Mayo Clinic

IN ACCORDANCE WITH its long history of cutting—edge medical care, the Mayo Clinic is now a leader in clinical research trials using stem cells for the treatment of human illness. The combination of patient care, medical education, and research ensures translation of basic research into patient therapies. Throughout its history, the Mayo Clinic has attracted medical professionals who have focused on improving medical practice and treatment. Some innovations initiated at the clinic have become global standards of practice, including medical charting and intramural communications. Medical research at the clinic began in 1907 with the establishment of research and diagnostic laboratories.

The Mayo Clinic is located in Rochester, Minnesota, with centers in Jacksonville, Florida, and Scottsdale, Arizona. All the centers provide identical clinical services and coordinated research. The founding clinic in Rochester grew from the medical practices of D. William W. Mayo and his two sons William J. Mayo and Charles Mayo. Recognizing the need for a hospital in Rochester after the devastating tornado of 1883, they, along with the Sisters of St. Francis, opened St. Mary's hospital in 1889; this hospital became part of the Mayo Clinic in 1986.

In 1919, a partnership of physicians, including the Mayos, created a not—for-profit association called the Mayo Properties Association, and the Mayos donated the clinic properties and equipment to this association. The Mayo Clinic provided $2 million for the founding of a medical school at the University of Minnesota in 1917. Physicians at the Mayo Clinic also taught at the medical school until the Mayo Clinic opened its own medical school in 1972.

In 1983, the Mayo Clinic began publishing health information targeted at consumers/patients through newsletters, books, and Internet content. The revenue from their publishing endeavors is used to support Mayo Clinic programs including medical education and research.