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Mayo Clinic

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Mayo Clinic

Company type Private

Industry Health care

Founded January 27, 1864; 161 years ago (1864-01-27) in Rochester, Minnesota, U.S.

Headquarters Rochester, Minnesota, U.S. 44°1′20″N 92°28′0″W / 44.02222°N 92.46667°W / 44.02222; -92.46667

Area served

Key people

Revenue US$16.3 billion (2022) [3] :13

Total assets US$20.305 billion (2021) [3] :13

Number of employees 76,000

Divisions

Website mayoclinic.org

The Mayo Clinic (/ˈmeɪjoʊ/) stands as a formidable private American academic medical center, a titan in the realm of integrated healthcare, advanced education, and groundbreaking research. [4] For those who find themselves needing more than a local triage unit, Mayo offers a distinct, multi-campus approach. It currently maintains three primary, sprawling campuses: its venerable original site in Rochester, Minnesota; a sun-drenched outpost in Jacksonville, Florida; and a dual presence across Phoenix and Scottsdale, Arizona.

This institution, with its rather impressive 7,300 physicians and scientists, supported by an additional 66,000 administrative and allied health staff, operates on a scale few can rival. [5][6][7] Its specialization isn't in mundane sniffles, but in the intricate dance of diagnosing and treating the most challenging cases, often through advanced tertiary care and what has become known as destination medicine. People travel, it seems, when their bodies decide to become particularly interesting. Educationally, it houses the highly regarded Mayo Clinic Alix School of Medicine, consistently ranked among the top 15 in the nation, alongside a collection of the United States' most respected residency education programs. [8][9][10] Furthermore, the clinic dedicates a substantial sum—over $660 million annually—to its research endeavors, employing more than 3,000 full-time research personnel, presumably to uncover new ways for humanity to complicate its own existence. [11][12]

The genesis of this medical behemoth traces back to William Worrall Mayo, who, in 1864, decided to plant his family and medical practice in Rochester. What began as a mere sole proprietorship under his guidance blossomed dramatically under the stewardship of his sons, Will and Charlie Mayo, and an expanding circle of partners including Stinchfield, Graham, Plummer, Millet, Judd, and Balfour. Today, beyond its flagship hospital in Rochester, the Mayo Clinic proudly owns and operates significant campuses in Arizona [13] and Florida. [14] Its reach even extends across the Atlantic, with the most recent acquisition in 2020 of a facility in central London, UK. [15][16] For those not quite ready for a cross-country pilgrimage, the Mayo Clinic Health System also manages affiliated facilities scattered throughout Minnesota, Wisconsin, and Iowa, ensuring a broader, if somewhat less dramatic, footprint. [17]

For seven consecutive years, Mayo Clinic has held the coveted number one spot in the United States on U.S. News & World Report's Best Hospitals Honor Roll, a rather persistent achievement that has kept it at or near the pinnacle for over 35 years. [18][19] It has also graced Fortune magazine's list of "100 Best Companies to Work For" for fourteen consecutive years, a streak that impressively held through 2017. [20][21] Attracting patients from every corner of the globe, the clinic routinely performs some of the highest numbers of transplants nationwide, encompassing both solid organ and hematologic procedures. Because, apparently, nothing says "quality healthcare" like a new liver.

Operations

The Mayo Clinic functions as a nonprofit hospital system, strategically positioned with its main campuses in Rochester, Minnesota; Scottsdale and Phoenix, Arizona; and Jacksonville, Florida. [22][23] As of 2022, the institution boasts a workforce of 76,000 individuals, a staggering number that includes over 7,300 physicians and clinical residents, alongside more than 66,000 allied health staff. [5] Beyond these core operations, Mayo Clinic also holds a partial ownership and operational stake in the Mayo Clinic Health System, a network comprising over 70 hospitals and clinics spread across Minnesota, Iowa, and Wisconsin. [24] Complementing its clinical work, the Mayo Clinic also meticulously oversees the Mayo Clinic College of Medicine and Science, a dedicated nonprofit college committed to sculpting the next generation of medical and allied health professionals within its hospitals in Minnesota, Arizona, and Florida. [8]

A notable expansion saw the clinic establish an independent business subsidiary in London, initially in collaboration with Oxford University Clinic. This partnership, a joint venture between the distinguished University of Oxford and the Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, began operating a clinic in 2019. [25]

Leadership at Mayo Clinic currently falls to president and CEO Gianrico Farrugia, M.D., a man tasked with guiding this multi-billion-dollar enterprise. [26] His predecessor, John H. Noseworthy, M.D., concluded his tenure as president and CEO in December 2018, having taken the reins from Denis A. Cortese, M.D., who retired in November 2009. [27] Overseeing the institution's strategic direction is Michael Powell, formerly the chair of the Federal Communications Commission, who now presides as the chair of Mayo's governing board of trustees. A rather diverse resume for a healthcare leader, but then, perhaps the complexities of communication and regulation are not so different from those of human anatomy. [28]

Clinical practice

In 2022, the Mayo Clinic's facilities played host to over 1.3 million distinct patients. These individuals, each with their own unique collection of biological malfunctions, converged from all 50 states of the U.S. and an impressive 138 countries, demonstrating humanity's universal need for repair. [5]

Research

The persistent minds within Mayo Clinic's research divisions tirelessly endeavor to deepen humanity's understanding of disease processes, refine the best clinical practices, and, crucially, translate abstract laboratory findings into tangible clinical applications. As of 2022, the research personnel included approximately 5,500 physicians and scientists, a veritable army dedicated to the relentless pursuit of knowledge. [29] Mayo Clinic's research funding for 2022 impressively surpassed $1 billion, a sum that fuels a vast array of investigations. [29] These extensive research initiatives bore fruit in the form of 9,275 research publications and review articles, all meticulously vetted and appearing in peer-reviewed journals. [7] Because if it's not published, did it even happen?

Education

Main article: Mayo Clinic College of Medicine and Science

The Mayo Clinic College of Medicine and Science (MCCMS), which first opened its doors in 1915, [30] stands as a testament to the clinic's commitment to perpetuating medical knowledge. It meticulously crafts educational programs that are intricately woven into the fabric of Mayo Clinic's extensive clinical practice and its vigorous biomedical research activities. [31] The MCCMS is not merely a single entity but a composite of five distinct, fully accredited schools, each dedicated to a specific facet of medical and allied health training:

History

Early years

The entire edifice known as Mayo Clinic owes its existence to the medical practice initiated by William Worrall Mayo, M.D. (1819–1911). [34] :5 A man of rather significant intellectual curiosity, Mayo was born near Manchester, England, and had the distinct privilege of being mentored by the eminent British scientist John Dalton, a figure whose influence undoubtedly shaped his scientific approach. [34] :11–13 His journey to the United States commenced in 1846, a transatlantic migration that set the stage for his future endeavors. [35] :29 He diligently worked his way westward, an impressive feat considering he managed to earn two medical degrees during a period when formal medical education was, shall we say, less standardized than it is today. [34] :20–21, 31 Mayo initially settled in Indiana, where he married Louise Abigail Wright in 1851. [34] :25 The couple, seeking a more salubrious climate, relocated to the Minnesota Territory in 1854. [34] :32–33 The family's peripatetic existence within Minnesota eventually ceased when Mayo was appointed as an examining surgeon for the Union Army military draft board during the tumultuous American Civil War, an appointment that brought them definitively to Rochester. [34] :78 It was on January 27, 1864, that Mayo formally announced the opening of his private medical practice in the Rochester City Post, advertising his services "over the Union Drug Store on Third Street" and promising that "all calls answered by day or night." A rather ambitious guarantee, considering the limitations of 19th-century communication. [36]

Both of W. W. Mayo's sons, William James Mayo (1861–1939) and Charles Horace Mayo (1865–1939), affectionately known as Dr. Will and Dr. Charlie, spent their formative years in Rochester before following in their father's footsteps to attend medical school. William completed his medical studies and joined his father's burgeoning practice in 1883, with Charles following suit in 1888. [37][38]

A pivotal moment in the clinic's origin story occurred on August 21, 1883, when a devastating tornado tore through Rochester. The natural disaster claimed at least 37 lives and inflicted injuries upon over 200 individuals, leaving a third of the town in ruins. [39] Miraculously, the Mayo family emerged largely unscathed. Relief efforts were immediately mobilized, operating out of various makeshift facilities as the community grappled with the destruction. W. W. Mayo was entrusted with the critical task of organizing medical care for the wounded survivors. In his urgent need for nursing assistance, he reached out to Mother Alfred Moes, the visionary founder of the Sisters of Saint Francis of Rochester, Minnesota, a teaching order. [34] :244

Once the immediate crisis had subsided and the town began its slow process of recovery, Mother Alfred approached W. W. Mayo with a proposition that would fundamentally alter the course of medical history in Rochester. She proposed that the Sisters of St. Francis would undertake the formidable task of raising the necessary funds to construct a proper hospital in Rochester, provided that he and his sons committed to furnishing the medical and surgical expertise required to staff it. [34] :246–247 This monumental agreement, notably, was sealed with nothing more than a handshake—a rather quaint form of contract, wouldn't you agree? [35] :51 True to their word, on September 30, 1889, Saint Mary's Hospital officially opened its doors, operated by the diligent Sisters, with the three Mayo physicians forming the core of its medical staff. [35] :11–22

Group practice

The late 19th and early 20th centuries witnessed significant transformations in medicine, including an accelerating trend towards specialization and the widespread adoption of new technologies such as railroads, automobiles, and mass communications. These broader societal and technological shifts provided the fertile ground for the innovative development of integrated multi-specialty medical practices, a model that the Mayo Clinic would come to exemplify. [34] :481–485, 497[35] :134[40] :28–30

Beginning in the 1890s, the Mayo brothers, recognizing the benefits of collaboration and diverse expertise, extended invitations to other physicians to join their practice. What had initially evolved from W. W. Mayo's solo endeavor into a family practice with the inclusion of his sons, now transitioned into a more expansive group practice, embracing a growing cadre of medical colleagues. [34] :359 The initial wave of Mayo Clinic partners included distinguished physicians such as Augustus W. Stinchfield, [41] Christopher Graham, [42] Melvin C. Millet, [43] Henry Plummer, [44] E. Star Judd, [45] and Donald Balfour. [46] This expansion laid the groundwork for the comprehensive, multi-disciplinary approach that would become a hallmark of the institution.

Among these early collaborators, Henry Stanley Plummer, M.D., emerged as a truly preeminent figure. A specialist with a keen interest in thyroid disease, Plummer made significant contributions to the understanding and treatment of goiter, a condition that was far more prevalent and debilitating in his era. [34] :632, 634–636 However, his impact extended far beyond clinical medicine. In terms of the clinic's organizational evolution, Plummer worked hand-in-hand with the Mayo brothers, meticulously coordinating the integration of various medical specialties. This strategic expansion moved the Mayo practice beyond its foundational roots in surgery, transforming it into a truly comprehensive medical center. [40] :19 Plummer was a genuine polymath, possessing a wide array of interests that spanned architecture, engineering, and even art. This diverse intellectual curiosity allowed him to conceptualize and implement many of the foundational systems and procedures that remain absolutely central to the Mayo Clinic's operational model even today. Among his most enduring innovations was the creation of the integrated "dossier" medical record, a revolutionary concept at the time that streamlined patient information and facilitated collaborative care. [40] :37

Growth and national expansion

The Mayo brothers, both having served as presidents of the American Medical Association, earned widespread recognition and considerable acclaim as pioneering surgeons, solidifying their reputation in the medical community. [40] :23–25 In a move that truly underscored their commitment to the institution's long-term future and its mission, the brothers, alongside their wives, made a profound donation in 1919. They gifted the entirety of their medical practice's assets—including all land, buildings, and equipment—as well as the substantial majority of their personal life savings, to facilitate the transformation of their private partnership into a formal not-for-profit organization. [35] :105[47][48][49] A rather grand gesture, one might say, ensuring the institution's longevity beyond their personal involvement.

Following the tumultuous period of World War II, the Mayo Clinic continued its relentless expansion within its original home of Rochester, Minnesota. A significant milestone in its educational mission occurred in 1972 with the opening of the Mayo Medical School, which has since been renamed the Mayo Clinic Alix School of Medicine. [50]

The year 1986 proved to be particularly pivotal for the institution. Mayo Clinic formally integrated with two other prominent local hospitals: Saint Mary's Hospital and Rochester Methodist Hospital, consolidating its presence and resources in Rochester. [51] That same year, the clinic embarked on a strategic expansion into Florida, a move partly catalyzed by a generous donation of 400 acres of land in Jacksonville from the influential Davis family. [52][53] This initial foray into new geographical territories was swiftly followed by an expansion to Scottsdale, Arizona, in 1987, [54] with the complementary Phoenix, Arizona, campus opening its doors a decade later in 1998. [54] Further solidifying its regional footprint, the Mayo Clinic Health System commenced operations in 1992, establishing a robust network of community-based medical services spanning Minnesota, Iowa, and Wisconsin. [55] In 2011, Mayo Clinic innovated further with the launch of the Mayo Clinic Care Network, an initiative designed to extend access to Mayo Clinic protocols and expert consultation to a broader collection of affiliated healthcare facilities. [56]

In November 2019, the Mayo Clinic extended its global reach even further. In a joint partnership with SEHA Abu Dhabi Health Services Co, it committed a substantial $50 million investment into a 741-bed hospital located in the United Arab Emirates, securing a 25% stake in the venture. [57][58][59]

The beginning of 2020 saw the Mayo Clinic inaugurate a new health clinic in central London, operating in partnership with the esteemed Oxford University Clinic. This facility was officially christened Mayo Clinic Healthcare. [60][61] However, by July 2020, reports emerged indicating that the Mayo Clinic had acquired Oxford University Clinic's share of the facility, thereby becoming the sole owner. This pivotal transaction marked the London clinic as Mayo Clinic's first overseas facility operated entirely as a Mayo Clinic entity, a significant step in its international expansion. [15][16]

Contributions to medicine and science

The Mayo Clinic's legacy is deeply intertwined with a long history of groundbreaking contributions to both medicine and science, often pushing the boundaries of what was previously considered possible.

In the early 20th century, Henry Plummer, a figure of remarkable foresight, wasn't just a clinician; he was an architect of modern medical practice. He meticulously developed Mayo Clinic's now-iconic multi-specialty group practice model, a revolutionary concept that challenged the prevailing solo practitioner paradigm. Beyond this, he engineered an integrated medical record system, a crucial innovation that allowed physicians to share patient information seamlessly and efficiently. [62] Prior to Plummer's systematic approach, the sharing of patient data among physicians was a haphazard affair, typically occurring through verbal exchanges or slow, written correspondence. [62] Plummer's genius extended to practical building systems; he was instrumental in designing and fabricating innovations like steam sterilization rooms, durable metal surgical tools and equipment, efficient pneumatic tube systems for rapid communication, and even knee-operated sinks, a remarkably early example of infection control design. [63][64]

In 1905, the Mayo Clinic pioneered a technique that would revolutionize surgical oncology: the use of frozen tissue sections during surgery. This allowed surgeons to determine if a patient had cancer while the patient was still on the operating table, enabling immediate, informed decisions about the extent of the surgery. [65][66] This innovation dramatically improved patient outcomes and surgical precision. Further cementing its educational leadership, Mayo Clinic offered the first graduate medical education program in 1915, establishing a precedent for a nonprofit practice seamlessly integrated with medical education and research. [66]

The 1920s saw Albert Compton Broders of the Mayo Clinic introduce the first comprehensive index for grading tumors, providing a standardized system for assessing cancer aggressiveness. [67] In 1935, another significant milestone was reached with the opening of the first hospital-based blood bank in Rochester, a critical advancement for surgical and emergency medicine. [50] The clinic also left its mark on surgical equipment design, notably with the creation of the distinctive one-legged mobile instrument stand, universally known today as the Mayo stand. [68]

During the 1930s, Mayo Clinic associates Walter M. Boothby, Randolph Lovelace, and Arthur H. Bulbulian collaborated to develop the groundbreaking high-altitude oxygen therapy mask, famously known as the BLB flight mask. This device was instrumental in enabling pilots to operate at previously unattainable altitudes, significantly impacting aviation. [69]

The urgency of World War II brought a critical challenge to the Mayo Clinic's doorstep: the U.S. Army tasked them with finding a solution for pilots who were dying after experiencing blackouts under high G forces. In response, Mayo Clinic assembled a dedicated team of physicians who meticulously researched and defined the precise physiological effects responsible for blackout and unconsciousness during such extreme conditions. [70] This intensive research led Physiologists Earl H. Wood, Edward Baldes, Charles Code, and Edward H. Lambert to develop the now-ubiquitous G-suit. This innovative garment, equipped with strategically placed air bladders, effectively prevented blood from dangerously pooling in pilots' legs, thereby mitigating the effects of high G forces. [70] The G-suit was swiftly adopted by U.S. pilots in the latter stages of World War II, a testament to its immediate and life-saving impact. [71]

A crowning achievement came in 1950 when two Mayo Clinic physicians were among the three individuals jointly awarded the Nobel Prize in medicine for their pivotal discovery of cortisone. [72] Professor Edward C. Kendall, Ph.D., and Philip S. Hench of Mayo Clinic shared this prestigious honor with Tadeus Reichstein, a Swiss chemist whose independent research corroborated their findings. Their collaborative efforts successfully isolated and identified compounds from the adrenal cortex that were responsible for producing cortisone and hydrocortisone, opening new avenues for treating inflammatory diseases. [73] Later in the same decade, Mayo Clinic began the critical work of utilizing and refining the Gibbon heart–lung machine in cardiac surgery, a device now famously recognized as the Mayo–Gibbon heart–lung machine, underscoring their significant role in its development and application. [74]

In 1956, Mayo Clinic associates Edward Howard Lambert, Lealdes (Lee) McKendree Eaton, and Edward Douglas Rooke achieved a significant diagnostic breakthrough. They were the first physicians to provide a comprehensive and substantial description of the clinical and electrophysiological findings associated with the condition now known as Lambert–Eaton myasthenic syndrome (LEMS). [75][76] Their meticulous observations laid the foundation for future understanding of this rare autoimmune disorder. By 1972, the observed clustering of LEMS with other autoimmune diseases led to the crucial hypothesis that the syndrome itself was caused by an underlying autoimmune response. [77]

The year 1969 marked another surgical first for the Mayo Clinic, as its doctors performed the inaugural Food and Drug Administration-approved hip replacement in the United States, a procedure that has since become commonplace. [78] Just four years later, in 1973, Mayo Clinic once again demonstrated its commitment to cutting-edge technology by acquiring the very first CT scanner in the U.S., ushering in a new era of diagnostic imaging. [79]

Leaping into the new millennium, Mayo Clinic, in collaboration with Roche Molecular Biochemicals, developed a rapid DNA test in 2001. This crucial diagnostic tool was designed to quickly detect anthrax, both in human samples and within environmental contexts, a vital capability in an era of heightened biosecurity concerns. [80]

Recognizing the growing importance of structured innovation, the Mayo Clinic Center for Innovation was formally established in 2008. Since its inception, this center has diligently worked on an impressive portfolio of over 270 distinct projects, continuously seeking to refine and reimagine healthcare delivery. [81][82]

In 2013, Mayo Clinic specialists ventured into the frontier of regenerative medicine, initiating a pioneering "first-in-human study." This ambitious research aimed to utilize a patient's own cells in an attempt to repair damage to the heart, representing a significant step toward personalized and biological repair mechanisms. [50]

A notable partnership materialized in 2014 when Mayo, after several years of utilizing Apple Inc.'s Macintosh computers and mobile devices for patient care and the dissemination of test results, formally collaborated with Apple. This joint effort was dedicated to the development of the Apple Health and HealthKit apps, envisioning them as a centralized repository for personal health information. [83] Further expanding its research into environmental health, Mayo Clinic and Delos Living jointly launched the Well Living Lab in September 2015. This unique research facility is meticulously designed to mimic real-world, non-hospital environments, providing Mayo Clinic researchers with a controlled setting to study the complex interplay between indoor spaces and human health. [84]

The year 2020 saw the launch of Mayo Clinic's Advanced Care at Home Model of Care. This innovative program extends medical assistance directly to patients within the comfort of their own homes, leveraging the power of virtual care to provide continuous support. [85]

Also in 2020, Mayo Clinic took on a critical public health role by initiating a federally sponsored Expanded Access Program for Convalescent Plasma. This program aimed to treat hospitalized patients afflicted with COVID-19 in the United States, demonstrating a rapid response to an emerging global health crisis. [86]

In a truly remarkable scientific collaboration in 2018, Mayo Clinic and UCLA utilized spinal cord stimulation in conjunction with intensive physical therapy. This innovative approach allowed a man who had been paralyzed since 2013 to briefly regain the ability to stand and even walk with assistance. The patient managed to walk 111 yards for a total of 16 minutes while receiving artificial electrical stimulation, though this newfound mobility ceased once the stimulation was removed. The groundbreaking results of this study were published in the esteemed journal Nature Medicine. [87]

As of 2023, Mayo Clinic had already provided proton beam therapy to more than 10,000 patients across two of its specialized facilities. According to reporting from the Post-Bulletin, this advanced form of radiation therapy remains a limited resource in the U.S., with only approximately 2 percent of radiation patients currently receiving treatment with this cutting-edge technology. [88]

Architecture and art collection

As the practice experienced exponential growth throughout the 20th century, the demand for additional physical space became increasingly pressing. Saint Mary's Hospital underwent frequent and substantial expansion projects to accommodate the rising patient numbers and evolving medical needs. Complementing these efforts, local Rochester business leader John Kahler pioneered innovative hotel-hospital facilities, specifically designed to cater to the unique requirements of Mayo Clinic patients, blending hospitality with medical care. [34] :501–502

A significant architectural milestone occurred in 1914 when Mayo Clinic unveiled what was then the world's very first building explicitly designed for multispecialty group practice. This structure, affectionately known as the 1914 "red brick" building, was a testament to forward-thinking design. [89][34] :544 Its layout was meticulously crafted to facilitate effortless movement for both patients and staff between various specialty areas, to integrate research and education functions in close proximity to clinical practice, and to offer enhanced patient amenities. [34] :544[40] :38–41 This innovative architectural and operational approach was not only replicated but significantly enhanced with the construction of the adjoining 1928 Mayo Clinic building. This later structure was subsequently named for Plummer, [40] :77–80 its principal designer, and has since been distinguished by its inclusion on the National Register of Historic Places. [34] :697–698[90][91]

The General hospital section of the Plummer Building features truly remarkable bronze entry doors, meticulously crafted by the artist Charles Brioschi. Each of these imposing doors stands 16-feet-high (4.9 m), boasts a thickness of 5.25-inches (13.3 cm), and weighs a staggering 4,000 pounds (1,800 kg), adorned with intricate ornamental panels. These doors are not merely functional; they are ceremonially closed to commemorate profoundly important historical events and to honor influential people. Instances include the solemn passing of the Mayo brothers themselves, the tragic assassination of President John F. Kennedy, and a poignant tribute to the victims of the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks. [92] It is worth noting, perhaps with a touch of irony, that the celebrated 1914 "red brick" building, despite its status as a National Historic Landmark, was ultimately demolished by Mayo Clinic in the 1980s to clear the way for the construction of the Siebens Building, which was completed in 1989. [89][93] The Mayo Clinic's campus has, quite predictably, undergone continuous expansion and modernization over the years, a constant evolution driven by the relentless march of medical progress and the inevitable increase in human afflictions. [94]

Other notable architectural additions to the Mayo Clinic landscape include the Mayo Building (Rochester, Minnesota), with its construction finalized in 1955; the Guggenheim Building, completed in 1974; the Gonda Building, which opened in 2001; the Opus Imaging Research Building, finished in 2007; and a more recent significant addition in 2019, the Discovery Square building.

  • Gonda Building entrance
  • Gonda Building atrium
  • Patient cafeteria dome
  • Opus Imaging Research Building
  • Guggenheim Building

The Mayo Clinic's humanities program, a rather quaint endeavor, was founded on the rather optimistic belief that the arts and the arduous process of healing are somehow intrinsically linked. [95] Over the course of several decades, Mayo Clinic has amassed an extensive art collection, a curious assortment of works thoughtfully displayed across its various campuses, perhaps to distract patients from their impending procedures. These include:

Educational programs

Main article: Mayo Clinic College of Medicine and Science § History

The nascent medical and educational programs at Mayo Clinic were first meticulously developed in 1915, receiving crucial assistance from the venerable University of Minnesota. [96][49] This foundational year saw the establishment of both the Mayo Clinic School of Graduate Medical Education and the Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research (MFMER). [33][97] MFMER was ingeniously structured as a department of the University of Minnesota, bolstered by a significant $1.5 million donation, specifically to facilitate the offering of graduate programs at the Mayo Clinic's Rochester location. [98] Today, the Mayo Clinic School of Graduate Medical Education is an integral component of the overarching Mayo Clinic College of Medicine and Science, which is itself thoughtfully segmented into five distinct schools. [99][100] These specialized institutions include the Mayo Clinic Alix School of Medicine, the Mayo Clinic School of Health Sciences, the Mayo Clinic School of Continuous Professional Development, and the Mayo Clinic Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences. [35] :131

In 2011, the foundation responsible for overseeing the Mayo Clinic found itself embroiled in a rather public dispute, taking its case all the way to the Supreme Court. The core of their argument was the contention that medical residents should continue to be exempt from Social Security deductions. However, in the landmark case of Mayo Foundation v. United States, the court ultimately sided with the Social Security Administration, thereby mandating that FICA deductions would indeed be required for residents moving forward. [101] A rather expensive lesson in federal taxation, one might observe.

Current practice

The internal regulations governing Mayo Clinic leadership are quite specific, mandating that its Chief Executive Officers must not only be physicians but also be cultivated from within the clinic's own ranks. [102] A rather neat way to ensure institutional loyalty, wouldn't you agree? John H. Noseworthy, M.D., served as president and CEO from 2009 until 2019, a decade-long tenure that saw significant restructuring. [27] Under his guidance, the Mayo Clinic was reorganized into a singular operating company, unified by a cohesive strategy and a comprehensive business plan, an initiative that demonstrably facilitated the system's expansion. [26] This period also included the ambitious launch of the Destination Medical Center, a sprawling 20-year economic growth plan specifically focused on the Rochester campus. [26] During Noseworthy's leadership, the clinic's annual revenue soared to nearly $12 billion, and its workforce expanded by an additional 7,200 employees, a testament to its relentless growth. [103]

In 2018, Mayo Clinic formally announced that Gianrico Farrugia, M.D., a physician who had dedicated over 30 years to the institution, would succeed Noseworthy as CEO. [104] Farrugia had previously served as CEO of Mayo Clinic in Florida since 2015, indicating a clear path of internal advancement. [26] This leadership transition meticulously adhered to Mayo Clinic's established tradition of rotating its presidents or CEOs every seven to ten years, ensuring a continuous, if somewhat predictable, refreshing of leadership. [105] By 2018, the clinic's doctors were attending to approximately 1.3 million patients annually, a number that speaks volumes about the sheer volume of human ailments they encounter. [26]

Criticism

Opposition to the "Keeping Nurses at the Bedside Act"

In May 2023, the Mayo Clinic, a beacon of medical excellence, found itself embroiled in a rather undignified public dispute, actively lobbying against two significant statewide health care bills in Minnesota: the Keeping Nurses at the Bedside Act (KNABA) and the Health Care Affordability Board. The institution, with all the subtlety of a sledgehammer, threatened to halt over $4 billion in planned investments into new facilities and infrastructure at its flagship Rochester campus. This ultimatum was predicated on the condition that the Affordability Board bill be entirely scrapped and the KNABA be amended to grant Mayo Clinic an exemption from any and all staffing mandates. [106][107]

The KNABA, a piece of legislation seemingly designed to address a perceived "care crisis" and a persistent shortage in hospital staff, proposed requiring hospitals to establish committees. These committees would empower nurses and other staff to collaboratively evaluate staffing workloads, presumably to ensure adequate patient care and prevent burnout. [108] Meanwhile, the Health Care Affordability Board aimed to introduce a mechanism by which hospitals, doctors, and insurers could face financial penalties for failing to reduce costs or allowing healthcare expenditures to spiral out of control. [109][110]

The Minnesota Nurses Association swiftly and vociferously condemned Mayo's demands, characterizing them as "unethical" and blatant "attempt(s) to override democracy." [111] Predictably, these formidable lobbying efforts proved successful. The proposed mandated nurse staffing levels were unceremoniously discarded, [112] and the Health Care Affordability Board legislation was significantly watered down. It transitioned from a board empowered to levy fines to a mere bill that "requires state health officials to review health care cost growth but gives them no authority to set targets." [109] Minnesota state senator Erin Murphy, in an op-ed published in the Star Tribune, rather pointedly labeled Mayo's aggressive efforts to gut the bill as nothing short of "corporate hijacking." [113] One might conclude that when faced with the choice between patient care standards and preserving financial flexibility, some institutions find the latter remarkably compelling.

Innovation

The Mayo Clinic has demonstrated a rather enthusiastic embrace of modern technology, having adopted over 15,000 mobile devices from Apple for direct patient care. This impressive arsenal includes iPads, iPad Minis, and iPhones. Not content with merely distributing devices, Mayo Clinic then developed its own bespoke application, Synthesis Mobile, which ingeniously integrated hundreds of its complex health systems. Further extending its digital reach, additional applications were subsequently developed for members of the Mayo Clinic Care Network, enabling patients to conveniently access their medical records or directly solicit assistance from clinicians. [114] In 2014, Mayo Clinic was actively engaged in the development of an application for Apple's HealthKit platform, with the commendable aim of assisting users in maintaining healthy lifestyles and providing timely warnings for specific health indicators that necessitate medical attention. [115]

The Mayo Clinic Center for Innovation, established in 2008, continues to be a fertile ground for new ideas. Since its inception, the center has diligently pursued and worked on an impressive portfolio exceeding 270 projects, consistently pushing the boundaries of healthcare delivery. [116]

In March 2018, Mayo Clinic forged a strategic partnership with Mytonomy, a company specializing in healthcare education systems. This collaboration was designed to provide valuable video content specifically tailored for cancer patients, offering accessible and comprehensive information during a challenging time. [117]

September 2019 marked another significant technological alliance, as Mayo Clinic entered into a comprehensive partnership with Google. This collaboration focused on leveraging Google's expertise in healthcare innovation and its robust cloud computing capabilities. As part of this agreement, Google also made plans to establish a dedicated facility in Rochester, Minnesota, specifically to support Mayo Clinic's technological endeavors. [118]

In January 2020, Mayo Clinic and NTT Venture Capital jointly participated in a substantial $60 million financing round for Inference, a biomedical software startup, signaling a clear interest in supporting emerging technologies in the medical field. [119]

Perhaps most intriguingly, in March 2023, Mayo Clinic publicly disclosed its adoption of AI technology for content creation. This artificial intelligence is specifically utilized to craft content in plain language, meticulously select inclusive terminology, and optimize information for various search applications. [120] A rather efficient way to communicate, even if it does mean humans are outsourcing their linguistic duties to algorithms.

Rankings

Since 2016, the Mayo Clinic in Rochester has consistently held the distinguished position of the #1 overall hospital in the United States, an accolade bestowed by U.S. News & World Report for seven consecutive years. This remarkable achievement is the culmination of a rigorous evaluation process that assesses nearly 5,000 hospitals across 16 specialized medical fields, ranging from complex cancer treatments and intricate heart disease management to respiratory disorders and advanced urology. Of this vast pool, only 153 hospitals—a mere three percent of the total—managed to secure a ranking in at least one of these 16 specialties. Among these elite few, 20 institutions earned a coveted spot on the Honor Roll, signifying high performance in a minimum of six specialties.

The Mayo Clinic, Rochester, demonstrated exceptional breadth and depth of expertise, ranking within the top 10 in all but one of the 16 specialties. More impressively, it secured a top 4 position in 13 specialties and emerged as the #1 ranked hospital in 8 of the 12 data-driven specialties. In a recent expansion of its evaluation criteria, U.S. News augmented its common procedures and conditions list to include 9 individual measures. Mayo Clinic distinguished itself further by being one of fewer than 70 hospitals to achieve a "High Performing" designation in every single category. [121] Furthermore, Mayo was the exclusive hospital on the 2016–2017 honor roll to receive a perfect 5-star rating from CMS, affirming its exceptional quality of care. [122] Adding to its impressive roster of accolades, every Mayo Clinic hospital was awarded an "A" safety rating by Leapfrog in its April 2017 report, underscoring a consistent commitment to patient safety. [123] The consistency of its performance is further highlighted by the fact that in 2021–22, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, was once again recognized as the #1 overall hospital in the United States by U.S. News & World Report. [8] It seems excellence, much like a persistent headache, tends to linger.

Ranked 1st

Ranked 2nd

Ranked 3rd–6th

High-Performing

See also