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Meet Our Trainees

Our Pulmonary and Critical Care Fellowship draws trainees from across the United States and around the world. Many of our fellows come from a diverse background and contribute unique qualities and perspectives. As a large program with 26 dedicated fellows, our trainees are given many opportunities to develop close relationships with each other and faculty during their three year program. Learn more about a few of our current trainees and what interests them both inside and outside the clinic.

Layla Farahani, D.O., M.S.

Layla Farahani, D.O., M.S.

What are your hobbies?

I love cross-stitch and crochet. I enjoy hanging out with my co-fellows, whether it be watching movies or at our family dinners!

How has your experience been in the program?

It’s been a blast! I love how supportive and flexible the program is when it comes to tailoring my education to my interests. It’s truly amazing to be a part of a community of learners and staff who all have the shared goal of providing the best care possible to our patients and are eager to help me learn as a part of that goal. Additionally, my co-fellows are some of the kindest and most amazing people I’ve had the privilege to learn and grow with. Aside from the phenomenal culture at Mayo, there’s a ton of amazing learning opportunities here, given the pathology we see and the resources we have access to.

What do you like about Rochester?

I like the access to walking trails during the summer and spring. My co-fellows and I are experts in the local food scene and have fun exploring new restaurants. There’s also great farmers markets and events like Thursdays on First and the free summer concert series. There’s plenty of downtown events every week and the Cities are close by for day trips to winter markets, concerts, and events.

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Matt Biondi, M.D.

Matt Biondi, M.D.

What are your hobbies?

I love any kind of exercise, watching sports, and spending time with my family (wife, Shih-poo, and recently welcomed a baby girl). I especially enjoy working out, hiking, snowboarding, and traveling, so we are excited to explore more of northern Minnesota this fall and winter, where all this can be done!

How has your experience been in the program?

Everyone has been incredibly welcoming and friendly, and there is a genuine sense of family and support within the program, which is especially important during the challenges of fellowship. Clinically, our training allows us to manage bread-and-butter pulmonary and critical care disease in our local and regional population while also gaining significant experience with rare diseases through our large national and international referral population. On our rotations, in our didactics, and through our research endeavors, we learn directly from experts in the field who are genuinely invested in being excellent teachers and mentors.

What do you like about Rochester?

My wife and I have loved Rochester even more than we expected when moving from Phoenix. Having lived in the deserts of Nevada and Arizona most of my life, I am still taking in all the beauty of having four full seasons per year, especially the changing colors of the fall. From the greenery around town to the nearby lakes, Rochester is a beautiful place to live and work. There is also much more to do than we initially anticipated, with new restaurants frequently popping up, and the Twin Cities are just over an hour away when we are missing the bigger-city feel, though the traffic there usually sends us back sooner than anticipated.  

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Joelle Friesen, M.D.

Joelle Friesen, M.D.

What are your hobbies?

I love staying active by playing tennis, reading for several book clubs with Mayo colleagues, traveling (shout-out to Rochester for having a convenient airport!), and exploring new restaurants and events with friends. The Mayo Fellows Association also frequently holds social events around Rochester, and I enjoy meeting new people through those! 

How has your experience been in the program?

Mayo has an incredible community that is supportive and collaborative, making it an unsurpassed environment to work and learn. There is a strong emphasis on individualized fellow support, with the goal of helping each person reach their goals, be the best physician they can be, and attain excellent work-life integration. We learn from world-class experts in pulmonary and critical care who are also approachable and eager to teach and mentor. From clinical care to education to research, I am constantly learning and growing alongside amazing colleagues. 

What do you like about Rochester?

Rochester provides an excellent balance of amenities and ease of living with short commutes. Hiking at Quarry Hill and Chester Woods, getting coffee with friends at Cafe Steam, and going to Thursdays Downtown (weekly summer block party!) are a few of my favorite activities. Major sporting events and concerts are just a short drive away in the Twin Cities as well! 

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Sanya Chandna, M.B.B.S.

Sanya Chandna, M.B.B.S.

What are your hobbies?

I love traveling and exploring new places, especially trying different foods and restaurants along the way. I also enjoy spending time with friends and family and watching movies.

How has your experience been in the program? 

What I have enjoyed most about the program is the incredible breadth of training, from complex critical illness to highly specialized pulmonary disease. The faculty are exceptionally supportive and accessible, both clinically and as mentors. As fellows develop specific clinical or research interests, the program provides opportunities for focused experiences and mentorship in those areas, allowing us to shape our training toward our future career goals.

What do you like about Rochester?

I enjoy the balance Rochester offers. It has a peaceful and welcoming atmosphere, and everyday life is very convenient, with short commutes and virtually no traffic. I especially enjoy how green the city becomes during the summer. Rochester is also conveniently located for trips to Minneapolis, and Chicago is an easy road trip for a weekend away.

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Current fellows

Class of 2027

Shubhang Bhatt, M.D., M.S.

Shubhang Bhatt, M.D., M.S.

Hometown: Phoenix, Arizona

Medical school: Mayo Clinic Alix School of Medicine

Peter Conrad, M.D.

Peter Conrad, M.D.

Hometown: Grand Rapids, Michigan

Medical school: Wayne State University School of Medicine

Ali El Mokahal, M.D.

Ali El Mokahal, M.D.

Hometown: Beirut, Lebanon

Medical school: American University of Beirut

 Claudia Gymiah, M.D. Ch.B.

Claudia Gymiah, M.D. Ch.B.

Hometown: Kumasi, Ghana

Medical school: Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology

Alan Hu, M.D. 

Alan Hu, M.D.

Hometown: Shanghai, China, and Cincinnati, Ohio

Medical school: University of Cincinnati

Sami Hussein, M.B.B.S, M.S.

Hometown: Khartoum, Sudan

Medical school: University of Khartoum

Imran Khan, M.D.

Hometown: Riverdale, Maryland

Medical school: American University of Antigua College of Medicine

 Laura Piccolo Serafim, M.D.

Laura Piccolo Serafim, M.D.

Hometown: Criciuma, Brazil

Medical school: Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul

Ben Stultz, M.D.

Ben Stultz, M.D.

Hometown: Maple Grove, Minnesota

Medical school: Medical College of Wisconsin

Class of 2028

Talal Almasri, M.B.B.S.

Talal Almasri, M.B.B.S.

Hometown: Riyadh, Saudi Arabia

Medical school: Alfaisal University

Aly Anton, D.O.

Aly Anton, D.O.

Hometown: Chanhassen, Minnesota

Medical school: Midwestern University Chicago College of Osteopathic Medicine

Sanya Chandna, M.B.B.S.

Sanya Chandna, M.B.B.S.

Hometown: New Delhi, India

Medical school: Lady Hardinge Medical College

Layla Farahan, D.O., M.S.

Layla Farahan, D.O., M.S.

Hometown: Austin, Texas

Medical school: Texas College of Osteopathic Medicine at UNT Health Fort Worth

Jiannan Huang, M.D.

Jiannan Huang, M.D.

Hometown: Putian, China

Medical school: Peking Union Medical College

George Khludenev, M.D.

George Khludenev, M.D.

Hometown: Bethesda, Maryland

Medical school: The George Washington University School of Medicine

Trevor Parton, M.D.

Trevor Parton, M.D.

Hometown: Canton, North Carolina

Medical school: University of North Carolina School of Medicine

Drashti Patel, M.B.B.S.

Drashti Patel, M.B.B.S.

Hometown: Visnagar, Gujarat, India

Medical school: B.J. Medical College

Frederick Tolle, M.D., M.P.H.

Frederick Tolle, M.D., M.P.H.

Hometown: Indianapolis, Indiana

Medical school: Georgetown University School of Medicine

Class of 2029

Matt Biondi, M.D.

Matt Biondi, M.D.

Hometown: Reno, Nevada

Medical school: University of Nevada, Reno School of Medicine

Mark Colantonio, M.D.

Mark Colantonio, M.D.

Hometown: Weirton, West Virginia

Medical school: West Virginia University School of Medicine

Joelle Friesen, M.D.

Joelle Friesen, M.D.

Hometown: Normal, Illinois

Medical school: University of Iowa Carver College of Medicine

Jenna Gales, M.D.

Jenna Gales, M.D.

Hometown: New London, Minnesota

Medical school: American University of Antigua College of Medicine 

Cameron Gmehlin, M.D.

Cameron Gmehlin, M.D.

Hometown: Milwaukee, Wisconsin

Medical school: Medical College of Wisconsin

Eric Huang, M.D.

Eric Huang, M.D.

Hometown: Tallahassee, Florida

Medical school: University of Miami Miller School of Medicine

Jose Meade-Aguilar, M.D.

Jose Meade-Aguilar, M.D.

Hometown: San Luis Potosi, Mexico

Medical school: Universidad Autonoma de San Luis Potosi, Mexico

Sivani Parsa, M.D.

Sivani Parsa, M.D.

Hometown: Des Moines, Iowa

Medical school: University of Iowa Carver College of Medicine

Micaela Witte, M.D.

Micaela Witte, M.D.

Hometown: Rochester, Minnesota

Medical school: Mayo Clinic Alix School of Medicine