Meet Our Residents

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Internal medicine residents talk in a resident workroom at Mayo Clinic in Florida

Our residents come from medical schools around the U.S. and outside the country. Read more about their backgrounds and interests outside of the residency.

Mayo Welcome Message

Welcome to Mayo Clinic Internal Medicine Residency (Florida) website!

We are honored that you would consider our program to further your medical training. As recent alumni of this residency program ourselves, we are humbled to serve as chief medical residents. A lifetime of medicine enriched with purpose and dedication begins with a simple statement: “the needs of the patient come first.” That journey starts here.

As internal medicine residents, we aim to become institutional, regional, and national leaders in medical education, patient care, and research. As chief medical residents, we lead our resident team through direct teaching on the wards & clinics, curriculum development, promotion of wellness, and administratively supporting our team members as they persevere through professional and personal development.

Mayo Clinic in Jacksonville is an environment where you dive deep into plentiful opportunities for career exploration, interdisciplinary teamwork, medical education, clinical and research mentorship by world class physicians, and professional growth fostered by a warm, collegial atmosphere. Beyond our walls, we enjoy the opportunity to serve our local community in underserved areas of our city. Overall, Jacksonville is an exciting, family friendly place to live by the beach. We hope we will have the opportunity to show you around and give you a look at what makes Mayo Clinic such an incredible place to train.

Sincerely,

Sabrina Billings, M.D.
billings.sabrina@mayo.edu

R. Christopher Chase, M.D.
chase.robert@mayo.edu

C. Bennett Parker, M.D.
parker.christopher@mayo.edu

Meet our chief residents

Sabrina Billings, M.D.

Hometown: Maplewood, NJ
Medical school: Drexel University
Career interest: Hospital Medicine

About me: I chose Mayo Clinic because of its outstanding reputation and commitment to excellence in patient care. The genuine nature of the residency program fosters a supportive environment to learn, grow, and train. My favorite part is the access to a variety of subspecialty areas. Being part of a hospital that prioritizes research and innovation is truly inspiring. The warm and welcoming atmosphere of the Mayo Clinic community in Florida has made it the perfect place to grow both professionally and personally. During my training, I look forward to honing my leadership skills, and to continue learning as I teach. In my spare time, I enjoy road trips, warm weather, beaches, cheering on the Bulldawgs, and hanging with my energetic and fun-loving cockapoo.

Chris Chase, M.D.

Hometown: Charlotte, NC
Medical school: Brody School of Medicine at East Carolina University
Fellowship Interest: Gastroenterology and Hepatology

About me: It is true that at Mayo Clinic, the needs of the patient truly do come first. It has been one of my life's greatest honors to serve our patients as a physician, educator, and researcher. Now in the role of chief medical resident, I look forward to investing deeply in our residency program. I have research interest in Gastroenterology and look forward to fellowship in the future. Quality improvement and patient safety are key components of my medical career and institutional focus. Outside of work, I enjoy time spent with family, the outdoors, biking, and hydroponic/aquaponic gardening.

Bennett Parker, M.D.

Hometown: Huntsville, AL
Medical school: University of Alabama at Birmingham School of Medicine
Fellowship Interest: Cardiovascular diseases

About me: My first exposure to Mayo Clinic was through the lens of a patient, and I witnessed the power of a medical system made up of individuals united in the primary value, “The needs of the patient come first.” The ability to learn and work in a system focused on patient care, education, and research led me to pursue internal medicine residency at Mayo Clinic. During my training, I was privileged to learn from world renowned physicians and educators. I have career interests in medical education within the field of cardiology. As I look forward to the year as a chief resident, I am honored to serve alongside exceptional colleagues while helping lead a group of passionate, humble, and dedicated residents.

Class of 2025

	Santiago Galeano Lovera, M.D. Hometown: Asunción, Paraguay Medical school: Universidad Nacional de Asunción About me: I was first attracted to Mayo Clinic after doing a rotation during which I was amazed by the Mayo culture and its values. I chose this program because of its amazing opportunities and supportive environment. My favorite activity in the world is traveling and I'm passionate about Japanese culture. I also enjoy outdoor activities, road trips, and exercising. I hope to pursue cardiology as a future career.
	Brittany Jackson, M.D. Hometown: Honolulu, HI Medical School: University of South Alabama School of Medicine About me: Academically, my interests include hematology and oncology, global health, and ways to eliminate the medical disparities in underserved areas. My parents were both in the military so I traveled all over the world growing up. Outside of medicine, I enjoy all things food, DIYs, shopping, HIIT exercises, and watching Netflix with my fiancé.
	Joseph Kim, M.D., Ph.D. Hometown: Suwon, South Korea Medical School: McGovern Medical School – The University of Texas Health Science Center About me: I was born in Korea but grew up in Kazakhstan. I came to the United States to study biomedical engineering. Together, my wife and I love exploring new places, trying new restaurants, playing board games, and doing escape rooms. I'm interested in researching new therapeutics and diagnostic techniques in hematology and oncology, and I was accepted into the Clinician Investigator Training Program and Hematology/Oncology Fellowship at Mayo Clinic in Florida.
	Blake McKinley, D.O. Hometown: Logan, UT Medical school: Rocky Vista University College of Osteopathic Medicine About me: After residency, I plan to pursue a fellowship in hematology/oncology. When not in clinic work, I enjoy going to the beach with my wife and three kids, exploring nature, and finishing carpentry.
	Tyler Mistretta, M.D. Hometown: Melbourne Beach, FL Medical School: Florida State University About me: My professional interests include hospital medicine and gastroenterology. In my free time, I enjoy watching FSU football, going to the beach, playing golf, running, and spending time with my girlfriend and our Labrador retriever.
	Induja Nimma, M.D. Hometown: Louisville, KY Medical School: University of Louisville School of Medicine About me: I'm currently exploring my future career options and hope to practice in a field with procedures. When I’m not in the hospital, I enjoy hiking, tennis, volleyball, dancing, and binge-watching Schitt’s Creek. I also love cooking and trying new foods so I'm excited to check out all the awesome places Jacksonville has to offer!
	Sheila Okere, M.D. Hometown: Macon, GA Medical school: The Ohio State University College of Medicine About me: My career interests are palliative care, hospital medicine, and community engagement. I enjoy dancing, traveling, and comedic sitcoms. I'm also a trained aerialist, occasionally participating in competitions and showcases.
	Caroline Olson, M.D. Hometown: Prairie Village, KS Medical school: University of Missouri – Kansas City School of Medicine About me: In my free time, I play the viola and enjoy hiking, baking, painting, and going to the beach! I’m interested in gastroenterology or rheumatology and medical education.
	Hasan Saleh, M.D. Hometown: Olean, NY Medical school: SUNY Upstate Medical University About me: I grew up in a small town in Western New York but I’m looking forward to transitioning to the sunshine and beaches here in Florida. My hobbies include basketball, golf, video games, snowboarding, and other outdoor activities. I also enjoy watching sports, especially the Buffalo Bills. My wife and I like to explore new places and spend time with family. My career interests include gastroenterology, hematology/oncology, and business in medicine.
	Michael Schmidt, M.D. Hometown: Myrtle Beach, SC Medical School: University of South Carolina School of Medicine Greenville About me: I grew up in South Carolina so I'm a diehard Clemson fan. Outside of college sports, I enjoy many outdoor activities including fishing, kayaking, and (poorly playing) golf. I plan to pursue a career in cardiology and I am highly interested in medical education as well.
	Artur Schneider, D.O. Hometown: Zurich, Switzerland Medical school: Marian University College of Osteopathic Medicine About me: I came to the U.S. nine years ago to swim competitively in college and study medicine. With my wife I love exploring new places, going to the beach, watching movies, and trying different restaurants. I'm currently planning on a career as a cardiologist. I am interested in interventional cardiac procedures, valvular disease, heart failure as well as disease prevention.
	Rex Siu, M.D. Hometown: Memphis, TN Medical School: East Tennessee State University About me: I grew up in a family of cooks and love to cook and learn about new foods. I spend my free time with my wife and two kids. We explore local food places, relax at beaches/parks, and enjoy sports. I'm interested in gastroenterology, nutrition, and inflammatory bowel disease.
	Claire Wilson, M.D. Hometown: LaGrange Park, IL Medical school: University of Illinois at Chicago College of Medicine About me: I absolutely love going to the beach with family and friends and enjoying the beauty of Jacksonville (especially after moving from the Midwest)! I also love working out, hosting game nights, trying out new restaurants, watching reality TV/Netflix, and playing with my ragdoll cat, Leo. I have an interest in rheumatology and medical education.
	Eric Zuberi, M.D. Hometown: Lincoln, RI Medical school: University of Louisville School of Medicine About me: I plan to pursue a career in academic internal medicine, where I hope to be able to provide cutting-edge, humanistic, and evidence-based medical care to my patients and teach future medical students and residents. In my free time, I enjoy playing chess and pickleball and spending time at the beach with friends and family.

Class of 2026

	Michael Acevedo Monsanto Jr., M.D. Hometown: San Juan, Puerto Rico Medical school: University of Puerto Rico School of Medicine About me: I am very passionate about cooking sushi and pasta, playing basketball and guitar. In my free time, I also enjoy going to the beach. I feel so blessed to be part of this amazing program which is only minutes away from the beach.
	Faaiq Aslam, M.D. Hometown: Jacksonville, FL Medical school: Mayo Clinic Alix School of Medicine About me: After residency, I plan on pursuing a career in cardiology. I enjoy all things aviation and in my free time, I like to play basketball, watch Jaguars football, and spend time with my family.
	Carlie Aurubin, M.D., Ph.D. Hometown: Miami, FL Medical school: Medical College of Wisconsin About me: Academically, my interests include gastroenterology and nutrition. Outside of medicine, I love to explore different foods, sing, and plan events.
	Ramez Barsoom, M.D., M.E. Hometown: Houston, TX Medical school: Texas A&M School of Engineering Medicine (EnMed) About me: I was born in Cairo but grew up in Dubai before coming over to the U.S. to study chemical engineering. In a previous life, I worked as a management consultant with a focus on research and innovation in the digital health space, which spurred my interest in medicine. I'm passionate about medical innovation and hope to combine my background in medicine, engineering, and business to continue to push the envelope of innovation here at Mayo Clinic. Outside of medicine, my wife and I are avid Liverpool fans, enjoy traveling, exploring new restaurants and coffee shops, binge-watching TV shows, and spending time with our Goldendoodle, Mocha.
	Lorvens Decosma, M.D. Hometown: Boca Raton, FL Medical school: Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine About me: I'm passionate about innovation and plan to pursue a fellowship after residency. My interests include spending time with family and friends, learning through books and podcasts, staying active with running and lifting weights, and exploring new restaurants and parts of the city.
	Aya Elalfy, D.O. Hometown: Mansoura, Egypt Medical school: Liberty University College of Osteopathic Medicine About me: I was born in Egypt and spent my childhood in both Egypt and Saudi Arabia. I came to the U.S. 10 years ago to study medicine. I have two small kids, and we love baking and going to the beach together. I also enjoy traveling and watching Netflix with my husband. I am interested in gastroenterology, specifically IBD and hepatology.
	Anthony Findley, M.D., Ph.D. Hometown: Jacksonville, FL Medical school: Wayne State University School of Medicine About me: I'm excited to be back in Jacksonville for my residency training after spending 12 years in Michigan. I enjoy kayaking, going to the beach, and reading. Clinically, I'm most interested in hematology/oncology and endocrinology. My research background is in genomics, and I am interested in how we can better use genetic information to improve patient care.
	Krista Grennan, M.D. Hometown: Succasunna, NJ Medical school: University of Central Florida College of Medicine About me: I enjoy running, cooking, playing pickleball, watching soccer (especially my favorite team, Chelsea F.C.), rooting for Penn State sports teams, playing video games, and spending time with my tuxedo cat, Sylvester. During my off time, I also like trying new recipes and restaurants with my family and friends. Currently, I am interested in endocrinology as a fellowship, but I am looking forward to exploring the other internal medicine subspecialties more during residency. My long-term career goals are to be involved in medical education, increase diversity in medicine, and provide healthcare to medically underserved communities.
	Nichole Henkes, M.D. Hometown: San Antonio, TX Medical school: UT Health Science Center San Antonio, Long School of Medicine About me: I love to stay active, especially going for long runs around the neighborhood, and I enjoy sewing, painting, and going to the beach with my husband. My academic interests are all things gastroenterology and advanced endoscopy.
	Taylor Kennedy, M.D. Hometown: Homer, GA Medical school: Mercer University School of Medicine About me: In my free time, I love to hang out with my husband, my family, and my golden retriever Marley. I enjoy baking different sweets and breads, playing basketball, and reading fiction novels. I am interested in medical education, and I am currently exploring my future career options.
	Matthew Kornas, M.D. Hometown: Waterford Township, MI Medical school: Western Michigan University Homer Stryker M.D. School of Medicine About me: I’m excited to enter this new chapter of my life and career in Jacksonville, Florida! I love playing many forms of golf (regular, disc, mini, TopGolf) and volleyball, so I’m looking forward to enjoying these activities year-round now. And when I’ve had my fill of sunshine, I always enjoy game nights and watching movies with friends. I’m exploring my future career options as I enter residency and plan to build upon my medical education skills going forward.
	Trenton Madison, M.D. Hometown: Cairo, GA Medical school: Morehouse School of Medicine About me: My hobbies include playing basketball, weightlifting, and watching sports. I enjoy going to the beach and spending time with my family. I’m interested in community engagement, hospital medicine, and possibly cardiology.
	Dylan Scott, M.D. Hometown: Ringgold, GA Medical school: Medical College of Georgia About me: I tell people I am the stereotypical nerd from "old" 1980s and 1990s movies. I love video games, percussion, band, and have the hair to match the character. I came to Mayo to experience cutting-edge medicine and learn from some of the best physicians in the world. My academic interests are in pulmonary/critical care with research interests in pulmonary hypertension.
	Rob Seby, M.D. Hometown: Oro Valley, AZ Medical school: Eastern Virginia Medical School About me: My academic interests include preventive and interventional cardiology, and I look forward to learning more about medical device creation at Mayo Clinic. Outside of medicine, I love competing in tennis tournaments, going on long hikes, and reading a good book by the beach.
	Asrita Vattikonda, M.D. Hometown: Montville, NJ Medical school: Sidney Kimmel Medical College About me: My academic interests include gastroenterology and nutrition. I enjoy staying active through yoga, lifting, and rock climbing. I also love cooking and eating, reading, trivia, and exploring the city.
	Sheev Zaver, M.D. Hometown: Clarksville, TN Medical school: University of Tennessee Health Science Center About me: I chose Mayo Clinic due to several attributes that make it a robust training environment, such as its emphasis on research, tailored curriculums, and collegial culture. My career interests include cardiology, clinical research, healthcare administration, and innovation. Outside of work, I have several hobbies and interests, which include traveling, cooking, health and fitness, family, and Tennessee football. Go VOLS!

Class of 2027

	Chase Cottle, M.D. Hometown: Tifton, GA Medical school: Mercer University School of Medicine About me: In my free time I enjoy fishing, golf, trying new restaurants with my wife, and watching sports, especially the Georgia Bulldogs. I am interested in gastroenterology.
	Mario El Hayek, M.D. Hometown: Beirut, Lebanon Medical school: American University of Beirut About me: I enjoy playing and watching soccer, and I've been a huge Liverpool FC fan since childhood. I love spending time with my wife, whether we're relaxing by the beach, cooking (I'm a big foodie), or watching Netflix. I am interested in gastroenterology and hematology/oncology.
	Kin Fentie, M.D. Hometown: Gondar, Ethiopia Medical school: Trinity School of Medicine About me: I was born and grew up in Ethiopia, I came to the U.S. nine years ago. Since then, I've had the opportunity to work as a travel nurse in more than 9 states, including Jacksonville, FL. I enjoy traveling and exploring new places.
	Emily Gansert, M.D. Hometown: New Smyrna Beach, FL Medical school: Florida State University College of Medicine About me: As a former University of North Florida Osprey, I am so excited to be back in Jacksonville. I enjoy traveling, hiking, photography, cooking, and trying new restaurants. After residency, I am interested in a fellowship in allergy and immunology, but I am looking forward to exploring the other subspecialties during residency as well!
	Madeleine Howard, M.D. Hometown: St. Paul, MN Medical school: University of Minnesota Medical School About me: I am interested in hematology/oncology and still exploring other specialties. I love going to the beach, my Peloton bike, reading (I try to read 50-100 books per year), cross stitch, and playing with my Boston Terrier, Doc!
	Mohamed Ibrahim, D.O. Hometown: Venice, FL Medical school: Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine About me: I’m a proud Florida native that grew up in a small town on the west coast of the sunshine state. I spent a lot of my childhood visiting my extended family in Egypt where I immersed myself in our culture and traditions. In my free time, my wife and I love to travel and explore new cuisines, go to the beach, boogie board, and spend time with our baby boy in the outdoors. Professionally, I hope to pursue a career in cardiology with a particular interest in structural heart disease.
	Demarcus Ingram, M.D. Hometown: Lakeland, FL Medical school: Meharry Medical College About me: I enjoy participating in competitive sports, cooking and traveling.
	Jessica Laenger, M.D. Hometown: Gulf Breeze, FL Medical school: Florida State University College of Medicine About me: I'm so grateful to have landed at Mayo Clinic in Jacksonville, Florida for residency! I'm eager to continue exploring my many professional interests (and discovering new interests) within internal medicine through my time at Mayo. In my free time, I enjoy staying active, reading, baking, playing guitar, and contemplating beauty (especially in nature, art, and music).
	Azalfa Lateef, M.D. Hometown: Columbia, SC Medical school: Medical University of South Carolina About me: My current academic interests include cardiology, innovation and medical education. In my free time, I love trying out new restaurants, baking/cooking, reading or shopping!
	Megan Mansour, M.D. Hometown: Loveland, OH Medical school: The Ohio State University College of Medicine About me: I am so excited and humbled to continue my medical training at Mayo Clinic in Florida. My academic interests include gastroenterology, hospital medicine, medical education, and quality improvement. In my free time, I enjoy walks on the beach, spending time with my family, playing with my ragdoll cat, Murphy, and cheering on the Ohio State Buckeyes. O-H!
	Valandrea Merilan, M.D. Hometown: Orlando, FL Medical school: Florida International University Herbert Wertheim College of Medicine About me: I cherish spending time with my husband, family, and friends. I love golfing, working out, diving into good books, having movie nights, and exploring the vibrant restaurant scene around Jacksonville. My academic passions currently include hospital medicine, primary care, community engagement, and innovation. Looking ahead, my long-term career goals are to promote diversity in medicine and serve medically underserved communities.
	Camily Morales López, M.D. Hometown: Peñuelas, Puerto Rico Medical school: Ponce Health Sciences University About me: In my free time, I enjoy exploring new restaurants and coffee shops, cooking, romantic TV shows, going to the beach, and running. I am interested in Cardiology but am still open to exploring other subspecialties. My other interests include women's health, medical education, and serving in underserved communities. I am driven by the opportunity to make a meaningful impact in healthcare, combining my clinical interests with community outreach and education.
	J. Brandon Parker, M.D. Hometown: Jacksonville, FL Medical school: Florida State University College of Medicine About me: I am interested in hematology/oncology, and I enjoy running, photography, hiking, and traveling.
	Guy Robinson, M.B.B.S. Hometown: London, UK Medical school: Barts and The London School of Medicine and Dentistry About me: Coming from the UK, I chose to move to Jacksonville to pursue a residency at Mayo Clinic because of its deep-rooted values and desire to provide the best patient care in the world. I am excited to take full advantage of all the opportunities this residency program offers, notably in academia, innovation and community engagement. Not to mention the sunshine, palm trees and no longer requiring high-dose vitamin D supplementation. Outside of medicine, my passion is writing music and playing guitar.
	Rachel Fricker Sauls, M.D. Hometown: Hahira, GA Medical school: Mercer University School of Medicine About me: I enjoy watching gymnastics, rooting for Georgia football (Go Dawgs!), reading, traveling, and spending time at the beach. In my free time, I love hanging out with my husband, family, and friends. Currently, I am interested in pursuing a career in endocrinology. My long-term career goals include providing healthcare to medically underserved populations.
	Marisa-Nicole Zayat, M.D. Hometown: Wichita, KS Medical school: University of Kansas School of Medicine About me: Outside of medicine, I cherish spending quality time with my loved ones. I enjoy exploring new recipes and restaurants with my fiancé, taking peaceful walks with my parents and our dog, singing along to radio hits with my siblings, watching movies and hanging out with friends, and crocheting adorable keepsakes. Fun fact: I scheduled my interview with the Mayo Clinic in Florida on my six-year anniversary. On that same special day, my fiancé proposed, creating a beautiful memory that I’ll celebrate and cherish forever!