Ruth Eletta, M.B.B.S.

What attracted you to pediatric cardiology?

Pediatric cardiology was a specialty that I found very challenging in medical school because of the complexity of its pathophysiology. So I naturally got engrossed in studying and trying to learn more. Due to my curiosity, the more I learned, the more I discovered that there is still more to learn, and I thought, you know what? Just do a fellowship.

What attracted you to Mayo Clinic for fellowship training?

I was attracted to the Mayo Clinic because of its reputation of excellence and numerous available resources for training fellows, equipping us to be the best pediatric cardiologists. There is a good balance between autonomy and supervision and a whole lot of learning opportunities in an enabling environment.

Do you have any special interests within the program? 

I am enjoying every bit of the training and still trying to explore.

What is living in Rochester, Minnesota, like for you? 

I love life in Rochester a lot, and it's now one of the top places on my list of places to live. Most of the stores that I loved to visit in New York are also here in Rochester. I can get to most places that I need to be within a 10-minute drive. The people are nice and friendly and always willing to help. My colleagues are amazing, I couldn't have asked for a better group of people to work with. I am so glad to be here!

Rusty Magnan, M.D.

What attracted you to pediatric cardiology?

I have always been fascinated by the way the heart works and the various abnormalities that can occur. In pediatric cardiology, we get to see the spectrum of both congenital and acquired heart defects from utero to adulthood. 

What attracted you to Mayo Clinic for fellowship training?

I was interested in a fellowship at Mayo Clinic because I knew I would get a wonderful training here and be able to see the full spectrum of cardiac pathology. Training here, you get to work with some of the top consultants in the field who are also interested in teaching. The consultants and co-fellows have all been so friendly and helpful. 

What is living in Rochester, Minnesota, like for you?

I have really enjoyed living in Rochester so far. It is a safe and friendly place to live with a great cost of living. I have enjoyed taking my dog on different hiking trails, going to the farmer's market, exploring different festivals/ events, and trying new restaurants /breweries around town. It is also a short trip up to the Twin Cities to go see a sports game.

Alaa Mohamed, M.B., B.Ch.

What attracted you to pediatric cardiology?

The variety of pathology and subspecialities within the field. I love it when the breadth and depth of knowledge one can acquire in a field is immense and there is always opportunity to learn more.

What attracted you to Mayo Clinic for fellowship training?

The experience of the teaching staff and the complexity of patients seen make it a great learning environment. The workload balance between fellow duties and learning time is perfect for thinking through patients and treatment. My interview day stood out as everyone seemed very genuine and invested in the program.

Do you have any special interests within the program?

I am yet to experience some subspecialities but thus far transplant, imaging, and general cardiology all seem interesting!

What is living in Rochester, Minnesota, like for you? 

I love that everything is within a few minutes driving distance, parks and recreational family activities are ample. Living here has been a great balance of safe environment and fun weekend activities.

Joshua Thomas, M.D.

What attracted you to pediatric cardiology?

Early in residency, I realized I was always most interested in the cardiac patients we cared for, which naturally led me to seek out more exposure to pediatric cardiology. I love the combination of complexity and variety—every congenital heart is unique, and I enjoy thinking through physiology and understanding why patients develop certain symptoms. I was also drawn to the opportunity to develop hands-on skills like performing echocardiograms and the wide range of career paths within the field. Most importantly, I found myself consistently challenged and motivated to keep learning in a way I did not experience elsewhere. From early in residency, I was excited to learn pediatric cardiology, and I still feel that same excitement every day.

What attracted you to Mayo Clinic for fellowship training?

I grew up in Rochester, so training at Mayo Clinic had always been a dream of mine. As I became more committed to pediatric cardiology during residency, Mayo remained at the top of my list, and my interview day confirmed that it was where I wanted to be. Everyone was incredibly welcoming and genuinely excited to have me here. The facilities are outstanding, the educational resources are exceptional, and the research opportunities are abundant. Most importantly, it was clear from my interactions that the faculty were outstanding teachers and mentors. After just one interview day, I knew this was the program that would help me become the best pediatric cardiologist I could be, and it has exceeded every expectation.

Do you have any special interests within the program?

Right now, my primary interests are heart failure/transplant and cardiac imaging. I have been fortunate to work with outstanding mentors in both areas who have provided incredible teaching, involved me in meaningful research, and helped me build connections. I am excited to continue exploring career options as I shape my long-term career goals.

What is living in Rochester, Minnesota, like for you?

Right now, my primary interests are heart failure/transplant and cardiac imaging. I have been fortunate to work with outstanding mentors in both areas who have provided incredible teaching, involved me in meaningful research, and helped me build connections. I am excited to continue exploring career options as I shape my long-term career goals.

How is your fellowship at Mayo Clinic going?

It has been everything I hoped it would be and more. I have never been in a more supportive learning environment. The faculty are genuinely invested in helping fellows succeed, and I have been fortunate to have incredible mentors who continually challenge and encourage me. We see an amazing breadth of congenital heart disease, gain extensive exposure to every pediatric cardiology subspecialty, and work alongside outstanding colleagues. The research opportunities are exceptional, with tremendous institutional support to help move projects forward. I am incredibly grateful for the people who have invested in my growth, and I am excited to continue developing over the rest of my fellowship.

Joshua Vasquez, M.D.

What attracted you to pediatric cardiology?

I was drawn to pediatric cardiology because I enjoy seeing how the anatomy and physiology of congenital heart disease come together in each child’s presentation. I also appreciate the range within the field, from caring for patients during critical moments to following them and their families over many years. That combination of complexity, continuity, and meaningful relationships is what made pediatric cardiology feel like the right fit for me.

What attracted you to Mayo Clinic for fellowship training?

I was drawn to Mayo Clinic because of the strong clinical exposure and the balance of rigorous training with a supportive, close-knit environment. During the interview process, the faculty felt extremely easy to talk to, and it was clear that mentorship, education, and research are all real priorities within the program.

Do you have any special interests within the program? 

I am especially interested in interventional cardiology and in the use of 3D technologies within cardiology. I am particularly interested in how patient-specific modeling and 3D printing can improve procedural planning, education, and ultimately outcomes for patients with complex heart disease.

What is living in Rochester, Minnesota, like for you? 

Living in Rochester has been great, the city felt like home almost immediately. People at the hospital were quick to welcome me in, and that same warmth carries into the community. It is a friendly, easygoing city where you can settle in quickly, get around easily, and have plenty to enjoy outside of work.

Jenna Viscount, D.O.

What attracted you to pediatric cardiology?

I am a bit biased, but I think Pediatric Cardiology is the most fascinating field to go into. Each patient has a different story with their own unique anatomy and pathophysiology that makes every day interesting. You are constantly learning! The advancements that have been made over the years and continue to be made are truly amazing. It is an honor to be a part of this medicine which is lifechanging for patients and families.

What attracted you to Mayo Clinic for fellowship training?

I interviewed in person at Mayo and I am so grateful to have gotten the opportunity to meet my co-fellows and consultants in person. They are as brilliant and genuine as they seem! The pride that Mayo Clinic and the city of Rochester take in caring for its people and its patients is something indescribable and I feel incredibly lucky to have the opportunity to train here.

Do you have any special interest within the program?

I am currently interested in imaging particularly fetal echo as well as CT/MRI and its utility in caring for cardio-oncology patients.

What is living in Rochester, Minnesota, like for you?

Coming from the Northeast I was worried about the slow pace of the Midwest (kidding!) Rochester has welcomed my family and I with open arms and even in a short amount of time I know we made the right choice to come here, and we are so happy to be here. Fingers crossed for a mild winter!