drz
11-18-2011, 03:11 PM
I know several readers here also go to Mayo Clinic on a regular basis but wonder how many have taken the tours they offer?. Today I had a few hours between early fasting labs and late afternoon appointments so I took on of the tours about the Mayo Clinic and watched an hour movie about its history. It was very interesting to me since i like history and visiting museums and historical places. Many people actually come to tour the Mayo Clinic without being patients because of its historical importance. It was the first and is the largest non-profit integrated group medical practice in the country (world?).
Some interesting miscellaneous factual stuff i still remember. Their latest fund raising efforts raised 1 and 1/4 BILLION dollars. They have a special wall for people and organizations that donate 10 million or more. Another wall for people who donate over $100,000 and a computer program for the rest who donate $1000 or more. Most of their money is actually raised from such smaller donations.
WW Mayo ended up in Rochester MN because President Lincoln appointed him to examine recruits for MN division of the Union Army. His wife got settled here and she refused to move again. His children started helping with operations done on the kitchen table in their home when they were still in single digits so it was natural and assume they would also become doctors. They were pioneers in many medical fields, especially using antiseptic procedures for surgeries, and developing the first machine to permit open heart surgery. The Mayo brothers became very rich and famous but donated all their wealth to the creating a world class clinic that could do research pioneer medical advances. Many Presidents have served on their Board, been patients, and friends. HW Bush was only President name that I found on list of Benefactors though. Barbara probably pushed it though since she was on the Board of Trustees too.
Many impressive stories though through the history and building. I liked the story of the blind (Gordon Gund) sculpturer who donated a salmon sculpture designed to be touched and it had a sign next to it in braille and English. He was very successful businessman and owned several major leagues sports teams and made donations to Mayo Clinic.
Many testimonials and moving speeches of people who owed their life to care they received at Mayo along with many collections of great art. I didn't have time today to do the art tour but maybe next time. They certainly excel at creating a pleasant atmosphere tht is relaxing since that was one of the Mayos' early tenets.
One sad thing is seeing many people, especially young children with very disfiguring medical conditions, and wondering about their stories and how they are coping. And of course many of the people who don't look that sick also have equally or worse tales of medical woe which reminded me of how lucky I was to be able to be well enough today to walk around and see these things that i could not do a year ago.
Some interesting miscellaneous factual stuff i still remember. Their latest fund raising efforts raised 1 and 1/4 BILLION dollars. They have a special wall for people and organizations that donate 10 million or more. Another wall for people who donate over $100,000 and a computer program for the rest who donate $1000 or more. Most of their money is actually raised from such smaller donations.
WW Mayo ended up in Rochester MN because President Lincoln appointed him to examine recruits for MN division of the Union Army. His wife got settled here and she refused to move again. His children started helping with operations done on the kitchen table in their home when they were still in single digits so it was natural and assume they would also become doctors. They were pioneers in many medical fields, especially using antiseptic procedures for surgeries, and developing the first machine to permit open heart surgery. The Mayo brothers became very rich and famous but donated all their wealth to the creating a world class clinic that could do research pioneer medical advances. Many Presidents have served on their Board, been patients, and friends. HW Bush was only President name that I found on list of Benefactors though. Barbara probably pushed it though since she was on the Board of Trustees too.
Many impressive stories though through the history and building. I liked the story of the blind (Gordon Gund) sculpturer who donated a salmon sculpture designed to be touched and it had a sign next to it in braille and English. He was very successful businessman and owned several major leagues sports teams and made donations to Mayo Clinic.
Many testimonials and moving speeches of people who owed their life to care they received at Mayo along with many collections of great art. I didn't have time today to do the art tour but maybe next time. They certainly excel at creating a pleasant atmosphere tht is relaxing since that was one of the Mayos' early tenets.
One sad thing is seeing many people, especially young children with very disfiguring medical conditions, and wondering about their stories and how they are coping. And of course many of the people who don't look that sick also have equally or worse tales of medical woe which reminded me of how lucky I was to be able to be well enough today to walk around and see these things that i could not do a year ago.