What made you decide to complete a visiting clerkship at Mayo Clinic?

The dean at Meharry Medical College, Millard Collins, M.D., encouraged me to complete the visiting clerkship at Mayo Clinic. He was my mentor throughout medical school, and in a conversation about residency applications he told me that I should challenge myself. He encouraged me to spend some time working with the best — the best being Mayo Clinic.

Hometown: Montego Bay, Jamaica, and New York, New York
Medical school: Meharry Medical College
Residency: Family Medicine Residency, Mayo Clinic

What do you find most inspiring or unique about Mayo Clinic?

I was always fascinated by Mayo Clinic, including its unique culture of teamwork and focus on education. The "patient first" mentality takes patient care to another level. It is a world-class institution that is at the forefront of research. I was amazed at how all of the physicians are at the top of their field, yet are so approachable and love to teach. Also, the culture of teamwork leads to a complete focus on patient care.

Hometown: Salt Lake City, Utah
Medical school: Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center
Residency: Orthopedic Surgery Residency, Mayo Clinic

Why did you decide to complete a visiting clerkship at Mayo Clinic?

Mayo Clinic was an obvious choice when I was exploring possible training programs because of its reputation for fulfilling the values of patient care, research, and education that represent its shields. I was also fortunate to have a very supportive alumnus from my medical school who reached out and encouraged me to apply, based on their own positive experience and passion to pay it forward.

Hometown: Denver, Colorado
Medical school: Midwestern University Chicago College of Osteopathic Medicine
Residency: Psychiatry Residency, Mayo Clinic
Fellowship: Stanford School of Medicine

What was most beneficial about your clerkship experience?

I was impressed by the wide range of pathologies that I witnessed. With the amount of exposure that I had in one month, I knew that if I was given the opportunity to come here, I was going to be prepared to treat any disease or illness. I was also driven by the number of resources available such as the simulation center, code training sessions, and others. Everyone's humbleness and willingness to teach reassured me that I wanted to complete my Internal Medicine Residency at Mayo Clinic in Jacksonville, Florida.

Medical school: Ponce Health Sciences University
Residency: Internal Medicine Residency, Mayo Clinic

What did you enjoy most about your clerkship experience?

The culture of innovation, teamwork, and patient-centered care was amazing. During my visiting clerkship, I felt genuinely welcomed and valued as a contributing member of the team. The consultants, fellows, and residents were all brilliant and humble. After this experience, I knew deep in my heart that Mayo Clinic was the residency of my dreams.