Envision a place born from collaboration. Mayo Clinic’s story began with a tornado. In 1883, one of the Midwest’s worst tornadoes struck. A country doctor and a Catholic teaching order leader partnered. Dr William Worrall Mayo and Mother Alfred Moes didn’t share religious beliefs. But they both fiercely devoted themselves to caring for the sick.
After six years, Mother Alfred and the Sisters of St Francis opened Saint Mary’s Hospital. W.W. Mayo became its Medical Director. Both soon retired. Sister Joseph Dempsey and Dr. Mayo’s two sons guided the organization for the next 40 years. His sons were Dr. Will and Dr. Charlie Mayo.
The Mayo brothers’ reputation grew fast. Soon other doctors joined. Sister Joseph opened a nursing school. St. Mary’s grew from a small community hospital. It became one of the largest and most advanced surgical centers in the United States.
In 1901, the Mayo brothers hired Dr. Henry Plummer. He transformed this small group into a collaborative practice. First, he developed a standardized patient medical record. This was a major innovation. In 1914, he designed a five-story structure. It fulfilled his vision. It was for an integrated multispecialty practice. It included rooms for examinations, diagnostic procedures, outpatient surgeries, and clinical and research labs.
Next, the Mayos created one of the largest centers of graduate medical education. They created a trust. It stipulated all future profits be reinvested. It was for education, research, and patient care. Their most revolutionary decision was to place physicians on salary.
In 1938, Mayo Clinic faced its greatest challenge. Sister Joseph Dempsey, Dr. Charlie, and Dr. Will all died. It happened within a few months of each other.
Despite their passing, the organization thrived. In its first 150 years, Mayo made significant breakthroughs. These include real-time frozen-section tumor analysis. Also, the discovery of cortisone. Also, the first successful surgeries using a heart-lung bypass machine. Today, Mayo researchers are involved in thousands of studies. These accelerate stem cell, gene-based, and individualized therapies.
In 1986, the Clinic, St. Mary’s Hospital, and Rochester Methodist Hospital merged. It became an integrated center of medicine with total assets of $1 billion. It has since created medical centers in Jacksonville, Florida and Scottsdale, Arizona. Also, a regional healthcare system. Also, a medical school. Also, a worldwide network of hospitals. All dedicated to W.W. Mayo’s belief. The needs of the patient must always come first.
Consider the orange and blue calendar. It impacts Mayo Clinic daily. For patients and employees, it’s common to hear about “orange days” and “blue Tuesdays.” This calendar’s story provides a unique perspective. It’s on Mayo Clinic’s decision-making process.
Today, from websites to wallet cards, orange and blue define Mayo’s activities. It’s interesting to speculate on what colors may have been used. What if Dr. Ward had attended another university? This is Mayo. A place of collaboration. A place of innovation. A place where the patient comes first.