Our Mission
To advance Mayo Clinic’s commitment to be a socially responsible Enterprise by supporting and extending Mayo’s strategic mission of integrated practice, research and education through active community engagement practices.
Our Vision
To be a proactive partner, inclusive of diverse and underserved populations, and contribute to the overall health, sustainability, livability and vibrancy of the many communities we serve. Stakeholders will better understand and appreciate Mayo Clinic’s community engagement practices and our ongoing role in strengthening partnerships and creating positive social impact.
What We Do
Who We Are
Our History
We Care About Our Communities
Giving back to our communities is an integral part of Mayo Clinic’s mission — we give back because it’s our moral responsibility and a core value of our organization. We also know that vibrant, healthy and safe communities best serve patients and attract and retain the highest-quality employees who fulfill and extend our mission.
There are many ways Mayo Clinic nurtures strong community partnerships. And there are many ways you can be part of this experience. Since our programs are tailored to the communities we serve, contact your location for details.
The key strategies of the Commitment to Community effort are:
- Contribute to an enhanced quality of life and vibrant communities
- Demonstrate and showcase our commitment to community healthcare
- Engage our employees through education and community outreach opportunities
- Impact public policy to support communities, and
- Communicate our commitment to the community.
Voices from Our Communities
Financial contribution category varies by site. To read more about our impact:
Arts and Culture
"We appreciate Mayo Clinic’s support in our efforts to preserve and tell the stories of Minnesota’s citizens, organizations and businesses."
-Minnesota Historical Society
"Mayo Clinic has provided essential funding that has significantly impacted our ability to provide high quality entertainment options, a comprehensive education program, innovative and effective outreach initiatives and the capacity to adapt to the needs of a vibrant and diverse community."
-Rochester Civic Theatre
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Broad Benefit
"Mayo Clinic’s grant will open greater access to the many trainings, networking opportunities, and resources we have available for nonprofit leaders across the region."
-Minnesota Council of Nonprofits
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Education
"The Beat the Odds Scholarship Celebration makes a difference in the lives of young people who need in most in our community. Mayo Clinic has been there since the beginning."
-Rochester Community and Technical College Foundation
"Mayo Clinic financially supports our mission to assist people affected by dyslexia. Because of you, children learn to read by providing scholarships to 27% of our students whose parents cannot afford our services."
-The Reading Center
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Health and Wellness
"We are here to help those who struggle with mental illness and Mayo Clinic helps us assist those who are in need by providing support groups, a non-crisis support telephone line, and more!"
-National Alliance on Mental Illness, Southeast Minnesota
"To have Mayo Clinic on Nice Ride bikes demonstrates that riding a bike is healthy, good for the environment and is an inexpensive way of getting around our city."
-Nice Ride Minnesota
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Human Services
"Mayo Clinic has been a long-time supporter of our organization and our model of comprehensive care to improve our clients’ overall health and quality of life."
-Zumbro Valley Health Center
"Each year thousands of people need restorative and emergency dental care. Without Mayo Clinic, we would not be able to provide a facility to solve the problem of dental disease in those without access to care."
-Community Dental Care
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Youth Enrichment
"Support of our program by Mayo Clinic gives young adults an opportunity to learn computer skills that will help them in their educational endeavors today and lead to future professional employment."
-Black Data Processing Association
"Mayo Clinic helps us create a place that is a premier environmental learning destination for youth: open year-round with accessible nature programs, a science enrichment lab, and live animals all with free admission."
-Quarry Hill Nature Center
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Meet Our Team
Erin Sexton, Director
Rochester, Minnesota
Marion K. Kelly
Scottsdale, Arizona
Ashley Pratt
Jacksonville, Florida
John J. Murphy
Rochester, Minnesota
Sara Lee
Rochester, Minnesota
Susan Fargo Prosser
Rochester, Minnesota
Mayo Clinic's History of Giving Back
BORN IN A STORM
To be a proactive partner, inclusive of diverse and underserved populations, and contribute to the overall health, sustainability, livability and vibrancy of the many communities we serve. Stakeholders will better understand and appreciate Mayo Clinic’s community engagement practices and our ongoing role in strengthening partnerships and creating positive social impact.
DEDICATED TO SERVICE
Mayo Clinic's founders set an example of community service. The senior Dr. Mayo was a member of the city's board of health for several decades and a founder of the Rochester Public Library. He served as mayor of Rochester from 1882 to 1883, and as an alderman from 1885 to 1889.
For many years, Dr. William J. (Will) Mayo was a member of the University of Minnesota's board of regents. Dr. Charles H. (Charlie) Mayo became health officer of Rochester in 1912. Like his father, Dr. Charlie served on the Rochester school board. He also promoted the establishment in 1915 of Rochester Community College, the first junior college in Minnesota.
THE "GIVEBACK" PHILOSOPHY
Mayo Clinic has always made "giving back" to its community a priority. Beginning in the early 1890s, Drs. William and Charles Mayo decided to save a portion of their earnings to advance medical education and research. Eventually, they used those funds to help establish a graduate school of medicine at the University of Minnesota and to create what later became the Mayo Clinic Foundation for Medical Education and Research, the not-for-profit organization that operates Mayo Clinic.
SUPPORTING THE WAR EFFORT
During World War II, Mayo Clinic offered its services to the government for $1 per year through its aero medical research unit. Mayo Clinic research led to pioneering advances in aviation medicine. The research helped develop the anti-blackout suit and a self-protective technique, the Mayo-1 (M-1) maneuver. These two measures allowed pilots to withstand higher G-forces during combat, an advantage that saved many lives and helped the Allies emerge victorious.
EXPANSION AT MAYO CLINIC & COMMUNITY COMMITMENT
As Mayo Clinic operations have expanded over the past several decades to Jacksonville, Florida, in 1983, to Scottsdale, Arizona, in 1987, and Mayo Clinic Health System, so have Mayo's efforts to expand our many community partnerships.