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Meet the Team

Rena Hale, Ph.D.

Rena Hale, Ph.D., Director

Dr. Hale is the Director of MCSGME’s Innovation and Entrepreneurship Program and an Associate Professor of Clinical and Translational Science at Mayo Clinic. She holds a PhD in Biomedical Engineering and is actively engaged in innovation and commercialization. Passionate about experiential learning and translational research, Dr. Hale leads the program with the goal of bridging the gap between innovative ideas and fundable execution to improve patient care.

Praj Reddy, M.D, Co-Director of the Academy

Dr. Reddy is the Co-Director of MSCSGME’s Innovation and Entrepreneurship Program and an Assistant Professor of Medicine. As a cardiac multimodality imager at Mayo Clinic Florida, he brings a clinician-innovator perspective rooted in structural heart imaging, procedural planning, and intraprocedural guidance. His work focuses on advancing innovation in structural heart imaging and procedures, with a particular interest in predictive procedural modeling to improve patient-specific planning, procedural safety, and clinical outcomes. Through the Innovation and Entrepreneurship Academy, Dr. Reddy is passionate about helping residents and fellows translate frontline clinical challenges into meaningful solutions, equipping trainees with the mindset, tools, and mentorship needed to move ideas from concept to impact.

Aman Verma, D.O.

Aman Verma, D.O., Co-Director of Academy

Dr. Aman Verma is a Hospitalist and Internist at Mayo Clinic in Phoenix, Arizona. He serves as the Director of the Medicine Subinternship at the Mayo Clinic Alix School of Medicine and holds multiple leadership roles, including Vice Chair of the Mortality Review Subcommittee and Co-Director of the Arizona Poster Committee for the American College of Physicians. He is passionate about mentoring, curriculum development, and advancing patient care through clinical excellence and educational leadership Dr. Verma was named Teacher of the Year by the Mayo Fellows’ Association and has received honors such as the Innovation Challenge Award and membership in Sigma Sigma Phi and Tau Beta Pi honor societies.

Tara Gruwell, M.H.I., Academy Coordinator

Tara Gruwell is the coordinator for the Innovation Academy. She holds a Master’s degree in Healthcare Innovation from Arizona State University and is passionate about creating an environment where innovative ideas can thrive. Tara manages the program inbox (MCSGMEInnEntrep@mayo.edu) and looks forward to answering your questions and guiding you through the application process.