Meet Our Fellows
The Medical Retina Fellowship draws trainees from across the U.S. and around the world. While all our fellows have a love of learning and a compassionate approach to patient care, they come from diverse backgrounds, family statuses, and professional and personal interests. Learn more about our current and past fellows and see what a few of them have to say about the program.
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Reeda Bou Said, M.D.Class year: 2024 The medical retina fellowship at Mayo Clinic was an amazing experience. Besides exposure to diagnosis and management of diverse pathology, including bread-and-butter retina as well as IRD, uveitis, and oncology, I had the pleasure of working with great faculty and supportive staff. One quickly becomes fluent in imaging interpretation with state-of-the-art machines, and gains experience in intravitreal injections (including implants) as well as lasers. Despite being at a world-renowned facility with leaders in the field, I felt constant encouragement and support in a family-like environment that I'm proud to have been part of. |
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Lulwa El Zein, M.D.Class year: 2023 The Medical Retina Fellowship at Mayo Clinic exceeded my expectations. During the fellowship, you are exposed not only to the most common retinal diseases but also to rare and often challenging ones. The retina division at Mayo Clinic is unique in its wide array of subspecialists that you work with one-on-one, including specialists in inherited retinal disease, ocular oncology, uveitis, and pediatric retina. There is state-of-the-art retinal imaging modalities. There is also hands-on training in direct slit lamp laser and indirect laser procedures to the retina in addition to intravitreal injections. It is truly an environment that encourages learning and where staff are passionate about what they do. |
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Melis Kabaalioğlu’ Guner, M.D.Class year: 2022 The Medical Retina Fellowship at Mayo Clinic offers experience in retina, uveitis, and ocular oncology with diverse and complex cases. I’ve gained experience in clinic as well as lasers, and injections. I highly recommend this fellowship to my colleagues who want both clinical experience and research opportunities. I had the privilege of learning from experts in the field and I’m immensely grateful for the opportunities and experiences Mayo Clinic has provided me! |
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Ankur Mehra, M.D.Class year: 2021 The Medical Retina Fellowship program at the Mayo Clinic is truly wonderful, with the opportunity to learn from world-class faculty, extremely strong clinical and procedural training, as well as a culture focused on teamwork, scholarship, and excellent patient care. I found my time at the program to be invaluable for my career and am deeply thankful for the chance to train there. |
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Konstantin Astafurov, M.D.Class year: 2020 I had the privilege of completing my Medical Retina Fellowship at Mayo Clinic and the training I received was nothing short of exceptional. The strength was the unique combination of being exposed to both common retinal conditions as well as rare and complex presentations that you can only observe at a center of this caliber. Furthermore, the fellowship provided superb training in uveitis and ocular oncology allowing me to develop strong skills in diagnosing and managing those conditions as well. All the faculty were top-notch, being the leading experts in the field as well as dedicated educators striving to ensure that trainees gained comprehensive knowledge and hands-on skills in medical retina. The supportive atmosphere and camaraderie among fellow trainees made the fellowship not only educational but also enjoyable. |
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Heba Rihani, M.D.Class year: 2019 When you think of pursuing a one-year fellowship abroad, you might find many choices, but Mayo Clinic was the most fulfilling one for its great reputation worldwide, deeply rooted history and accomplishments in the field of medicine and ophthalmology, and broad clinical exposure. Having the opportunity to work with and learn from the pioneers in the field of retinal diseases is definitely a priceless opportunity for a distinguished and comprehensive clinical training. |
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Mayo Fellows Association (MFA)
The Mayo Fellows Association (MFA) offers a peer and social support network for residents and fellows and their families with social events, athletics, and advocacy. The MFA also holds an annual resident and fellow appreciation event open to all trainees with complimentary massages, stress-reducing activities, and social support.