The Pediatric Gastroenterology Fellowship draws trainees from across the U.S. and around the world. While all our trainees have a love of learning and a compassionate approach to patient care, they come from diverse backgrounds, family status, and professional and personal interests. Learn more about our current fellows.

Marie Chen, D.O.

Medical school: William Carey University College of Osteopathic
Residency: University of Illinois Chicago Pediatric

What attracted you to pediatric gastroenterology? I have always wanted to specialize and become an expert in a particular field. With GI, you get the best of all worlds – inpatient, outpatient, and procedures. Just as I chose pediatrics, I chose pediatric GI because I realized that I was having fun during these rotations.

Why did you choose to do your fellowship at Mayo? I knew that working at one of the best hospitals in the world would be a once-in-a-lifetime experience – and I’m so glad that I matched here. The faculty and staff are some of the nicest and most supportive people I have worked with. And the patient population is extremely unique – people come from all over the world to be treated here. In just my first week in clinic, I had the opportunity to help children I never imagined I would.

What is living in Rochester, Minnesota, like for you? I moved from Chicago so Rochester is very different from the hustle and bustle there. It’s a very special community that certainly displays “Minnesota nice.” It’s also a very exciting place to live in as the city continues to expand, and there’s always something new in development.

What are your favorite things to do in Rochester? I haven’t been here long but some of my favorite things to do include biking along the Douglas Trail and trying every flavor of ice cream at Flapdoodles. There are also many parks and tennis/pickleball courts that are on my bucket list.

Maria Aguilera, M.C.

Medical school: Universidad Católica de Honduras Nuestra Señora Reina de la Paz Facultad en Ciencias de la Salud
Residency: SUNY Downstate Health Sciences University Pediatric Program Residency

What is living in Rochester, Minnesota like for you?

Moving from Brooklyn, NY, to Rochester has given me the tranquility I sought. I'm not a big city person, so walking or biking along tree-lined sidewalks and practicing birdwatching brings me a sense of serenity before starting my workday. Rochester has also surprised me with its excellent restaurant scene and diverse arts, sports, and cultural activities throughout the seasons.

What attracted you to pediatric gastroenterology?

I was drawn to pediatric gastroenterology because of its comprehensive involvement with multiple fascinating organ systems, including the liver, pancreas, luminal GI tract, and nutrition. This specialty offers a unique variety of pathologies and career versatility, allowing me to shape my professional journey differently.

Why did you choose to do your fellowship at Mayo?

I wanted to train in a program that would expose me to complex and challenging gastroenterology cases. There was no better choice for me than Mayo Clinic, a leading Destination Medical Center where national and international referrals bring a diverse range of cases. What truly set Mayo apart was its commitment to its primary value: "The needs of the patient come first." This philosophy creates a unique patient-centered work environment where cutting-edge diagnostic and interventional modalities are readily available.

Within our Pediatric GI department, I have experienced incredible support and teamwork, where our consultants are always eager to teach and share their expertise in managing challenging cases while encouraging academic and research activities. Beyond our department, specialists across disciplines—including pediatric surgeons, adult gastroenterologists, pathologists, and radiologists—are all highly approachable and willing to collaborate. Whether answering questions or offering insights, they are always happy to help, ensuring that we provide the best possible care for our patients. This culture of teamwork and open communication truly enhances both learning and patient outcomes.

What are your favorite things to do in Rochester?

I have a growing list of state parks, bike trails, and lakes I want to explore, but so far, I've had a fantastic camping experience at Whitewater State Park, enjoyed snow tubing and the Steeplechase, and attended various local festivals. I also love visiting the great breweries and unique restaurants in town, with some of my favorites being Marrow, Pop Thai, and Our Paladar.

Khalid Al-Kharraz, M.B.B.S.

Medical school: Jordan University of Science and Technology Faculty of Medicine
Residency: Hurley Medical Center/Michigan State University

What is living in Rochester, Minnesota, like for you? The moment I arrived in Minnesota for the first time, what immediately caught my attention was how kind and welcoming people are. I've met many friendly people across the United States, but Minnesotans often go the extra mile. The community here is warm, supportive, and always ready to help.

Rochester offers the best of a small city—it has everything you need within reach while remaining free of heavy traffic. Plus, it’s a very safe place to live.

What attracted you to pediatric gastroenterology?  

I decided to pursue gastroenterology because I found it to be the field I enjoyed the most and wanted to dedicate my career to. GI offers the perfect balance of diverse healthcare settings, including inpatient care, consultations, outpatient visits, and procedures.

The variety and complexity of diseases in this field are endless, covering areas such as liver diseases, pancreatic physiology, luminal disorders, and neurogastroenterology. With multiple organs involved, each with its own unique pathophysiology and diseases, gastroenterology continuously fuels my curiosity and motivates me to learn and read more.

Why did you choose to do your fellowship at Mayo?

The fellowship here offers the best of both large and small programs. You gain exposure to a wide range of subspecialty cases, including Aerodigestive, liver transplant, IBD, and motility disorders. As a referral center, you get experience managing complex patients, helping you build confidence in handling challenging cases.

It also maintains the close-knit environment of a small program—within just two weeks, you'll get to know the department well, and they’ll know you, creating a supportive, family-like atmosphere. The faculty are not only knowledgeable but also passionate about teaching and incredibly supportive.

Another unique advantage is the opportunity to work closely with adult GI specialists. This exposure allows you to gain insight into the future of pediatric GI and stay updated on advancements in the field.

Overall, this fellowship provides everything you need to excel in gastroenterology.

What are your favorite things to do in Rochester?

Running in Cascade Lake Park and across the river, Hiking at Quarry Hill Nature, and walking downtown.

Graduate outcomes

The most important indicator of the success of a training program is found in the outcomes of the graduates upon completion of their training. Our fellows are highly competitive after graduation:

• One graduate received NIH R01 funding shortly after graduating.
• Two graduates have been Mayo Clinic Scholars. One received R01 funding while the second received a Mayo Clinic KL2 Mentored Career Development Program.
• 100% board pass rate over the last 10 years.
• 100% job placement rate.
• Approximately 90% of graduates are in academics and 10% are in private practice one year after training.