Mayo Clinic

Manufacturing engineers are at the forefront of bringing new medicines derived from human sources such as cells, blood and genes to patients. They produce what are often first-of-their kind biotherapies for diseases that previously had few or no treatment options. Learn more: https://mayocl.in/3YnwmrD

What began as a creative backyard project changed Laurie Reese’s life forever. A tragic accident during the project left her with severe spinal injuries and a 0-3% chance of walking again. Despite the odds, Laurie’s determination and exceptional care at Mayo Clinic helped her reclaim her life. "Nothing is as easy as you think it will be, but you make it work," Laurie says. "You have to have the mindset and the drive to constantly adapt." Read more of Laurie's story: https://mayocl.in/3UrO9Ng

There was a great turnout and perfect weather for the annual Making Strides Against Breast Cancer Walk in Tempe, Arizona. Tens of thousands of walkers joined the 3-mile walk to raise money for the American Cancer Society and support breast cancer research. Mayo Clinic had its largest team yet with 271 walkers! A special thanks to our team captains Shalene Salazar, Susan Amador, and Dr. Bhavika Patel, radiologist, and to Arizona Cancer Center leaders Mari Maribal and Dr. Rick Bold, director of the Mayo Clinic Comprehensive Cancer Center in Arizona, for their continued support.

There are more than 7,500 known genetic disorders in humans, with new ones being added to the list on a regular basis. Mayo Clinic researchers are using a new tool, the Human Phenotype Ontology, to help them identify previously unknown genetic diseases and diagnose people with them. Learn more: https://mayocl.in/3UsWEYi

Stomach pain is something everyone has probably had at some point in their life. But for Jessie Boyd, her stomach pain set in motion a journey that led her to Mayo Clinic and the experts who could perform a lifesaving surgery. Read more of Jessie's story: https://mayocl.in/3YEZko9

As Breast Cancer Awareness Month comes to a close, we would like to spotlight Surgical Oncology team members including Drs. Sanjay Bagaria, Emmanuel Gabriel, James Jakub and Sarah McLaughlin, along with Angela Dubois, Tess Fields, Tammeza Gibson, and Lauren Thompson. Their team plays a critical role in breast cancer care. Since breast cancer treatment frequently begins with surgery, surgical outcomes pave the way for the treatments that follow. The Florida team performs more than 600 breast cancer surgeries annually and has a special interest in surgical clinical trials. The team is devoted to research that aims to advance the cure of breast cancer while providing patients with the fewest side effects and the highest quality of life. Learn more about the Breast Cancer Surgery Program in Jacksonville: https://mayocl.in/3BY3SNA

Congratulations to Katie H., who recently received the DAISY Award for Extraordinary Nurses! Below is an excerpt from the nomination story: "My family member's prognosis was dire, and they were experiencing discomfort. Stress levels for us both were high and with each new shift of nurses, we were anxious to let go of one set of staff for another. I struggled with each breath to watch my family member's discomfort. After taking a short break, I returned to the room to hear from my family member boasting about the care that Katie provided. She even helped comfort them with the help of essential oils to help my family member relax. The extra steps Katie took to help with comfort stood out the most to me. Katie was very attentive, very kind, and very helpful." Mayo Clinic is among over 5,000 healthcare organizations worldwide committed to the DAISY Award program. The DAISY Award is presented each month to an extraordinary nurse.⁠ ⁠If you know someone looking for a career in nursing, explore available opportunities at Mayo Clinic: https://mayocl.in/4e28Whw

Katie Schink, a nurse in the NICU at Mayo Clinic in Rochester, is one of the many incredible people who care for some of the tiniest patients. ⁠She shared how she takes pride in working in the NICU and how it is a privilege to care for families and their new arrivals. ⁠ ⁠ 💭Tag a nurse who you think deserves some extra recognition and or share a comment with us about a nurse who has positively impacted your life. ⁠ ⁠ #Nurse #Nursing #NICU #Newparent #NewBaby⁠

Robert (Bob) Rigg, a 70-year-old attorney from Des Moines, Iowa, loves running for its health benefits and stress relief. “It gives me a sense of perspective,” he said. However, in the fall of 2013, while training for a race, he felt a pull on his left side. Like most runners, he thought he could push through it. Rigg saw his general practitioner and several specialists and underwent a number of MRIs. In the fall of 2014, he was referred to the Mayo Clinic by his local physicians. Initially, doctors looked into his back and spine, but they ruled out spinal issues and indicated it might be neuromuscular. “The doctors and staff spent hours with me, and that stunned me,” Rigg said. Rigg met with Dr. Bower and Dr. Cutsforth-Gregory, who diagnosed him with focal dystonia. They prescribed a series of Botox injections and other medications. Although somewhat helpful, by 2015-2016, Rigg opted for Deep Brain Stimulation (DBS) surgery. “I thought that if I didn’t try, I would be in a wheelchair permanently within a few months,” he said. For the surgery, Rigg met with Dr. Lee, Dr. Klassen, and their team, undergoing several exams to qualify for DBS surgery before prepping for the procedure in August 2017. “Mayo doesn’t minimize and will always explain what you are confronted with,” Rigg said. “They do so in a compassionate and caring way. You can expect the truth, and they will search for the answer and won’t quit until they find it.” He was impressed by the effective and compassionate treatment, describing Mayo Clinic’s scheduling as incredibly efficient and communication between physicians and staff as seamless. “For example, you may get bloodwork done at 8 a.m. and your doctors will have the results by your 10 a.m. appointment,” he said. Following surgery, Rigg remembers the first time he could walk around the Mayo Clinic campus and how great it felt to “just walk.” Now about 90% recovered, he still hopes to complete a 5K. “This is a photo from my most recent appointment with Dr. Lee and Dr. Klassen,” he said. Learn more about DBS at Mayo Clinic: https://mayocl.in/3A9WPB3

During his medical training, Joshua Romero, M.D., often heard about regenerative medicine and how researchers were using biologics — such as cells, proteins, and even genes — in an attempt to heal damaged tissues and organs. ⁠ ⁠ But it wasn't until he did an elective in regenerative medicine as a resident during his intern year at Mayo Clinic that he began to grasp the promise of this emerging field.⁠ ⁠ Learn more about Dr. Romero's path to medicine: https://mayocl.in/3YC6OZ3