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 Maria I. Vazquez Roque
Program: Gastroenterology, NIH Research Track, PGY-4, Mayo Clinic Rochester
Hometown: San Juan, Puerto Rico
Medical School: University of Puerto Rico
What attracted you to gastroenterology?
“My passion for gastrointestinal disease began during my second year of medical school. I viewed gastroenterology as a fascinating field, which encompasses a wide variety of conditions in acute and chronic settings.”
What attracted you to Mayo Clinic for residency training?
“Mayo is a leading institution in gastroenterology and liver diseases. I had the opportunity to do a Master’s in Clinical research at Mayo before my fellowship. I was impressed by my experience as a research fellow, and I knew that I wanted to have the experience from a clinical fellow standpoint. However, one of the most compelling assets of Mayo is its dedication and commitment to patient care and education.”
What makes the Mayo Clinic Gastroenterology Fellowship unique?
“This fellowship is unique because it offers a wide variety of learning experiences. There are diverse core curriculum lectures and conferences dedicated to specific areas of gastrointestinal interest, which provide the most current information for a complete learning experience. The patient population is diverse and provides a unique learning experience in the pathophysiology of gastrointestinal disease. One of the most unique qualities of this fellowship is the dedicated staff, who are models and mentors for the fellows.”
Anything surprise you about Mayo's program?
“One of the biggest surprises was the collegiality among staff and peers from other departments. The allied health staff is fantastic, very enthusiastic; and makes your work easier and enjoyable.”
What is living in Rochester like for you?
“Rochester is a small city that provides an excellent quality-of-life. There’s no traffic … no stress. It is a great city in which to live. However, if you desire big-city exposure once in a while, Minneapolis is just an hour’s drive away … where you’ll find multiple entertainment, culinary and cultural options.”
What does your future look like right now?
“My future looks pretty great. Having had the opportunity to train at Mayo will give me the opportunity to excel and fulfill my plans in academic gastroenterology.”
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