Meet Our Residents

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The Thoracic Surgery Residency at Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota, draws trainees from across the U.S. and around the world. While all of 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.

Current residents

Class of 2025
Class of 2026
Class of 2028

Class of 2025

Brandon Hendriksen, M.D., M.P.H.

Hometown: Miami, FL
Medical school: University of Miami, Miami, FL
General surgery residency: Penn State Hershey Medical Center, Hershey, PA
Hobbies: Sports, gym, traveling
Future plans: General thoracic surgery

Why Mayo? I chose to train at Mayo for the depth and breadth of cases. I liked the idea of the mentorship training model.

Myriam Martinez Aguilar, M.D.

Hometown: Mexico City, Mexico
Undergraduate: National Autonomous University of Mexico
Medical school: National Autonomous University of Mexico
Hobbies: Running, hiking, and international food
Future plans: Structural heart disease, robotic cardiac surgery, and global cardiac surgery

Why Mayo? I chose Mayo for the apprenticeship program, complexity of cases, robotic program, excellent support system with APPS and SA, and because the program is strong in research.

Nathaniel Robinson, M.D.

Hometown: Sandy, UT
Undergraduate: Brigham Young University, Provo, UT
Medical school: Mayo Clinic Alix School of Medicine, Rochester, MN
Hobbies: Mountain biking, backpacking, building projects, and raising my kids
Future plans: Cardiac surgery - I am still sorting out the specifics, but I enjoy robotic and minimally invasive cases, as well as aortic cases

Why Mayo? I chose Mayo for the broad range of cases (both complex and straightforward), the 1-to-1 mentorship and instruction, amazing research and professional development support, and the attitude of the entire institution really does practice what it preaches with "the needs of the patient comes first." I love living here in Rochester. It is small, has no traffic, is safe, has good options to spend time outdoors, and it's really affordable here.

Class of 2026

	Matthew J. Aizpuru, M.D. Hometown: Minneapolis, MN Undergraduate: Amherst College, Amherst, MA Medical school: Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA Hobbies: Fishing, travel, and going to the Twin Cities to spend time with my family Future plans: Career in academic general thoracic surgery Why Mayo? The case volume/complexity, the commitment to education, and the amazing culture within the program. Being close to my family in Minneapolis is an added bonus.
	Yahya A. Alwatari, M.B., B.Ch., B.A.O. Hometown: Baghdad, Iraq Undergraduate: Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland - Bahrain Medical school: Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland - Bahrain Hobbies: Soccer, swimming, and travelling Future plans: Minimally invasive thoracic surgery with a focus on education and clinical research Why Mayo? I chose Mayo for its combination of high-volume, high-complexity thoracic cases and its deeply rooted culture of mentorship. The institution’s commitment to the three pillars of Education, Research, and Clinical Practice creates a truly integrated environment where surgical excellence is not only taught but continuously advanced.
	Mitra Khosravi Flanigan, M.D. Hometown: Jacksonville, FL Undergraduate: Duke University, Durham, NC Medical school: Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine, Cleveland, OH Hobbies: Hanging out with my daughter, baking, playing piano, painting, tennis, 3-D printing Future plans: Adult cardiac surgery with a focus on robotic/minimally invasive procedures Why Mayo? The exceptional surgeons and operative volume at Mayo Clinic are unrivaled by other institutions and the training you get in this setting is unparalleled. The breadth of cases from bread and butter to complex “only-see-these-cases-at-Mayo” allows for the most comprehensive training possible.
	Anita Nguyen, M.D. Hometown: Vienna, Austria Undergraduate: Imperial College London, London, England Medical school: Barts and the London School of Medicine, London, England Hobbies: Peloton, yoga, hiking, and playing with my cat Yuki Future plans: Adult cardiac surgery, with a focus on robotic cardiac surgery Why Mayo? The perfect combination of academics and an exciting caseload, and I wanted the opportunity to train under world-class surgeons within the mentorship model.

Class of 2028

Brett Curran, M.D.

Hometown: Wilmette, IL
Undergraduate: Connecticut College
Medical school: Loyola University Chicago Stritch School of Medicine
Hobbies: Playing hockey, golf, pickleball, and winemaking
Future plans: Adult cardiac surgery

Why Mayo? I chose Mayo for the high case volume and complexity, unique apprenticeship model from world-renowned surgeons, and the hospital's rich and prestigious history.

Elaine Griffeth, M.D.

Hometown: Dallas, TX
Undergraduate: University of Oklahoma
Medical school: University of Oklahoma
Hobbies: Running, hiking, trying new restaurants, and hanging out on patios with my dog
Future plans: Congenital Cardiac Surgery Fellowship

Why Mayo? I wanted to train at a high-volume referral center where I'd be frequently taking care of complex patients and performing difficult cases. I knew that if I'd be able to see and do more of the difficult and rarer aspects of cardiothoracic surgery, then by the end of my training I'd be well-equipped to care for patients in any scenario. Mayo Clinic offers this type of training in a really positive culture. I found residents and faculty to be very kind and supportive, and everyone prioritizes patient care.

Alumni

The most important indicator of the success of a training program is found in the outcomes of the graduates upon completion of their training. Learn more about our recent alumni and where they have taken their talents after graduation.

Graduate	Year	Destination
Yazan Al-Jamal, M.D.	2024	Cardiovascular Surgery Faculty, Mayo Clinic College of Medicine and Science, Rochester, MN
Elvis Camacho, M.D.	2024	Cardiac and Thoracic Surgery, Mercy Heart Hospital, Springfield, MO
Raffaele Rocco, M.D	2024	Thoracic Surgery, Cedars-Sinai, Los Angeles, CA
Kenn Hassler, D.O.	2023	Advanced Aortic Fellowship, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI
Motahar Hosseini, M.D.	2023	Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA
Pouya Hemmati, M.D.	2022	Cardiac Surgeon, Little Rock, AR
Kimberly Holst, M.D.	2022	Cardiovascular Surgery Faculty, Mayo Clinic College of Medicine and Science, Rochester, MN
Erin Schumer, M.D.	2022	Heart Transplantation and Mechanical Circulatory Support Fellowship, St. Louis, MO
Carlos Puig, M.D.	2021	General Thoracic Surgeon, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA
Sahar Saddoughi, M.D., Ph.D.	2021	Lung Transplant Fellowship, University of Toronto Faculty, General Thoracic and Cardiac Surgery, Mayo Clinic College of Medicine and Science, Rochester, MN
Zaid Abdelsattar, M.D.	2020	General Thoracic Surgeon, Loyola University, Chicago, IL
Matthew Inra, M.D.	2020	General Thoracic Surgeon, Lenox Hill Hospital, New York, NY
Meghana Helder, M.D.	2019	Cardiac Surgeon, North Central Heart Institute, Sioux Falls, SD
Monisha Sudarshan, M.D.	2019	General Thoracic Surgeon, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH
Arman Arghami, M.D., M.P.H.	2018	Cardiovascular Surgery Faculty, Mayo Clinic College of Medicine and Science, Rochester, MN
Phillip Rowse, M.D.	2018	Cardiovascular Surgery Faculty, Mayo Clinic College of Medicine and Science, Rochester, MN
Lawrence Greiten, M.D.	2017	Congenital Heart Surgeon, Arkansas Children's Hospital, Little Rock, AZ
Hisham Qandeel, M.D.	2017	Cardiac Surgeon, EW Sparrow Hospital/Michigan State, Lansing, MI
Janani Reisenauer, M.D.	2017	General Thoracic Surgery Faculty, Mayo Clinic College of Medicine and Science, Rochester, MN

Life in Rochester

Our fellows love the small town safety and conveniences paired with the big city entertainment and diverse restaurants Rochester has to offer. With live concerts, craft breweries, and over 3,500 acres of parks and trails, it's never hard to find something to do. Learn more about our community and what our fellows love about living here.