Mitchell Edquist, MD ’19, is making his mark as a cardiothoracic imaging fellow at Duke University Medical Center. A Wisconsin native, Dr. Edquist earned his Doctor of Medicine from St. George’s University School of Medicine and is now honing his expertise in diagnostic radiology.
His passion for medicine began during an unexpected appendectomy while in undergraduate college at the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse. It was an experience that sparked Dr. Edquist’s deep interest in the diagnostic side of patient care. This early inspiration ultimately led him to pursue a career in radiology.
In his current fellowship, Dr. Edquist focuses on diseases of the chest, particularly interstitial lung disease and pulmonary infections. He greatly values the collaborative learning environment at Duke, which continues to shape his clinical skills and professional growth.
Throughout his training, Dr. Edquist has been recognized for his leadership, serving as chief resident during both his transitional year and diagnostic radiology residencies at the University of Buffalo—the latter as the program’s first chief resident.
Upon completion of his fellowship, Dr. Edquist looks forward to returning to Wisconsin to begin his career as a diagnostic radiologist. Learn more about his inspiring journey to medicine.
SGU: Tell us about your current role. What is your favorite part of the job?
Dr. Edquist: I am a cardiothoracic radiology fellow at Duke. I’m thrilled to be studying and diagnosing diseases of the chest and assessing the treatment of those diseases. I’m particularly interested in the diagnosis and management of interstitial lung disease and pulmonary infection. I also truly enjoy working with my colleagues in the reading room and find so much value in learning from these experts in the field. Being able to easily go to Duke basketball games sure doesn’t hurt either.
SGU: Why do you love your field/specialty?
Dr. Edquist: There are many reasons I love radiology. I love affecting the care of dozens to hundreds of patients on any given day. I love being a consultant and helping the clinical team manage their patients by contributing from a purely diagnostic side of medicine.
SGU: How is fellowship different than residency?
Dr. Edquist: The purpose of a fellowship program is to gain the skills to become an expert in the field you’ve chosen. At this point you are legally a board-eligible or board-certified physician in your field. With that in mind, you have greater autonomy, are exposed to higher level cases, and may have teaching or research-related duties.
SGU: What is one thing med students should know about fellowships?
Dr. Edquist: The length of fellowships varies wildly by specialty. Most radiology fellowships are only one year, while many internal medicine fellowships can be three years or longer. That being said, they are very worthwhile. The career opportunities they can open up, the networking, the job security, and the level of expertise you can gain are all extremely important.
SGU: How did SGU help you achieve your dream of becoming a doctor?
Dr. Edquist: SGU really is the major reason why I was able to achieve my dream to become a doctor. They gave me a chance when US medical schools did not.
SGU: Why did you choose SGU?
Dr. Edquist: I chose it for the track record of graduate success, the widespread network of hospitals to do clinical rotations, and the reputation. I would choose it again if given the opportunity.
SGU: Which, if any, support services did you take advantage of at SGU? How did these help you succeed?
Dr. Edquist: I took part in SGU’s Department of Educational Services sessions both as an attendee and as a facilitator. Reviewing more challenging material in a small group setting with my peers was a great method of solidifying material. Additionally, I found teaching to be the best way of learning.
SGU: Why would you recommend SGU to an aspiring med student?
Dr. Edquist: SGU has dedicated faculty and administration who are committed to your growth and education. Having so many clinical rotation sites across the US (and abroad) is another great asset for seeing different systems, cultures, electronic medical record programs, cities, and for networking. On top of those things, SGU has great facilities on an absolutely beautiful island. It was the right choice for me.
SGU: Is there anything else you would like to share with us?
Dr. Edquist: SGU will provide the foundation of what you need to be an excellent physician. The rest will be up to you. Take ownership of your own education, learn how you learn best, and then put the required time and effort into becoming the best physician you can be. You can get there through SGU.
— Published June 2025
