Our residents come from medical schools around the U.S. and outside the country. 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.

The General Surgery Residency has over 20 residents in training at any time. Learn more about our current residents.

Class of 2025

	Luke DeGraaff, M.D. Hometown: Lynden, WA Medical school: University of Buffalo School of Medicine About me: My hobbies/interests include hiking and fishing. I have been taking advantage of the beautiful Arizona weather to also pick up biking and golfing.
	Eleanor Johnson, M.D., M.P.H. Hometown: Minnetonka, MN Medical school: Tulane University About me: In my spare time, I like to hang with family and friends, play board games, and read. During my time in New Orleans, I became an avid Saints fan, so I try to catch as many games as possible. My husband and I have an adorable Shiba Inu who we love to bring with us when we travel and explore places.
	Patty Lu, M.D. Hometown: Bellevue, WA Medical school: Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO About me: I’m an avid hiker and baker, and have over forty indoor plants (and counting). I hope to hike all the national parks one day and have loved exploring the beauty of Arizona!
	Sinong Qian, M.B. Hometown: Anhui, China Medical school: Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China About me: In my spare time, I like to hang out with friends and try different restaurants. I have two cats, Taco and Burrito. I like to play with them when I'm not working.

Class of 2026

	Valerie Armstrong, M.D. Hometown: Boulder, CO Medical school: University of Miami, Miller School of Medicine About me: In my free time I enjoy spending time with friends, hiking, spoiling my cats, and training for triathlons.
	Akash Kartik, M.B.B.S. Hometown: Moradabad, India Medical school: Government Medical College Chandigarh About me: I grew up in rural India. My passion for medicine is an extension of my parents’ commitment to serve the underrepresented. I am #SurgOnc curious and will work on every front to defeat cancer. In my free time, I like to play drums, hike, and beat chess hustlers.
	Chi Zhang, M.D. Hometown: Charlottesville, VA Medical school: Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth About me: After spending the majority of my life on the East coast, I learned my lesson and moved toward the warmth of my new home in Phoenix! On my days off, I like to bake and feed my co-residents who are holding the fort down at the hospital. I also ballroom dance and play the violin competitively.

Class of 2027

	Scott Eldredge, M.D. Hometown: Salt Lake City, UT Medical school: University of Utah About me: I am interested in becoming a pediatric surgeon. Outside of medicine, I enjoy running, reading, and spending time with my family.
	Marlene Garcia-Neuer, M.D., M.S. Hometown: Chandler, AZ Medical school: Ohio State College of Medicine About me: I am an avid historian, who loves anything to do with surgical history and storytelling. In my free time I like to make medical history podcasts, fence, ski, and cuddle my cat.
	Nick Nolan, M.D. Hometown: Huntington, WV Medical school: West Virginia University School of Medicine About me: I am from West Virginia, so I love all things outdoors. In my free time, I especially love to explore all the golf courses the Phoenix/Scottsdale area has to offer!
	McKinna Tillotson, M.D. Hometown: Schenectady, NY Medical school: Oregon Health & Sciences University About me: In my free time, I love to bike, go to concerts, backpack, oil paint, and spend as much time as possible in the pool. I am currently undecided on the surgical specialty.

Class of 2028

	Holly Grossman, M.D. Hometown: Lubbock, TX Medical school: Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center School of Medicine About me: I am the proud parent of a fluffy and enigmatic shepherd named Brutus.  In my free time, I like to run, watch scary movies (including the entire Halloween franchise), and hang out with my co-residents.  My ideal OR playlist is the entire Prince discography.
	Tim Prior, M.D., Ph.D. Hometown: Westport, CT Medical school: Tulane University School of Medicine About me: Ph.D. in immunology (B Cell stands for Best Cells), won a medal in Stykkisholmur, Iceland in a National Icelandic Fisherman Day competition, and plant dad to a citrus tree.
	Nisha Rehman, M.D. Hometown: Charleston, SC Medical school: University of Arizona, College of Medicine - Phoenix About me: I was born in a small town in North Dakota, grew up in South Carolina, but have been in Arizona for the past 10 years. I am the oldest of five kids and am the proud mom to a feisty but sweet cat who loves to play fetch and ruin my couches. Also, I am a gluten-free food connoisseur (ask me about my almond cake recipe). I am excited to be a surgical resident at Mayo and am looking forward to giving back to the community.
	Stephanie Yu, M.D. Hometown: Aurora, CO Medical school: About me: As somebody who has lived in Colorado my whole life, I’m excited to explore life in a different state! I am a mom to a feisty little dog named Bella and also quite a few plants. While in residency, I’m looking forward to exploring Phoenix, getting accustomed to the heat, and discovering good places to eat!

Class of 2029

	Mohamed Aly, M.B., B.Ch. Hometown: Maadi, Cairo, Egypt Medical school: Kasr Al Ainy Hospital, Cairo University About me: Beyond the medical field, I cherish spending quality time with my family and friends, taking care of my plants, and enjoying sunsets with a great view while sipping good coffee.
	Rishab Belavadi, M.B.B.S.  Hometown: Atlanta, GA / Bangalore, India Medical school: Jawarharlal Institute of Postgraduate Medical Education and Research (JIPMER), Pondicherry About me: I’m interested in surgical oncology but am open to all sub-specialties. I love hanging out with my friends, hiking, mountains, and waterfalls. Former professional cricket player and a massive, massive 76ers fan.
	Vaishnavi Kavirayani, M.B.B.S. Hometown: India / New Jersey Medical school: Kasturba Medical College – Manipal About me: In my free time I enjoy spending time with my friends and family, listening to music, watching rom-coms, walking by the beach, and hiking (I hope to hike as many national parks as possible)!
	Grace Kelly, M.D. Hometown: Western Springs, IL Medical school: Tulane University About me: I grew up outside Chicago and attended undergraduate and medical school at Tulane University in New Orleans. Since moving to Arizona, I’ve rediscovered my love for tennis, hiking, biking, and all things outdoors.
	Rania Mansour, M.B.B.S., M.P.H. Hometown: Toronto, Canada & Beirut, Lebanon Medical school: St. George’s Hospital Medical School, University of London, UK About me: Sports enthusiast, outdoor adventurer, coffee lover, and plant parent in training – I’ve so far only been able to keep cacti alive, so I guess I’m in the right state! I’m consistently inspired by global architecture, different cultures, and my friends and family.
	Gilbert Pan, M.D. Hometown: Yorba Linda, CA Medical school: Boston University Chobanian and Avedisian School of Medicine About me: I am a lucky husband to an amazing wife and dog dad to a very lazy Husky-mix named Zion. I enjoy running, tennis, snowboarding, fishing, and hiking; I hope to visit every US National Park one day.
	Aliyah Patterson, M.D. Hometown: Portland, Jamaica Medical school: Loma Linda University School of Medicine About me: I love going to the beach with family and friends. I enjoy watching the sunset, traveling, and painting landscapes.
	Laura Stokes, M.D. Hometown: Gilbert, AZ Medical school: Creighton University School of Medicine – Omaha, NE About me: I love being outside, especially when I am playing golf (I’m better on the range) or snowboarding. I have two French bulldogs (Walker and Wallen) who always want to cuddle and be lazy. I also enjoy baking, finding new ice cream spots, and spending time with my friends and family.
	Angie Tulk, M.D. Hometown: Chandler, AZ Medical school: University of Arizona College of Medicine – Tucson, AZ About me: I was raised in Arizona and love all that it has to offer! My hobbies include swimming, cooking, and playing fetch with my highly energetic cattle dog named Maggie.

Research

	Dillon Cheung, M.D. Hometown: San Jose, CA Medical school: University of California, Irvine About me: In my free time, I enjoy the outdoors, traveling, the beach, working out, and hanging out with my co-residents. I used to breakdance competitively.
	Lena Egbert, M.D. Hometown: San Jose, CA Medical school: Mayo Clinic Alix School of Medicine, Phoenix, Arizona About me: In my free time, I like to hike, paint, swim, and learn how to make new desserts. I listen to too much music and am in the top 2% of Drake listeners on Spotify.
	Asher Jenkins, M.D. Hometown: Two Harbors, MN Medical school: University of Minnesota About me: In my free time, I love to bike, hike, rock climb, and spend as much time as I can outside. I also love spending time with my fiance and my deaf Boston Terrier, Winston.
	Natasha Sioda, M.D. Hometown: University Place, WA Medical school: Creighton University School of Medicine About me: Outside the hospital, I love exploring the outdoors, eating, and spending time with my friends and family. I was voted most likely to win a chess championship in high school, but unlike Akash, I don't actually know how to play chess.