Our residents come from all over the world. Learn more about their backgrounds, hobbies, and why they chose Mayo Clinic for residency.

PGY-4

	Danielle Aase, M.D. Hometown: Woodbury, MN Undergraduate: University of Notre Dame Medical school: University of Minnesota Medical School Hobbies: Cycling, reading, watercoloring, and eating peanut butter. Favorite things to do in Rochester: Exploring local bike trails, hiking at nearby state parks, eating at Forager Brewery, and anything with my amazing co-residents! Why Mayo: So many reasons! I wanted to be at a program that not only has exceptional training but also emphasizes patient-centered care and puts the patient first. We get incredible training in gynecology with the surgical apprenticeship model and see a wide variety of pathology. I like the balance between gynecology and obstetrics during training and early exposure to all of the subspecialities. Most importantly for me, everyone so supportive and we have such a positive, safe learning environment. I love all of my co-residents and I can’t imagine being anywhere else for training! Future plans: Applying for REI fellowship.
	Bahareh Hamedi, M.D, Hometown: Shiraz, Iran Undergraduate: University of Alberta, Edmonton Medical school: Shiraz University of Medical Sciences Hobbies: Being outdoors, hiking, traveling, and oil painting. Favorite things to do in Rochester: Hanging out at the local restaurants and exploring the parks and beautiful trails. Why Mayo: Wonderful co-residents, incredibly supportive faculty, world class clinical/surgical training, and friendly working environment. Future plans: Generalist practice in Illinois.
	Claire Sejour, D.O., M.S. Hometown: Boynton Beach, FL Undergraduate: University of South Florida  Medical school: PCOM Georgia Hobbies: Traveling, brunching, and watersports (jet skiing, white water rafting, tubing). Favorite things to do in Rochester: Tubing at Lanesboro and Thursdays on First downtown during the summer time.  Why Mayo: I chose Mayo because after completing my sub-internship I knew that I would thrive as a trainee because of the endless of respect, support, and the excellent clinical/surgical training that Mayo offers. Last year, I cringed when residents would say “I chose this program because of the people." Well let me tell you this year I will be the one causing you the applicants reading this to cringe, because literally that’s it that’s the answer. THE PEOPLE. I could literally gloat all day about the camaraderie not only amongst us residents and our consultants (aka attendings) but even with our amazing program manager, midwives, nurses, and the scrub techs during the interview process. My best moments of residency have been sitting in the L&D hub laughing until my stomach hurts and tears are rolling down cheeks with our L&D team. Even though I am only a few months into my training, without a single doubt, I have found my new home among incredible people who are dedicated to providing the highest quality of care and who are also genuinely fun and delightful. I show up to work every day knowing that I am encouraged to be my energetic, goofy, sensitive self and that I am embraced.  Future plans: Academic generalist.
	Anne Nora, M.D.  Hometown: Waterloo, IA Undergraduate: Saint Louis University Medical school: University of Iowa Hobbies: Running, walking my spunky shih tzu poodle, supporting my boyfriend’s baking endeavors, visiting my family around the country, making yummy cocktails, exploring Minnesota’s parks and lakes! Favorite things to do in Rochester: Hanging at breweries with friends, exploring all the beautiful biking trails, and pool parties with residents at the Berkman apartments :) Why Mayo: Now that I’m here, I really can’t imagine training anywhere else. Mayo provides the optimal blend of incredible surgical training, respect, patient-centered care, and work-life-balance. We see the most complex cases in Rochester, so you will be prepared to take on anything after four years here. Your education as a resident comes first, which is very unique. This program will prepare you for any fellowship or generalist practice. Not only that - but Rochester is a hidden gem, and such a livable city! Future plans:  Enjoy life after residency as a community OB/GYN in Eugene, Oregon with an emphasis on family planning and minimally invasive surgery!
	Eliza Nguyen, M.D. Hometown: Old Lyme, CT Undergraduate: Harvard College Medical school: University of South Florida Morsani College of Medicine Hobbies: Podcasts, working out, and hanging out with my cats Amora and Stryker. Favorite things to do in Rochester: Running and biking around Cascade Lake, workouts at the Dan, and summer grilling. Why Mayo: The commitment to innovation and to advancing the field, along with the culture of collaboration and mutual respect. Future plans: Undecided.

PGY-3

	Valerie Chen, M.D. Hometown: Rochester, NY Undergraduate: Stanford University Medical school: Carle Illinois College of Medicine Hobbies: Playing bassoon, kimchi making, practicing my latte art, and finding tiny free libraries around town. Favorite things to do in Rochester: Hiking at Whitewater State Park, swimming at the Dan, and watching chefs hand-pull noodles at the local Chinese noodle joint. Why Mayo: I wanted a program with strong research and surgical training that was also really supportive of its residents. There's a big emphasis on teaching at Mayo, with frequent didactics and a primer camp before intern year that focuses on skills like proper knot tying and cervical exams. I was also drawn to the collegial work environment at Mayo and ease of living in Rochester.  Future plans: REI fellowship.
	Courtney McEwen, M.D. Hometown: Jupiter, FL Undergraduate: University of Florida Medical school: University of South Florida Morsani College of Medicine Hobbies: Weightlifting, indoor cycling, cooking, and listening to podcasts. Favorite things to do in Rochester: Enjoying the trail system with my pup, getting brunch in town, and exploring local fairs/festivals and the farmer’s market. Why Mayo: We get the opportunity to learn one-on-one from leaders in our field in a setting that is collaborative and truly patient-centered. Future plans: Undecided, but possibly generalist practice or an OB Hospitalist fellowship.
	Mohammad Salameh, M.D. Hometown: Amman, Jordan Medical school: Weill Cornell Medicine - Qatar Hobbies: Running, baking, and spending time at home. Favorite things to do in Rochester: Outdoor walks when the weather allows for it, watching sunrise from wherever I am. Why Mayo: Growing up in Jordan, Mayo Clinic was very well known as the hospital where our late king, King Hussein, underwent his cancer treatment. I never imagined the opportunity to get my training at this world-renowned institution. At interview, I was even more amazed at what Mayo had to offer — a uniquely welcoming environment, unparalleled training, and people from all walks of life coming to serve patients, improve medicine, and teach. That is why I happily chose Mayo, and I would do it again any day. That and, of course, the DAHLC! Future plans: My biggest hope is to offer representation in the field of Obstetrics and Gynecology. I hope to give back to my homeland and its people, and to all the places that made me who I am. Subspecialty-wise, I am still exploring and have not settled on one thing yet!
	Danielle Strozza, M.D.  Hometown: Reno, NV Undergraduate: University of Southern California  Medical school: Kirk Kerkorian School of Medicine at UNLV Hobbies: Traveling, skiing, trying Costco’s free samples, reading, and baking/decorating for the holidays. Favorite thing to do in Rochester: Brunching with my co-interns, playing with Kristin’s fur family, and trying new lattes at Café Steam. Why Mayo: There are the reasons I came to Mayo, in addition to the reasons why I am so happy to be here! I have always been a bit nervous around surgery and I knew at Mayo I would receive unparalleled surgical training. The quality of service and the focus on patient care at Mayo attracted me as a trainee. Being here though is even better than I imagined for so many reasons, one of the biggest being the people. The staff at Mayo makes working here fun and easy. The focus on education was apparent from day one and I know I will leave this institution prepared for any role in OB/GYN I could want.  Future plans: Being so early on in my residency path I am open to all possibilities, but I am currently interested in pursuing a fellowship in MFM!
	Kristin Tischer, M.D. Hometown: Green Bay, WI Undergraduate: University of St. Thomas  Medical school: Medical College of Wisconsin Hobbies: Hiking, golfing, and visiting local breweries. Favorite things to do in Rochester: Hike with my dogs at Quarry Hill park, grabbing a beer at Little Thistle or Forager, and visiting one of the many great local taco trucks in Rochester. Why Mayo: I chose Mayo because the amount of surgical case exposure is unlike any other program I interviewed at. I love that at Mayo you get exposure to routine OBGYN patients as well as the most complex OBGYN patients. In addition, Rochester is a great city! It has an affordable cost of living, great local breweries, plenty of outdoor activities, and is close enough to the Twin Cities for a day trip when you want to be in a big city.  Future plans: Gynecologic oncology fellowship.

PGY-2

	Ashlyn Byers, M.D. Hometown: Philadelphia, PA Undergraduate: Boston College Medical school: Drexel University College of Medicine Hobbies: I love cooking, listening to podcasts, reading for my book club, traveling to visit friends and family across the country, and spending time with my husband Michael. Favorite things to do in Rochester: I have loved exploring restaurants and breweries, as well as local events like the Rochester Farmers Market, Thursdays on First, and the summer pizza farms. I’m looking forward to winter activities, like ice fishing and snowboarding! Why Mayo: I couples-matched with my husband (DR/IR), so it was important for us to find an institution with top training in both specialties, with a culture of support, collaboration, and innovation- Mayo Clinic had it all! I appreciated the surgical apprenticeship model in gynecology and the complex care provided in obstetrics. Above all, I appreciated Mayo’s core value, “the needs of the patient come first.” Mayo has an excellent culture, from its dedication to patient care to its focus on resident education and wellness. Overall, I saw Mayo Clinic as the best place for my personal and professional success- I could not imagine training anywhere else!  Future plans: I’m undecided between generalist and fellowship training, the subspecialties I’m most interested in are REI and MFM.
	Leah Grcevich, D.O. Hometown: Chargin Falls, OH Undergraduate: Loyola University Chicago Medical school: Alabama College of Osteopathic Medicine Hobbies: Spending time with my husband (also a Mayo resident), coaching the Mayo High School Science Olympiad Team, gardening, hosting friends for dinner, and hiking. Favorite things to do in Rochester: Shopping at our great international grocery stores, hiking Whitewater State Park, trying the seasonal coffee at Steam, and watching the “live from the nest” 24-hour Peregrine falcon camera in the spring. Why Mayo: The supportive and collaborative culture at Mayo is unparalleled. Across specialties our consultants are so willing to teach, connect us with research opportunities, and provide long-term career advice. Also, training at such a high-volume referral center gives us exposure to patients from all over the world with conditions I had never expected to encounter in my practice. I know following graduation, I will be well equipped to treat a broad scope of people and conditions as a generalist, or the research experience and mentorship to pursue fellowship.  Future plans: Strongly considering a career in gynecologic oncology.
	Hannah Kuly, M.D. Hometown: Sydney, Australia Undergraduate: The University of Sydney Medical school: Wake Forest University School of Medicine Hobbies: Running half-marathons, knitting and crocheting, reading fantasy novels, and baking overly large cakes and bringing them in for my co-residents! Favorite things to do in Rochester: Going on runs with my husband along the riverfront trails and eating our way through Thursdays on First. Why Mayo: Knowing that I would be fully prepared at the end of residency to pursue any career goal I might have, either being a generalist or applying to fellowship. Mayo has some of the best gyn surgery training in the country, and I knew that would be a great foundation. Future plans: I was on the Air Force scholarship for medical school so my first four years out of residency will be with them! My husband and I would love to be stationed overseas, maybe Japan or Korea.
	Elleana Majdinasab, M.D. Hometown: Wichita Falls, TX Undergraduate: Midwestern State University Medical school: Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center Hobbies: Cooking with my partner, reading library books, Orangetheory, and collecting houseplants. Favorite things to do in Rochester: Discovering fun ingredients at the co-op and farmers market, walking our dog around downtown, badminton club, and fishing and hiking the many surrounding parks and lakes Why Mayo: I was blown away by the kindness and support shown by our co-residents, fellows, and program leadership as us interns transitioned into our new roles. We get to see some truly amazing cases by virtue of being a major referral center. I love training at a program that prioritizes resident learning. We started with a two-week bootcamp that not only taught us essential skills but allowed our intern class to grow and bond together. Finally, Rochester is the perfect town for me because it has exactly everything I need without the hassles of a larger city. I love walking to work!  Future plans: I look forward to pursuing a fellowship in REI and a career in academics!
	Malik Mays, M.D. Hometown: Cleveland, OH Undergraduate: Macalester College Medical school: The University of Toledo College of Medicine and Life Sciences Hobbies: Bow-tie collector, Cleveland Browns fan, LeBron James enthusiast, weightlifting, and cat dad. Favorite things to do in Rochester: Exploring all the restaurants with my fiancé, planning to pick up pickleball soon, painting classes, and running/biking trails. Why Mayo: I wanted to find a program that I felt was invested in my growth as a clinician, surgeon, and person. The surgical training is excellent, and we have valuable OR experience early and often. Mayo is also a place that I feel is dedicated to diversity, equity, and inclusion in medicine and I am in a place that is willing to address its weaknesses to further improve patient care and the working environment.      Future plans: Currently undecided, but I am interested in gynecologic oncology and MIGS! I also have plans to stay involved in medical education and diversity, equity, and inclusion work.
	Lily Dyre, M.D. Hometown: Billings Montana Undergraduate: University of Southern California Medical school: Mayo Clinic, Arizona Hobbies: Anything outdoors! I enjoy hiking, biking, skiing, and camping. I also love to read and bake.  Favorite things to do in Rochester: Trying new restaurants and breweries. I am a foodie and think that Rochester has great food!   Why Mayo: Mayo was my first choice for residency! As a medical student here, I saw how Mayo's values shape every aspect of patient care. I feel so lucky to be part of a care team that really does put the needs of the patient first, and I am continually impressed by the dedication, skill, and passion of Mayo's staff. I absolutely love the OB/Gyn department and feel both supported and challenged. We have the opportunity to learn from incredible physicians and care for patients with complex and interesting medical conditions. I can't imagine training anywhere else!  Future plans: Undecided but interested in REI or MFM. I want to pursue a career in academic medicine and love medical education.
	Tazim Merchant, M.D. Hometown: Long Island, NY Undergraduate: Northwestern University Medical school: Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine Hobbies: hiking, singing, fantasy football Favorite things to do in Rochester: Enjoy Thursdays’ summer festival and walk on the nature trails! Why Mayo: Culture and fantastic, individualized training! Mayo is truly the most safe, warm learning environment focused on patient centered care, and my co-residents are so kind and brilliant! I love that we can personalize our training to our interests with multiple electives. We also get significant gyn surgery exposure with continuity of learning and graduated responsibility under the same attendings over a block. Future plans: Undecided. MFM, generalist, or OB hospitalist
	Jordan Nustad, M.D. Hometown: Shoreview, Minnesota  Undergraduate: Boston University Medical school: Creighton University School of Medicine Hobbies: Running, hiking, trying new ice cream shops/flavors, going to the Minnesota State Fair.     Favorite things to do in Rochester: Trying new restaurants, exploring the running and hiking trails, going to Thursdays on First with my co-residents. Why Mayo: Mayo provides a world class education in a very supportive and safe learning environment! I love being able to work and gain knowledge from all of my co-residents, fellows, and consultants.  At Mayo, we also get experience treating a wide variety of pathologies of varying acuities and incredible surgical training.  Additionally, there is a great emphasis on patient centered care and collaboration. I can't imagine training anywhere else!   Future plans: Right now, I plan to be a generalist OBGYN!
	Seth Ramin, M.D. Hometown: Northfield, MN Undergraduate: University of Saint Thomas Medical school: Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth College   Hobbies: I am a classic car enthusiast, so I enjoy going to car shows! I also like watching football and hockey, playing fantasy football, and doing pretty much anything that involves the outdoors. Favorite things to do in Rochester: My wife and I like to take our dogs to the dog park, go out for brunch or dinner, go to the movies, hang out with friends/co-residents, and go to Honkers games. Why Mayo: There are so many reasons to go to Mayo, but I would say the most important factors were the people and the culture. I wanted to go to a program that fostered a culture that challenges the hierarchy of graduate medical education. Through my experiences as a visiting medical student and now resident physician at Mayo, I have observed that every voice is valued. Our trainees are supported as learners and respected as colleagues.   Future plans: I plan to complete fellowship training in maternal fetal medicine and critical care medicine.
	Ayssa Teles Abrao Trad, M.D. Hometown: Goiânia, GO, Brazil Medical school: PUC-SP, Brazil Hobbies: Snowboarding, scuba diving, reading, attending live concerts, and annoying my cat. Favorite things to do in Rochester: In the summer, I enjoy relaxing by the pool and playing sand volleyball. During the winter, I love hitting the slopes at Welch with friends for some snow sports. Why Mayo: Mayo Clinic offers a unique opportunity to pursue any path I choose after residency. The program's commitment to excellence and innovation is unmatched. Most importantly, it is the patient-centered approach and the culture of support and collaboration that truly attracted me. Future plans: TBD