Meet Our Residents

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Our residents have diverse backgrounds, interests, and career goals.

Shan Ali, M.D.

Is there anything that surprised you at Mayo Clinic?

Mayo Clinic not only emphasizes clinical education but also medical innovation, and provides access to a patent agent, a 3-D printing lab, and has partnerships with engineering universities to help you develop your ideas from rough napkin drawings to a real prototype.

Annamaria Malati, M.D.

What attracted you to Mayo Clinic?

I was drawn to Mayo Clinic for the unique opportunity to tailor my training experience to my own career goals. There are many resources to gain experience in areas such as medical education, research, global health, and innovation. These resources, coupled with a supportive culture within the neurology department and the hospital at large, create an environment that allows its residents to flourish!

Elizabeth Saionz, M.D., Ph.D.

Is there anything that surprised you at Mayo Clinic?

I have been impressed at the approachability of everyone here at Mayo Clinic. It’s astonishingly easy for me to reach out to colleagues, whether in neurology or across other specialties to discuss a patient case, ask questions, or develop an interdisciplinary management plan. It’s clear that the needs of the patient truly do come first.

Tia Turner, M.D., Ph.D.

What attracted you to Mayo Clinic?

I chose Mayo Clinic because of its core values, the unique exposure to a wide variety of neurological conditions including rare pathologies, the opportunity to learn from world-renowned faculty in multiple neurologic subspecialties, and the multidisciplinary approach to patient care. Mayo Clinic is a highly collaborative environment both within and between departments, and its dedication to the three pillars of patient care, research, and education, truly shines and continues to impress me every day. The neurology faculty are exceptional clinicians and educators, and they are so approachable and passionate about teaching. I am so grateful to train here!

Meet our residents from PGY-2, PGY-3, and PGY-4 and learn about their hometown, where they went to medical school, why they chose Mayo Clinic, and what they enjoy doing outside of work.

Class of 2025

	Maria Barrios, M.D. Administrative Chief Hometown: Barranquilla, Colombia, and Orlando, FL Medical school: Indiana University School of Medicine, IN About me: Academically, I'm interested in epilepsy and vascular neurology, but I'm keeping my options open. We have a great/fun group of residents, and I'm very happy with my experience at Mayo Clinic! Outside of medicine, my hobbies include playing softball, tennis, ping pong, chess, travel (especially famous beach destinations), and real estate (flipping houses)!
	Jessica Creager, M.D. Administrative Chief Hometown: Clemson, SC Medical school: University of Kentucky About me: Hello! I'm a neurology resident, currently most interested in neuro-palliative care. I have been enjoying my time in residency, including my preliminary year in internal medicine and in neurology. There is a culture of support and helpfulness that was obvious from my first day, and the attendings are wonderful teachers and often leaders in their field. I would recommend this program to anyone interested in pursuing neurology. In my free time, I like to play video and board games, spend time outdoors, and make stuffed animals for friends and family.
	Ryan Hunter, D.O. Recruitment Chief Hometown: San Diego, CA Medical school: Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine, Georgia Campus About me: I chose Mayo Clinic because I sought immersion in an environment of world-class learners and educators. I have academic interests in diseases of the nervous system secondary to neurodegenerative processes, namely movement disorders and behavioral neurology. My hobbies include cooking, biking, and attempting to pose my cat photogenically against his will.
	Samuel Jones, M.D. Education Chief Hometown: Charleston, SC Medical school: Medical University of South Carolina About me: Academically, my interests are in vascular neurology, critical care, and neurodegenerative disease. I think Mayo Clinic excels in its patient-centered approach to care. There is access to world experts across all fields of medicine and exciting ongoing research. My hobbies include playing the guitar and piano, weightlifting, and traveling with my wife.
	Zoe Wolcott, M.D. Quality and Wellness Chief Hometown: Salt Lake City, UT Medical school: University of UT About me: I chose Mayo Clinic because of the unique exposure to rare and diverse clinical pathology and the extraordinary teaching on display during my interview on professor rounds. I couldn't be happier with my co-residents and feel lucky to interact with such incredible teachers every day. I have a strong interest in cerebrovascular disease and autoimmune neurology. Apart from neurology, my hobbies include biking on my electric bicycle, skiing, rollerblading, and going to the beach with friends.

Class of 2026

	Shan Ali, M.D. Hometown: Camp Hill, PA Medical school: Medical University of Gdansk About me: I was born in Pakistan, grew up in Pennsylvania, and went to medical school in Poland. I’m interested in pain medicine for my fellowship. Other than clinical neurology, my interests are in medical device innovation, creative writing, and producing dance music. In my free time, I like to spend time with my partner and child.
	Ansley Madala, M.D. Hometown: Saint Simons Island, GA Medical school: Mercer University About me: It’s no secret that Mayo Clinic in Florida is a nation-renowned, stellar, remarkable program for neurology residency. However, my primary reason for choosing to train here is attributed to the feeling I had at the conclusion of my interview day. Easy flowing conversations, personalized interviews, and pre-interview phone call, smiling faces of current residents, in congruence with the breadth of opportunity offered and focus on "patient care, education, and research" made the decision for me. The phenomenal training, invaluable and incredible attendings, remarkable reports of patient experiences, and the feeling of the Neurology Residency program at Mayo Clinic in Florida is more of a family program makes it extraordinary.
	Annamaria Malati, M.D. Hometown: Tulsa, OK Medical school: University of Tulsa About me: I chose Mayo Clinic for the opportunity to see complex pathology in a collegial environment that values resident education. I suppose the weather and proximity to the beach sweetened the opportunity a little bit! During my time here, I have been amazed by the wide array of institutional opportunities for education, innovation, and research. If you have a particular career interest, odds are there is an avenue for you to pursue it at Mayo. In my free time, you can find me at the beach with friends, baking, traveling, and trying out new restaurants!
	Elizabeth Saionz, M.D., Ph.D. Hometown: Wynnewood, PA Medical school: University of Rochester School of Medicine & Dentistry About me: Before coming to the Mayo Clinic in Florida, my research focus was restoring vision after occipital stroke. Since starting residency, I remain interested in vascular neurology, but I am keeping an open mind because there is so much world-class neurology to learn here. My hobbies include reading, listening to podcasts, running, enjoying the Florida sunshine (with SPF), and voicing the inner monologue of my dog, Bear.
	Tia Turner, M.D., Ph.D. Hometown: Hewlett, NY Medical school: Virginia Commonwealth University About me: I chose Mayo Clinic because of its core values, the unique exposure to a wide variety of neurological conditions including rare pathologies, the opportunity to learn from eminent faculty in multiple neurologic subspecialties, and the multidisciplinary approach to patient care. I have strong interests in vascular neurology and neuro-oncology. In addition to neurology, I enjoy music, cooking, interior design, and all things Harry Potter.

Class of 2027

	Caitlin McGrath, M.D. Hometown: San Francisco, CA Medical school: California Northstate University College of Medicine About me: I enjoy working out in my free time - either at Baily’s gym or at Full Psycle for a spin class! I also enjoy Taylor Swift and Noah Kahan and love traveling to Savannah, Georgia.
	Ashley Meneley, D.O. Hometown: Grapevine, TX Medical school: Kansas City University About me: I came to Mayo Clinic to gain exposure to the vast array of neurologic pathology seen at Mayo and become familiar with the latest innovations in management of these conditions that will become standard of care over the next several decades. My clinical interests include Neurocritical Care, Vascular Neurology and integration of Palliative medicine into management of these patients. Here at Mayo Clinic Florida, we have fantastic faculty in all of these subspecialties who demonstrate the positive impact an interdisciplinary approach can have for the care of these patients. Outside the hospital, I love going to Disney World with my husband and co-residents, hanging out at the beach, watching football with my family and running an e-commerce bakery with my Mom!
	Nihal Satyadev, M.D., M.P.H. Hometown: Orange County, CA Medical school: University of Medicine and Health Sciences About me: Mayo Clinic Florida was an easy decision as the neurology service here attracts the most challenging patients and the culture here is focused on education, team success, and clinical excellence. Before residency, I helped start and scale The Youth Movement Against Alzheimer’s, 501(c)3. I have a computer science background and am interested in artificial intelligence innovation within dementia and more broadly in neurology. If I’m not on the service, you can find me in the gym, traveling, or climbing mountains.
	Brett Smith, M.D. Hometown: Culpeper, VA Medical school: Florida International University About me: I am most interested in vascular neurology and imagine myself working primarily as a neurohospitalist after residency. I chose Mayo Clinic because of the broad exposure to rare pathology and the welcoming culture that exists here. In my personal life, I enjoy hanging out with my fiancé and we also rescued a bunny whom we trained to be free roam. I enjoy a lot of board sports such as snowboarding, surfing, and skateboarding. I also grew up playing baseball and golf which I enjoy occasionally watching.
	Dominique Hayduk Montecino, M.D. Hometown: Belo Horizonte, Brazil Medical school: Universidade Presidente Antônio Carlos, Faculdade de Medicina de Juiz de Fora About me: Growing up in two distinct cultural backgrounds, I developed a strong appreciation for a work environment that fosters meaningful relationships with colleagues and patients. I felt an immediate sense of belonging at Mayo Clinic from day one, where I found everything I was looking for in a neurology residency program: a strong emphasis on medical education, a broad diversity of clinical pathology and an overtly supportive atmosphere. I deeply resonate with Mayo Clinic's core value: "the needs of the patient always come first," and I am humbled to help care for this community. Outside of work, you can find me with a paintbrush in hand working on my paintings, enjoying restaurants with family and friends, and exploring hidden gems in the city.
	Maya Murzello, M.D. Hometown: Appleton, WI Medical school: University of Oklahoma About me: I am currently interested in neuroimmunology and movement disorders. I selected Mayo Clinic because of its strong emphasis on patient-centered care. Additionally, Mayo's culture of collaboration, excellent educational opportunities, and renowned faculty are unparalleled. Outside of medicine, I enjoy relaxing at the beach, reading, traveling, and exploring new restaurants in Jacksonville.