What do you like about living in Rochester, Minnesota? Overall, it is an easy city to live in and is a good place to do residency. The cost of living is low, housing is plentiful, and traffic is non-existent. The winters here are long, but bearable if you are well-prepared, and it is beautiful in the spring/summer/fall. There is enough going on here to keep you busy outside of work, and the Twin Cities are not far away if you are looking for more of a big-city feel.

What drew you to Mayo Clinic for your residency training? Mayo Clinic constantly pursues excellence and exceeds expectations. In an institution where patients always come first, a non-conformity mindset encourages trainees to think differently and to leverage their full potential to provide excellent care. On top of that, it incites continued education and innovative practices leading to meaningful and high-quality clinical research for those willing to pursue it. This blend provides an ongoing cycle where education and research ignite excellent clinical and surgical practice.

When selecting your career path, how did you come to decide on vascular surgery? The ability to form long-term relationships with patients drew me to vascular surgery, as well as the broad scope of practice in terms of anatomy, pathology, and the modalities we use to treat these issues. Our patients are typically very sick, and their problems are often complex (especially here at Mayo Clinic) and the ability to provide compassionate, comprehensive care to these patients and their families is extremely fulfilling.

Is there anything that surprised you about Mayo Clinic? The genuine kindness and collegial working environment at Mayo Clinic still surprises me every day. Everyone here is very nice  to work with, and the expectation throughout the clinic is that everyone is treated with respect which makes it a really nice place to work and learn. Also, I knew that Mayo Clinic would have great opportunities for research but I could not have imagined the incredible volume of research opportunities and resources that exist here. If you are interested in research, Mayo Clinic has so much to offer.

What drew you to Mayo Clinic for your residency training? Mayo Clinic encompassed everything I would want to have in a program. The high volume and full breadth of the complexity of endovascular and open surgeries, working with staff from different training backgrounds, the unique apprenticeship model, and the immense research opportunities were all attractive to me. Speaking with the residents at Mayo gave me a much closer feel for the program, and the familial culture, support, and commitment to education are exceptional. Mayo is a place where I envision myself cherishing my potential to its fullest as a vascular surgeon, researcher, and person.

What drew you to Mayo Clinic for your residency training? Mayo Clinic was founded by pioneering surgeons who revolutionized the practice of medicine and changed the world. Their legacy has continued to inspire and attract physicians from around the globe, making Mayo Clinic a symbol of innovation, commitment, and inspiration. Over the years, brilliant minds have joined this institution, contributing to the exceptional patient care, unwavering commitment to education, and groundbreaking research that has shaped the future of medicine. Being part of Mayo Clinic means being immersed in a culture of excellence and learning from the very best. It is a true privilege to be a part of this outstanding family.

What drew you to Mayo Clinic for your residency training: Mayo Clinic offers high volume endovascular and open vascular procedures that range in complexity, ultimately creating a well-trained vascular surgeon. Mentorship is easily found among the faculty. The program, and Mayo Clinic in general, is very support of research and other academic endeavors. Along with the patient first mentality of Mayo Clinic, I knew Mayo would help mold me into a well-rounded academic vascular surgeon.