The most important indicator of the success of a training program is found in the outcomes of the graduates upon completion of their training.

Elizabeth Boots, Ph.D., L.P.

Clinical Adult Neuropsychology
Hometown: Kimberly, WI
Undergraduate: University of Wisconsin – Madison
Graduate School: University of Illinois at Chicago
Internship: University of California San Diego/VA San Diego

Mayo Clinic has been the perfect place for me to complete my fellowship in clinical adult neuropsychology. I have been able to obtain highly personalized training across highly varied and low base rate diseases with experts who provide high quality and thoughtful supervision. The opportunity to train across disciplines is a unique aspect of this fellowship that I would not have been able to receive anywhere else. My research interests in cognitive aging and modifiable risk factors of Alzheimer’s disease with a focus on health disparities fit well with the large, highly collaborative infrastructure for research in aging and neurodegenerative disease at Mayo Clinic. Overall, each component of my training at Mayo Clinic has been nothing short of outstanding. Rochester offers the charms of a smaller city with beautiful surrounding nature that I really enjoy, making it a great place to live, as well.

Rachel Wasson, Ph.D., L.P., C.Y.T.

Clinical Health Psychology
Hometown: Cincinnati, OH
Undergraduate: University of Cincinnati
Graduate School: Bowling Green State University
Internship: Indiana University School of Medicine

I came to Mayo Clinic for two main reasons: the unique educational opportunity and the caring community. My concentration is in the Family Medicine Residency Education major. The depth of training in this highly specialized and growing area in psychology is incredibly rare. I was welcomed as a junior faculty member in the Family Medicine Residency program and work directly with an interdisciplinary team and medical residents. My role and contributions feel valued, and I am honored to learn from my knowledgeable and warm colleagues. There are endless opportunities to develop professionally. The design of the program allows fellows to engage in training experiences that align with their career goals and interests. I participated in several different rotations, such as the Pain Rehabilitation Center, which have bolstered my clinical expertise in providing services to patients with co-morbid health conditions. Insofar, fellowship has increased my confidence in my ability to provide evidence-based care for diverse populations and educate other health professionals on how to improve mental health care within their own practice. Rochester is a lovely place to live and the commute to work is easy! I love the farmer’s market, Roca climbing gym, Forager Brewery, and local and state parks!

Alisson Lass, Ph.D.

Hometown: Marshall, MN
Undergraduate: Gustavus Adolphus College
Graduate School: Mississippi State University
Internship: VA Ann Arbor Healthcare System

I came to Mayo Clinic for fellowship because of the breadth and depth of experiences offered. I have greatly appreciated that the program truly supports fellows in achieving their training goals. My research and clinical interests have been rooted in the etiology, maintenance, and treatment of depressive symptoms, along with the complexities of managing co-occurring issues. Since arriving at Mayo Clinic, I have been able to gain further knowledge and experience treating symptoms of depression in a Primary Care setting, and I have been able to explore the complexities of managing mood disturbances in the midst of chronic pain and symptoms. My partner and I have enjoyed living in Rochester, and we love that Rochester has good walking/biking infrastructure that they maintain well throughout the year (including the winter!).

Elle Brennan, Ph.D.

The Child & Adolescent/Pediatric Psychology Fellowship at Mayo Clinic offered me the best fellowship experience I could imagine. Fellows are truly treated like junior colleagues both in face-to-face encounters with faculty, as well as in the allowances we were given to design our own training experiences. It was really incredible to be able to both specialize in something I am deeply passionate about, while also rounding out my clinical and conceptual abilities in other areas of patient care (which ultimately even strengthened my specialized skills!). The warm and friendly atmosphere created by the fellowship faculty and the incredible support staff really didn’t permit competitiveness, but rather promoted connection and genuine friendships that have stayed strong for years! I know the two year plan can be daunting to some, but I found that it allowed me to not rush and rather to really enjoy my clinical training, engage in thoughtful and interesting research projects, and explore who I wanted to be as an independent professional.

As for Rochester… I initially thought I wanted to live in the cities but am so glad I didn’t. Living in Rochester provided me with the quickest easiest commute ever and allowed me to really find balance with time spent at work and rediscovering a personal life after internship. The food in the area is surprisingly diverse and generally top notch, and the surrounding areas are simply breathtaking. My weekends were full of beautiful hikes with my dog and chill hang outs with my co-fellows, as well as an occasional trip up to the North Shore. All around 10/10. Would recommend. 

Past graduates