Hometown: Hillsboro, OH

Medical school: Northeast Ohio Medical University (NEOMED)

Residency: University of Kentucky, Lexington, Kentucky

Why Mayo: The Spine Surgery Fellowship at Mayo Clinic offers excellent training through a model that allows for graduated autonomy and robust case volume. I knew that by coming to Mayo Clinic, I would be trained to be a well-rounded spine surgeon with exposure in all facets of spine surgery. Additionally, I knew that this fellowship would create an environment in which I could grow tremendously as a surgeon and a clinician. This fellowship has a reputation for creating spine surgeons that are confident and ready to enter independent practice. I'm very fortunate to have the opportunity to train at Mayo Clinic both for the training and mentorship that this fellowship provides.

Hometown: Utrecht, The Netherlands

Medical school: Utrecht University Medical School

Residency: University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada

Mayo Clinic's Spine Fellowship offers the breadth and depth of training I was looking for. The case volume and variety are exceptional, ranging from routine degenerative cases to complex deformity, revision cases, and spinal oncology. Fellows gain experience with open, minimally invasive, navigated, and robotic techniques. The faculty are committed educators who emphasize sound surgical indications as much as technique, and the graduated autonomy builds confidence and efficiency in the operating room. The multidisciplinary environment provides valuable exposure to the management of complex patients, and the research infrastructure supports academic work alongside the clinical training. I am confident that this fellowship is preparing me for practice at the highest level, and I value the lasting mentorship it provides beyond graduation.