June Tome, M.D.
- Resident, Gastroenterology
- Follow Dr. Tome on X: @JuneTomeMD
What moment or experience in your life influenced your decision to be a clinician?
From early on in childhood, I knew I wanted to pursue a career in medicine. I was motivated to combine my love of science with my passion for serving others. Experiences such as volunteering at a health clinic in Spain and spending time at the Red Cross Children's Hospital in South Africa further solidified my enthusiasm for the field.
While these initial experiences shaped my decision to become a clinician, I also developed a passion for advancing care through clinical research. It is a privilege to form rewarding connections with patients and make a positive impact on others' lives.
What motivated you to become a Kern Health Care Delivery Scholar?
The outstanding mentorship and ability to meaningfully impact patient care inspired me to become a Kern Scholar. I am passionate about patient-centered healthcare delivery and practice implementation. As I grow as a clinical investigator, the Kern Scholars program offers a distinct opportunity to refine my knowledge and skills in healthcare delivery research methods.
I am particularly interested in developing skills in the use of mixed research methodology, using both quantitative and qualitative methods to address gaps in care. The scholarship and mentorship in the Kern Scholars program allow me to develop a durable foundation for the next phase of my career.
What is your focus and goal as a scholar within the Mayo Clinic Kern Center for the Science of Health Care Delivery?
My team's study is titled the "Utility of Intestinal Ultrasound as a Diagnostic Tool for the Evaluation of Pouchitis and Other Outcomes After Ileal Pouch-Anal Anastomosis." Intestinal ultrasound has been studied in the evaluation of inflammatory bowel disease. It is increasingly employed as a noninvasive, easy to use, cost-effective tool for point-of-care assessment of disease activity. However, there are large gaps in data on the use of intestinal ultrasound specifically for patients with ulcerative colitis who have an ileal pouch-anal anastomosis. Pouchitis is a common complication occurring in up to 60% of patients.
My team's prospective pilot study investigates the usefulness of intestinal ultrasound for diagnosing pouchitis in patients with an ileal pouch-anal anastomosis. The study includes a mixed-methods approach that combines patient experience surveys with the clinical assessment of intestinal ultrasound. We will compare our results to the gold standard of endoscopic pouchoscopy.
Tell us about your mentoring team.
I am immensely grateful to have a strong interdisciplinary mentoring team in the Kern Health Care Delivery Scholars Program, which includes:
- Darrell S. Pardi, M.D., chair of the Division of Gastroenterology and my primary mentor. Dr. Pardi has mentored me for the last four years, during which time we have published numerous manuscripts, review articles and book chapters on the management of microscopic colitis and pouchitis.
- Nayantara Coelho-Prabhu, M.B.B.S., in the Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology. Dr. Coelho-Prabju has a clinical and research focus on inflammatory bowel disease as well as endoscopy. She serves as a content expert.
- Bijan J. Borah, Ph.D., the Robert D. and Patricia E. Kern Scientific Director for Clinical and Economic Evaluation. He provides methodology mentorship based on his expertise in comparative effectiveness research, including statistical and econometric methods. Dr. Borah's research interests include assessing the value of specific healthcare interventions.
- Kathryn Robinson, M.D., in the Department of Radiology. Dr. Robinson has a clinical and research focus in gastrointestinal imaging and intestinal ultrasound. Cross-departmental collaboration and mentorship supports the successful completion of this project and personal development for the next stage of my career.
How will your research transform and improve patient care or affect public health?
Intestinal ultrasound has the potential to change how healthcare professionals approach patients with pouchitis and similar conditions. Evaluating intestinal ultrasound for pouch conditions centers on Mayo Clinic's core value — placing the needs of the patient first — by considering novel and safe care with a reduced procedure burden.
Intestinal ultrasound is a less invasive tool than pouchoscopy, with fewer associated risks, which can directly improve the patient experience. This modality does not require patients to complete a bowel preparation or fast for several hours. It is a rapid, real-time test that can be performed during an office visit. If my team's study findings support the use of intestinal ultrasound for disorders of the pouch, future directions may include its implementation as a new model of care in Mayo's clinical gastroenterology practice.
Why did you choose Mayo Clinic to pursue your career?
I chose Mayo Clinic for both my internal medicine residency and gastroenterology fellowship training because of the incredibly collaborative culture, outstanding patient care, and unparalleled mentorship and research opportunities. It is a privilege to learn from leaders in the field who are committed to your success. Mayo Clinic is dedicated to the three shields of research, clinical care and education. From the in-depth exposure to every subspecialty of gastroenterology to the diverse clinical experiences, I am immensely grateful Mayo Clinic has allowed me to grow as a gastroenterologist and clinical investigator.
What are three words that describe you?
Determined, adaptable and compassionate.
Outside of work, what is one thing you like to do?
Outside of work, I love spending time outdoors and traveling. My husband and I enjoy hiking, as well as exploring new places around the globe.