Meet Our Residents

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Chief residents 2026 — Griffin Coghill, M.D, and Alexa Jensen, M.D., Chief Residents, 2026

From the chief residents

Welcome to Mayo Clinic! We're so excited you're considering Mayo Clinic Pediatric and Adolescent Medicine Residency program. Choosing where to train is one of the most important decisions you'll make, and we hope you'll quickly see why we feel so fortunate to call Mayo home.

Over the past three years, we've discovered a residency program that is exceptionally supportive, flexible, and committed to helping every resident achieve their unique career goals. Whether your interests lie in primary care, subspecialty fellowship, academic medicine, advocacy, or medical education, you'll find abundant opportunities to explore your passions and develop the skills to pursue them. The breadth of clinical experiences, mentorship, and educational resources at Mayo allows residents to grow in many different directions. Griffin is pursuing a career in pediatric critical care medicine, while Alexa is headed into developmental-behavioral pediatrics, just two examples of the diverse paths our graduates take.

What truly sets Mayo apart, however, is the people. You'll train alongside outstanding faculty who are deeply invested in your success, build meaningful relationships with supportive co-residents and program leadership, and be part of a collaborative culture where residents are genuinely valued. At the same time, you'll benefit from the unparalleled clinical exposure and opportunities that come with training at a world-renowned institution.

Outside the hospital, Rochester is an easy place to call home. It offers a welcoming community, an excellent food scene, beautiful parks and trails, and countless opportunities to connect with friends and colleagues. Throughout residency, we've built lifelong friendships, found incredible mentors, and felt supported both professionally and personally.

We hope to meet you on interview day and share more about what makes Mayo Clinic Children's such a special place to train. We can't wait to get to know you!

Warmly,
Alexa and Griffin

Meet the chief residents

Griffin Coghill, M.D.

Hometown: Birmingham, Alabama
Medical school: New York Medical College

About me: I’m passionate about medical education, with strong interests in pediatric critical care medicine and anesthesiology. Outside of medicine, I enjoy hiking, soccer, gaming with friends from residency, going to local trivia nights, and traveling with my wife.

Why Mayo: After attending medical school in New York, I followed my wife to Mayo Clinic. While family is what first brought me to Mayo, the three years since have been everything I had hoped for and more. The investment our faculty and residents make in learning, teaching, and education is truly exceptional. Even more meaningful are the relationships I’ve formed with patients, families, colleagues, and faculty — relationships I know will last a lifetime. The resources available to those who train at Mayo, both within and across disciplines, are immense and create opportunities to pursue interests throughout the spectrum of patient care, education, and basic science research. More importantly, there is a culture here that encourages you to take advantage of those opportunities. Mayo Clinic truly embodies the idea that if you can dream it, you can do it.

Alexa Jensen, M.D.

Hometown: Medford, Massachusetts
Medical school: Mayo Clinic Alix School of Medicine

About me: Outside of medicine, you'll usually find me making memories with my husband and daughter. I love traveling, swimming, cooking, and baking (and eating), and I'm always looking for an excuse to gather family and friends around good food. I'm also a little obsessed with holidays — I love decorating, creating family traditions, and finding ways to make every season feel special. Since moving to Rochester, and even more so after welcoming our daughter last year, we've loved exploring the area's beautiful parks, family-friendly trails, and all the little adventures that have made Rochester feel like home.

Why Mayo: After attending medical school at Mayo Clinic Alix School of Medicine, choosing to stay at Mayo for residency felt like a natural next step. While the exceptional patient care first drew me here, it was the people who convinced me to stay. Every day, I have the opportunity to learn from physicians who are not only leaders in their fields but also remarkably humble, approachable, and deeply invested in mentoring the next generation of pediatricians. The culture of collaboration, curiosity, and kindness is truly special, creating an environment where everyone is encouraged to grow while always keeping patients and their families at the center of what we do. I feel incredibly fortunate to train alongside colleagues and mentors who inspire me daily, and I can't imagine a better place to continue growing as both a pediatrician and a person.

Meet our residents

Learn more about our residents and where they come from.

Class of 2027

	Benito Alvarez, M.D., M.B.A. Hometown: Cleveland, Ohio Medical school: Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine About me: I love cooking fancy fiveIstar 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.
	Doha Hassan, M.B., B.Ch. Hometown: Alexandria, Egypt Medical school: Alexandria Faculty of Medicine About me: I’m a mom to two wonderful children, and nothing makes me happier than spending time with them and my husband. I love cooking, enjoying desserts, and strolling around Cascade Lake Park at sunset. Pediatric endocrinology isn’t just a career for me — it’s a true passion.
	Melanie Klemond, M.D. Hometown: Minneapolis, Minnesota 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, Ohio 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.
	Kwartemaa Nti, M.B., Ch.B. Hometown: Eastern Region, Ghana Medical school: Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology About me: I cherish spending quality time with my family, relaxing at the beach and taking long drives to unwind. I have a deep passion for dancing and love attending stage plays, as they offer a unique blend of entertainment and inspiration.
	Victoria Skolnick, M.D. Hometown: Rochester, Minnesota 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, Arizona Medical school: University of Arizona College of Medicine- Tucson 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 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.
	Caleb Wolz, M.D., M.B.A. Hometown: Reno, Nevada Medical school: University of Nevada Reno School of Medicine About me: I love spending time with my wife, daughter and 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.
	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.

Class of 2028

	Ava Berrier, M.D., M.S. Hometown: Pueblo West, Colorado Medical school: Baylor College of Medicine About me: During my time off, I enjoy working out, baking, and reading thrillers!
	Sulaikha Buuh, M.D. Hometown: Farmington, Connecticut Medical school: University of Connecticut School of Medicine About me: I am so excited to be surrounded by family in Minnesota! You'll often find me spending time with them, discovering new coffee shops and food spots, or catching up on a good book. I also enjoy walking, group fitness classes, cooking, and baking!
	Carlos Cespedes, M.D., Ph.D. Hometown: Elberton, Georgia Medical school: Mercer University School of Medicine About me: I’m a very blessed man…married to a beautiful woman named Hanna, who gave me three wild and crazy little girls. On my time off, I enjoyed being involved with my church, going on walks with my family, playing tennis with my dad and oldest daughter, and getting my butt kicked during a hard workout. I’m extremely honored to have the job of my dreams here at Mayo Clinic, one of my favorite things to do at work is to watch how our patients enjoy the plaza in the hospital.
	Caroline DeCesare, M.D. Hometown: Santa Cruz, California Medical school: Creighton University School of Medicine About me: I enjoy spending quality time with my husband, whether we're relaxing at home or out together. I also like staying active by working out regularly. In my free time, I love baking sweet treats and unwinding by watching reality TV.
	Tommy DeCesare, M.D. Hometown: Eden Prairie, Minnesota Medical school: Creighton University School of Medicine About me: First and foremost, I love spending time with my awesome wife Caroline. You can typically find us on a walk, enjoying each other's company at home, or at St. John's Cathedral. I also enjoy lifting weights, spending time with my entertaining extended family and in-laws, hunting, fishing, and playing video games from time to time.
	Anders Jenson, M.D. Hometown: Minneapolis, Minnesota Medical school: Mayo Clinic Alix School of Medicine About me: I enjoy all kinds of games (card, board, sports, video, etc.). You name it and I'll play it! I'm an avid fan of superhero and sci-fi stories in any form, from books and comics to movies and TV shows. When I’m not immersed in a grand game or story, you’ll likely find me enjoying the great outdoors, often while volunteering at summer camps. If you’re ever in the mood for a lighthearted laugh, ask me about the time I was turned into an ice cream sundae at camp!
	Frank Kelly, D.O. Hometown: Lakeville, Minnesota Medical school: Liberty University College of Osteopathic Medicine About me: I enjoy staying active through running and playing racket sports. I also love spending time with friends, whether it's over a board game or grabbing a bite to eat. Traveling is another passion of mine — I’m always up for exploring new places and experiences!
	Natalie McClure, M.D. Hometown: Bourbonnais, Illinois Medical school: Southern Illinois University School of Medicine About me: I love to kayak, hike, play video games, sew, and paint! I have a sassy husky named Zora, and an even sassier cat named Binx, who both enjoy exploring Rochester on our walks. My partner and I also love exploring all the new restaurants in town.
	Cassie McCoy, D.O. Hometown: Tulsa, Oklahoma Medical school: Oklahoma State University College of Osteopathic Medicine at the Cherokee Nation About me: My heart is happiest when I get to spend time with my family and friends. I love any activity in Rochester that gets all of my co-residents together. I love birthdays and celebrations. I enjoy dancing, baking, traveling, and crafting. My current crafting passion projects is Native American beading to connect to my heritage. Lastly, I love meeting new people and trying new things.
	Ciara Moss, M.D. Hometowns: Dublin, Ireland and Kensington, Maryland Medical school: Humanitas University Medical School About me: I love sharing time with family and friends, especially in the outdoors or at a brewery and/or winery! I am still adjusting to the Minnesota weather but looking to get more into winter sports and having fun in the snow! I probably spend more time watching cooking/baking shows than in the kitchen but love all things food and exploring different cultures through cooking.
	Deborah Okoli, M.D. Hometown: Aurora, Illinois Medical school: University of Illinois at Chicago About me: My passions include co-running my family's nonprofit charity organization called the ZimUzo Foundation. I also enjoy learning different languages (I speak Korean and some French and Spanish). I like to read, write novels and poems, watch movies with subtitles, play the piano, and listen to music. I am a bit of a homebody, but I do enjoy running outdoors and experiencing nature. I used to teach Sunday school, and oftentimes working in the hospital reminds me of that time!
	Blythe Richards, M.D. Hometown: Vandalia, Illinois Medical school: University of Illinois College of Medicine Peoria About me: My wife and I have been amazed so far by our move to Rochester. There are so many fun and unique parks, trails, and other outdoor activities for us to enjoy with our daughter and son. When I am not at work my hobbies include weight training, hiking, fishing, DIY projects, and trying to keep up with my kids!
	Sidney Seiwert, M.D. Hometown: Rogers, Minnesota Medical school: University of Illinois at Chicago College of Medicine About me: Outside of work you can find me hanging out with my two dogs alongside my husband. I love gardening, reading, baking, drinking coffee, playing cards, and spending time with my family and friends! In the summer my favorite place to be is at the cabin, either on a jet ski or playing cribbage!
	Paulina Styrczula, M.D. Hometown: Willow Springs, Illinois Medical School: Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine and Science About me: As a Midwesterner, I have loved settling into my new home in Minnesota! So far, I have enjoyed exploring the various breweries and restaurants throughout Rochester and getting to know my co-residents over a great meal. In my spare time, I love gardening, tending to my houseplants, going to farmer's markets and thrift stores, jigsaw puzzles, and baking.
	Chris Thorvaldson, M.D. Hometown: Laramie, Wyoming Medical School: University of Washington About me: I love being active in any way I can — playing sports, hiking, or going to the gym. I also enjoy reading, listening to music, playing games, and exploring new places with my partner, especially anything sports related or involving a brewery. Being from Wyoming, exploring the outdoors is an all-time favorite activity, as is going to rodeos and farmers markets.
	Delaney Wilton, M.D. Hometown: Apple Valley, Minnesota Medical school: University of Minnesota About me: When I'm not at work you can find me obsessing over my Rochester favorites: LTS brewing and Lumen Coffee, buying books (and sometimes reading them), and playing cozy core video games. I love to crochet and am learning how to be a better plant mom. Fall is my favorite time in Minnesota, and I'm looking forward to exploring apple orchards and pumpkin patches this year in Rochester!

Class of 2029

	Jana Adnan, M.D. Hometown: Beirut, Lebanon Medical school: American University of Beirut Faculty of Medicine About me: I love any form of quality time with family, friends, and my cat, Kiwi! I’m usually happiest by a body of water, especially with a writing journal or a good book. I enjoy exploring local cafes and trying out Pilates or barre classes, and at home, I like to crochet and bake plant-based desserts.
	Hamid Alahmari, M.D. Hometown: Abha, Saudi Arabia Medical school: University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine About me: I grew up in the southern highlands of Saudi Arabia, in a small village nestled among mountains and sweeping green valleys — shepherds guiding their flocks across the hillsides, farmers gathering wheat by hand, and children weaving through cornfields in games of hide-and-seek. From that village, I found myself in Pittsburgh, my first home outside of Saudi Arabia and in nearly every way a world apart. Yet what struck me most was not the contrast, but the warmth of mentors, colleagues, and neighbors who made a foreign city feel like home — a reminder that belonging is built through people, not place.
	Silas Buckwalter, M.D. Hometown: Lancaster, Pennsylvania Medical school: Sidney Kimmel Medical College About me: Outside of work you can find me going on runs with my dog Maggie, hiking in the local state parks, or biking on Rochester’s amazing trail system. After a long week, I refill my cup through trying new restaurants, getting ice cream at Flapdoodles, or spending time at church. Moving from the East coast, I’m learning to love the Midwest culture and have met so many amazing people here!
	Ethan Cline, D.O. Hometown: Grinnell, Iowa Medical school: Idaho College of Osteopathic Medicine About me: My biggest hobbies include reading, golfing, fishing, and lifting weights. I also enjoy spending time with my wife and our son. I love watching football. My favorite NFL team is the Tennessee Titans.
	Rayane El Mouallem, M.D. Hometown: Beirut, Lebanon Medical school: Holy Spirit University of Kaslik Prior residency/fellowship: Pediatric Residency, American University of Beirut, Lebanon, and Pediatric Endocrinology Fellowship, Mayo Clinic About me: I'm always looking for my next adventure, whether it's hiking a new trail or exploring a new city. If I'm recharging, you'll probably find me at a Pilates class or catching up with friends at a coffee shop, always with my Kindle in hand.
	Ahmed Elgamal, M.B., B.Ch. Hometown: Mansoura, Egypt Medical school: Mansoura University School of Medicine Prior residencies/fellowships: Pediatric Residency and Pediatric Pulmonary Fellowship, Mansoura University Children’s Hospital (MUCH), Egypt; Pediatric Pulmonary Fellowship, WashU/BJH/SLCH Graduate Medical Education Consortium About me: I am fortunate to have a wonderful family, a supportive wife, and two lovely daughters. Spending quality time with them is one of my greatest joys, especially when we travel and create new memories together. I also enjoy exploring cafes and restaurants with friends and discovering new cuisines and experiences. As someone from Egypt, it is probably no surprise that I have a passion for cooking!
	Mary Frith, M.D., Ph.D. Hometown: Black Mountain, North Carolina Medical school: University of Chicago About me: I grew up in the mountains of Western North Carolina but spent the nine years before residency in Chicago, where I completed my M.D. and Ph.D. I've so far loved being in Rochester, which has both the easy access to nature that I miss from my hometown and the infrastructure and amenities of a mid-sized city (walkability, ample bike paths, plenty of restaurants and grocery stores, access to great fitness facilities). I enjoy trying new foods with my partner, being silly with my siblings, going on walks, listening to audiobooks, and spending time in coffee shops. I taught fitness classes and worked as a personal trainer for several years before residency, and I'm excited to explore opportunities to participate in group fitness while in residency.
	Skip Harvey, M.D. Hometown: Brighton, Michigan Medical school: Mayo Clinic Alix School of Medicine About me: My wife and I stay busy keeping up with our four (almost five!) kids and taking advantage of Minnesota's parks, trails, and outdoor adventures. In my free time I run slowly, coach youth soccer, start home DIY projects that will never quite be finished, and convince myself each year that the Detroit Red Wings are finally headed back to the playoffs.
	Flóra Petra Kincses, M.D. Hometown: Szeged, Hungary Medical school: University of Szeged Prior residency: Bethesda Children's Hospital, Hungary About me: I am happiest when spending quality time with the people I love. Here in Minnesota, my husband and I love exploring the outdoors, whether it's a short stroll around our neighborhood as beginner birdwatchers, or collecting stamps in our new National Parks Passport. We also love experimenting with new recipes in the kitchen, or enjoying a relaxing day out on the water. Our perfect weekend involves watching classic movies, or baking homemade sourdough bread while cheering on our favorite soccer team. When I'm not on duty, you can find me doing yoga or Pilates, diving into crafts like drawing and sewing, filling our home with touches and tastes of our Hungarian and German roots, or curling up with a book, which, around Christmas, usually means re-reading Harry Potter for the thousandth time.
	Evan Ladd, M.D. Hometown: Bristol, Tennessee Medical school: University of Tennessee Health Science Center About me: I am a huge outdoorsman and especially enjoy fishing, SCUBA diving, and hiking/camping. I love all animals, but German Shepherds and black cats hold a special place in my heart. When I am not outdoors or at work, I can usually be found reading, or catching up with my friends online.
	Tristen Lamb, M.D., M.S. Hometown: Ellensburg, Washington Medical school: Elson S. Floyd College of Medicine About me: I’m from the Pacific Northwest, but love Minnesota so far! I’m joined by my husband, two kids, and too many dogs and cats. I will always stop and ask to pet someone’s dog, and I’ll take any opportunity to hold a baby. In my spare time, I love rewatching Buffy the Vampire Slayer, playing and watching roller derby, puzzling, reading, and spending time with my incredible friends and awesome family.
	Maddy Locastro, M.D. Hometown: Marcellus, New York Medical school: State University of New York Upstate Medical University About me: I love spending time with family and friends, being outdoors, traveling, and discovering new coffee shops. Originally from Upstate New York, I am excited to be starting this new chapter in the Midwest. My partner and I are looking forward to exploring local parks, restaurants, and all that Rochester has to offer!
	Atieno Mpyisi, M.D., M.S. Hometown: Nairobi, Kenya Medical school: Loma Linda University About me: I've lived about half my life in Africa and half in North America. Outside of medicine, I enjoy spending time with friends outdoors, going for long drives, and learning about people's stories. I'm always looking for the perfect spot to hang up a hammock, so I'm excited about the numerous outdoor spaces Minnesota has to offer.
	Sajida Parveen, M.B.B.S. Hometown: Gilgit, Pakistan Medical school: Aga Khan University Medical College About me: I am the oldest of four siblings, the first doctor in my family, and the first one to come to the U.S. Outside of medicine, I love listening to Pakistani music, and while I’m still a complete beginner, I enjoy trying to learn different musical instruments. I’m also a huge cricket fan, especially when it’s Pakistan versus India. My perfect day is pretty simple: a warm cup of good adrak (ginger) chai, some time to unwind, and an episode of the iconic Pakistani drama Zindagi Gulzar Hai, which I’ve probably watched more than 100 times.
	Heather Pump, M.D. Hometown: Crystal Lake, Illinois Medical school: Mayo Clinic Alix School of Medicine About me: I grew up in the Chicago suburbs, and I'm very excited to continue my medical training in Rochester where I can take advantage of all four seasons. In my free time, I enjoy hiking, reading, and studying linguistics.
	Ashley Ring, D.O. Hometown: Madison, Wisconsin Medical school: Kiran C. Patel College of Osteopathic Medicine About me: I am an avid traveler. My goal is to make it to all seven continents. Currently I am just missing Antarctica and Africa. I also love baking especially cupcakes, hiking, playing volleyball, and kayaking. Since moving to Rochester, I have been enjoying finding trails to explore.
	Sammy Thatipelli, M.D. Hometown: Mendota Heights, Minnesota Medical school: University of Minnesota About me: In my spare time, I love running and hiking outdoors. I love exploring new coffee shops and restaurants, going to concerts, and traveling. During the winter, I enjoy skiing and look forward to annual trips out west with my family and friends!
	McKayla Vliem, M.D. Hometown: Wausau, Wisconsin Medical school: Pennsylvania State College of Medicine About me: A few of my favorite things are baking, thrifting, movie nights, eating my husband's cooking, and traveling. Since moving back to Minnesota, I'm especially excited for more lake days and proximity to Wisconsin cheese curds.