Meet Our Residents

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"Welcome!

As chief residents, our primary role is to focus on resident education, wellness, and advocacy. We are thrilled to support our residents in learning, research, and clinical development and help them to achieve their career and personal goals. Please reach out if you have any questions regarding our program."

Nikita Ashcherkin, M.D.

Chief Resident

ashcherkin.nikita@mayo.edu

Hally Chaffin, M.D.

Chief Resident

chaffin.hally@mayo.edu

Words from our residents

Our residents come from medical schools around the U.S. and outside the country. See what a few of our residents have to say about our program, the campus, and the community.

Merna Abdou, M.D.

“One of the most important factors for me to consider when I was choosing my residency program was how the residents, faculty, and staff interacted with each other. At Mayo, I genuinely feel like part of the family. Every single individual is supportive, encouraging, and friendly. We have the perfect balance between patient care and education which is second to none. Additionally, Mayo offers you the opportunity to pursue any fellowship or interest that fits your path."

Medical school: Central Michigan University College of Medicine

Nikita Ashcherkin, M.D.

”During my first week of residency I could already tell that coming to Mayo Clinic was the right decision. The patience and investment of my seniors, attendings, and consulting services to help us grow into competent resident physicians was felt immediately. The opportunity for research and career development was available on day one. In the time of this pandemic, Mayo Clinic made us always feel safe and made sure we have the proper training and supplies at all times as we try our best to take care of our patients. Additionally, weekly updates to our protocols were made based on the latest data to make sure that our patients are getting the best care possible."

Medical school: University of Toledo College of Medicine

Helen Bartels, M.B., B.Ch.

“The Internal Medicine program at Mayo Clinic in Phoenix, Arizona, has been designed to optimize the balance between learning and resident well-being. Training here will ensure that you are confident managing exceptionally complex patients, with rotations at external medical facilities in Phoenix, such as the VA Hospital and ASU, ensuring exposure to patients from a broad variety of demographics. Another strength of this program is the month available every year to dedicate oneself to research, with mentors and projects readily available whatever your interests. The careful scheduling minimizes back-to-back inpatient rotations, meaning that you are rarely more than a month away from your next run of weekends and time to recover from the rigors of residency."

Medical school: University of Cambridge School of Clinical Medicine

Matt Biondi, M.D.

“The Mayo community is very unique in how quickly and easily you feel like a part of the family. Every member of the care team, from administration to nursing to attending physicians, is so helpful and invested in your success. From my first week here, I could sense that the environment was different from anywhere else I had worked and that the spirit of collaboration and community that all house staff had talked about so highly during my interview was a reality here. Being at a smaller program means being able to take our pick of research mentors and plenty of opportunities at our fingertips for retrospective/prospective studies, clinical trials, medical education, or whatever your career interest may be. Everyone in the program knows each other and is readily available for help and support, from fellow residents to the associated program directors and program directors. Being at Mayo is truly a unique and excellent experience!”

Amany Elshaer, M.B.B.S.

“I consider myself fortunate to have been accepted into the Internal Medicine Residency program at Mayo Clinic in Phoenix, Arizona, where I have the opportunity to train alongside world-class physicians. My aspiration has always been to immerse myself in an atmosphere of constant innovation and growth, and that is precisely what I discovered at Mayo Clinic in Phoenix, Arizona. This institution offers an array of remarkable educational prospects, abundant research opportunities, and a variety of enriching extracurricular activities, fulfilling all my expectations. If I were to pinpoint my favorite aspect of being part of Mayo Clinic, it would be the sense of community. Everyone within the program exudes enthusiasm for each other’s achievements, and our program leadership, who is tremendously supportive, consistently goes above and beyond to ensure our success.”

Medical school: Alfaisal University

Saira Khan, M.D.

“I think finding a program like Mayo Clinic in Phoenix, Arizona, is rare. Its foundation is built to support residents’ professional growth: a place where research and learning opportunities find you—not the other way around. Our program is full of residents, educators, and staff who invest in your mental and physical well-being. And in the end, comradery, work-life balance, and unparalleled pursuit of education are what I wanted—and have found—in our program.”

Medical school: University of Arizona College of Medicine - Tucson

Kevin Forey, II M.D., M.B.A.

“My residency training at Mayo Clinic has been an excellent experience. I have developed confidence in my career opportunities after residency, which I attribute to the variety of clinical and research opportunities available. There is additional value placed upon work-life balance here, which has allowed me to pursue hiking and photography during my training. Further, Scottsdale and the surrounding communities are a wonderful place to call home.”

Medical school: University of Colorado School of Medicine

Michael Liu, M.D.

“I am from Bethesda, Maryland and went to medical school at Albert Einstein College of Medicine. I came to Mayo Clinic for the opportunity to learn medicine in the context of complex medical histories, but mainly to escape the Eastern winters. As an aspiring cardiologist, the research opportunities and resources to help accomplish projects are unparalleled. In my free time, I enjoy shooting hoops, playing chess, and shaking the rust off my piano skills."

Medical school: Albert Einstein College of Medicine

Toiya Turknett, M.D.

"I’m originally from Georgia, and I’m constantly asked 'So how did you end up in Arizona for residency?' Simply put, I loved the Mayo Clinic Internal Medicine program when I interviewed, and I still think being in this program is one of the best decisions I’ve ever made. Our program has a strong focus on optimal patient care, continued education, and research. I especially appreciate how our program cares about resident wellness and provides support for residents to maximize quality of life while optimizing our learning experience."

Medical school: Morehouse School of Medicine

Class of 2024

	Joseph Arguinchona, M.D. Hometown: Spokane, Washington Undergrad: Seattle University Medical school: Creighton University School of Medicine Professional interests: Sports medicine Hobbies: Exercise, playing the guitar, spending time with family
	Omar Baqal, M.B.B.S. Hometown: Srinagar, Kashmir, India Medical school: Alfaisal University College of Medicine Professional interests: Cardiology, health care leadership, public health Hobbies: Soccer, graphic design
	Shubhang Bhatt, M.D., M.S. Hometown: Jaipur, India Undergrad: University of California, Davis Medical school: Mayo Clinic Alix School of Medicine in Arizona Professional interests: Cardiology, pulmonary and critical care, academic medicine, medical education Hobbies: Hiking, exercise, listening to music, perfecting the art of chai making
	Ryan Dunn, M.D. Hometown: Tempe, Arizona Undergrad: University of Arizona Medical school: Mayo Clinic Alix School of Medicine in Arizona Professional interests: Pulmonary/critical care Hobbies: Rock climbing, mountain biking, backpacking, petting dogs
	Cody Eslinger, M.D., M.S. Hometown: Rapid City, South Dakota Undergrad: Colorado State University Medical school: Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center Professional interests: Hematology/oncology Hobbies: Golfing, tennis, watching the Yankees win, traveling and spending time with the family
	Eiad Habib, M.B.B.S. Hometown: Cairo, Egypt Medical school: Alfaisal University Professional interests: Cardiology, medical education, research Hobbies: Traveling, landscape photography, chess, watching Lionel Messi
	Andrea Lorenzo, M.D., M.S. Hometown: Paso Robles, California Undergrad: California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo Medical school: Mayo Clinic Alix School of Medicine in Arizona Professional interests: Pulmonology, hospital medicine Hobbies: Hanging out with my dogs, swimming, baking, cooking and history
	Chelsea Marshall, M.D. Hometown: Tucson, Arizona Undergrad: University of San Diego Medical school: University of Arizona – Tucson Professional interests: Cardiology, mentorship Hobbies: Board games, traveling, video games, scuba diving, rare houseplants
	Haley Meyer, M.D. Hometown: St. Louis, Missouri Undergrad: DePaul University Medical school: Chicago Medical School Professional interests: Hematology/oncology Hobbies: Camping, hiking, St. Louis Blues games, traveling, eating
	Archna Patel, M.D., M.P.H. Hometown: Bakersfield, California Undergrad: CSU Bakersfield Medical school: Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota Professional interests: GI, endocrine, obesity and lifestyle medicine, medical education, social determinants of health Hobbies: Television and film, current events, good weather nature walks, produce, hot yoga, cooking elaborate meals for no reason at all
	Holly Thomson, M.D. Hometown: Tucson, Arizona Undergrad: Lewis & Clark College Medical school: Mayo Clinic Alix School of Medicine in Arizona Professional interests: Nephrology, medical education Hobbies: Mostly baking (scones, tarts, cakes, cobblers)
	Reena Yaman, M.D., M.S. Hometown: Toronto Undergrad: University of Toronto Mississauga Medical school: Mayo Clinic Alix School of Medicine in Arizona Professional interests: Allergy and immunology, infectious disease, rheumatology Hobbies: Yoga, reading, hiking, documentaries (and non-documentary shows and films)

Class of 2025

	Nneoma Alozie, M.D. Hometown: San Diego, California Undergrad: University of California, Riverside Medical school: Meharry Medical College, SoM Professional interests: Cardiology Hobbies: Binging a good Netflix show, cooking, outdoorsy activities, traveling
	Jeremiah Bearss, M.D., Ph.D. Hometown: Boise, Idaho Undergrad: Utah State University Medical school: University of Arizona Professional interests: Cancer cell signaling, drug development and discovery, oncology
	Matt Biondi, M.D. Hometown: Reno, Nevada Undergrad: University of Nevada, Reno Medical school: University of Nevada, Reno School of Medicine Professional interests: Hospital medicine or pulmonology/critical care fellowship, medical education, global health
	Ashlyn Brown, M.D. Hometown: Fort Myers, Florida Undergrad: Appalachian State University Medical school: West Virginia University Professional interests: Infectious disease, hospital medicine
	Cody Cunningham, M.D., Ph.D. Hometown: Scottsdale, Arizona Undergrad: Arizona State University Medical school: Mayo Clinic Alix School of Medicine in Arizona Professional interests: Critical care medicine
	Sandra Elmasry, M.D. Hometown: Los Angeles, California Undergrad: University of Southern California Medical school: Creighton Medical School Professional interests: Gastrointestinal, hospital medicine
	Amany Elshaer, M.B.B.S. Hometown: Virginia, U.S. Medical school: Alfaisal University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia Professional interests: Cardiology, gastroenterology, medical education
	Amogh Havanur, M.D., M.P.H. Hometown: Bangalore, India Undergrad: New York University Medical school: University of Miami Professional interests: Hospital medicine, medical education, narrative medicine
	Avanika Mahajan, M.D., Ph.D. Hometown: Delhi, India Graduate school: North Carolina State University Medical school: University of New Mexico Professional interests: Immunology, rheumatology, allergy
	Michael O’Shea, M.B., B.Ch., B.A.O. Hometown: Kilcullen, Ireland Undergrad: Trinity College Dublin School of Medicine Medical school: Trinity College Dublin School of Medicine Professional interests: Hiking, traveling, spending time wit friends and family, music, reading
	Srekar Ravi, M.D. Hometown: Chandler, Arizona Undergrad: Arizona State University Medical school: Charles E. Schmidt College of Medicine at Florida Atlantic University Professional interests: Cardiology, medical education Hobbies: Travelling, cooking, podcasts, reading, working out
	Juliana Savic, M.D. Hometown: Albuquerque, New Mexico Undergrad: University of New Mexico Medical school: University of New Mexico School of Medicine Professional interests: Health literacy, health disparities
	Bobak Seddighzadeh, M.D. Hometown: San Jose, California Undergrad: Loyola Marymount University, B.S., New York University, M.A. Medical school: University of Nevada, Las Vegas and UCSF pre-doctoral research fellowship (research year) Professional interests: Oncology and science physician, prostate cancer and single-cell genomics (elucidate tumor evolution and chemoresistance)

Class of 2026

	Hesham Abdalla, M.B.B.S. Hometown: Manchester, England Medical school: Alfaisal University Professional interest: Cardiology, research, medical education Hobbies: Soccer, weightlifting, late night drives
	Adam Bacon, M.D. Hometown: Orinda, California Undergraduate: University of Oregon Medical school: University of California, Davis Professional interest: Medical education Hobbies: BBQ, weightlifting, golf
	Tara Ballouz, M.D. Hometown: Bloomfield Hills, Michigan Undergraduate: University of Michigan Medical school: Western Michigan University Professional interest: Hematology/oncology Hobbies: Hiking, rock climbing, pickleballing
	Isabela Chang, M.D. Hometown: West Covina, California Undergraduate: University of California, Irvine Medical school: Mayo Clinic Alix School of Medicine in Phoenix, Arizona Professional interest: Hematology/oncology Hobbies: Hiking with my puppy, baking, acrylic pour art, and traveling
	Nathan Chow, M.D. Hometown: Fremont, California Undergraduate: Hofstra University Medical school: Mayo Clinic Alix School of Medicine, Phoenix, Arizona Professional interest: Generalist Hobbies: Cooking, reading, sports
	Kevin Chung, M.D., M.B.A. Hometown: Chicago, Illinois Undergraduate: University of Illinois at Chicagov Graduate school: University of Chicago Booth School of Business Medical school: University of Chicago Pritzker School of Medicine Professional interest: Hematology/oncology, healthcare quality improvement, health new venture development Hobbies: Golf, chess, video games, restaurants, HIIT/cycling
	Pedro be Borba Engster, M.D. Hometown: Lajeado – Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil Medical school: Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul Professional interest: Cardiology Hobbies: Weightlifting, coffee-making, chess
	Maximilliano Diaz Menindez, M.D. Hometown: Mexico City, Mexico Medical school: Anahuac University Professional interest: Rheumatology, immunology, medical education, health equity Hobbies: Theater, opera, traveling, tennis
	Rodrigo Fonseca, M.D. Hometown: Mexico City, Mexico Medical school: Universidad Anáhuac School of Medicine Professional interest: Hematology/oncology Hobbies: Ice hockey, tennis, going to concerts, playing the piano, occasional attempts at cooking
	Danielle Green, M.D. Hometown: San Clemente, California Undergraduate: University of Nevada, Reno Medical school: University of Nevada, Reno School of Medicine Professional interest: Critical care, medical education Hobbies: Staying active, collecting vinyl records, quality time with family and friends, concerts, movies
	Whitney Harris, M.D. Hometown: Caldwell, Idaho Undergraduate: Brigham Young University Medical school: University of Washington Professional interest: Hematology/oncology Hobbies: Hiking, reading, amateur nature photography, making friends with dogs
	Brian Parker, M.D., M.B.A. Hometown: Mesa, Arizona Undergraduate: Brigham Young University Graduate school: University of Utah David Eccles School of Business Medical school: University of Utah School of Medicine Professional interest: Primary care, insulin resistance, preventative medicine Hobbies: Entrepreneurship, all the sports, adventures with my golden retriever
	Tala Shahin, M.D. Hometown: Tucson, Arizona Undergraduate: University of Arizona Medical school: University of Arizona, Tucson Professional interest: General internal medicine Hobbies: Fostering kittens, gaming, crossword puzzles, racquetball, cooking, weightlifting
	Taylor Viggiano, M.D. Hometown: Phoenix, Arizona Undergraduate: Brown University Medical school: Mayo Clinic Alix School of Medicine, Phoenix, Arizona Professional interest: Medical education, preventative medicine, nutrition Hobbies: Live music, spin, boxing, meditation
	Winston Wang, M.D. Hometown: Palo Alto, California Undergraduate: Stanford University Medical school: Mayo Clinic Alix School of Medicine, Phoenix, Arizona Professional interest: Inpatient medicine, cardiology Hobbies: Board games, volleyball