Congratulations, Class of 2025, General Surgery Residents!
It was a time for reflection and gratitude toward mentors, colleagues, and family members who supported the graduates throughout their training.
As they move forward in their careers, the ceremony marked both an incredible milestone and the end of a remarkable chapter at the University of Minnesota.
On behalf of the Department of Surgery, we extend our sincere congratulations to the graduates. We wish you success and happiness in your future endeavors, and thank you for choosing the University of Minnesota for your residency training.
Congratulations to all!
2025 Fellowship and Residency Graduates
Abdominal Transplant Fellowship
Abraham Matar, M.D.
Matthew Wright, M.B.B.S.
Colon and Rectal Surgery Fellowship
Michael Horsey, M.D.
Elle Kalbfell, M.D.
William Kane, M.D.
Dakota Thompson, M.D.
Catherine Tran, M.D.
Plastic Surgery Residency
Sagar Deshpande, M.D.
Lamvy Le, M.D.
John Mayo, M.D. - Independent Program
Surgical Critical Care Fellowship
Zachary Bergman, M.D.
Tiffany Corlin, M.D.
Christopher Holley, M.D.
Emma Jones, M.D.
Melanie McCormick, M.D.
Thoracic Surgery Fellowship
Devin Rigg, M.D.
Yash Vaidya, M.B.B.S.
Vascular Surgery Fellowship
Eun Dong, M.D.
2025 Chief Resident Graduates
Rishav Aggarwal, M.D., was born and raised in India before relocating to Ohio to pursue his undergraduate degree in microbiology and neuroscience at The Ohio State University. He subsequently obtained his master’s degree in biomedical sciences and his medical degree from The Ohio State University College of Medicine. During his residency, he completed a two-year research fellowship in the laboratory of Dr. Rosemary Kelly within the Division of Cardiothoracic Surgery. His research focused on developing innovative adjunctive therapies for myocardial recovery, aiming to enhance myocardial function following revascularization for ischemic heart disease. Dr. Aggarwal was recognized for his exceptional academic achievements with the 2023 Henry Buchwald Award for Excellence in Academic Surgery. Following residency, he plans to pursue fellowship training in surgical critical care at the University of Minnesota, followed by fellowship in Cardiothoracic surgery at Tufts Medical Center in Boston.
Sonja M. Boatman, M.D., is originally from the Twin Cities area. Before starting college, she spent a year dancing with the Pacific Northwest Ballet’s pre-professional training program in Seattle, WA. She received her undergraduate degree from Williams College in Williamstown, MA, where she majored in Biology and Asian Studies. After college, she worked in a stem cell research lab at the Boston Children’s Hospital. She received her medical degree from the University of Chicago Pritzker School of Medicine in 2018. During her general surgery residency at the University of Minnesota, she presented her research at several conferences and published numerous manuscripts through the Division of Colon and Rectal Surgery. She received the Outstanding Clinical Educator Award, the Clinical Congress Scientific Forum Excellence in Research Award, and the ASCRS Resident Research Initiation Grant. Following graduation, Dr. Boatman will begin a Colon and Rectal Surgery fellowship at the University of Minnesota.
Marta Engelking, M.D., is from nearby Stillwater, MN. She received her undergraduate degree from the University of St. Thomas in Saint Paul, where she studied biology. After graduation, she began exploring medical careers locally and internationally through volunteer work. Marta went on to receive her medical degree from Ross University in Dominica in 2018, and continued her volunteer efforts while abroad. She was happy to return to Minnesota to complete her residency and looks forward to remaining close by while pursuing rural general surgery at St. Croix Health in St. Croix Falls, WI.
Robyn Marks, D.O., is originally from Waterford, Michigan. She studied Biomedical Engineering at Case Western Reserve University, where she balanced playing varsity volleyball and working in a tissue engineering research lab studying orthopedic biomaterials. She then went to medical school at Burrell College of Osteopathic Medicine in Las Cruces, NM, where she found a passion for general surgical care for rural and underserved populations while rotating through several small towns in northern New Mexico. She then joined the Rural Surgery track at University of Minnesota’s General Surgery Residency. Throughout her residency, she has built on her passion for improvement of rural health care and rural trauma systems. She will continue her training next year with a Surgical Critical Care fellowship at Maine Medical Center in Portland, Maine.
Emily Popma, M.D., M.H.S., is originally from Lansing, MI. She received her undergraduate degree in Biology from Aquinas College. She then obtained her master’s degree in biomedical science from Grand Valley State University. Before starting medical school, she worked as a nutritional epidemiologist studying the diet quality of inner city homeless women and led community engagement programs to improve nutrition for inner city families. She attended Michigan State University College of Human Medicine, graduating in 2019. Dr. Popma completed her fellowship in burn surgery during her research year at the University of Minnesota. She participated in research in burn surgery at both regional and national conferences. Dr. Popma will begin a Critical Care Fellowship at the University of Michigan after graduation.
Saranya Prathibha, M.D., is from Bentonville, Arkansas, and graduated magna cum laude from Hendrix College with a degree in Biochemistry/Molecular Biology. She received her medical degree from The Ohio State University College of Medicine, where she received several scholarships, including the Robert M. Zollinger Scholarship in surgery. During residency, she spent time in Honduras providing breast cancer care, performing research, and improving breast cancer education for health care providers. She was successful in her research endeavors and won a top-scoring breast oncology abstract at the Society of Surgical Oncology. She was named an Outstanding Hematology/Oncology Fellow at the Minnesota Society of Clinical Oncology in 2022. She also completed a chief residency year with the VA in quality improvement and earned a yellow belt in Lean methodology and several awards for her projects. Following graduation, Dr. Prathibha will begin a Breast Surgical Oncology Fellowship at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota.
Chesney Burgweger Siems, M.D., is from De Soto, KS. She received her undergraduate degree at Southern Nazarene University, where she studied biochemistry and ran cross country and track. She received her medical degree from the University of Oklahoma College of Medicine in 2018. During residency, Dr. Siems was well published and presented several oral presentations at multiple conferences. She received the 2023 Justin W. Goodhue Humanitarian Scholarship and attended two surgical brigades to Honduras. She received the 2024 Earl Young award for Exemplary Performance as a surgical resident at Methodist Hospital. Dr. Siems served as an administrative chief resident this past year. Following graduation, she will continue her training at the University of Minnesota for her fellowship in cardiothoracic surgery.
McKenzie J. White, M.D., is originally from Homer, Alaska. She received her bachelor’s degree from Hillsdale College in Hillsdale, Michigan, where she studied English and biochemistry. She received her medical degree from Western Michigan University Homer Stryker, M.D. School of Medicine and matriculated to the University of Minnesota in 2018. During residency, Dr. White pursued clinical outcomes research in surgical oncology. She presented at multiple conferences and received awards for papers presented at the Minnesota Society of Clinical Oncology, the Minnesota Surgical Society, and the University of Minnesota Department of Surgery Research Week. Dr. White received the 2022 and 2023 Justin W. Goodhue Humanitarian Scholarship for participation in two surgical brigades to Honduras. In 2024, she received the Henry Buchwald Award for academic excellence. Following graduation, Dr. White will continue her surgical training at Moffitt Cancer Center in Tampa, Florida, pursuing a fellowship in complex general surgical oncology.
Join us in celebrating this year's outstanding award recipients:
Cassius Ellis Resident Teaching Award: McKenzie White, MD
David Gaviser Surgical Research Award: Sonja Boatman, MD
Earl Young Award: Alyssa Brandt, MD
Henry Buchwald Award: Lauren Weaver, MD
Wangensteen Award for Excellence in Teaching: Kevin Ose, MD
Surgical Alumnus of the Year: Varvara Kirchner, MD
