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Meet The Faculty

Group photo of the Department of Gynecology at Mayo Clinic in Arizona

The Minimally Invasive Gynecologic Surgery Fellowship was developed and is led by world-renowned gynecologic surgeons. Our physician experts use an integrated team approach to best treat challenging conditions.

The Department of Medical and Surgical Gynecology at Mayo Clinic's campus in Arizona is divided into five areas of special expertise to serve our patients:

  • Minimally invasive gynecologic surgery
  • Urogynecology
  • Gynecologic oncology
  • Reproductive endocrinology and infertility
  • Medical gynecology

From the program leadership

Thank you for your interest in our AAGL Fellowship in Minimally Invasive Gynecologic Surgery (FMIGS) program at Mayo Clinic in Arizona. Our mission is to develop the next generation of leaders in the field of complex gynecology who deliver the highest standard of patient care, contribute to the body of research in gynecology, and educate others in an environment of respect, innovation, diversity, and belonging. Our fellowship program was developed in 1989 by Dr. Javier Magrina and became an AAGL-accredited FMIGS program in 2007. We continue to be fully-accredited with two fellows per year. We employ the three Mayo shields in our two-year academic program — patient care, research, and education.

We are proud to offer our fellows robust, high-volume training in complex gynecology with a specific focus on pelvic surgery via all routes as well as innovative treatment options like single-port surgery and radiofrequency fibroid ablation. Mayo Clinic is consistently ranked one of the top medical institutions in the nation, drawing referrals for the most complicated cases worldwide. We offer top-of-the-pyramid care for massively enlarged fibroids, deep infiltrating endometriosis, chronic pelvic pain, and menstrual disorders. Fellows are trained by experts in urogynecology, gynecologic oncology, and minimally invasive gynecologic surgery to ensure comprehensive pelvic surgery training.

We care for patients using a multidisciplinary approach, incorporating pain medicine, pain psychology, physical therapy, physical medicine and rehabilitation, colorectal surgery, urology, radiology, interventional radiology, and other specialists as needed to provide the best possible outcomes for our patients. Our department is composed of a medical and surgical division with a team of physicians, physician assistants, nurses, and allied health professionals who work collaboratively to support our patients and trainees.

Mayo Clinic has abundant resources for grant funding, epidemiology and statistics, and videography, as well as an exceptional repository of surgical images and illustrations. Fellows are given protected research and didactic time, with a thoughtfully-curated educational curriculum to build an outstanding fund of knowledge. Fellows educate medical students and visiting residents in the inpatient and outpatient setting as well as in simulation and didactics.

Community engagement is also an important part of our fellowship and department philosophy. Fellows and faculty provide free care for low-resource patients at a local clinic once per month. Diversity, equity, and belonging are emphasized in our team-based approach to patient care, research projects, and trainee instruction.

Fellow wellbeing and education are the focus of our fellowship. We hope to recruit a diverse pool of applicants from a variety of backgrounds and share with you what makes our program unique. With many graduates now leaders in the field, we aim to foster your academic growth and support you as you achieve your professional goals. If you have additional questions, contact us for more information.

Michelle Louie, M.D.
Minimally Invasive Gynecologic Surgery Fellowship Program Director

Jamal Mourad, D.O.
Minimally Invasive Gynecologic Surgery Fellowship Associate Program Director

Johnny Yi, M.D.
Minimally Invasive Gynecologic Surgery Fellowship Associate Program Director

Michelle Louie, M.D.

Michelle Louie, M.D.

Program Director

What changes are coming to the program?
One thing I really appreciate about this program is that it's dynamic and always changing with the academic environment to best support fellow education and patient care. We're currently expanding our practice and with the addition of more faculty, I’m excited to see the number of learning opportunities for fellows increase and I’m also looking forward to fellows learning additional approaches to both common and unique challenges. There is such a robust training curriculum and structured evaluation system that has evolved over time to meet fellows’ needs while still prioritizing the safety and needs of each patient.

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Jamal Mourad, D.O.

Jamal Mourad, D.O.

Associate Program Director

Why should someone choose Mayo Clinic Arizona for their fellowship?
The program offers a wide variety of clinical opportunities, research, and academia. The institutional support and resources coupled with world class faculty and complex pathology provides the fellows with an intentional learning experience that is outstanding and not easily reproducible elsewhere. Arizona has become a destination of choice for applicants, as it provides an ideal environment for a harmonious balance between home life and work with plenty of choices for outdoor activities, world class restaurants, theaters, professional sports, and even skiing. I am looking forward to seeing you this interview season!

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Johnny Yi, M.D.

Johnny Yi, M.D.

Associate Program Director

What is your educational philosophy/approach?
I try to figure out each fellows’ learning style as quickly as possible and adjust my teaching accordingly. With first-year fellows, I'm very intentional with my direction in surgery, but by the time they get to their second year, they're making independent decisions based on the teaching and training they have received. I give as much feedback as possible, whether it's related to improving their surgical technique or managing a complex clinic patient. Most importantly, I share my love for surgery with them in every case we work together.

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Faculty

In addition to caring for patients in clinical practice, Mayo Clinic's faculty is committed to teaching and facilitating the growth of medical knowledge. Many of our faculty members have published and lectured extensively and are highly regarded in their fields. You work closely with these individuals throughout your training in the Minimally Invasive Gynecologic Surgery Fellowship.

Kristina Butler, M.D., M.S.

Kristina Butler, M.D., M.S.

Who is the ideal candidate for this fellowship? What do you look for in a fellow? 
The ideal candidate is genuinely motivated by best patient outcomes, combining empathy, evidence-based medicine, and advanced surgical skill. I seek a fellow with dedication to their educational and professional success and who works with our team to reach great heights together.

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Paul Magtibay, M.D.

Paul Magtibay, M.D.

What do you love about Phoenix? What do you like to do outside of work?
There is no snow. I was raised in Minnesota and hate winter. It's that simple. I'm now about seven years from retirement so I'm beginning to explore different hobbies that may be of interest. Some ideas include hunting, fishing, sporting clays, and horses. I have some experience with each, but I'll need to decide.

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Megan Wasson, D.O.

Megan Wasson, D.O.

Department Chair

What do you think is a unique strength of this fellowship?
Mayo Clinic in Arizona is a destination medical center and attracts people from Arizona, the Southwest, and around the world. As a result, we have a wide breadth and volume of pathology that is not frequently seen elsewhere. In my practice, fellows routinely are involved in advanced endometriosis surgeries that are performed independently by the gynecology team, including excision of the diaphragm, shaving or resection of the bowel, and extensive retroperitoneal dissection. This experience sets graduates up for success as they truly have “seen it all” in the realm of advanced gynecologic surgery by the time they graduate.

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Visiting professors

Many prominent professors visit Mayo Clinic each year. They present their work during lectures and participate in hospital rounds. You are encouraged to take full advantage of these opportunities.