The Surgical Pathology Fellowship in Jacksonville, Florida, 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.

Ali Kanj Ahmad, M.D.

Hometown: Amman, Jordan

Medical school: University of Jordan

Why did you choose to specialize in surgical pathology? I chose surgical pathology because it’s where the diagnostic work in medicine is at its most focused and impactful. I genuinely enjoy the process of interpreting morphology and turning clinical information into a clear diagnosis. It’s a specialty that lets me apply that diagnostic mindset every day in a meaningful way.

What attracted you to Mayo Clinic for fellowship training? I was drawn to Mayo Clinic because of its exceptional reputation for clinical excellence, education, and truly collaborative practice. I’ve also heard a great deal about the culture there through my sister and brother-in-law, who both work at Mayo as physicians and have consistently described the supportive environment and high standards. Their experiences, combined with Mayo’s national reputation, made it a natural and compelling choice for my fellowship training.

What makes the Surgical Pathology Fellowship at Mayo Clinic unique?The Surgical Pathology Fellowship at Mayo Clinic stands out because of its combination of high-volume, complex case exposure. The program integrates digital pathology into daily practice, allowing fellows to learn from expert consultations, share cases seamlessly, and build confidence using modern diagnostic tools. Paired with Mayo’s national reputation for excellence, I find that this blend of innovation and mentorship makes the fellowship uniquely strong and forward-looking.

What is living in Jacksonville, Florida, like for you? The city has a relaxed coastal feel, great weather, and I am enjoying the ease of accessing beaches. Also, it has enough activities to stay engaged and unwind outside work.

What does your future look like right now? Short term my focus is on finishing fellowship with a focus on building toward a career where I can contribute meaningfully while continuing to grow. Medium-term, my goal is to secure a position where I can contribute to complex diagnostics, teach, and stay involved.

Zoobia Z. Khan, M.B.B.S.

Hometown: Islamabad, Pakistan 

Medical School: Shifa College of Medicine, Islamabad, Pakistan 

Why did you choose to specialize in Surgical Pathology?  My fascination with surgical pathology began during medical school while studying histology. Looking through the microscope, I realized that every slide tells a story; one that explains disease and ultimately guides patient care. As my training progressed, I became increasingly drawn to the challenge of integrating morphology with clinical history, imaging, and ancillary studies to solve complex diagnostic problems. 

One of the things I love most about surgical pathology is that no two days are ever the same. Every case presents a new puzzle, whether it is a routine biopsy or a rare tumor. I especially enjoy the fast-paced decision-making involved in frozen sections and the collaborative nature of working with surgeons and multidisciplinary teams. What continues to inspire me every day is knowing that behind every slide is a person whose diagnosis will shape important decisions about their care. Being able to contribute to that process is both intellectually rewarding and deeply meaningful to me.  

What attracted you to Mayo Clinic for fellowship training?  Mayo Clinic has long been recognized as a world leader in patient care, education, and innovation, making it my first choice for fellowship. I was especially excited by the opportunity to train in a high-volume subspecialty practice, learn from internationally recognized faculty, and care for patients with complex diseases from around the world. 

Another aspect that drew me to Mayo was its 100 percent digital pathology workflow. As someone with a strong interest in digital pathology and artificial intelligence, it has been especially exciting to train in an environment at the forefront of these advances. Working in a fully digital setting using whole-slide imaging has provided invaluable experience with technology that is transforming the future of pathology while enhancing collaboration, education, and diagnostic practice.  

What has impressed me most, however, is how seamlessly Mayo integrates its Three Shields; clinical practice, education, and research into everyday patient care. Whether signing out challenging cases, teaching residents, or participating in research, every experience reflects Mayo's culture of collaboration, innovation, and an unwavering commitment to putting the needs of the patient first. It is an environment that continually challenges me to grow as a diagnostician, educator, and researcher.  

What makes the Surgical Pathology Fellowship at Mayo Clinic unique? The fellowship offers an exceptional combination of outstanding faculty mentorship, remarkable case diversity, and progressive autonomy. Fellows work closely with subspecialty experts while gaining exposure to an extraordinary spectrum of consult and in-house cases, creating an ideal environment for continuous learning. 

Beyond the diagnostic experience, the fellowship emphasizes multidisciplinary collaboration, education, and scholarly activity. Interactions with colleagues across specialties foster both professional growth and lifelong friendships. Every day presents an opportunity to learn something new, making the fellowship both intellectually stimulating and incredibly rewarding.  

What is living in Jacksonville, Florida, like for you? Jacksonville has truly become home. I first moved here to begin my AP/CP residency at the University of Florida and enjoyed the city so much that I was thrilled to stay for my Surgical Pathology Fellowship at Mayo Clinic. Over the past several years, I've come to appreciate Jacksonville's welcoming community, beautiful coastline, and the balance it offers between professional training and personal life.  

Outside the hospital, I enjoy spending time with my husband exploring everything Jacksonville has to offer. We love walking along the beach, kayaking, paddleboarding, and spending time on the water, working in our yard and gardening together, discovering new restaurants and coffee shops, and cycling the area's scenic trails on weekends. The warm weather, abundant sunshine, and easy access to nature make Jacksonville a wonderful place to recharge while maintaining a healthy work-life balance.  

What does your future look like right now?  My goal is to build a career in academic surgical pathology where I can combine diagnostic excellence with teaching, research, and innovation. I am particularly excited about the growing role of digital pathology and artificial intelligence and their potential to enhance diagnostic accuracy, improve workflow efficiency, and ultimately advance patient care.  

Equally important to me is mentoring future trainees and contributing to a collaborative learning environment. One of the things I enjoy most about pathology is that there is always something new to learn, and that continual pursuit of knowledge is one of the reasons I find this specialty so rewarding. 

Most importantly, I hope to make a meaningful difference in people's lives. Behind every slide is a patient and a family whose care depends on an accurate diagnosis, and being entrusted with that responsibility is both a privilege and the reason I chose this profession. Throughout my career, I hope to continue learning, contribute to advances in pathology through education, research, and innovation, and, above all, make a meaningful difference in the lives of patients and their families.