Tori Cress, M.D.

Hometown: Stillwater, MN
Undergraduate: Texas Christian University
Medical school: Loma Linda University School of Medicine
Hobbies: Local and international travel, cooking and baking, performing arts, MN lake days, yoga, and spending time with my dog, family, and friends.
Favorite things to do in Rochester: Walking my dog on the Douglas Trail, spending time with my co-residents and their spouses, and trying out new restaurants.
Why Mayo: Surgical training via the apprenticeship model and the opportunities available to Mayo Clinic trainees are unparalleled. Here, we get to learn from leaders in the field alongside the most skilled and fun co-residents. I’ve also done eight years of higher education outside of Minnesota, so it’s great to be close to home for residency!
Future plans: Comprehensive Otolaryngology Practice in the Twin Cities

Ghazal Daher, M.D.

Hometown: Allentown, PA; born and raised in Syria
Undergraduate: Moravian College
Medical school: Penn State College of Medicine
Hobbies: I love traveling with my husband, spending quality time with family and friends, capturing beautiful moments through photography, experimenting with new recipes in the kitchen, and immersing myself in nature's wonders.
Favorite thing to do in Rochester: The lively Thursdays on First in the summertime that bring the community together. And of course, I can't resist the charm of the farmer's market with its abundance of fresh produce and artisanal delights.
Why Mayo: Mayo is an exceptional institution with an abundance of research and learning opportunities. The apprenticeship model has been instrumental in my growth thus far, and the supportive community of experts motivates me to strive for excellence every day. The Mayo Otolaryngology Department truly fosters an environment where learning never stops, and I am grateful to be a part of it.
Future plans: As I move forward, I'm continuing to explore all the subspecialties with the aim to find my true calling.

Karl Khandalavala, M.D.

Hometown: Omaha, NE
Undergraduate: Creighton University
Medical school: University of Nebraska Medical Center
Hobbies: Anything outside, particularly biking, hiking, and running. Exploring the local craft beer scene, and frequenting local coffee shops.
Favorite things to do in Rochester: Beers at Forager, bike to Pine Island, the patio at Thai Pop, trivia at Little Thistle, appetizer extravaganza at the Workshop food hall, (attempt) cross-country skiing at Oxbow Park, free outdoor summer concerts at the Civic Center, Thursdays on First happy hour
Why Mayo: Unparalleled surgical exposure, even at the initial stages of training. Resident autonomy that facilitates rapid learning and allows for longitudinal patient interactions.
Future plans: Pursuing a career in academic otolaryngology through fellowship training in pediatric otolaryngology or neurotology. 

Evelyn Leland, M.D.

Hometown: Blue Earth, MN
Undergraduate: University of Minnesota - Twin Cities 
Medical school: Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine 
Hobbies: In my free time, I enjoy cycling, running, working out, traveling, boating, watching movies, spending time with my husband, and forcing my cat to hang out with me.
Favorite things to do in Rochester: I've had a blast spending time with my co-residents. I love biking along the Douglas trail, exploring the local food and ice cream options, and winning "most average" at weeknight trivia. 
Why Mayo: From the people to the place to the training opportunities, Mayo had it all. I couldn't imagine a better training structure than the mentorship model, and the program allows for early exposure to all sub-specialties. The consultants are so invested in our development - both professionally and personally - and the Mayo ENT residents are friendly and supportive of each other in a way that I didn't see at other programs. Rochester offers everything I could ask for in a city - plenty to do, plenty to eat, affordable cost of living, no traffic, and (most importantly) Costco. 
Future plans: The million-dollar question... stay tuned. 

Dan Schmidtman, M.D.

Hometown: Sioux Falls, SD
Undergraduate: Augustana University
Medical school: University of South Dakota
Hobbies: Bicycling, cocktails, cooking, hosting
Favorite things to do in Rochester: Bike the Douglas Trail, Bitter and Pour for a cocktail, bonfires with the co-residents, trivia at Little Thistle, hikes at nearby parks 
Why Mayo: I chose Mayo Clinic for my residency training because of the collaborative nature of the program, the early and robust operative experience, the apprenticeship model, the committed faculty in each subspecialty, and the robust institutional commitment to graduate medical education. The guiding principle of the institution ("the needs of the patient come first") is lived out each day by those who work and train here, and I wanted that principle to serve as the cornerstone from which my surgical training was built. I cannot imagine a better place to train. 
Future plans: Undecided 

Maani Archang, M.D., Ph.D.

Hometown: Tehran, Iran
Undergraduate: Irvine Valley College and Johns Hopkins University
Medical school: UCLA
Hobbies: Biking, cooking, paddle boarding, camping, and backpacking
Favorite things to do in Rochester: Soaking in a hot-tub in winter, BBQ the rest of the year, getting all the appetizers off of Chester’s menu, owning a home and DIY house projects
Why Mayo: Mayo is excellent at everything! The people are incredibly nice, thoughtful, and supportive. I am surrounded by faculty and residents, all of whom I admire and look up to. Also, for surgical training, nothing beats the apprenticeship model, and at Mayo, we get this, with the best surgeons, and a truly unbelievable amount of resources dedicated to our education and research productivity.
Future plans: Fellowship, then research and academic medicine

Nasser Lubega, M.D.

Hometown: Kampala, Uganda / Bloomington, Minnesota
Undergraduate: University of St. Thomas
Medical School: University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health
Hobbies: Exercise, journaling, long-form podcasts and investigative journalism, and mentoring URMs in medicine. 
Favorite things to do in Rochester: Trader Joe’s runs, trying new restaurants, and spending time with friends and co-residents.
Why Mayo: Mayo offered everything I was looking for—outstanding training, early autonomy, and a true mentorship model within a top-tier institution. Faculty are incredibly supportive and deeply invested in resident education. The camaraderie among residents is truly special, and outside the hospital, Rochester has everything I need: great food, an affordable cost of living, and no traffic.
Future Plans: Unsure but very interested in global surgical education.

Molly Murray, M.D.

Hometown: Rockford, IL
Undergraduate: University of Missouri
Medical school: Medical College of Wisconsin
Hobbies: Trying new restaurants, traveling, cycling, wine, hanging with friends
Favorite things to do in Rochester: Going out to eat, breweries, going on walks, tennis
Why Mayo: Truly unmatched training with super supportive co-residents, faculty, and staff. We also get so much hands-on experience as interns which is an amazing way to start residency.
Future plans: Who knows!

Brennan Olson, M.D., Ph.D.

Hometown: Luck, WI
Undergraduate: Augustana University
Medical school: Oregon Health & Sciences University School of Medicine
Hobbies:  Basketball, exercising, golf, video games, hanging out with my wife and two boys
Favorite things to do in Rochester: Going to the breweries, going to parks with my family, hiking, dive bars
Why Mayo: The culture and precedent for delivering exceptional care is palpable here, and I wanted to be a part of that. World-class surgical training with world-class surgeons. Family-friendly program in an affordable city. The infrastructure for research ideas/project support is fantastic.
Future plans: Fellowship

Kayvon Sharif, M.D.

Hometown: Madison, NJ
Undergraduate: Middlebury College
Medical school: Vanderbilt University
Hobbies: Music, cars, lake stuff
Favorite things to do in Rochester: Bike around town, hike at Oxbow Park, walk through Soldiers Field, eat at Pasquale's Pizza
Why Mayo: Operative autonomy and quality of life. You are scrubbed in and learning by doing from day one. The apprenticeship model allows a high level of independence early on, culminating in a chief year when you essentially function as a junior faculty member.  We enjoy opportunities to collaborate with some of the most talented, dedicated, and collegial medical professionals in the world to care for complex patients and their families.
Future plans: TBD

Hisham Abdou, M.D.

Hometown: Tartus, Syria
Undergraduate: University of Texas Rio Grande Valley
Medical school: Yale School of Medicine
Hobbies: Playing and watching soccer, ping pong, board games, and staying home watching TV
Why Mayo: Mayo is renowned for producing surgeons with scalpel skills that put superheroes to shame. On top of that, the people here in Minnesota are just awesome!
Future plans: Still deciding!

Saad Ahmed, M.D.

Hometown: Edmond, OK
Undergraduate: University of Oklahoma
Medical school: University of Oklahoma
Hobbies: Playing tennis, listening to audiobooks, learning new recipes/cuisines, watching UFC, and cheering for my Oklahoma Sooners
Why Mayo: I chose Mayo for my otolaryngology training because of the supportive community and unmatched surgical experience with the apprenticeship model.
Future plans: TBD...

Abby Aymond, M.D.

Hometown: Grand Forks, ND
Undergraduate: University of North Dakota
Medical school: Harvard Medical School
Hobbies: Plants, quilting, reading, music
Why Mayo: Excellence of surgical training and a great culture of friendly teamwork and respect amongst all members in the department which was so visible on my interview day.
Future plans: Still undecided, but most likely general ENT practice in a rural or underserved area.

Erika Pierce, M.D.

Hometown: Riverside, CA 
Undergraduate: University of California, Los Angeles
Medical school: University of California San Francisco
Hobbies: Reading and writing, live music, antique shops and vintage finds, trying new restaurants, traveling, spending time with my husband and daughter
Why Mayo: The apprenticeship model, supportive and tight-knit group of co-residents, incredible surgical training from the first day of intern year, and favorable quality-of-life. 
Future plans: Stay tuned!! 

George Saieed, M.D., M.B.A.

Hometown: Pittsburgh, PA
Undergraduate: University of Chicago
Medical school: Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine
Hobbies: Photography/cinematography/VFX, singing/beatboxing, piano, software development, traveling, reading (mostly fantasy/sci-fi) and any and all racquet sports
Why Mayo: The people here are unbelievable - both in the sense that they are incredible surgeons but also incredibly kind-hearted and good people. Everyone here also really does put the patient first. The apprenticeship model is great, and it is very clear how much the faculty enjoy mentoring residents.
Future plans: Absolutely no idea yet! 

Simon Blaine-Sauer, M.D.

Hometown: Minneapolis, MN
Undergraduate: University of Wisconsin­-Madison
Medical school: Medical College of Wisconsin
Hobbies: Running, tennis, playing piano, traveling, exploring new restaurants and breweries, trips to the Twin Cities to spend time with friends and family
Why Mayo: I was blown away by the surgical skill of the residents when I rotated as a sub-I, and knew this was where I wanted to train. Working one-on-one with our amazing consultants in the apprenticeship model makes for an unparalleled training experience. The needs of the patient truly come first.
Future plans: To be determined.

Leo Lakpa, M.D., Ph.D.

Hometown: Apple Valley, MN
Undergraduate/graduate: University of North Dakota
Medical school: University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health
Hobbies: Playing with my sons, Peter and Toby, going on dates with my wife (without our sons), reading theology and fiction books, playing basketball, cooking and eating out. 
Why Mayo: Mayo's core value, "the needs of the patient come first" resonated with me. From my sub-internship to my interview, I saw the apprenticeship model as the perfect fit to help me become the best otolaryngologist I can be. The consultants are excellent surgeons, teachers, and people. The residents push one another to become better otolaryngologists and support each another. Everyone puts forth their best effort to ensure that the needs of the patient are met. It is an absolute honor to be caring for patients at the Mayo Clinic.
Future Plans: Time will tell.

Sydney Ring, M.D.

Hometown: Delafield, WI
Undergraduate: University of Wisconsin-Madison
Medical school: University of Wisconsin-Madison
Hobbies: Art, exercise (especially Pilates), tennis, golf, pickleball, and interior design.
Why Mayo: I had heard such positive things about the program, but being able to see the apprenticeship model firsthand while I rotated here was amazing. I walked away knowing that this is undoubtedly where I wanted to train. Since starting, I feel incredibly supported by coresidents and consultants. I could not be happier with my decision to train here.
Future plans: Potentially laryngology, to be determined though!

Heather Smith, M.D.

Hometown: Plymouth, MN
Undergraduate: Eastman School of Music
Medical school: University of Utah
Hobbies: Exploring the outdoors, hiking, reading, playing cello and piano.
Why Mayo: The unparalleled surgical training and mentorship afforded by the apprenticeship model. The residents and faculty are not only excellent at what they do, but have built a culture of genuine respect, teamwork, and commitment to learning, which is reflected institution-wide at Mayo Clinic.
Future plans: To be determined.

Tarika Srinivasan, M.D., M.S.

Hometown: Ashley, ND and San Antonio, TX
Undergraduate: University of Texas at Austin
Medical school: Harvard Medical School
Hobbies: Road biking, hiking, singing (especially karaoke), watching college football and the NBA, Pilates/Lagree, taking blurry pictures of my cats
Why Mayo: The best surgical training in the country via the apprenticeship model. I'm also passionate about rural health, so the wide patient catchment of the Mayo system was an important factor. Finally, this department offers countless opportunities for engagement in research and global surgical collaborations.
Future plans: To be determined.

Raymond So, M.D.

Hometown: San Jose, CA
Undergraduate: Harvard University
Medical school: Johns Hopkins School of Medicine
Hobbies: Netflixing, Settlers of Catan, exploring local coffee shops
Why Mayo: Amazing surgical training made better by even more amazing people
Future plans: TBD

Katelyn Rourk, M.D.

Hometown: Orlando, FL
Undergraduate: University of Florida
Medical school: Mayo Clinic Alix School of Medicine
Hobbies: Running, soccer, being outside, traveling, cooking, watching Gator & Magic games 
Why Mayo: From going to medical school here, I repeatedly saw firsthand the amazing surgical training the residents here got and the wonderful teaching the faculty provided. Mayo provided a sense of community and home for me. I knew that I could become the best surgeon I could possibly be by being a resident here and by continuing to grow with the help of my mentors and co-residents.
Future plans: Head and neck fellowship

Ethan Moore, M.D.

Hometown: Rochester, MN
Undergraduate: Colorado College
Medical school: University of Colorado School of Medicine
Hobbies:  Cooking new recipes, playing and watching hockey, hiking, camping, fly-fishing, skiing, Midwest card games (cribbage, euchre, etc.)
Why Mayo: The apprenticeship model fits my learning style very well. Working with the same attending and team throughout an entire block lends itself to building great relationships, continual growth, and increasing confidence throughout residency. Being around family is a nice bonus, too!
Future plans: Time will tell!

Ashton Huppert Steed, M.D.

Hometown: Gilbert, AZ
Undergraduate: Pacific Lutheran University
Medical school: University of Arizona College of Medicine-Phoenix
Hobbies: Reading (fantasy, sci-fi, novels), listening to audiobooks, trying new restaurants/breweries, sharing a meal with friends, and playing with my two dogs, Ruby and Pearl.

Why Mayo: During my interview day, I knew this was the place I wanted to be. The combination of surgical excellence and a resident and faculty community that feels like family is unmatched. I wanted a place that would push me to be the best surgeon I can be while also supporting me along the way, and I found exactly that at Mayo Clinic. I feel so grateful to learn from exceptional surgeons, train with cutting-edge facilities and technology, and be surrounded by such kind and caring people.

Future plans: Considering head and neck surgical oncology/microvascular fellowship, but we will see!

Tissiana G.M. Vallecillo, M.D., M.S.

Hometown: Chandler, AZ
Undergraduate: University of Arizona
Medical school: Mayo Clinic Alix School of Medicine, Rochester, MN
Hobbies: Painting, spending time outdoors, birding, weightlifting, thrifting, cooking, reading nonfiction, ceramics
Why Mayo: I admired all the residents, attendings and support staff that I worked with during my time as a medical student. In a very rewarding way, the apprenticeship model engenders a motivating sense of ownership for residents' delivery of patient care and the learning that needs to be done to deliver care at the highest standard.  I felt that here I would make the most of these five years, enjoy the company around me during it, and come out confident in my abilities - ready to take on the career of my choosing. 

Future plans: Undecided!

Frederick Hansen, M.D.

Hometown: Las Cruces, NM
Undergraduate: New Mexico State University
Medical school: University of New Mexico School of Medicine
Hobbies: Outdoor activities including fishing, hiking, camping and spending time with my family. I also enjoy running and taking on projects around the house. 
Why Mayo: I chose Mayo Clinic because it offers outstanding surgical training while fostering a culture that genuinely supports its residents to achieve their highest potential. Being surrounded by faculty who are dedicated to teaching, mentorship, and moving the field forward makes it an inspiring place to train.

Future plans: To be determined!