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Meet Our Residents

"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."

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.

Hesham Abdalla, M.B.B.S.

Hesham Abdalla, M.B.B.S.

“What makes training at Mayo Clinic amazing is their dedication, compassion, and commitment to providing exceptional patient care fostering an extremely motivating and supportive environment for all. We also benefit from working with world-class physicians across various specialties, while gaining exposure to a wide array of complex cases, which creates an outstanding atmosphere for learning. As an aspiring cardiology fellow, I was pleased to find an abundance of research opportunities, invaluable mentors, and strong program support for conference attendance. The program leadership is tremendously supportive, regularly seeking resident feedback to ensure our success, well-being, and work-life balance. All in all, this is a truly remarkable program that I encourage all medical students to strongly consider."

Medical school: Alfaisal University

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Matt Biondi, M.D.

Matt Biondi, M.D.

“The Mayo community is unique, and you quickly feel a part of the family. The care team, from administration to nursing to attending physicians, is so helpful and invested in your success. During 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 was a reality. Being in a smaller program means being able to pick research mentors and have plenty of opportunities at our fingertips for retrospective/prospective studies, clinical trials, medical education, and career interests. Everyone 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!”

Medical School: University of Nevada, Reno School of Medicine

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Ashlyn Brown, M.D.

Ashlyn Brown, M.D.

“Training here has been an absolute dream! I could not be more grateful for the wonderful community, clinical training, and educational opportunities. I am so thankful for the amazing exposure to high acuity patient care through many different rotations including wards, inpatient cardiology, and ICU rotations. The curriculum is structured in a way that equips trainees to feel comfortable assessing and managing very complex and medically challenging patients. The support from program leaders and hospital staff is unparalleled. The environment at Mayo is encouraging and fosters growth in all areas, for all levels of training. Mentorship is readily available, and educators are constantly looking for ways to teach and help connect trainees with research projects. 

 

Medical school: West Virginia University

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Pierce Claassen, M.D.

Pierce Claassen, M.D.

“Having the opportunity to train as an internal medicine resident physician at Mayo Clinic has been a true blessing. Since I rotated at the hospital as a visiting sub-intern during my fourth year of medical school, I was fortunate to witness a glimpse of the program's culture prior to residency. This month-long experience had me sold! Mayo Clinic is an incredible institution. The renowned patient care, education, and research is only possible because of the culture of collegiality and mutual respect among the physicians, scientists, and allied healthcare professionals who all work together to meet the needs of their patients. I am so grateful to be a part of the Mayo Clinic family."

Medical school: Washington State University

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Albert Chong, M.D., M.P.H.

Albert Chong, M.D., M.P.H.

“Mayo Clinic in Arizona is a place where the phrase ‘I don’t know’ is embraced as an opportunity to learn, teach, and grow. I can say without doubt that the people here are wholly dedicated to the success of both patients and each other. The internal medicine residency here offers a balanced exposure to common and complex pathologies, patients with and without means, and clinical and research opportunities. Our 4+4 block schedule fosters wellness as both a physician and human being.”

Medical school: Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California

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Amany Elshaer, M.B.B.S.

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

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Alex Gonzalez, M.D.

Alex Gonzalez, M.D.

I was drawn to Mayo Clinic in Arizona for a variety of reasons. First of all, the resources here are second to none. The culture of Mayo Clinic is legendary for being extremely welcoming and warm. I love living in Phoenix and being in a community that has everything you could need, from hiking to sports teams (my personal favorite and a must on places where I applied), to everything in between. I felt that the resources, location, and the PEOPLE that the residency program picks are why I was drawn to apply here, and ultimately chose to be here.”

Medical school: Baylor College of Medicine

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Aileen Lee, M.D.

Aileen Lee, M.D.

“As a medical student, I did an away rotation at Mayo Clinic in Arizona. What sold me was the warm, inclusive culture that reminded me of a community hospital, yet had the resources, medical complexity and expertise of a globally renowned institution. In those four weeks, I thrived because I felt so safe to learn. As a resident, this continues to be true. Even during the busiest of days, my attendings are eager to teach, and everyone - from senior residents to nursing staff - is there to support me.“

Medical school: University of Arizona College of Medicine-Tucson

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Samarth Rawal, M.D.

Samarth Rawal, M.D.

“If I had to choose a single word to sum up Mayo Clinic culture, it would be 'supportive'. Whether it is asking a consultant for clinical advice, a member of the teaching faculty for academic guidance, or any interaction at any level with staff at Mayo, everyone is kind, compassionate, and more than willing to take the time to provide help. Even a couple of months into my residency training, this culture has made me feel so welcome and encouraged to grow as a learner.”

Medical school: Carle Illinois College of Medicine at UIUC

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Class of 2026

Hesham Abdalla, M.B.B.S.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Kevin Chung, M.D., M.B.A.

Hometown: Chicago, Illinois

Undergraduate: University of Illinois at Chicago

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

Class of 2027

Headshot of Haya Al Any

Haya Al Any, M.D., M.S.

Hometown: Phoenix, AZ

Undergraduate: Arizona State University

Medical School: University of Arizona College of Medicine-Phoenix

Professional interest: Hematology/oncology, rheumatology, Allergy and Immunology

Hobbies: Travel, faith, and advocacy for mental health care

Headshot of Assad Maia Sandoval

Leticia Assad Maia Sandoval, M.D. 

Hometown: Brasilia, Brazil

Undergraduate: Universidade de Brasilia

Medical School: Universidade de Brasilia

Professional Interest: Hematology/oncology

Hobbies: Cooking, hiking, board games, running, and meditation

Headshot of Albert Chong

Albert Chong, M.D., M.P.H

Hometown: Sunnyvale, CA

Undergraduate: University of California, Los Angeles

Medical School: Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California

Professional Interest: Allergy/immunology, gastroenterology, mental healthcare, public health

Hobbies: Board games, coffee, dining out, live music, tennis, hiking, golf

Headshot of Pierce Claassen

Pierce Claassen, M.D.

Hometown: Clarkston, WA

Undergraduate school: Washington State University

Medical school: Washington State University

Professional Interest: Gastroenterology and hepatology, colorectal cancer prevention, screening, and treatment, rural healthcare access

Hobbies: Playing acoustic guitar, country music, agriculture, upland game hunting, long-distance running, cast iron cooking, and spending quality time with my wife

Headshot of Sofia De La O Bahr

Sofia De La O Bahr, M.D.

Hometown: Saltillo, Mexico

Undergraduate school: University of Kansas

Graduate school: University of Kansas School of Medicine

Professional Interest: Cardiology, gastroenterology, hematology/oncology

Hobbies: hiking, outdoors, plants, trying new food/restaurants, traveling, staying active, being a mom

Headshot of Luke Dreher

Luke Dreher, M.D.

Hometown: Goodyear, AZ

Undergraduate school: University of Arizona

Graduate school: Boston University School of Medicine

Professional Interest: Cardiology

Hobbies: Hiking, lifting, football, baseball, basketball

Headshot of Ryan Gassner

Ryan Gassner, M.D.

Hometown: Wausau, WI

Undergraduate school: University of Wisconsin, Madison

Graduate school: Medical College of Wisconsin

Professional Interest: Pulmonology/critical Care, gastroenterology

Hobbies: anything outdoors, football, basketball, baseball, cooking/grilling, trying new restaurants, acoustic guitar, hunting, fishing, country music

Headshot of Alejandro Gonzalez

Alejandro J. Gonzalez, M.D.

Hometown: Laredo, TX

Undergraduate school: Notre Dame

Graduate school: Baylor College of Medicine

Professional Interest: Gastroenterology

Hobbies: Sports, country music, food

 

Headshot of Wallace Klein Schwengber

Wallace Klein Schwengber, M.D.

Hometown: Itapiranga, Brazil

Undergraduate school: N/A

Graduate school: Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul

Professional Interest: Clinical research, evidence based medicine, cardiology

Hobbies: Sports, bodybuilding, spending time with family and friends

Headshot of Aileen Lee

Aileen Lee, M.D.

Hometown: Eugene, OR

Undergraduate school: Georgetown University

Graduate school: University of Arizona College of Medicine-Tucson

Professional Interest: Geriatrics, general internal medicine, health disparities, medical education

Hobbies: Boba, running, creating 30-second video food reviews

Headshot of Samarth Rawal

Samarth Rawal, M.D.

Hometown: Chandler, AZ

Undergraduate school: Arizona State University

Graduate school: Carle Illinois College of Medicine at UIUC

Professional Interest: Clinical artificial intelligence, clinical research, entrepreneurship, clinical informatics

Hobbies: Singing Indian classical music, the Beatles, hiking, running

Headshot of Julianna Smith

Julianna Smith, M.D.

Hometown: Kingman, AZ

Undergraduate school: Arizona State University

Graduate school: Mayo Clinic Alix School of Medicine, Phoenix, Arizona

Professional Interest: Cardiology, Pulmonology/critical care, health disparities

Hobbies: Netflix, coffee, pickleball, volleyball, music

 

Headshot of Hunter VanDolah

Hunter VanDolah, M.D.

Hometown: Phoenix, AZ

Undergraduate school: Creighton University

Graduate school: Georgetown University

Professional Interest: Cardiology

Hobbies: Hiking, camping, playing with my golden retriever Cooper

 

Headshot of Kevin Zhou

Kevin Zhou, M.D.

Hometown: Los Angeles, CA

Undergrad: University of Washington, B.S in Microbiology

Medical School: Washington State University, M.D.

Professional Interests: Infectious disease, street medicine, health equity
Hobbies: Board games, video games, badminton, hiking

Meet Our Residents

Class of 2028

Nick B. Allen, M.D.

Hometown: Oakland, CA

Undergraduate School: UC Berkley

Medical School:  Mayo Clinic Arizona 

Professional Interest: Primary care, disease prevention, public health

Hobbies: Sports, board games, movie nights, group dinners

Farha G. Decus, M.D. 

Hometown: Lehigh Acres, FL

Undergraduate School: University of Florida

Medical School: Mayo Clinic Alix School of Medicine- FL

Professional Interest: Neph or ID

Hobbies: Live music/concerts, musicals, trivia, NYT games/crosswords, sci-fi and historical fiction, documentaries

Marcos Duran, M.D.

Hometown: Salt Lake City, UT

Undergraduate School: Cornell University

Medical School: Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine

Professional Interest: Endocrinology, Med Ed.

Hobbies: Music (singing and listening), hiking, movies (sci-fi, superhero), musical theater, board games

Marta Torres Branco da Cunha Figueiral, M.D.

Hometown: Lisbon, Protugal

Medical School: Universidade da Beira Interior- Faculdade de Ciencias da Saude

Professional Interest: Cardiology

Hobbies: Running, gymnastics, hiking, going to the beach, traverling

Jack P. Hartnett, M.B., B.Ch.

Hometown: Cork, Ireland

Undergraduate School: Trinity College Dublin

Medical School: Trinity College Dublin

Professional Interest: Cardiology

Hobbies: Gym, running, hiking

Celine Hoyek, M.D.

Hometown: Beirut, Lebanon

Undergraduate School: Labanese American University 

Medical school: University of Balamand Faculty of Medicine and Medical Sciences

Professional Interest: Hematology/Oncology, Infectious disease

Hobbies: Music (live music, collecting vinyl records), basketball, rock climbing

Alyssa K. Ishimoto, M.D.

Hometown: Los Angeles, California

Undergraduate School: UCLA

Medical School: Mayo Clinic Alix School of Medicine

Professional Interest: Pulmonology/critical Care, bioethics, gender disparities, medical education

Hobbies: pickleball, hiking, matcha cafe hopping, camping

James Y. Kim, M.D.

Hometown: Burbank, CA

Undergraduate School: University of Arizona

Medical School: Mayo Clinic Arizona

Professional Interest: Cardiology

Hobbies: Gym

 

David A. Martinez Gamboa, M.D.

Hometown: Colombia

Undergraduate School: Universidad Nacional de Colombia

Medical School: Universidad Nacional de Colombia

Professional Interest: Hematology/oncology

Hobbies: Traveling, hiking, exploring

Manuel Montoya Hernandez, M.D.

Hometown: Mexicali, Mexico

Undergraduate School: CETYS University

Medical School: Universidad Autonoma de Baja California

Professional Interest: Cardiology & artificial intelligence

Hobbies: Sports, cooking, coffee, anime, videogames

Syed Arsalan Ahmed Naqvi, M.D.

Hometown: Karachi, Pakistan

Medical School: Dow University of Health Sciences

Professional Interest: Oncology, CardioOnc

Hobbies: I enjoy playing ping pong, going to the gym, hiking, exploring local food spots, and unwinding with Netflix.

Anthony Nguyen, M.D.

Hometown: Irvine, California

Undergraduate School: University of California, Irvine (UCI)

Medical School: DGSOM @ University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA)

Professional Interest: Cardiology, Echocardiography/Heart Failure/ POCUS, Medical Education

Hobbies: Hiking, basketball

 

Nick Shultz, M.D.

Hometown: Yucaipa, CA

Undergraduate School: Arizona State University

Medical School: University of Arizona College of Medicine – Phoenix

Professional Interest: Cardiology

Hobbies: Outdoors (hiking, camping, fishing, etc.), reading, gardening, cooking/baking, and video games

 

Geoff Thomas, M.D.

Hometown: Irving, TX

Undergraduate School: Texas Tech University

Medical School: Texas Tech University HSC Lubbock

Professional Interests: GI

Hobbies: Weightlifting, pickleball, hiking

Georgios Tousinas, M.D. 

Hometown: Thessaloniki, Greece

Medical School: Medical Univeresity of Sofia

Professional Interests: Hematology/Oncology, Hematologic Malignancies, Basic Research

Hobbies: Restaurants, Nature, Movies, Volunteering, Karaoke, Trivia, Books, Popular Science