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MayoToday
July/August 2006
A magazine for Mayo staff members and their families
Conversation
starters
Mayo Clinic hosts
national symposium
to jump-start
discussions on
health care reform
INSIDE:
8 Separation Success
12 National Symposium
16 In the Same Vein
MayoToday
July / August 2006
F E A T U R E S
Care and attention
Balancing Act 11
Keeping the focus on two
young patients in the face
of intense media attention
and public interest. 8
Above and Beyond 18
Highlighting excellent service
Snapshot Profile 19
John Gonzalez,
research
specialist at
Mayo Clinic
Jacksonville
Meeting
of the minds
Mayo Clinic hosts national
symposium on health care
reform to jump-start discussions
on real reform. 12
Editor’s
Note 31
I N
E V E R Y
I S S U E
Q&A with Dr. Cortese 3
Behind the
scenes at the
symposium
Health care reform
News Briefs 4
In the same vein
Husband and wife help each
other through battles with
aortic aneurysms. 16
Healthcare
Industry News 20
Tip Sheet
21
Mayo in the News
22
History lessons 23
“Left open for further thought
and research.”
Mayo People
2
M AY O T O D AY
24
J U LY / A U G U S T
2006
ON THE COVER:
Hugh Smith, M.D., (right) member
of the advisory board for the Mayo
Clinic National Symposium on
Health Care Reform, helps Mayo
bring the patient perspective to a
discussion on health care issues.
Q U E S T I O N & A N S W E R
Mayo Clinic’s role in health care reform
T
hrough the new Mayo Clinic
Health Policy Center, Mayo
Clinic plans to play a leadership
role in trying to bring about crucial
reforms in the U.S. health care system.
This month, Mayo Today talks with
Denis Cortese, M.D., Mayo president
and CEO, about Mayo’s role in
health care reform.
Traditionally Mayo Clinic has kept
a low profile in political matters.
Why are we suddenly so involved
in public policy issues?
Mayo has actually been concerned
with U.S. health care policy issues
since the clinic began. What’s different
today is that we are facing a health
care crisis. Escalating costs, rising
numbers of uninsured, and the
impending insolvency of Medicare
threaten the health of all Americans
and the business viability of Mayo
Clinic. Here are just a few of the facts:
• Health care costs are rising five times
faster than the rate of inflation.
• The United States spends more
money on health care than any other
industrialized nation, but we rank
37th in performance, according to the
World Health Report 2000.
• More than 15 percent of the U.S.
population is uninsured.
• In six years, the first baby boomers
will qualify for Medicare. From 2000
to 2030, the number of Medicare
recipients is expected to increase from
40 million to 78 million, placing an
enormous burden on the system.
How is Mayo
leading health care reform?
We’re using the same approach that
we take for helping our patients —
bringing together experts from diverse
fields to find the best solutions to
complex issues. The Mayo Clinic
Health Policy Center will gather input
from experts in the health care
industry, business, academia and
government. Most importantly, the
center will focus on the needs of
If everyone in
America would practice
medicine like
Mayo Clinic, we would
reduce costs by
30 percent.
patients, a voice not often heard in
national reform discussions. We are
developing a multiyear, multiphase
plan to build support for change and
guide the future of health care in
our country.
What can individual employees
do to help reform health care
in the United States?
First, be informed. There’s a lot to
learn about our industry. General
Motors put together a booklet called
Health Care 101. It’s an easy-to-read,
understandable guide to 10 myths
about health care including: the more
money you spend, the better quality
you get; people with health insurance
are protected from rising health care
costs; and the idea that there is a
one-size-fits-all solution to our health
2006
care challenges. There’s a link to the
Health Care 101 booklet on Mayo’s
Health Care Reform intranet site
(mayoweb.mayo.edu/healthcarereform) under the Challenges
Ahead section.
Second, keep doing a good job.
By improving quality, safety, service
and efficiency at Mayo Clinic, we are
setting the bar for ourselves and the
rest of the country. According to John
Wennberg, M.D., director of the Center
for Evaluative Clinical Services at
Dartmouth Medical School, if everyone
in America would practice medicine
like Mayo Clinic, we would reduce
costs by 30 percent.
Third, encourage your elected
officials to address health care issues.
Let them know that health care is a
top concern for all Americans.
Dr. Charles Mayo said, “If we
excel at anything, it is in our capacity
for translating idealism into action.”
Through our Health Policy Center,
Mayo Clinic is stepping up to the
challenge and helping to shape health
care reform. ■
Denis Cortese, M.D.
Mayo Clinic President and CEO
To learn more about Mayo Clinic’s
role in health care reform,
visit the intranet site,
The Changing Face of Health Care at
mayoweb.mayo.edu/
healthcare-reform.
M AY O T O D AY
3
A R O U N D
Mayo Clinic and Donna
Hicken Foundation
team up for marathon to
fight breast cancer
Mayo Clinic and The Donna Hicken
Foundation will team up for the
inaugural run of the “26.2 With
Donna: The National Marathon to
Fight Breast Cancer.” The marathon
will benefit Mayo Clinic and women
living with breast cancer. The
weekend-long event, which will be
held Feb. 15 – 17, 2008, in
Jacksonville Beach, Fla.,
will include a health expo,
community celebration
event, VIP event,
marathon, half marathon
and fun-run.
Proceeds will go directly to
The Donna Hicken Foundation.
The foundation has pledged to donate
the majority of funds raised to
Mayo Clinic for research and its
Multidisciplinary Breast Clinic, which
specializes in the detection and
treatment of breast cancer.
“Mayo Clinic is pleased to be a
part of the 26.2 with Donna, and we’re
excited about the national awareness
and funds this marathon will raise to
help us in the fight against breast
cancer,” says Edith Perez, M.D., Mayo
Clinic oncologist in Jacksonville.
Donna Hicken, for whom the
marathon is named, is a two-time
breast cancer survivor and evening
news anchor for Gannett
Broadcasting’s NBC and ABC affiliates
in Jacksonville. She also is author
of the book The Good Fight which
chronicles her battle and the birth
of her foundation. Hicken is an
avid marathon runner.
For more information on
26.2 With Donna:
The National Marathon
to Fight Breast Cancer,
visit www.breastcancer
marathon.com. ■
4
M AY O T O D AY
M A Y O
C L I N I C
News Briefs
Mayo Clinic Nursing Genomics program
receives Magnet Prize
Award recognizes education of nursing staff in genomics era
Mayo Clinic’s Nursing Genomics
program has been awarded the
Magnet Prize, a prestigious
designation to a select group of
nursing programs recognized for
their excellence. The Mayo Clinic
Nursing Genomics program is
focused on strengthening the
nursing practice through genomics
education at Mayo Clinic.
“I am not aware of any
academic medical center that has
provided the depth and breadth
of genomics education for nurses
that Mayo has,” says Doreen Frusti,
chair of the Department of Nursing
at Mayo Clinic Rochester. “What’s
very special about this award is that it
is meant to recognize organizations
where there is an institution-wide
commitment to a culture within which
excellence flourishes.”
The American Nurses
Credentialing Center’s Board of
Directors established the Magnet Prize,
awarded only to Magnet-designated
organizations, to further encourage the
pursuit of excellence. The award
recognizes cutting-edge research,
practices, services, technologies,
programs or other exemplary
innovations with demonstrated
positive outcomes.
At least 3,000 staff have
attended genomics
presentations. More than
70 nurses in 50 specialty
areas participate in the
Nursing Genomics Interest
Group, which has led to
2006
genomic interventions for patients. All
nursing specialties have incorporated
genomics into their curricula.
“The collaboration between
nursing education and clinical practice
is strengthening the future of nursing
at Mayo Clinic Rochester,” says
Diane Twedell, nurse administrator in
education, Department of Nursing.
The Magnet Recognition Program
was developed to recognize health care
organizations that provide the best in
nursing care. Nursing at Mayo Clinic
received a redesignation of its original
Magnet Award in 2002. When Mayo
Clinic received its first Magnet
designation in 1997, it was only the
fifth health care organization to receive
the award since its inception in 1994. ■
Mayo Clinic hosts cardiac screening
event for retired NFL players
Some 60 retired National Football League
players participated in comprehensive
screening for cardiovascular disease at
Mayo Clinic’s Arizona Campus in June.
The screening was part of a national
initiative by the Living Heart Foundation
and the National Football League
Players Association to raise awareness
of potential heart disease related to
body mass.
Abnormally high body mass,
prevalent among highly competitive
football players, can result in serious
medical disorders leading
to high blood pressure,
diabetes and stroke.
At the screening,
Mayo health care
personnel conducted a
series of tests, including
an EKG, carotid and
cardiac ultrasound, lung
function study, body
composition analysis,
blood testing and
sleep apnea testing.
Mayo Health System
names quality officer
“We know that body mass is a major
factor in heart disease,” says Archie
Roberts, M.D., a former NFL quarterback
and cardiac surgeon who is the founder
of the Living Heart Foundation. Roberts
said data collected from the screening
of the players will be forwarded to
Mayo Clinic for analysis and the
information will be compiled into the
first medically based report examining
the rate of cardiovascular disease among
professional football players.
“We’re encouraged that these NFL
players took the time to consider their
health and participated in
this important screening
event,” says Bijoy
Khandheria, M.D.,
chair of the Division of
Cardiology at Mayo
Clinic Arizona. “Regular
screening for indicators
of coronary artery
disease is important for
everyone.” ■
Mark Lindsay, M.D., a pulmonary and
critical care medicine specialist at
Luther Midelfort — part of Mayo
Health System in Eau Claire, Wis. —
has been named the first systemwide
quality officer for the health system.
Dr. Lindsay will provide physician
leadership and direction to Mayo
Health System quality initiatives.
As quality officer, Dr. Lindsay will
expand the clinical quality agenda for
Mayo Health System. He will work
with senior leadership, as well as sitebased physicians and health care
providers to determine performance
targets and metrics for all 13 Mayo
Health System locations.
“I’m honored to be selected as the
first quality officer for Mayo Health
System,” says Dr. Lindsay. “I look
forward to this new challenge and look
forward to working collaboratively
with all of the Mayo Health System
sites to improve patient care at a
systems level.” ■
CDC director speaks
at Mayo commencement ceremony
Julie Gerberding, M.D., director of the
Centers for Disease Control and
Prevention, delivered the commencement address for the joint Mayo Medical
School and Mayo Graduate School
graduating classes on May 20, 2006.
Ninety-four new physicians and
scientists received degrees from Mayo.
“Our mission at Mayo Medical
School is to train physicians who will
serve society by becoming leaders in
academic medicine,” says Keith Lindor,
M.D., dean of the school.
Mayo Graduate School conferred
36 master’s and 21
Ph.D. degrees in
the biomedical
sciences. Most
graduates continue on to advanced
research training and careers in
biomedical research at Mayo or other
outstanding biomedical research
institutions throughout the world, says
Diane Jelinek, Ph.D., dean of Mayo
Graduate School.
Mayo Clinic College of Medicine
comprises five schools, including Mayo
Medical School, Mayo Graduate School,
Mayo School of Health Sciences, Mayo
Graduate School for Medical Education
and Mayo School of Continuing
Medical Education. Mayo Medical
School was established in 1972 and is
among the top-ranked medical schools
in the nation. ■
2006
Mark Lindsay, M.D., (right) systemwide
quality officer for Mayo Health System.
M AY O T O D AY
5
A R O U N D
M A Y O
C L I N I C
News Briefs
CIGNA members
gain in-network access
to Mayo Clinic
in Jacksonville
and Arizona
Mayo Clinic and CIGNA HealthCare
recently announced agreements to
provide CIGNA HealthCare members
and their covered dependents
in-network access to Mayo Clinic
Jacksonville and St. Luke’s Hospital.
The joint contract, marks a firsttime agreement with Mayo Clinic and
CIGNA HealthCare, but also renews
the company’s contractual relationship
with St. Luke’s Hospital.
In addition, CIGNA HealthCare
and Mayo Clinic announced that they
have signed an agreement to provide
CIGNA HealthCare members and their
covered dependents in-network
access to Mayo’s Arizona facilities
and its specialty physicians effective
June 1, 2006. Under the agreements,
CIGNA HealthCare preferred provider
organization (PPO) members may visit
Mayo Clinic’s Arizona facilities and
specialists for health care services and
have those expenses considered for
coverage at the maximum available
(in-network) benefit.
CIGNA HealthCare health
maintenance organization (HMO)
members or managed care members
may use the facilities at in-network
rates through the authorization
and/or referral requirements of their
health plans. ■
Mayo Clinic Hospital designated a certified
primary stroke center
Mayo Clinic Hospital is one of the first
hospitals in Arizona to be designated a
Certified Primary Stroke Center by the
Joint Commission on Accreditation of
Healthcare Organizations (JCAHO).
The distinction was earned
following a rigorous, on-site review
of Mayo procedures, policies, charts,
electronic records, facilities, staff and
patients in April. The daylong survey
revealed no deficiencies. The
certification is in recognition of Mayo’s
efforts to foster better outcomes for
stroke care and confirms that Mayo
Clinic Hospital has the critical
elements to achieve long-term success
in improving stroke outcomes.
“We’re proud to earn this
distinction because it reinforces our
commitment to patients and to
exacting standards and guidelines that
result in positive outcomes,” says
Bart M. Demaerschalk, M.D. (Archive photo.)
6
M AY O T O D AY
2006
Bart Demaerschalk, M.D., stroke
neurologist and medical director,
Mayo Clinic Cerebrovascular Diseases
Center.
In February, Mayo Clinic Hospital
was the only hospital in Arizona to
receive a Stroke Performance Award
from the American Stroke Association
for achieving a greater than 85 percent
compliance rate of guidelines for
treatment of patients who had an
acute stroke.
The Joint Commission’s Primary
Stroke Center Certification is based on
the recommendations for primary
stroke centers published by the Brain
Attack Coalition and the American
Stroke Association’s guidelines for
stroke care. The JCAHO program was
launched in 2003. ■
Acupuncture shown to
relieve symptoms
of fibromyalgia
Research News
Researchers find
physical proof of mild cognitive impairment
A study led by Mayo Clinic demonstrates
that mild cognitive impairment not only
results in behavioral symptoms but also
structural changes that can be identified
in the brain. Mild cognitive impairment
is a memory disorder considered a strong
early predictor of Alzheimer’s disease.
The findings were published in the May
issue of Archives of Neurology.
“I think our study provides an
anatomical basis for the clinical condition
of mild cognitive impairment,” says
Joseph Parisi, M.D., Mayo Clinic
neuropathologist and study investigator.
“This shows that there are structural
changes in the brains of patients who may
develop Alzheimer’s disease.”
The study, one of the first autopsy
studies of mild cognitive impairment,
showed that the brains of those who
died while they had mild cognitive
impairment were not neuropathologically
normal, although they did not have the
changes of fully developed Alzheimer’s
disease, according to Ronald Petersen,
M.D., Ph.D., Mayo Clinic neurologist and
study investigator.
“These early findings led us to believe
that these people were on the road to
developing Alzheimer’s, but they weren’t
there yet,” says Dr. Petersen. “They have
only a few of the features of Alzheimer’s
in their brains. It is a confirmation of a
transitional condition between normal
and Alzheimer’s disease.”
The plaques and tangles that are
present in the majority of the brains of
those with mild cognitive impairment
will lead to a gradual breakdown of the
elaborate circuitry of the brain in which
normal neurons stop functioning and
memory is affected, says Dr. Parisi. ■
Study concludes pesticide use increases risk
of Parkinson’s in men
Mayo Clinic researchers have found that
using pesticides for farming or other
purposes increases the risk of developing
Parkinson’s disease for men. Pesticide
exposure did not increase the risk of
Parkinson’s in women, and no other
household or industrial chemicals were
significantly linked to the disease in
either men or women. The findings
were published in the June issue of the
journal Movement Disorders.
“This confirms what has been found
in previous studies: that occupational or
other exposure to herbicides, insecticides
and other pesticides increases risk for
Parkinson’s,” says Jim Maraganore,
M.D., Mayo Clinic neurologist and study
investigator. “What we think may be
happening is that pesticide use combines
with other risk factors in men’s
environment or genetic makeup, causing
them to cross over the threshold into
developing the disease. By contrast,
estrogen may protect women from the
toxic effects of pesticides.”
Overall, the study found that the
men with Parkinson’s were 2.4 times
more likely to have had exposure to
pesticides than those who did not
have Parkinson’s. Women who had
Parkinson’s, on the other hand, had a
far lower frequency of exposure.
This study was undertaken because
of conflicting results from previous
studies of pesticides and other chemical
products and risk for Parkinson’s. ■
2006
Fibromyalgia is a disorder considered
disabling by many. It is characterized
by chronic, widespread
musculoskeletal pain and
symptoms, such as fatigue,
joint stiffness and sleep
disturbance. No cure is
known, and available
treatments are only
partially effective.
Mayo conducted a
randomized, controlled
trial to determine if acupuncture
improved symptoms of patients with
fibromyalgia. According to the study,
which was published in the June issue
of Mayo Clinic Proceedings, symptoms
of patients who received acupuncture
significantly improved compared
with the control group.
“The results of the study convince
me there is something more than the
placebo effect to acupuncture,” says
David Martin, M.D., Ph.D., lead author
of the acupuncture article and a Mayo
Clinic anesthesiologist. “It affirms a lot
of clinical impressions that this
complementary medical technique is
helpful for patients.”
In Mayo’s trial, patients who
received acupuncture to counter their
fibromyalgia symptoms reported
improvement in fatigue and anxiety,
among other symptoms. Acupuncture
was well tolerated,
with minimal side
effects. Future
research could help
physicians
understand which
medical conditions
respond best to
acupuncture and
how to apply it to
best relieve
symptoms. ■
M AY O T O D AY
7
Care
and attention
Keeping the focus on our two young patients
in the face of intense media attention and public interest
W
hen Abbigail and Isabelle
Carlsen came to Mayo Clinic
early this year, a swirl of media
attention and public interest followed
closely on their adorable little heels.
The girls, daughters of Amy and
Jesse Carlsen of Fargo, N.D., had
captured the hearts of many in the
upper Midwest. Their case was difficult.
Their smiles were winning. And their
story was gripping.
Abbigail and Isabelle were born in
November 2005 at Abbott Northwestern
Hospital in Minneapolis. They were
joined at the sternum, pericardium,
diaphragm, liver, bile ducts, and small
intestine, but they had separate hearts,
lungs, spines and kidneys.
The Carlsens came to Mayo Clinic
because of Mayo’s past successful
experience with two sets of conjoined
twins with similar conditions and
because of the way the care team at
Mayo Clinic listened to their needs and
concerns.
Although the Carlsens’ case was
more complex and the shared anatomy
more difficult than previous cases, the
Mayo team had a plan to prepare for the
surgery. Behind the scenes, Mayo also
worked to manage the media and public
interest in a manner that would allow
both the parents and the medical team
to concentrate their attention and
energies on the girls’ care.
Bringing the team together
Abby and Belle, as their parents call
them, were born Nov. 29, 2005. When
the Carlsens came to Mayo Clinic on
Feb. 24, 2006, the girls looked healthy.
8
M AY O T O D AY
But while Abby was making good
progress and gaining weight, Belle
seemed to be falling behind. Their
parents faced a difficult choice. The
same conditions that were beginning to
affect their development also made
separating them more difficult.
After meeting with the Carlsens,
Christopher Moir, M.D., Pediatric
Surgery, began to pull together a team
to care for the girls. The team would
include more than 70 members,
including plastic, pediatric, bile duct,
cardiac and transplant surgeons, along
with members from pediatric anesthesia,
radiology, dietetics, intensive care,
physical therapy, nursing and others.
The Mayo team studied Abby
and Belle’s anatomy in detail. They
prepared the girls for separation
surgery. The plastic surgery team
placed skin expanders beneath the girls’
skin, periodically expanding the tissue
so there would be enough skin to close
after separation. The radiology team
worked with medical illustrators to
create 3-D images and animations that
would help create the roadmap for the
operation. Nutrition staff worked to
help Belle gain weight and nearly catch
up to Abby. They rehearsed for surgery,
going over each aspect of the procedure
in detail. And as they gained more
2006
information, their confidence grew.
“When I first met with the Carlsens,
I told them the mortality risk for one or
both twins if we had to do an emergency
separation was 20 percent,” says
Dr. Moir. “I also said our goal was to
reduce that risk over the next several
weeks by studying and thinking
through the process, and planning what
we would do to manage any complications.
By the eve of the operation, we felt
confident we had driven the risk down
to about 5 percent.”
The multidisciplinary team would
extend to the surgical suite, with many
surgeons working together to provide
their particular expertise. A team of 30,
including 18 surgeons, would be
involved on the day of surgery, May 12.
There were also extraordinary
challenges presented to the team
providing anesthesia care, since the girls
shared common circulation systems, says
Randall Flick, M.D., who led the team.
As many as a dozen anesthesiologists
and nurse anesthetists were involved in
the care of the Carlsen twins, from the
day they arrived at Mayo through the
separation and in the intensive care unit
following surgery.
“An enormous amount of
preparation and organization was
required to provide safe anesthesia care
to Abby and Belle,” says Dr. Flick. “The
team worked seamlessly together and as
a part of the much larger care team.”
Managing media interest
The media interest in the Carlsens was
strong before they arrived at Mayo, and
it only intensified during their time in
Amy, Jesse, Abby and Belle Carlsen prepare to return
home after a tearful farewell with the care team.
(Photo by Joe Kane. Photo on opposite page courtesy
of Ann Arbor Miller, The Forum of Fargo Moorhead.)
2006
M AY O T O D AY
9
Updates from the Operating Room
Because of strong public interest and a desire by the Carlsens to
communicate to family and friends, Mayo created a Web site
that provided updates throughout the day of the surgery.
The reports were approved by the parents.
8:10 a.m. Anesthesia has been administered
to both girls, IV lines are being placed, and
the twins are being prepped for surgery.
11:54 a.m. The first incision was made
at 9:44 a.m. The chest walls have been
separated, confirming that there are two
separate hearts.
Isabelle’s blood pressure remained stable as her heart was
maneuvered into her chest wall cavity. The second part of the
separation — involving the diaphragms and liver — has begun.
1:50 p.m. The twins’ gall bladders have been removed, as part
of the planned procedure, as drainage for them will be rerouted.
Surgeons have begun liver separation, including the meticulous
identification of vascular and biliary structures of the liver.
The twins’ conditions remain stable.
4:10 p.m. The girls’ livers are now separated, as are their
pancreases and all other major organs. Enough intestinal tissue
is available for each girl. Bowel reconstruction for Isabelle —
Rochester. Mayo worked with Jesse and
Amy Carlsen to come up with a plan to
help them deal with the incredible
public and media interest.
“The girls had a significant following
of concerned people who were interested
in updates on their progress,” says Lee
Aase, manager of Media Relations in
Rochester. Media coverage, especially
in the Carlsens’ hometown, was an
important way to keep people up-to-date.
“We wanted to do everything we
could to ensure news coverage that
respected the family’s wishes and was
as positive an experience for them as
possible,” says Aase. “Our goal was to
accommodate Mr. and Mrs. Carlsen’s
wishes, and to manage the level of their
media involvement in a way that was
consistent with the girls receiving the
best care possible.”
That meant coordinating media
interactions in a way that would allow
the parents to focus on their daughters’
well-being and allow caregivers to
focus on the girls’ care.
Mayo created a Web page for
journalists and the public to get updates.
10
M AY O T O D AY
who retains the common bile duct — is complete. Abbigail’s
bowel and biliary reconstruction is under way.
5:15 p.m. At 4:28 p.m. the remaining tissue connecting
Abbigail and Isabelle was cut, for the first time completely
separating the conjoined twins. Isabelle has been moved to a
separate OR table where the plastic surgeons will perform
abdominal reconstruction and skin closure.
5:45 p.m. The Carlsen twins were separated at 4:28 p.m.
and placed in separate beds at 4:44 p.m.
The next morning. Abbigail and Isabelle Carlsen are doing
well this morning after an uneventful night. They remain in
intensive care under sedation, as planned, breathing with
assistance of ventilators, and their vital signs are stable. Their
parents have remained at their bedside through the night.
Jesse and Amy Carlsen issued this statement: “Thank
you for your support and prayers. It’s
amazing how our girls have touched
so many people’s lives. We are grateful
for the outstanding medical care our
daughters are receiving and for the
team we are lucky enough to have.” ■
The page included animations and
illustrations, photos and video footage.
A news conference after the surgery also
was webcast through the site. Updates
were approved by the parents. Mayo
also coordinated pool photographers
and videographers to provide media
access but make sure their presence
wasn’t intrusive.
A positive experience
The parents told the Star Tribune
newspaper they were confident that the
girls’ surgery and recovery would go as
well as it did. “I just had a strong belief
and trust that we were guided to Mayo
for a reason,” Jesse Carlsen said. “The
reason is here — two beautiful girls.”
Jesse Carlsen also called news
coverage of their story “unbelievable.”
But he said the outpouring of support
was “even more overwhelming.”
After surgery, the twins made quick
work of recovery. On May 29, they
moved into Ronald McDonald House
near Saint Marys Hospital. The Carlsens
returned home to North Dakota aboard
a Mayo Medical Transport plane on
2006
Tuesday, June 6.
Before they
left Rochester,
Amy, Jesse, Abby
Photos above courtesy
and Belle got a
of Star Tribune/
chance to say
Joey McLeister.
goodbye to their
care team in a
reception at Saint Marys Hospital.
Jesse described the experience in an
entry in an online journal:
Monday, before we left for home,
we had many of Abby and Belle’s Care
Team come say goodbye in Saint Marys’
courtyard ... Both Amy and I had to
fight back tears because of all the new
friends we will miss and all the
memories had in the 3 1/2 months
spent in Rochester. We both know how
blessed we are for having more ups than
downs during our journey at MAYO.
We owe a big THANK YOU!
to everybody we met in Rochester.
Together you all helped Amy and I get
through this short but very important
chapter in our family’s life. ■
— Hoyt Finnamore
Balancing Act
11 ways to find a better work-life balance,
restore harmony and reduce stress
I
f your work life and personal life
are out of balance, stress can run
high. How do you reclaim control?
Finding the right work-life balance
in today’s frenetically paced world is
no simple task. Spend more time at
work than at home, and you miss out
on a rewarding personal life. Then
again, if you’re facing challenges in
your personal life, such as caring for an
aging parent or coping with marital or
financial problems, concentrating on
your job can be difficult.
Whether the problem is too much
focus on work or too little, when your
work life and your personal life feel out
of balance, stress and its harmful effects
can result. To take control, consider
these strategies for striking a more
healthy balance.
Finding a balance
It isn’t easy to juggle the demands of
career and personal life. For most
people, it’s an ongoing challenge to
reduce stress and maintain harmony in
key areas of their life. Here are some
ideas to help you find the balance that’s
best for you:
Keep a log. Track everything you do
for one week. Include work-related
and non-work-related activities. Decide
what’s necessary and satisfies you the
most. Cut or delegate activities you
don’t enjoy, don’t have time for, or do
only out of guilt.
Take advantage of your options. Find
out if you have options such as flex
hours, a compressed work week, jobsharing or telecommuting for your role.
can do with family or friends, such as
playing golf, fishing or canoeing.
Making time for activities you enjoy
will rejuvenate you.
Protect your day off. Try to schedule
some of your routine chores on
workdays so that your days off are
more relaxing.
The flexibility may alleviate some of
your stress and free up some time.
Manage your time. Organize
household tasks efficiently. Running
errands in batches rather than going
back and forth several times. A daily
list of to-dos will help you avoid
deadline panic.
Rethink your cleaning standards. An
unmade bed or sink of dirty dishes
won’t necessarily impact the quality of
your life. Do what needs to be done
and let the rest go.
Communicate clearly. Limit timeconsuming misunderstandings by
communicating clearly and listening
carefully. Make notes if it helps.
Nurture yourself. Set aside time each
day for an activity that you enjoy, such
as walking, working out or listening to
music. Unwind after a hectic workday
by reading, practicing yoga, or taking
a relaxing bath.
Set aside one night each week for
recreation. Take the phone off the
hook, power down the computer, and
turn off the TV. Discover activities you
2006
Get enough sleep. There’s nothing as
stressful and potentially dangerous as
working when you’re sleep-deprived.
Not only is your productivity affected,
but you can also make costly mistakes.
You may then have to work even more
hours to make up for these mistakes.
Bolster your support system. Give
yourself the gift of a trusted friend or
co-worker to talk with during times of
stress or hardship. Ensure you have
trusted friends and relatives who can
assist you when you need to work
overtime or travel for your job.
Seek professional help. Everyone
needs help from time to time. If your
life feels too chaotic to manage and
you’re spinning your wheels worrying
about it, talk with a professional such
as your doctor, a psychologist or a
counselor recommended by your
employee assistance program.
Balance doesn’t mean doing everything.
Examine your priorities and set
boundaries. Be firm in what you can
and cannot do. Then take the next
step and give these suggestions a try.
Only you can restore harmony to
your lifestyle. ■
SOURCE: MayoClinic.com
M AY O T O D AY
11
Meeting
of the minds
Mayo Clinic hosts a national symposium
on health care reform to jump-start discussions on real reform
H
ealth care reform is going to
happen. That’s what former
South Dakota Senator Tom
Daschle told participants at the Mayo
Clinic National Symposium on Health
Care Reform in May.
“It will happen as circumstances
become more severe and groups like
this one produce results,” he said.
That call to action — to find
solutions — was the focus of the
three-day event in Rochester. The
impressive gathering was the result of
more than two years of planning and
was Mayo Clinic’s first major public
effort to jump-start health care reform.
In the past, Mayo Clinic has
worked quietly with legislators and
public policy leaders on health care
issues and legislation. But with a
national health care system in which
46 million people lack insurance, and
a substantial amount of care provided
is not based on best practices, “it was
time to lend our voice to public policy
discussions on behalf of patients,”
says Denis Cortese, M.D., Mayo Clinic
president and CEO.
The symposium drew more than
200 national leaders representing
business, health care, government,
public policy and patient advocacy.
They came not only to listen to
nationally known speakers but, more
importantly, to develop an action plan
to move health care reform forward.
A respected voice
Mayo Clinic’s effort stands apart from
other attempts to change the health
12
M AY O T O D AY
• Effectiveness, including how to
provide care based on scientific
knowledge and how to best coordinate
care for patients with chronic
conditions
Participants worked diligently to
hammer out a shared vision and
recommendations for change.
(See Six reform ideas that rose to the top
on page 14.)
care system, says Tim Penny, senior
fellow and co-director of the
Humphrey Institute Policy Forum in
Minneapolis.
“When Mayo talks, people listen,”
he said. Because of Mayo’s reputation
as a premier health care provider, “what
was accomplished here will have the
Mayo brand,” says Penny, who served
as an advisory panel member for the
symposium. “It will be noticed and
respected by policymakers.”
Penny and 13 other leaders in
health care, public policy, media,
academia and patient advocacy served
on the advisory panel that helped
shape the symposium. The advisory
panel and planners focused on key
areas of concern identified in health
care today:
• Equity, especially the plight of the
uninsured or underinsured
• Efficiency and the best use of
resources
2006
A first step
The symposium marked the beginning
of a multiyear, multifaceted approach
by Mayo Clinic to make reform real
by 2011. That’s when the first wave
of baby boomers will be eligible for
Medicare, and the resulting financial
pressures on health care will render
the current situation unsustainable.
“Mayo’s commitment was that
no one would leave the symposium
wondering what, if anything, happens
next,” says Carleton Rider, a Mayo
Clinic administrator who is part of a
team involved in the health care
reform efforts.
The symposium was the first of
several initiatives under the new Mayo
Clinic Health Policy Center. The
policy center, funded by Mayo Clinic
and benefactors, will bring together
experts, opinion leaders and influential
people from across the country who
are committed to patient-centered
change.
Denis Cortese, M.D., Mayo Clinic
president and CEO outlines essential
components of health care reform.
2006
M AY O T O D AY
13
“Through the policy center, Mayo
is providing the structure, support and
continuity to move from ideas to
comprehensive proposals,” says Robert
Smoldt, Mayo’s chief administrative
officer. “Mayo hopes to ensure that
patients’ needs are a key part of health
care reform deliberations.”
Bruce Bradley, director of health
care strategy and public policy for
General Motors and a panelist at the
symposium, says he’s hopeful that
Mayo’s approach will break “cycle of
unaccountability.”
“All stakeholders are part of the
problem,” he says. “We need to take
ownership and work together on the
solutions.”
With that in mind, the next steps
of Mayo’s initiative have already
begun. Three policy forum groups are
meeting to further develop ideas
generated during the symposium into
actionable solutions.
Finding answers for policymakers
Well-intentioned proposals sometimes
have surprising and negative
consequences. Implementation
glitches in the new Medicare drug
benefit and its huge costs are recent
examples. Researchers working under
the Mayo Clinic Health Policy Center
believe their efforts will help avoid
surprises as health care reform moves
forward.
One project, a joint effort with the
University of Minnesota School of
Public Health, is to develop a State-byState Medicare Impact Profile. It’s a
tool to show how changes in Medicare
could affect individuals, budgets and
health care systems in specific states.
A pilot study looking at
Washington, North Dakota, Minnesota,
Pennsylvania and Florida is expected
to be completed in 2006. Researchers
hope to expand the project, the first of
its kind.
“It will help policymakers better
understand how changes in Medicare
intersect with state policy,” says
Timothy Beebe, Ph.D., Mayo Clinic
health services researcher and a project
Six reform ideas that rose to the top
Discussions at the health care symposium were “going to
be like democracy — messy and loud,” said Patricia
Mitchell, co-chair of the event and a member of the Mayo
Clinic Board of Trustees. The symposium lived up to this
intriguing billing.
Dozens of reform ideas came out of discussions.
They related to the uninsured, chronic care, quality and
cost. Throughout the event, participants ranked ideas via
electronic voting. The conclusion was a consensus process
to prioritize the best ideas put forth.
“There was no single silver-bullet solution,” says
Hugh Smith, M.D., event co-chair and former chair of the
Mayo Clinic Rochester Board of Governors. Six ideas rose
to the top of the list.
1. Build a mandate for change
Myths prevent serious discussion about reform, said
former South Dakota Sen. Tom Daschle. “There’s a myth
out that that we can’t afford to do better,” he said. “If we
can’t do this without spending less, we haven’t solved the
problem.”
2. Reimburse health care based on results
“The current system rewards episodes of care,
with no reward for quality and efficiency,” said
Elliott Fisher, M.D., a health policy researcher at
Dartmouth Medical School. Participants agreed
that needs to change.
session moderator. In an integrated system, providers from
across the entire care spectrum would coordinate services
and share information to improve care.
4. Increase transparency — information sharing —
among systems and physician practices
Transparency “creates a nationwide learning system with
the power of experience,” said Paul O’Neill, former U.S.
secretary of the treasury. Among his suggestions: Post
information about medical errors on the Web so others can
learn from the experience.
5. Define essential health care services
Eighty-two percent of symposium participants believed that
all Americans should be guaranteed health insurance.
Defining essential care is a step toward developing baseline
insurance coverage.
6. Reward patients who select high-quality providers
Most participants believed that patients would use cost and
quality information to make health care decisions. And they
believed that patients should be rewarded for choices,
perhaps with financial incentives. ■
3. Encourage formation of integrated systems
“We’re practicing random acts of health care
… it’s hard to explain how else it’s being
delivered,” said journalist Susan Dentzer, a
14
M AY O T O D AY
2006
leader. “With every change, it’s
important to understand and prepare
for the consequences.”
Mayo as a change agent
Can the symposium, the policy
forums, the research and the work
completed under the auspices of the
policy center truly influence health
care reform and public policy?
Those involved believe they will.
“We have a good understanding of the
problems, for example the quality
chasm,” says Bradley. “What is now
needed is to work on the solutions.
This symposium and the initiatives of
the policy center are focused on the
action of solving the issues at hand.”
Part of the solution is creating
public support for change.
“Throughout our history, Mayo
Clinic has typically endorsed broad
health care principles rather than a
specific political stance,” says John
La Forgia, chair of Mayo’s Department
of Public Affairs. “We are recognized
as being generally nonpartisan. This
lends credibility to our efforts to bring
people together to work out a solution.”
Mayo Clinic will be looking to
leaders and groups across the country
to help support and build the vision
for future health care.
“We know it will take a
tremendous effort to move health care
Symposium participants discussed not only what is needed in health care reform but also
how to make it happen. (Photos on pages 12 to 15 by Joe Kane.)
reform forward,” says Smoldt, “but
Mayo Clinic is committed to the future
of quality patient care.”
Mayo’s effort will have an impact,
says Penny, who as former member of
the U.S. House of Representatives
knows what that it takes to get
legislation moving. “Congress is
looking for answers,” he says. “Health
care reform is so critically important,
lawmakers will take what’s done here
very seriously.” ■
NEED THE INFO?
To learn more about health care reform
and hear what Mayo staff are saying,
visit “The Changing Face of
Health Care” on Mayo’s intranet at
mayoweb.mayo.edu/healthcarereform.
— Ronda Willsher
Advisers for the National Symposium on Health Care included:
• Tom Johnson, former CEO of CNN
• Ceci Connolly, national staff writer, Washington Post
• Michael Manganiello, senior vice president,
Christopher Reeve Paralysis Foundation
• Chris Gade, chair, Division of External Relations,
Mayo Clinic
• Susan Blumenthal, M.D., former assistant U.S. surgeon
general and professor at Georgetown School of Medicine
• Mary Grealy, president, Healthcare Leadership Council
• Patricia Mitchell, president and CEO, Museum of
Television and Radio
• Tim Penny, senior fellow and co-director of the
Humphrey Institute Policy Forum
• Hugh Smith, M.D., former chair, Mayo Clinic Rochester
Board of Governors
• Bruce Bradley, director of health care strategy and
public policy, General Motors
• John Iglehart, editor, Health Affairs, and national
correspondent, New England Journal of Medicine
• Robert Nesse, M.D., president and CEO, Franciscan
Skemp Healthcare, Mayo Health System
• Kenneth Shine, M.D., executive vice chancellor,
University of Texas System
• John Wennberg, M.D., director, Center for Evaluative
Clinical Sciences, Dartmouth Medical School
2006
M AY O T O D AY
15
In the
same vein
Endovascular technique helps couple battle aortic aneurysms
T
he phrase ‘til the end of time is
engraved inside their wedding
rings. It’s the name of the
movie they saw on their first date,
and it’s the way they still feel 57 years
after they said, “I do.”
Robert and Elaine Knaack have
shared good times and bad, and they
get serious when they talk about the
life-threatening diagnosis they both
received — abdominal aortic
aneurysm. Elaine had two of them,
diagnosed more than 30 years ago.
“Our children were relatively
young, and I was so scared that I was
going to die and leave him to raise the
two kids alone,” she says.
Years of careful watching were
followed by a careful selection of a
surgeon at Mayo Clinic Jacksonville,
who repaired her aneurysms and then
prepared to do the same for Robert.
“He put us at ease
through the whole thing.
He showed us on the
computer what he was
going to do and how he
was going to do it.”
— Robert Knaack
Taking care and taking time
Aneurysms smaller than five
centimeters in diameter have only a
2 percent risk of rupturing, so doctors
usually recommend that patients have
an ultrasound every six months to see
if the aneurysm is growing. Elaine did
this diligently, since her aneurysms
weren’t large enough to repair. As the
years went by, she got used to
watching and waiting. In 2000,
a CT scan showed her two aneurysms
had grown together, forming one
bulge of nearly 5 centimeters.
Elaine wasn’t impressed with the
manner of the surgeon she was
initially referred to. “He wasn’t with
us three minutes,” she says. “‘I’ll
make arrangements,’ he said, and
out he went. I took one look at Bob,
burst into tears and said, ‘I’m not
going to him.’”
Two years earlier, Elaine had
seen a story on the news about an
endovascular approach to repairing
abdominal aortic aneurysms. She
went home and called the TV station
to ask the reporter for more
information.
After two more phone calls,
she had an appointment to see
Mayo Clinic vascular surgeon Albert
Hakaim, M.D.
A Quiet Killer
Rupture of an aortic aneurysm is the 15th leading cause
of death in the United States. About 50,000 people are
diagnosed each year with an aortic aneurysm. Screening
is important, because these aneurysms are often
undetected before they rupture. Current and former
smokers over age 65 who have a history of heart disease,
and those with a family history of aortic aneurysms
should have an ultrasound screening to check for an
aneurysm. ■
Surgery to prevent aneurysm involves inserting
a stent graft that strengthens the artery.
16
M AY O T O D AY
2006
Robert and Elaine Knaack participated in
a clinical trial at Mayo Clinic testing an
endovascular stent graft procedure to repair
aortic aneurysms. After Elaine recovered
from her procedure, it was Robert’s turn.
fabric graft that is hand sewn into the
blood vessel. Hospitalization may take
a week or more and recovery, months.
With the endovascular procedure,
surgeons make an incision in a leg
artery and thread a catheter up into the
aneurysm under X-ray guidance. The
catheter is then withdrawn, leaving
behind the stent graft, which is inflated
and hooks onto healthy sections of the
aorta above and below the aneurysm.
“This diverts the blood flow down
through the stent graft so the weakness
in the artery, which is the aneurysm
sack, no longer has blood pressure in
it,” Dr. Hakaim says. “So the pressure
decreases and the sack shrinks.”
Dr. Hakaim explained that he was
performing an endovascular stent graft
procedure that was part of a clinical
trial necessary to seek Food and Drug
Administration approval for the
procedure. Elaine and Robert liked
what they heard about the procedure
and the way they were treated.
“He put us at ease through the
whole thing,” Robert says. “He
showed us on the computer what he
was going to do and how he was
going to do it.”
Elaine not only opted to
participate, but she was out of the
hospital in three days and back to her
hobby of rafting in the ocean in just
six weeks.
Dealing with a quiet threat
The aorta is the body’s main artery.
It arcs up as it leaves the heart and
then descends through the chest and
into the abdomen. Over time, the
buildup of fatty plaque can weaken
the blood vessel, causing it to balloon,
forming an aneurysm. People can
die from a ruptured aneurysm without
ever knowing they had one.
“In the majority of patients, the
aneurysm isn’t diagnosed because of
symptoms,” says Dr. Hakaim.
“They’re usually found incidentally
looking for other conditions.”
The traditional repair surgery
involves an abdominal incision to
expose the aorta. The surgeon replaces
the damaged section with a synthetic
2006
Encore performance
After Elaine recovered from her
surgery, it was Robert’s turn to be
concerned. Doctors were watching a
spot on his kidney, when they
discovered a bulge in his aorta. Before
Dr. Hakaim could repair the aneurysm,
Robert was diagnosed with Hodgkin’s
lymphoma. His Mayo Clinic
oncologists treated the cancer, and it
went into remission. Robert finally
had the endovascular procedure in
March 2006.
Although he’s not rafting in the
ocean — he’s never cared for the water
— Robert has resumed woodworking
projects in the garage, grilling, and
letting Elaine know how much he
loves her.
“She gets wished a happy anniversary every day,” he says with his arm
around her shoulder. “Today is 57
years, four weeks and three days.”
He looks into her eyes and adds,
“Tomorrow, it will be four days.” ■
— Carol Chaffin
M AY O T O D AY
17
Above and beyond
In each issue of Mayo Today, we’ll feature a story that highlights excellent service.
There are many examples every day of the kind of service that we provide to Mayo
patients, their families and each other. This time, we’re going to let a letter from
the daughter of a Mayo patient speak for itself. The letter below was addressed
to Andrea Seymour Sonnier, manager of the Office of International
Services in Rochester.
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TIP US OFF: If you see or hear of an event in which someone
offered excellent service, send us a note at [email protected].
Let us know what happened, who was involved,
and what he or she did to make a difference.
18
M AY O T O D AY
2006
S N A P S H O T
John Gonzalez
Name ... John Gonzalez
Job title ... Research Specialist
Job title should be ... Science Ambassador
Typical day involves ... E-mails, experiments and meeting people.
On my first day at Mayo ... I felt honored to be part of Mayo Clinic Jacksonville.
On my last day at Mayo ... I would rather think that it will be forever.
Memorable moment at work ... One was when I was promoted. Another, when
I helped a liver transplant patient to get economic support and was approved.
Favorite quote … “I am not bound to win, but I am bound to be true.
I am not bound to succeed, but I am bound to live by the light that I have.
I must stand with anybody that stands right, stand with him while he is right,
and part with him when he goes wrong.” – Abraham Lincoln
A good day at work is ... When everything
on the agenda is accomplished.
A bad day is ... There’s unfinished business.
Can’t get along without ... Coffee
I’d like to see ... Everybody respecting each other.
In my next life ... I would definitely be a physician.
On my bookshelf ... Books on chemistry,
physics and real estate.
Someday, I’d like to ... Fish all day
and live by the beach.
It’s all worth it when ...
The goals you set are accomplished. ■
2006
M AY O T O D AY
19
H E A L T H
C A R E
I N D U ST RY
N E W S
Medicare, tax exemptions, and core health services
Medicare posts hospital
payment information
To help consumers, providers and
payers make more informed health
care decisions, the Centers for
Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS)
in June began posting information on
what Medicare pays for 30 common
elective procedures and other hospital
admissions.
“Once people gain better
information, they become better
consumers of health care, and that
helps get health care costs down and
quality of care up,” says Health and
Human Services Secretary Mike
Leavitt. “The federal government is
the biggest single purchaser of health
care in America, and by taking steps to
post prices and quality data, we hope
to encourage more insurance
companies, hospitals, clinics and
doctors to do the same.”
The new information is posted by
the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid
Services at www.cms.hhs.gov. The
posting shows the range of payments
by county and the number of cases
treated at each hospital for a variety of
services provided to seniors and people
with disabilities in fiscal year 2005.
These include 30 common elective
procedures, including heart operations
and implanting cardiac defibrillators,
hip and knee replacements, kidney
and urinary tract operations,
gallbladder operations, and back and
neck operations, as well as common
nonsurgical admissions. ■
SOURCE: DEPARTMENT OF
HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES
20
M AY O T O D AY
Study: Grounds for health
care’s tax exemption
go beyond free care
Nonprofit hospitals and other health
care entities often provide other, less
easily measured benefits in addition to
indigent care, which vary from service
to service and from community to
community, according to a study
published online by Health Affairs.
“There are many ways that
providers can influence the health of
communities,” say authors Mark
Schlesinger, a professor of health
policy at Yale University, and Bradford
Gray, a principal research associate at
the Urban Institute. “Thus, restricting
the rationale for tax exemption to
indigent care, as done in some states
and favored by some policy analysts, is
a misguided approach to improving
community health.”
For more information go to
healthaffairs.org. ■
SOURCE: AHA NEWS
Work group recommends
core health care
services for all
The Citizens’ Health Care Working
Group — authorized in the 2003
Medicare Modernization Act — in
June announced the release of interim
recommendations on how to make
health care work for all Americans.
The recommendations reflect input
from more than 20,000 citizens who
participated in more community
meetings or provided input online.
The public has until Aug. 31 to
comment on the interim recommendations.
Final recommendations will be sent to
2006
the president for review and to
Congress, which will hold hearings.
The Working Group recommends:
• A public policy that all Americans
have affordable health care
• A “core” benefits package for all
• Guaranteed financial protection
against very high health care costs
• Development of integrated
community health networks
• More intensive efforts to improve
quality of care and efficiency
• New ways to provide and finance
palliative care, hospice and other
services for people living with advanced
incurable conditions.
Comments may be submitted at
www.citizenshealthcare.gov;
by e-mail to [email protected];
or by regular mail at Citizens’ Health
Care Working Group, Attn: Interim
Recommendations, 7201 Wisconsin Ave.,
Suite 575, Bethesda, MD 20814.
Additional information can be
found at www.citizenshealthcare.gov. ■
SOURCE: CITIZENS’ HEALTH CARE
WORKING GROUP
CDC: 51.3 million Americans
uninsured for part of 2005
An estimated 51.3 million Americans
or 17.6 percent of the population were
uninsured for at least part of the
year in 2005. This is down from
51.6 million and 17.9 percent in 2004,
the Centers for Disease Control and
Prevention reports. ■
SOURCE: AHA NEWS
T I P
S H E E T
Take control of your time
Get it right, guard your time
Polish up important e-mail notes
Before you send an important e-mail,
be sure to check it to make sure you
have everything right. That means
copyediting your own work. The best
way to do that is, if possible, to allow a
little lag time between writing your
communication and editing it. Then
find a quiet place, take a hard copy,
sit down with a red pen, and give it a
good close look.
Here’s a laundry list of things to
check for:
1. Do you have the person’s name
spelled correctly? Remember, whoever
receives your communication is going
to be judging you from what you send.
2. Watch for problem words and
“disaster typos.” For instance, if
you’re writing to Bob Jones, public
relations director, and you drop the
“l” out of the word public … well,
you see what we mean.
3. Make sure you’ve got the right
tone. Don’t use a casual, jokey tone
if your subject is serious. Don’t use
a formal tone for something that
should be fun. ■
It always seems like there’s not enough
time to accomplish everything you’re
working on. Working harder may not
be the answer. The book 1,001 Ways to
Take Initiative at Work suggests these
steps to take control of your time:
• At the end of the day, make a to-do
list for tomorrow. When you walk into
work the next day, you’ll know just
what you need to do and where to start.
• Make a commitment to arrive at work
a half hour early every day. You’ll get
a jump start on the important stuff,
and you can work without interruption,
if only for a brief time.
• Don’t jump to lower-priority tasks
until you have made progress on
high-priority tasks.
• Use a calendar and plan. It will
organize you, and you won’t have to
spend time asking what you’re
supposed to be doing.
• Go through your inbox at least once
a day and prioritize it.
Improve your presentation
PowerPoint is a great tool when used
effectively. It can also be dull and
ineffective. It all depends on how
you use it. Here are some pointers for
using PowerPoint in a way that is
compelling and persuasive:
• Make sure your material is
compelling. Keep in mind that people
are coming to hear you speak, not to
look at your slides. Slides should
support what you are saying, not be
the focal point of the presentation.
• Stay simple. Don’t fall in love with
all the gadgets available to you. Use
them if they will enhance what you’re
saying. But keep it simple, using
graphics and charts that are easy to
read and understand.
• Don’t go crazy with numbers.
While numbers can make your point,
don’t overwhelm your audience with
too many facts and figures.
• Don’t just read what’s up on the
screen. That’s a common mistake.
What you want to do is augment and
discuss what’s on your screen.
• Time your remarks. Give your
audience a chance to read the screen,
and then make your remarks. Don’t
talk on top of your slides.
• Give it a rest. A blank screen
every now and again can deliver a
much-needed break.
• Distribute handouts after you’ve
presented. You don’t want to be
talking to people while they’re
reading your conclusions.
• Say goodbye to unimportant
meetings. If you don’t need to be there,
don’t go.
• Learn to say no. Be polite, but firm.
Otherwise, you won’t have the focus or
energy to attain your goals. ■
S M A R T
Q U O T E S
“It usually takes
more than three weeks
to prepare a good
impromptu speech.”
— Mark Twain
• Edit with a heavy hand. When
going over your presentation, if you
find something that is unclear or
unnecessary, kill it. ■
2006
M AY O T O D AY
21
M A Y O
I N
T H E
N E W S
Decaf, sleep disorders and more
Shot might cut the risk of shingles
Star Tribune, Minneapolis
But this year there will be a new
vaccine for the dreaded condition,
which occurs in about a third of adults,
most often after age 60. The Food and
Drug Administration (FDA) licensed
the vaccine in May, and
recommendations for its use are
expected to follow later this month.
Experts predict that older adults will
be lining up to get it. “Everyone
knows someone who’s had shingles,”
said Dr. Greg Poland, a vaccine expert
at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, and a
member of the FDA’s Advisory
Committee on Immunization Practices.
“It can be a very painful, disfiguring
disease. Some are left with lifelong
pain.”
Study finds decaf
may lessen risk of diabetes
The Orlando Sentinel
Researchers said Monday that women
who drank six or more cups of
decaffeinated coffee a day were 33
percent less likely to develop type 2
diabetes, a disease that affects more
than 18 million Americans. But while
the findings sound encouraging for
avid coffee drinkers, the American
Diabetes Association is warning
against reading too much into the data.
“I think it’s intriguing and it suggests
(that) if you enjoy coffee —
particularly decaffeinated coffee —
then it’s reasonable to drink it,” said
Dr. Robert Rizza, president of the
American Diabetes Association and a
professor at the Mayo Clinic College of
Medicine in Minnesota. “But I would
do so in moderation.”
22
M AY O T O D AY
Transplant
recipient celebrates 20 years
Rockford Register Star
Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minn.,
holds an annual reunion welcoming
back the more than 2,100 liver
transplant patients the facility has
served since it started the procedure in
1985. Each former patient introduces
themselves at the reunion by their
transplant rank. So whenever Loves
Park (Ill.) native Jackie Brubaker
attends and announces that she was
number 25, the floor often becomes
hers … She got even more attention
Saturday when her five children
threw her a belated 20th anniversary
celebration of the Dec. 8, 1985, surgery.
Mayo Clinic Offers Joint
Medicine-Law Degree
Associated Press
A new degree program will let Mayo
Medical School students earn a law
degree, as well as a medical degree.
Mayo Clinic and Arizona State
University’s Sandra Day O’Connor
College of Law are working together
to offer the six-year program.
electrical currents to block the Vagus
Nerve, one of five cranial nerves. The
device, called Maestro, is also inserted
beneath the skin of the abdomen, with
connecting electrical leads placed on
the stomach. The electrical pulses
block the Vagus Nerve and paralyze
the stomach, stopping contractions that
churn food as part of the digestion
process, said William Sandborn, one
of the gastroenterologists at the Mayo
Clinic working with Enteromedics.
REM sleep behavior disorder
may lead to dementia, Parkinson’s
Senior Journal
Acting out vivid dreams may forewarn
of more serious illness. Mayo Clinic
sleep medicine specialists have found
that almost two-thirds of patients with
REM sleep behavior disorder (RBD)
develop degenerative brain diseases,
like Parkinson’s and dementia, by
approximately 11 years after diagnosis
of RBD. It is another disturbing
finding for many seniors who are the
most in fear of dementia and
frequently worry about their sleep.
Workopolis TV (Canada)
ABC News online
In another laboratory in Minneapolis
— a city once dominated by flour
mills that has evolved into a hotbed
for medical technology — medtech
start-up Enteromedics Inc. is working
with the Mayo Clinic on its own
implantable device to fight obesity.
But rather than stimulating the
stomach like Medtronic’s IGS device,
privately-held Enteromedics is trying
to inhibit nerve function by using
2006
About 14% of companies, according to
our measures, have really enthusiastic
employees. I’m referring to
organizations like Southwest Airlines,
Intuit, Federal Express, Mayo Clinic ...
you find that when people start work,
they feel terrific about an organization.
They’re looking forward to learning
about the company, learning their
jobs, learning new skills, meeting
their co-workers. ■
H I S T O R Y
L E S S O N S
“Left open for further thought
and research”
William W. Mayo, M.D. (1819 – 1911)
T
here are many ways to demonstrate
the breadth and depth of research
at Mayo Clinic. You could document
the studies that are published … funding
awards from the National Institutes of
Health, benefactors and other sources
… Mayo staff who lead professional
organizations … translation of Mayo’s
findings into novel ways of diagnosing
and treating disease … Mayo’s patents
and licensing agreements.
You also could explore the long
heritage of research at Mayo Clinic —
with its unwavering commitment to
advance patient care. “Our father
taught us,” the Mayo brothers often
said. And in the story of their father,
William W. Mayo, M.D., we find our
institution’s taproot commitment to
research.
What seemed like misfortune
ultimately led to Dr. W.W. Mayo’s
passion for science. He grew up near
Manchester, England. His family gave
him the basics of an education but could
not afford the fees that secondary
schools charged. At the same time,
there was a brilliant scientist, John
Dalton, who could not get a teaching job
because of prejudice against his Quaker
religion. Young W.W. Mayo sought
out Dalton.
“Father was always talking about
Dalton,” Charles H. Mayo, M.D.,
recalled decades later. Dalton was a
chemist and physicist. He formulated
the modern atomic theory of matter,
devised the periodic table of elements,
and wrote the first medical description
of color blindness. While the schools
W.W. Mayo could not afford
emphasized Latin and Greek, Dalton
inspired him with the scientific method.
In 1846, at the age of 27, W.W. Mayo
boarded a ship for America. As he
struggled during the early years of his
career, he worked as a tailor, newspaper
editor, surveyor and riverboat pilot.
But he never lost his love of science.
Dedicated to the medical
profession, he went on to earn two
medical degrees when most doctors had
no formal education in medicine. In his
own practice, Dr. Mayo emphasized
compassionate care based on scientific
knowledge and discovery. He gave that
passion to his sons, who embedded it in
the organization they developed.
“The up-to-date and exacting
Mayo Clinic of today is a reflection of
my grandfather’s personal style as a
doctor,” wrote Dr. Charlie’s son, Charles
W. (Chuck) Mayo, M.D., in 1968.
“He was a perfectionist who was
readily infuriated by sloppy or secondrate work and was always delighted at
any opportunity to improve medicine.”
Today, we are approaching
7 million patient registrations. The
electronic medical record of our time
has come a long way from the ledger
where Dr. W.W. Mayo described
symptoms and treatments in longhand.
Yet the comment with which he ended
many of his notes continues to resonate
in our commitment to advance medical
science in service to patients: “Left open
for further thought and research.”
— Matthew Dacy
Historical Vignette: The Mortgage and the Microscope
Dr. W.W. Mayo’s passion for science meant sacrifice
for his family. In 1870, he returned home to Rochester
from visiting hospitals and clinics on the East Coast.
Author Judith Hartzell describes his dedication to
improving medicine — and the support from his wife,
Louise, in serving patients.
Then, at the right moment, he placed the old microscope
on the table and produced from his pocket a color brochure
about a wonderful new microscope. It would tell them many
important facts about diseases which the old microscope
couldn’t reveal, he said, but was expensive. It cost $600,
and he had spent all his money on his trip east.
“The only way we can buy this microscope is to
mortgage our house,” he said.
Amazed silence greeted his remark. The children didn’t
even understand the meaning of the word ‘mortgage.’
Louise did, though. … Louise thought about it and asked
W.W. to tell them more about what the new scope could do
which the old one couldn’t. At last, she said, ‘Well, William,
if you could do better by the people with this new microscope,
and you really think you need it, we’ll do it.’
Quoted with permission from I Started All This: The Life of Dr. William
Worrall Mayo by Judith Hartzell. (Arvi Books, 2004. This book is available
in Mayo Clinic libraries and sold in Mayo Clinic gift shops.)
2006
M AY O T O D AY
23
LEADERS
Gregory Angstman, M.D.
Chair/CEO and Medical
Director of Cannon Falls
Medical Center
Mayo Clinic Rochester
Marilia Cascalho, M.D.,
Ph.D.
Chair, Division of
Experimental Surgery
Stefan K. Grebe, M.D., Ph.D.
Chair, Division of Clinical
Biochemistry and
Immunology
David M. Hough, M.D.
Chair, Abdominal Division of
Department of Radiology
Eric J. Sorenson, M.D.
Associate Chair of
Education, Department of
Neurology
Brian G. Weinshenker, M.D.
Associate Chair of
Research, Department
of Neurology
Kurt B. Angstman, M.D.
Medical Director of Mayo
Family Clinics Northeast
and Northwest
Brian A. Crum, M.D.
Associate Chair of
Outpatient Practice,
Department of Neurology
C. Michel Harper Jr, M.D.
Vice Chair, Department of
Neurology
Karl N. Krecke, M.D.
Vice Chair, Department of
Radiology
Michael T. Walsh, M.D.
Chair, Division of RMH
South Anesthesia
Bruce G. Wolff, M.D.
Chair, Division of Colon
and Rectal Surgery
Robert D. Brown Jr, M.D.
Chair, Department of
Neurology
Jimmy R. Fulgham, M.D.
Associate Chair of Inpatient
Practice, Department of
Neurology
Roger E. Hofer, M.D.
Chair, Division of
Multispecialty Anesthesia
APPOINTMENTS
Aneel A. Ashrani, M.D.
Hematology and Internal
Medicine
Laura A. Diamandopoulos,
M.D.
Cardiovascular Diseases
and Internal Medicine
Keith M. Furutani, Ph.D.
Radiation Oncology
Robert H. McLaren, M.D.
Urology
Diana M. Orbelo, Ph.D.
Otorhinolaryngology
Amy K. Saenger, Ph.D.
Laboratory Medicine and
Pathology
Michael A. Barry, Ph.D.
Infectious Diseases and
Internal Medicine
Andrew L. Folpe, M.D.
Anatomic Pathology
Robert W. Maxwell, M.D.
Radiology
Ozqur Oqut, Ph.D.
Patrick J. Peller, M.D.
Otorhinolaryngology
Paul Sorajja, M.D.
24
M AY O T O D AY
J U LY / AU G U S T
2006
APPOINTMENTS
Rakesh M. Suri, M.D.,
D. Phil.
Riccardo Valdez, M.D.
Pathology
Mayo Clinic Arizona
ANNIVERSARIES
Sarah L. Anding
Breast Imaging and
Diagnostic Center
25 YEARS
Jill Smith Beed
Legal
Hector R. Villarraga, M.D.
Christopher A. Wall, M.D.
Psychiatry and Psychology
Lifeng Yu, Ph.D.
Radiology
(March and April 2006)
Mark Boenish
Anesthesiology
Denise Bronte
Nursing
Vickie L. Delaney
Architectural and
Engineering Design Services
Pat Buchanan
Tumor Registry
LaDonna M. Dewbery
Nursing
Robert D. Fealey, M.D.
Neurology
James L. Burch
Tissue Registry
Luann Dirschel
Surgical Services
Marilyn K. Baker
Nursing
Cindy S. Beinhorn
Pulmonary Research
Beth A. Boyce
Nicotine Research
Sheila M. Fick
Echocardiography
Nancy D. Clancy
Radiology
Dale L. Clark
Nursing
Judy Batterson
Obstetrics and Gynecology
Mark S. Bilderback
Safety and Security
Elaine M. Doherty
Physiology and Biomedical
Engineering
Laurie A. Bremer
Mayo Medical Ventures
Ute Baucom
Surgical Services
Mayo Clinic Jacksonville
Cindy A. Finck
General Service
Mariannne J. Cordell
Surgical Services
Ellen W. Blanco
Hematology Research
Roberta R. Broadwater
Dietetics
Mary Jo Davis
Surgical Services
J U LY / AU G U S T
2006
Nancy Eull
Surgical Services
Valerie L. Fordham
Cardiac Catheterization
Laboratory
M AY O T O D AY
25
ANNIVERSARIES
Patricia F. Friedrich
Orthopedic Research
25 YEARS
Lori J. Hoefs
Nursing
Deb Kaul
Cancer Center
Mary K. LaBrash
Biostatistics
Carmen M. McNamara
Vascular Radiology
Mark A. Redfern
Ophthalmology
Steven L. Reese
Materials Management
Marie Haglund
Health Information
Management
Lisa L. Hollar
Russell Keating
Finance
Leslie Hall
Clinical Microbiology
Bill Hynes
Environmental Services
Dorie L. King
Data Integrity
John J. Leimer
Finance
Linda J. O’Reilly
Radiology
Mona Roewe
Microbiology Laboratory
Don W. Leisen
Surgical Services
Debra Orris
Toxicology Laboratory
Carie C. Roseboom
Family Medicine
Richard T. Henke
Franklin Heating Station
Joanne K. Ihrke
Nursing
Bruce R. Henslin
Clinical Studies
Mayo Clinic Arizona
David Ress
X-ray Equipment Services
Barb J. Jansen
Medical and Clinical
Administrative Services
Kevin J. Klavetter
Foundation Video
Engineering
Sue Leisen
Otorhinolaryngology
Susan K. Paulsrud
Registration
Kent A. Sandgren
Facilities and Support
Services
Kay L. Klein
Surgical Services
Kristie Slavin
Human Resources
Thomas Maiers
Anesthesiology
Lori Hinrichs
Infectious Diseases and
Internal Medicine
26
M AY O T O D AY
Jane C. Kahl
Endocrinology Research
Jenny L. Kundert
Mayo School of Continuing
Medical Education
J U LY / AU G U S T
2006
Brenda L. Rain
Media Support Services
ANNIVERSARIES
Kathy A. Stern
Breast Imaging
25 YEARS
Claudia J. Strelow
Surgical Services
Timothy W. Verdick
Doreen M. Wagner
Rheumatology and Internal
Medicine
Cindy Whitcomb
Molecular Medicine
Kirstin M. Wood
Health Management
Resources
Dixie L. Vavrichek
Nursing
Suzanne M. Steward
Nursing
ANNIVERSARIES
Jane M. Anderson
Patient Financial Services
Mary E. Anderson
Mayo Employees Federal
Credit Union
30 YEARS
Kim A. Baumann
Infectious Disease and
Internal Medicine
Jan M. Buss
Neurology
Marlene J. Earl
Linda F. Epperson
Supply Logistics
Mary J. Haag
Nursing
David Buffington
Radiology
Marylee E. Campion
Development
Rita Eggenberger
Heart Rhythm Services
Jeanne Fanning
Office Support Services
Cheryl A. Halling
Pathology
Brad Christensen
Pharmacy Services
JoAnn Eidem
Emergency Medical
Services
Kathleen A. Gehling
Otorhinolaryngology
Donna J. Hanks
Nursing
James F. Buryska
Chaplain Services
Debra L. Anstett
Nursing
J U LY / AU G U S T
2006
M AY O T O D AY
27
ANNIVERSARIES
30 YEARS
Roberta Postier
Facilities Project Services
Linda K. Sapp
Transplant Center
Lori L. Renaux
Surgical Services
Eileen M. Hanson
Surgical Services
Henry A. Homburger, M.D.
Pathology
Lucy R. Lampat
Nursing
S. Breanndan Moore, M.D.
Transfusion Medicine
Marcy D. Sutton
Debra K. Schott
Medicine
Paula C. Lapic
Physical Medicine and
Rehabilitation
Heide L. Ressie
Mayo Medical Ventures
Harley K. Novotne
Services
Jeanne M. Ihrke
Materials Management
Becky L. Schwager
Dietetics
Katherine B. Smith
Surgical Services
Linda Swee
Inta M. Loen
Family Medicine
Donna Rollie
Pharmacy Services
Patricia K. Olevson
Systems and Procedures
John A. Jefferies, M.D.
Obstetrics and Gynecology
Delores J. Stafford
Nursing
Jan C. Taft
Emergency Room
Ruth A. Luehmann
Pulmonary Function
Laboratory
Steve Rolstad
Mayo Collaborative Services
Maria Pasalis
Nursing
Janet E. Krause
Medicine
Janice M. Manahan
Nursing
Deborah A. Stark
Radiology
Mary Peterson
Cardiovascular Research
Judy P. Kruesel
Nursing
Phyllis A. Roth
Ophthalmology
Terry J. Ruesink
Orthopedic Research
Loraine McCaleb
Nursing
28
M AY O T O D AY
Nancy L. Watrud
Radiology
Patricia L. Pfiefer
Surgical Services
J U LY / AU G U S T
2006
Cynthia S. Stevens
Nursing
Theresa Zimmerman
Surgical Services
Peggy R. Zweifel
Finance
ANNIVERSARIES
35 YEARS
Ann E. Brumm
Anesthesiology
Alice M. Flood
Pamella Hartman
Mayo Health Companies
Darrell K. Crawford
Services
Barbara Fritsche
Central Appointment Desk
Gail Hovey
Radiology
Diane M. Huse
Endocrinology,Diabetes,
Metabolism, Nutrition and
Internal Medicine
40 YEARS
Thomas W. Silvernagle
Diane E. Himle
Health Information
Management
Sharon R. Applequist
Radiology
28 years
Valerie A. McManimon
Nursing
Mary L. Bishop
Pathology
RETIREMENTS
Pamela Reed
Nursing
Kathryn A. Tvedt
Anatomic Pathology
Linda Hyde
Neurology
ANNIVERSARIES
Wayne R. Linander
Finance
Sherry L. Linander
Biochemistry and Molecular
Biology
(February and March 2006)
Mary A. Clark
Laboratory Services
34 years
Terry W. Currie
Orthopedic Surgery
21 years
Patrick J. Dean
Child and Adolescent
Psychiatry
19 years
David Ebel
Finance
18 years
Judy A. Fix
Finance
27 years
Rose M. Bauman
Emergency Department
18 years
J U LY / AU G U S T
2006
M AY O T O D AY
29
RETIREMENTS
(February and March 2006)
Nell J. Witt
Radiation Oncology
15 years
Robert Kiddy
General Services
17 years
Lee A. Forstrom, M.D., Ph.D.
Radiology
21 years
Terrence W. Knipschield
Purchasing
30 years
Charles R. Hammer
Messaging
15 years
Alice K. Hardecopf
MMSI
18 years
Elaine E. Oldenburg
Gastroenterology and
Hepatology and Internal
Medicine
25 years
Vernida P. Lageson
Nursing
22 years
Karen S. Osmundson
Medical Social Services
26 years
Pearlene B. Long
General Services
27 years
Peter C. Pairolero, M.D.
Surgery
32 years
Dorothy Hart
Systems and Procedures
16 years
Catharine J. McKean
Education
34 years
Joyce C. Renken
Surgical Services
36 years
Carol L. Hendricks
Dermatology
Mayo Clinic Arizona
11 years
Marjorie M. Naylor
Radiology
26 years
Donna R. Senjem
Nursing
20 years
Muriel K. Stafford
Biostatistics
33 years
Kay M. Stanich
Pathology
24 years
Lieu T. Ta
Dietetics
16 years
Lorraine M. Jensen
Hand Center
23 years
30
M AY O T O D AY
Louise K. Vail
Radiology
20 years
Alan E. Wussow
Engineering
32 years
Carolyn L. Wall
Mayo Hospice
17 years
Carol C. Zimmerman
Mayo Clinic Arizona
12 years
Sherrie K. Spicer
Mayo Collaborative Services
28 years
Carol J. Rozeboom
General Clinical Research
19 years
Marilyn A. Santagato
Laboratory
19 years
Bruce W. Tointon
Facilities Services
Operations
30 years
J U LY / AU G U S T
2006
DEATHS
Paul R. Baumgardt
June 10, 2006
James F. Rinn
June 19, 2006
Sylvina Cadman
June 8, 2006
Herman V. Schultz
May 18, 2006
Edward P. Didier, M.D.
May 30, 2006
Joseph W. Segura, M.D.
May 23, 2006
Ahmed M. Ikar
June 1, 2006
Ruth E. Smith
June 25, 2006
Jesse D. Knoll
June 21, 2006
Donna M. Swenson
May 24, 2006
Arvin O. Lubahn
June 29, 2006
Mary G. Tolman
June 9, 2006
Patricia S. McGeehan
July 1, 2006
Norman G. Tradup
May 29, 2006
E D I T O R ’ S
N O T E
Behind the scenes at the symposium
W
hen you plan a national
symposium on health care
reform, you know it’s not going
to be easy. The topic is difficult. Pulling
together people from across the country
with an interest in health care reform and
expertise to lend to discussions is a
challenge.
The meetings start months before the
event. Many, many meetings. Meetings
over lunch hours. Meetings after hours.
Meetings before business hours. Meetings
in hallways between meetings.
It takes time, determination and
teamwork. People pitching in from lots
of areas, each bringing his or her own
special expertise.
The Mayo Clinic National Symposium
on Health Care’s success depended on
the teamwork and collaboration of more
than 200 people from all Mayo sites.
In addition to the high-profile 13-member
advisory board, there were many quiet
planners, players, arm-twisters and other
contributors who made the symposium
sing. So many in fact, that we had to
assemble a small team to give a full
accounting of the teams involved.
Here’s a snapshot:
• Administrative Team included 10
members to design the objectives, goals
and review outcomes of
the symposium.
• Coordination Team
included the symposium
producer, manager, session
planners and others to
coordinate all aspects of
the symposium.
• Production Team included
over 20 individuals who
helped with coordination
of all symposium materials.
• Session Planners Team included more
than 20 members to facilitate the
individual sessions and coordinate
symposium programming and
symposium goals.
• Design Team designed, developed and
produced all program materials, presentation materials and signage, as well as
coordinating audio/visual, photography
and videography activities.
• Promotions Team developed and
promoted all internal and external
marketing and communications materials,
including media and development
materials.
• Media Relations Team contacted,
contracted and credentialed media
members and handled media relations.
• Web Team designed, created and
maintained the symposium’s registration,
internal and external Web sites.
• Logistics Team coordinated all catering
and food, security, environmental services,
business office amenities, symposium
signage, scheduling of all symposium
staffing.
• Guest Services Team coordinated
speakers, participants, patient amenities
and materials, accommodations and
transportation needs, and worked
information and registration booths.
2006
• Student Support Team acted as liaisons
for college students.
• IT Team provided support for networks,
computers, servers and laptops.
• Research Team provided oversight for
the development of focus groups, surveys
and other marketing devices.
• Background Team provided real-time
information and background support for
marketing, promotional and presentation
materials.
We’re guessing there was a big run
on Rolaids in the stores around the
Rochester campus in the days leading up
to the event. But the planning and
expertise paid off. The symposium went
swimmingly.
Joanne Silberner, National Public
Radio correspondent and one of the
symposium moderators, summed it up
this way: “Everything from the structure
of the conference to the videos to the
travel arrangements was brilliant,
and everything was handled in a
breathtakingly professional way.”
“It was a typical Mayo effort,” says
Robert Smoldt, Mayo’s chief administrative
officer. “That team effort is why working
at Mayo is such a joy.” ■
— Hoyt Finnamore
M AY O T O D AY
31
MayoToday
P I C T U R E
T H I S
VOLUME 17, NUMBER 4
JULY / AUGUST 2006
Mayo Today is published six times
each year for all Mayo staff, students,
volunteers and their families.
Editorial office: Communications, Mayo
Clinic, 200 First Street S.W., Rochester, MN
55905. Telephone 507-266-2444.
E-mail: [email protected]
Comments are welcome and should be
addressed to the editor, Hoyt Finnamore.
Editorial Assistant: Linda Binner.
Contributing writers: Carol Chaffin,
Matthew Dacy, Janet Rein,
Ronda Willsher.
Contributing photographers:
Dennis Heslin, Joe Kane.
Stock photo images are copyright BrandXPictures,
PhotoDisc and Hemera Photo Objects.
Editorial Board
Wendy Hattery, Systems and Procedures
Heather Jarvis, Marketing Communications
Carleton Rider, Administration
Lisa Clarke, Communications
Audrey Ericksen, Nursing
Jacquelyn Gosse, Development
Joe O’Keefe, Mayo Health System
Sandhya Pruthi, M.D.,
General Internal Medicine
Susan Schwartz, Benefits
Mayo Clinic Arizona
Susan Fullerton, Patient Financial Services
Jenny Ho, Public Affairs
Shirley Weis, Administration
Michael Yardley, Public Affairs
______________________________
Chair:
Amy Davis, Communications
Secretary:
Hoyt Finnamore, Communications
Mayo Clinic and the Indian Health Service agreed to a collaboration seeking ways
to reduce the burden of cancer and other diseases in American Indian and Alaska native communities.
American Indian ceremonial elements were part of a signing ceremony on July 10 in Rochester.
MayoToday
200 First Street S.W.
Rochester, MN 55905
ADDRESS SERVICE REQUESTED
Mission: Mayo will provide the
best care to every patient every day
through integrated clinical practice,
education and research.
Copyright 2006 Mayo Press
‘Mayo,’ ‘Mayo Clinic,’ and the triple shield
Mayo logo are registered marks
of Mayo Foundation for Medical Education
and Research.
Printed on recycled paper that contains
a minimum of 10% post-consumer waste
32
M AY O T O D AY
2006
Non-Profit Organization
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