching and mentorship that has been available to me throughout my time here by some of the kindest, most down-to-earth people I have ever met. It is so evident that the faculty love what they do and are incredibly invested in our development and success as trainees to help us become leaders in the field of gastroenterology.​

Future plans: I am still exploring all GI has to offer but I hope to pursue a career in academic gastroenterology. My current interests are esophageal diseases, artificial intelligence in GI, LGBTQ+ health, and possibly inflammatory bowel disease!

Amir Seid M.D.

Residency: Internal Medicine, University of Minnesota

Hobbies: Doing deep dives into random topics.​

Why Mayo: It is the premiere place for training in gastroenterology and offers unparalleled case complexity and volume. It provides unmatched access to world-renowned experts across all GI subspecialties. ​

Future plans: Global health, medical education.

Fatima Warsame M.D.

Residency: Internal Medicine, Mayo Clinic

Hobbies: Travel, hiking, international shows/films, and DIY home projects.​

Why Mayo: Mayo Clinic fosters a culture that inspires everyone who works here to do the best they can to meet patients' needs. While this is a lofty goal, it is attainable because of the incredible resources and specialized expertise that is available to us. Feeling well-equipped to manage complex patient care is a rewarding experience and fosters a lot of personal fulfillment.

Future plans: I am interested in pursuing a career in general hepatology but am open to explore all areas within GI. I hope to work at an academic center and also collaborate with under-resourced institutions to improve care for more patients.

Chris Costa, M.D.

Residency: Internal Medicine, University of Connecticut

Hobbies: Trying new foods and restaurants, going to museums.​

Why Mayo: During my fellowship search, I was looking for programs that would help me become the best clinician and the best researcher I could be. I wanted a strong academic program with ongoing dynamic and innovative projects along with support for new projects. Mayo Clinic was a great fit for those criteria.​

Future plans: I hope to focus the majority of my time on translational research, maintain a clinical practice and teach.