Meet Our Residents

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From the chief residents

Three chief residents for Pediatric and Adolescent Medicine Fellowship MN Welcome to Mayo Clinic—home of excellent patient care, exceptional educators, and lasting friendships. We are thrilled that you are considering the Mayo Clinic Pediatrics Residency as the next step of your medical career. It has been our privilege to train at Mayo, and we are convinced that the combination of Mayo’s abundant resources, outstanding faculty and allied health professionals, and patient diversity would be of great benefit to you as well.

Our residents choose Mayo Clinic for many reasons. For some, it is the incredible breadth of elective experiences available and the 1-on-1 time with faculty. For others, it is the low-key living that Minnesota affords. One thing we have all appreciated is our program’s engaged leadership and administrative teams. Dr. Pittock and our Associate Program Directors are responsive to resident feedback about improving our program and work hard to support each resident in pursuing their unique educational goals during residency.

As chief residents, it is our commitment to help you find a training program in which you and your patients thrive. If you’re intellectually curious, hardworking, and love caring for children, Mayo Clinic would be that perfect fit! We look forward to meeting you during interviews, and we welcome any questions you might have along the way.

Warmly,
Ben Ashby M.D., M.T.S., Tomini Fashina, M.B., Ch.B., M.P.H., Justin McKone M.D., M.P.H
Pediatric Chief Residents

Ben Ashby, M.D., M.T.S.

Chief resident

Hometown: Omaha, NE
Medical school: UNC Chapel HIll
About me: My wife Timber and I have loved our move to Rochester! Our neighbors are friendly, the interconnected park system around town is wonderful for spending time outside, and we’ve both enjoyed our work environment (my wife teaches at Kellogg Middle School)! In our spare time, we enjoy attending Calvary Evangelical Free Church, helping with the youth group, and exploring the international grocery stores peppered around Rochester!

Tomini Fashina, M.B., Ch.B., M.P.H.

Chief resident

Hometown: Johannesburg, South Africa and Lagos, Nigeria
Medical school: Leicester Medical School, UK
About me: In terms of my hobbies, I'm very Jack of all trades, a master of fun! I love cycling, running, rock climbing and squash. I'll try anything new at least once — this year I want to learn to sail and scuba dive in the summer and ski and snowboard in the winter. I also love baking doughnuts and cupcakes and traveling to every nook and cranny of this world. And as a classic resident, I also enjoy watching inaccurate but entertaining medical dramas in my free time.

Justin McKone, M.D., M.P.H.

Chief resident

Hometown: Albany, CA
Medical school: LSU Health, New Orleans, LA
About me: On my days off, I enjoy going to the farmers market, ROCA (our local climbing gym), and ice skating during the winter. I love baking all things sourdough; my favorites are flavored breads, bagels, chocolate chip cookies, and making sourdough pizzas for dinners with friends.

Meet our residents

The Pediatric and Adolescent Medicine Residency has a total of 43 residents in training at any point in time. Learn more about our residents and where they come from.

Class of 2025

	Afia Adu-Gyamfi, M.D. Hometown: Asuom, Ghana Medical school: Medical College of Wisconsin About me: I love board games, hosting people and exploring! I've really enjoyed hanging out with my co-residents at the end of each block and finding beautiful trails and spots for introspection in Rochester.
	Benjamin Ashby, M.D. Hometown: Omaha, NE Medical school: UNC Chapel Hill About me: My wife Timber and I have loved our move to Rochester! Our neighbors are friendly, the interconnected park system around town is wonderful for spending time outside, and we’ve both enjoyed our work environment (my wife teaches at Kellogg Middle School)! In our spare time, we enjoy attending Calvary Evangelical Free Church, helping with the youth group, and exploring the international grocery stores peppered around Rochester!
	Tyler Benning, M.D., M.S. Hometown: St. Cloud, MN Medical school: Mayo Clinic Alix School of Medicine About me: I love Minnesota summers, and during the summer I like to grill and play Spikeball and pickleball. When winter inevitably comes, I make the best of it with holiday baking and parks & rec broomball. After a long day in the hospital, I enjoy things like watching West Wing, getting takeout BBQ, and going to Bible study with my friends.
	Marissa Cepress, M.D. Hometown: Stratford, WI Medical school: Medical College of Wisconsin, Green Bay About me: I recently got engaged and am excited to start this new chapter of my life with my fiance! We love to travel and explore new places. We have a puppy, Maya, who we also love taking on our adventures.
	Tomini Fashina, M.B., Ch.B., M.P.H. Hometown: Johannesburg, South Africa and Lagos, Nigeria Medical school: Leicester Medical School, UK About me: In terms of my hobbies, I'm very Jack of all trades, a master of fun! I love cycling, running, rock climbing and squash. I'll try anything new at least once — this year I want to learn to sail and scuba dive in the summer and ski and snowboard in the winter. I also love baking doughnuts and cupcakes and traveling to every nook and cranny of this world. And as a classic resident, I also enjoy watching inaccurate but entertaining medical dramas in my free time.
	Callie Fischer, M.D. Hometown: Green Bay, WI Medical school: Baylor College of Medicine About me: I am a HUGE Packers fan, cat person, coffee aficionado/addict, and aspiring wine connoisseur. I love spending time outdoors running, biking, and hiking — especially in the fall! I come from a very musical and artsy family, and I enjoy painting, singing, playing piano, and writing music in my free time.
	Tomas Leng, M.D. Hometown: Rožňavské Bystré, Slovakia Medical school: Comenius University Bratislava, Slovakia About me: In my free time I enjoy painting, playing soccer, working out, and long-distance running. I also like cliff jumping, traveling, and foreign languages, especially Spanish, Italian, and Portuguese. Fundraising is a big part of my life as I run my own NGO.
	Sydney Loy, M.D. Hometown: I’m a military kid so it’s hard; my family is currently located in Port Washington, WI.Medical school: Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, Lubbock TXAbout me: I love cooking, hiking, traveling, photography, watching movies and space documentaries, and hanging with my pup Asher! have enjoyed going to the breweries around town as well!
	Michaela Mills-Rudy, M.D. Hometown: Hastings, MN Medical school: Florida International University Herbert Wertheim College of Medicine About me: In our spare time, my husband and I like to take our dog, Luna, to state parks and explore Minnesota. Our favorite spot is Whitewater State Park, just 30 minutes from downtown Rochester.
	Klara Milojkovic, M.D. Hometown: Fort Mill, SC Medical school: Medical University of South Carolina About me: In my spare time, I enjoy cooking, hiking (my favorite hike so far is the Art Loeb Trail in North Carolina!), and spending time with my family and friends.
	Sheri Pariha, M.B.B.S. Hometown: Karachi, Pakistan Medical school: Sindh Medical College, Karachi, Pakistan About me: Mom to an opinionated toddler and married my husband for his cooking skills. New to Rochester, we enjoy going for walks. An ideal evening is a good cup of chai, some Abida Parveen in the background, and some tuberose/jasmine in the air. Aspiring to get back to stargazing and to finally pick up a telescope.
	Grant VanNess, M.D. Hometown: Anderson, IN Medical school: Indiana University School of Medicine About me: I am an avid golfer with a love for fine wine (controversial opinion: Rosé does not count). You can find me spending time with my tuxedo cat named Draco, grabbing a bite at my favorite restaurant (Fat Willy’s), or exploring downtown Rochester with my amazing co-residents. As much as I miss the great Hoosier state, I am loving my new home in Minnesota!
	Chandler Yost, M.D. Hometown: Pocatello, ID Medical school: University of Utah About me: I love biking, climbing, skiing, running, and anything that gets me outside. My fiancé and I also love taking our new puppy to breweries and drinking beer. We have really enjoyed the beer scene in the Midwest thus far!

Class of 2026

	Maheen Bangash, M.D. Hometown: Kansas City, KS Medical school: University of Kansas School of Medicine About me: In my spare time, I love to cook, play piano, sing, crochet, and play video games with my family! I'm also a proud cat mom of a very fluffy and sweet cat, Belle, and a cat aunt of two more wonderful fur babies.
	Ellie Baugher, D.O. Hometown: Nashville, TN Medical school: Marian University College of Osteopathic Medicine About me: I enjoy trips to Trader Joe's, taking care of my cat and houseplants, going to farmers markets, hiking, and eating vegan food. I also love traveling the world, and I am excited to plan a few trips during my residency.
	Summer Bernard, M.D. Hometown: Grand Forks, ND Medical school: University of North Dakota School of Medicine and Health Sciences About me: I have a 6-year-old Corgi named Leia who is always up for cuddles or tug-of-war. I'm also very lucky that my family does not live too far from Rochester, so I anticipate lots of visits, especially from my mom who is my best friend. In my spare time, I like to crochet and bake (I have a carrot cake recipe that is to die for).
	Griffin Coghill, M.D. Hometown: Birmingham, AL Medical school: New York Medical College About me: I like exploring the trails of Rochester via running, walking, or biking with my wife Kristin and our new puppy, Mari. My favorite things about living in Rochester are enjoying Thursdays on First in the summer and the ample amounts of snow in the winter.
	Alisa Erck, M.D. Hometown: Hartland, WI Medical school: University of Virginia About me: In my spare time I enjoy cooking, baking, embroidery, crochet, exercising, caring for my plants, traveling to find the best foods, and watching sitcoms with my cat. Here in Rochester, I’ve enjoyed finding the best restaurants and spending time with my amazing co-interns!
	Chase E. Habben, M.D. Hometown: Hartford, SD Medical school: Sanford School of Medicine at the University of South Dakota About me: When I’m outside the hospital or clinic, I enjoy spending time with my wonderful fiancé, Sarah, and exploring our new home in Rochester. I also enjoy movies, board games, video games, watching and playing baseball, and trying out new restaurants, coffee shops, and breweries.
	Cody Hall, M.D., M.S. Hometown: Winn, MI Medical school: Master of Science in Cancer Chemical Biology, University of Michigan About me: Being from Michigan, I really enjoy being outside hiking, kayaking, and swimming. I also enjoy photography, traveling, hanging out with friends and family, and playing board games. Since moving to Rochester, I have liked exploring cafes and restaurants as well as exploring more of Minnesota with my friends. In my spare time, I like cooking and baking.
	Amanda Hargett-Granato, D.O. Hometown: Fort Worth, TX Medical school: Texas College of Osteopathic Medicine About me: I am an avid gardener and love to cook with what I am growing in my garden. I enjoy reading and have an ever-growing To-Be-Read pile. I have a husband, a dog and a cat, and an embarrassingly large pile of half-finished craft projects at home.
	Laura Hernandez-Diaz, M.D. Hometown: Carolina, Puerto Rico Medical school: UPR School of Medicine About me: I love painting (especially with watercolors), going to the beach, spending time with my family and friends, traveling, and playing with my kitten, Lilo!
	Alexa S. Jensen, M.D. Hometown: Medford, MA Medical school: Mayo Clinic Alix School of Medicine About me: I'm happiest when I'm by a body of water of any kind – beaches, lakes, and new more recent love, rivers (river tubing is a new passion I discovered here in the Midwest). Swimming is my favorite activity, but I also love weightlifting, and all things food-related (cooking, baking, and obviously, eating). But my number one, most favorite thing in the world, is traveling with my husband and family!
	Rebecca Kruc, M.D., M.P.H. Hometown: Fridley, MN Medical school: University of Minnesota About me: I love to travel and hope to continue to do global health medical work during and after residency. I like to crochet, bike, spend time with family and friends and my cats, bake and cook, and read.
	Sean O'Donnell, M.D. Hometown: Halifax, MA Medical school: Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth About me: In my spare time, I enjoy reading science fiction and fantasy, cooking recipes far outside of my skillset, and spending quality time with friends. My life goal is to have two Corgi friends!
	Emmanuella Salia, M.B., Ch.B., M.P.H. Hometown: Chapuri, Upper West Region of Ghana Medical school: Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Ghana About me: I love catching up with family and friends on video calls, listening to music and Christian fiction audiobooks, and planning and coordinating events. So far, I’ve enjoyed taking walks in my neighborhood and going to the Rochester Farmer’s Market on Saturdays. I’m looking forward to trying indoor rock climbing at Roca.
	Haley Sherburne, M.D. Hometown: Mission Viejo, CA Medical school: Washington University School of Medicine in St Louis About me: In my spare time, I enjoy rock climbing, baking cookies, reading, hiking, puzzles, and origami. Since moving to Rochester, I have loved exploring the Quarry Hill Nature Preserve, trying new boba tea shops, and watching lightning storms from my porch!
	Mary Sohn, M.D. Hometown: Oklahoma City, OK Medical school: University of Oklahoma College of Medicine About me: Rochester is a city that seems simple and small but has things that I love! Before or after work, you can find me running around the lakes, going to cross fit gym, hanging out with my friends, cooking, grocery shopping for fresh produce, trying new coffee shops, at church community groups, or simply on the couch watching cute guinea pig videos.

Class of 2027

	Tasneem Abdel-Karim, M.B.B.S. Hometown: Tulkarm, Palestine Medical school: Jordan University of Science and Technology About me: I completed my pediatric residency and endocrinology fellowship in Qatar. After my training in Qatar, my family and I relocated to Minnesota, where I pursued an endocrinology fellowship at the University of Minnesota before joining the pediatric residency program here at Mayo. I have three wonderful boys, ages 8, 5, and 3 years. In my spare time, I enjoy painting, which allows me to express my creativity and relax. I also love hanging out with my friends, whether it's for a casual coffee, a fun outing, or simply enjoying each other's company. As a family, we cherish spending time outdoors, biking, walking, and cooking desserts together.
	Benito Alvarez, M.D., M.B.A. Hometown: Cleveland, OH Medical school: Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine About me: I love cooking fancy 5-star meals and have never lost at board games. I enjoy sleeping in, building my own furniture, tofu, and Trader Joe's. I have also never been to the dollar store but have heard great things about it! I also find epigenetics very interesting.
	Manou Amanat Yazdi, M.D. Hometown: Iran Medical school: Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Iran s About me: Prior to residency, I completed a post-doc research fellowship at Johns Hopkins in Baltimore, MD. I love to travel and explore different states. I enjoy walking long distances, and my record is walking 20 miles in a single day.
	Melanie Klemond, M.D. Hometown: Minneapolis, MN Medical school: Rosalind Franklin University About me: I love the outdoors, and can often be found gardening, catching up on a good book, or exploring new trails with my little dog. I spend a lot of my free time with friends and with my family who live a short drive away from Rochester.
	Jon Lun, M.D. Hometown: Wooster, OH Medical school: The Ohio State University College of Medicine About me: I am a huge proponent of being active and spending time outdoors, on my days off you will likely find me fly-fishing some of our streams here in southeast Minnesota. Otherwise, I can be talked into just about anything as long as I get to spend time with my friends and family! I also enjoy staying involved in the community through my local church.
	Victoria Skolnick, M.D. Hometown: Rochester, MN Medical school: University of Minnesota About me: As a Rochester native, I am excited to be back home with my family and new friends at Mayo! Some activities I enjoy include traveling, thrifting, and spoiling my two guinea pigs.
	Savannah Sutherlin, M.D., M.S. Hometown: Mesa, AZ Medical school: University of Arizona College of Medicine- Tucson Campus About me: I love to be outdoors! You can find me hiking, running, and playing sports. I also love to sing and bake. I’m looking forward to trying some winter sports like cross-country skiing.
	Elsie Touma, M.D. Hometown: Beirut, Lebanon Medical school: Holy Spirit University of Kaslik, Lebanon About me: I love spending time catching up with my family and friends through video calls. I like to practice self-care, and I try to live by the stoic ideals every day. In my free time, I enjoy working out and going for runs or hikes. In Rochester, I like to explore new trails, coffee shops, and restaurants. Most significantly, though, is that I intend to take advantage of this time to hone my cooking skills.
	Noah Trapp, M.D. Hometown: Ellsworth, KS Medical school: University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health About me: I love hiking around Quarry Hill Nature Preserve and exploring Rochester with my wife, Meghan, and our two rambunctious kids. In my free time, you can probably find me skateboarding (yes, Mom, with a helmet), mountain biking, painting, playing guitar (badly), and exhorting my friends to read whatever C.S. Lewis book I've put in their hand.
	Caleb Wolz, M.D., M.B.A. Hometown: Reno, NV Medical school: University of Nevada Reno School of Medicine About me: I love spending time with my wife, 6-year-old daughter, and 5-year-old son. We love tabletop games including card and board games. We also love to do outdoor activities particularly hiking, going on bike rides and winter sports in the winter. I also love music and play the electric bass guitar and upright string bass.
	Nicke Worth, M.D., M.S. Hometown: Salt Lake City, UT Medical school: Tulane University School of Medicine About me: Mother of dragons (3 kids), cats, chickens, and a dog. A Gryffindor who is ready for any kind of adventure outdoors. Anglophile who ended up marrying a Brit. My favorite days are the rainy ones. I'm THE settler of Catan. Hobbit at heart.
	Ahmed Younis, M.B., B.Ch. Hometown: Kuwait, Egypt Medical school: Mansoura University School of Medicine About me: I love cooking (Big time!!). I spend a huge chunk of my free time looking up recipes and grocery shopping to make new dishes. I also enjoy walking, hiking, and photography.