Curtis Jackson was living his dream life — a loving and supportive wife, three wonderful kids, and a future that looked as bright as could be.

Then, one day, without warning, the dream was shattered.

At only 46, Curtis was diagnosed with cholangiocarcinoma, one of the deadliest and most aggressive forms of cancer. It's a silent killer that strikes the liver. It is often diagnosed in later stages, leaving patients with few treatment options and little time to live.

The Jackson family turned to Mayo Clinic, where a team of experts fought the cancer with a weapon rarely used in the battle against this aggressive form of cancer.

Watch: A rare cancer. A rare weapon. Curtis Jackson's inspiring story of survival.

Journalists: Broadcast-quality video (2:17) is in the downloads at the end of this post. Please courtesy: "Mayo Clinic News Network." Read the script.

The rare cancer

Years before his cancer diagnosis, Curtis was diagnosed with primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC). PSC is a chronic liver disease that causes inflammation and scarring to the bile ducts, which work with the liver to help with digestion.

PSC put the Arizona man at higher risk for liver cancer, requiring him to get regular diagnostic screenings. As with most forms of cancer, but particularly cholangiocarcinoma, doctors say early detection is key to improving patient outcomes.

However, with cholangiocarcinoma, there are often no warning signs or symptoms alerting patients of the need to consult with their doctor about getting screened, until it's too late. In Curtis' case, the cholangiocarcinoma was detected in one of his routine screenings at Mayo Clinic, which doctors say likely helped save his life.

"It's a very rare cancer that tends to grow unnoticed," says Dr. Tanios Bekaii-Saab, an oncologist with the Mayo Clinic Comprehensive Cancer Center in Arizona. "If the cancer gets to the point where it's too advanced for surgery or transplantation, universally this is a noncurative or noncurable cancer."

The rare weapon

Doctors say a liver transplant can sometimes be an option for some patients. However, not many transplant centers perform liver transplants on patients diagnosed with cholangiocarcinoma. Mayo Clinic is one of the few centers that do offer liver transplantation for some patients who meet certain criteria.

In Curtis' case, doctors at Mayo Clinic determined a liver transplant was his best chance for survival.

"It is a unique form of therapy that is based on research that started at Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota," says Dr. Bashar Aqel, director of the Mayo Clinic Transplant Center in Arizona.

"We developed some protocols that helped us improve the outcome of transplant in these patients, and without these protocols, a lot of patients with this type of cancer would not make it to transplant," says Dr. Aqel.

The treatment

Curtis first underwent chemotherapy and radiation at Mayo Clinic. He was then placed on the liver transplant waiting list for a donor organ. While waiting, Curtis says he kept his focus on his family.

"I spent all the time I could with my wife and kids, like basketball practices, homework, anything we could do to help our kids," says Curtis.

When Curtis got the call a donor organ was found, he immediately reported to Mayo Clinic to undergo his lifesaving liver transplant. The surgery was a success. Four weeks later, Curtis was back at home with family recovering well and feeling a deep sense of gratitude for his organ donor and his team at Mayo Clinic.

"Thank you because now I get to see my daughters get married, go to college, I get to see my son live his dreams and go to college and get married," says Curtis. "I get to live and grow old with my wife. I can't say this enough to everyone, 'thank you.'"

"We're already observing excellent function from Curtis' new liver, with the majority of his liver tests returning normal results," says Dr. Aqel. "His recovery has been remarkably swift and impressive."

"A lot of love goes out to the people in that family," says Gwyn Jackson, Curtis' oldest daughter in reference to the organ donor's family. "They allowed us to have our dad back and we're so grateful because we love him so much."

Doctors at Mayo Clinic are monitoring Curtis' progress closely. Meanwhile, Curtis' future is back to looking bright, only now with even deeper gratitude in his heart.

"This truly is the gift of life," says Curtis.

Related stories:

• (VIDEO) Breathing easy thanks to the gift of life and new Mayo Clinic Lung Transplant Program in Arizona
• Breaking barriers: Helping Native Americans in need get the gift of life
• Jessie’s Journey
• (VIDEO) Harnessing the power of innovation and a patient’s will to survive

The post (VIDEO) A rare cancer. A rare weapon. Curtis Jackson’s inspiring story of survival appeared first on Mayo Clinic News Network.

Craig Scherer takes a deep breath and a bold step into his second chance at life

Lung disease is a condition that affects millions of people worldwide. Some of those diseases, like chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, or COPD, are among the top leading causes of death globally.

COPD alone affects over 16 million people, like Arizona resident Craig Schuerer. Craig got treatments to manage his condition, but there's no cure. The disease is progressive, meaning it gets worse over time, making it harder and harder for a person to breathe.

Craig's disease progressed until treatments no longer worked, leaving him gasping for air and facing death. Doctors said his only hope for survival was a lung transplant. 

Craig turned to Mayo Clinic in Phoenix, where doctors just launched a new multidisciplinary, specialized lung transplant program. Craig became the new program's first patient, and today he is breathing easy.

Watch: Breathing easy thanks to the gift of life and Mayo Clinic's new lung transplant program in Arizona

Journalists: Broadcast-quality video (2:43) is in the downloads at the end of this post. Please courtesy: "Mayo Clinic News Network." Read the script.

It was love at first sight for Craig and Nanci Scherer.

They met at a little league game in the spring of 1992. Eight months later, they were married. This year, Craig and Nanci celebrated their 32nd anniversary. 

Their smiles today are just as radiant as on their wedding day.

Happiness turns to heartache

The couple raised four children. Their family grew to include 14 grandchildren and six great-grandchildren. They planned for retirement and looked forward to the day when they could travel and enjoy their future together.

But when Craig turned 60, life took a sharp turn. He was diagnosed with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. COPD is a progressive disease that causes damage to the lungs, making it hard to breathe. Treatments can help manage the disease, but there's no cure. As the disease continues its silent assault, quality of life often slowly slips away. 

"I couldn't do things, and even if I could do things, I didn't have the strength to do it or the stamina because my lungs would wear out," says Craig.

Craig's COPD continued to get worse. Eventually he couldn't breathe, walk or even talk. "It was silent at our house. We didn't talk because he couldn't talk. He didn't have the oxygen," says Nanci. "We lived in silence and isolation."

Last hope for survival

Eventually, Craig reached end-stage lung disease. Treatments no longer worked and his health continued to decline. Craig was left with only one last hope for survival, a lung transplant. Craig and Nanci turned to Mayo Clinic in Arizona.

"We see this with patients, when there are no other options, no medical interventions you can do at that point," says Dr. Jonathan D'Cunha, surgical director of the Mayo Clinic Lung Transplant Program in Arizona transplant center

For six years, Dr. D'Cunha had been working on building a multidisciplinary team of medical and surgical experts to create a new lung transplant program at Mayo Clinic in Arizona. 

The transplant center is the largest in the country, performing more adult solid organ transplants than any other center in the U.S. The addition of the lung transplant program establishes Mayo Clinic in Arizona as a comprehensive transplant destination medical center.

The program will provide transplantation for the full range of patients with end-stage lung disease. "This is the beginning of a remarkable new era for lung transplantation in Arizona," says Dr. D'Cunha. "We are excited and honored to offer patients and families renewed hope and a second chance at life through Mayo's unrivaled expertise in comprehensive adult organ transplant care."

Craig became the new program's first patient to receive a lung transplant.

Giving the gift of life

On May 30, 2025, Dr. D'Cunha led a team of surgeons in performing Craig's lung transplant. The surgery was a success, and soon after, Craig was slowly starting to breathe with his new lungs. 

"It is surreal to be able to breathe and not gasp for air when I talk," says Craig, who was up and walking within days of surgery. "I told the doctors when I got here that I will do whatever it takes. I'm 100% committed. If you want me to walk six times a day, I'll walk seven," says Craig.

"He did phenomenal," says Dr. D'Cunha. "His optimism and energy he brought with him is absolutely critical because the stronger you are going into these big operations, the better you are on the other side.

"I'm very proud of Craig. He always amazing me throughout the journey of transplant," says Ashraf Omar, M.B., B.Ch., medical director of the transplant program. "He is a special person. Motivation is the cornerstone of his success."

A fighter's farewell

Two and a half weeks after his transplant, Craig was heading home. The transplant team bid him farewell with a victory celebration with pom-poms waving and confetti raining down.

Watch: Craig crosses the finish line of his journey with a breathtaking victory celebration from Mayo's transplant team.

A few days later, on June 23, Craig returned to Mayo to join his transplant team for a news conference announcing the official launch of the lung transplant program.

It was also Craig's 67th birthday.

In honor of his organ donor and the donor family, Craig used his new lungs to blow out the candles on his birthday cake.

Watch: Craig's heartfelt moment in honor of the gift of life

Craig and Nanci are back at home and looking forward to beginning the next chapter of their story. 

"I have a lot of life left to live in me. Everything is a motivator — my wife, my kids, my grandkids, my health," says Craig. "Before, I had no quality of life and couldn't do anything. Now, there's nothing I can't accomplish." 

Related stories:

• Mayo Clinic in Arizona announces launch of new lung transplant program offering hope and restored function to patients facing advanced lung disease
• Lung Transplant Program
• Breathing easier with COPD

The post (VIDEO) Breathing easy thanks to the gift of life and new Mayo Clinic Lung Transplant Program in Arizona appeared first on Mayo Clinic News Network.

First patient celebrates 67th birthday using his new lungs to blow out candles on his birthday cake in honor of receiving the gift of life

PHOENIX — Mayo Clinic in Arizona announced it has added lung transplantation to its nationally recognized solid organ transplant program. The program delivers world-class care to critically ill patients battling end-stage lung disease who need a lung transplant to survive and restore their quality of life. 

The new Mayo Clinic Lung Transplant Program in Arizona offers a multidisciplinary team of medical and surgical experts in the Southwest, supported by clinical innovation from across Mayo Clinic, bringing unparalleled experience and the latest in research-driven care to every patient.

"With the launch of our new lung transplant program, we are reinforcing our commitment to providing category-of-one care to patients with serious and complex medical needs. This new program strengthens our nationally acclaimed solid organ transplant program in Arizona, giving more patients access to the transformative gift of renewed life," says Richard Gray, M.D., CEO of Mayo Clinic in Arizona. 

Jonathan D'Cunha, M.D., Ph.D., surgical director of the transplant program, says the team of experts will provide transplantation for the full range of patients with end-stage lung disease.

"This is the beginning of a remarkable new era for lung transplantation in Arizona," says Dr. D'Cunha. "We are excited and honored to offer patients and families renewed hope and a second chance at life through Mayo's unrivaled expertise in comprehensive adult organ transplant care."

Craig Scherer became the new program's first patient to undergo a lifesaving lung transplant on May 30. Soon after surgery, Craig was already beginning to breathe slowly on his own for the first time in years. He was discharged June 18 and is now back at home.

"It is surreal to be able to breathe again and not gasp for air. The reality has not even set in yet. I'm putting a lot of thought into finding the right words to express how deeply grateful I am for this gift," says Craig. 

Craig is one of the millions worldwide who have suffered loss of lung function due to chronic respiratory diseases, including chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, or COPD. 

Over the years, the progressive disease slowly robbed the Arizona man of his ability to breathe, leaving him dependent on oxygen tanks for survival. "I couldn't go places, couldn't do things. My quality of life was zero. I was always very anxious and afraid the tanks were going to run out," says Craig. 

Chronic lower respiratory diseases (CLRDs) are the fifth-leading killer in the U.S., according to a 2024 report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The report cited CLRD as the cause of death for approximately 145,000 people in the U.S. in one year. 

Craig's wife, Nanci, says he also lost the ability to speak. "He didn't have the oxygen to talk. We lived in silence and isolated," says Nanci. The couple has been married for 32 years.

Eventually, Craig reached the final stage of lung failure. Oxygen tanks were no longer enough to help him breathe. "We were truly desperate. We were down to weeks," says Nanci. "I didn't think he would make it to his next birthday." 

Dr. D'Cunha led the team of surgical specialists that performed Craig's transplant. He said patients like Craig all too often reach a point where supplemental oxygen is no longer sufficient to meet their respiratory needs.

"There are no medical interventions at that point. They have run out of time," he says. "Lung transplant becomes the patient's only option. In Craig's case, without the transplant, it likely would have resulted in his death."

Three weeks after his transplant, with daily physical therapy, Craig is back to walking and talking like he did years ago. "It is not an easy journey," says Dr. D'Cunha. "But it's a journey that gives patients like Craig hope — to see his grandchildren, the next milestone, or whatever his goals may be."

Ashraf Omar, M.B., B.Ch., medical director of the lung transplant program, took note of Craig's determination from the start. "I'm proud of Craig. He has always amazed me," says Dr. Omar. "He's a special person. Motivation is the cornerstone of his success." 

Mayo Clinic's new program in Arizona will offer the latest advancements in lung transplant innovation, including ex vivo lung perfusion (EVLP), which is considered one of the most transformative breakthroughs in lung transplantation in recent years. EVLP improves the success of lung transplantation by helping preserve and evaluate donor lungs prior to transplant.  

Mayo Clinic Transplant Center, with integrated programs in Minnesota, Florida and Arizona, is the nation's largest provider of adult solid organ transplantation. Mayo Clinic in Arizona is on target to surpass its 2024 record number of nearly 900 transplants.

In the first week of June alone, the Arizona program successfully performed a record-breaking 36 transplants. The addition of the lung transplant program establishes Mayo Clinic in Arizona as a comprehensive transplant destination medical center.

"As the leader in organ transplantation in the country, we are committed to our vision where no patient dies while waiting for a lifesaving transplant," says Bashar Aqel, M.D., director of the Mayo Clinic Transplant Center in Arizona. "Our new program meets an urgent need for so many patients fighting to survive end-stage lung disease."

On June 23, Craig celebrated his 67^th birthday. He joined the team of surgeons who performed his lifesaving transplant for a news conference announcing the launch of the new transplantation program.  

The highlight of the event came when Craig addressed the crowd sharing what the transplant means to him. "These lungs are my 67^th birthday gift," said Craig, his hands resting on his chest. "This is the best birthday gift I could get in the world. It gave me life." 

Craig also expressed his gratitude for the staff at Mayo, the doctors, his family, his organ donor and the donor's family. "My heart goes out to the family. One day I hope I get to communicate my gratitude to them for giving me life. Most people don't get a second chance. I do," said Craig.

Dr. D'Cunha lit candles on a birthday cake for Craig in the shape of a set of lungs. In honor of the gift of life, Craig used his new lungs to blow out the candles with one single breath. Watch the emotional moment that was met with cheers and applause in recognition of the gift of life.

Craig and Nanci returned home to spend the rest of his birthday with family. Together they share four children, 14 grandchildren and six great-grandchildren.  

"I have a lot of life left to live in me. Everything is a motivator — my wife, my kids, my grandkids, my health," says Craig. "Before, I had no quality of life and couldn't do anything. Now there’s nothing I can't accomplish."

###

About Mayo Clinic 
Mayo Clinic is a nonprofit organization committed to innovation in clinical practice, education and research, and providing compassion, expertise and answers to everyone who needs healing. Visit the Mayo Clinic News Network for additional Mayo Clinic news.

Media contact:

• Marty Velasco Hames, Mayo Clinic Communications, newsbureau@mayo.edu     

Additional resources:   

• Press kit including b-roll and interviews available here for download.

• For more information about lung transplantation and referrals, visit Mayo Clinic Lung Transplant Program in Arizona or call 480-342-1010.

• Consider giving the gift of life. Learn more about how you can become an organ donor.

• Visit the Mayo Clinic News Network for additional Mayo Clinic news. 

The post Mayo Clinic in Arizona announces launch of new lung transplant program offering hope and restored function to patients facing advanced lung disease appeared first on Mayo Clinic News Network.

PHOENIX — Dr. Allison Rosenthal's experience facing a leukemia diagnosis while in medical school inspired her to pursue a career fighting cancer. It also gave her insight into aspects of life with cancer for people under 40. Now, Dr. Rosenthal is among the leaders of an effort at Mayo Clinic Comprehensive Cancer Center to help younger adults and older teens receive age-appropriate care and support. In this expert alert, Dr. Rosenthal shares three topics that younger people with cancer often want to discuss with their healthcare teams.

"I have a very big passion and motivation to take care of our younger cancer patients," Dr. Rosenthal explains. "These are some of the people who need the most support after treatment."

Advances in cancer treatments have made many of the cancers most common in younger people highly treatable and often curable, Dr. Rosenthal says.

Worldwide, roughly 1.3 million people ages 15 to 39 were diagnosed with cancer in 2022, the most recent statistics available, according to the International Agency for Research on Cancer. The most common cancers in that age group were breast, thyroid, cervical, testicular, ovarian, blood cancers (leukemias and lymphomas) and colorectal, agency figures show.

While long-term disease control or a cure is the objective, completing treatment doesn't necessarily mean that a younger person's experience with cancer is over, she adds.

"That means many adolescent or young adult cancer patients go on to live long lives, leaving them to navigate cancer survivorship for decades," says Dr. Rosenthal, a hematologist and oncologist at Mayo Clinic in Phoenix. "There is the emotional impact that comes along with having experienced cancer, and that can be significant as they try to move forward in life. And there are also the physical effects and the long-lasting impact of that."

In addition to being a time of transition from pediatric medical care to adult care, the late teens and young adulthood typically are times of major life changes, adding challenges on top of cancer. The adolescent and young adult cancer program "is predicated on the idea that centering care around their unique needs improves their experience and outcomes," Dr. Rosenthal explains. In addition to individual feedback from patients, the program has a patient advisory council whose participants share what is important to them.

"We've tried to prioritize what we're working on based on the feedback we're getting from our patients who are in the midst of this experience," she says.

Dr. Rosenthal has observed that questions on these three topics are often on the minds of patients in their late teens, 20s and 30s during and after cancer treatment:

• Wellness behaviors and exercise.

"There are guidelines and recommendations for lifestyle choices including exercise, but it's a little bit hard to access those and to hold themselves accountable to pursue them," Dr. Rosenthal says.

• Connection with peers with cancer and additional support to know that they're not alone.

"And when their peers move on, to feel that they aren't left behind," Dr. Rosenthal explains.

• Sexual health and relationships.

"It's difficult for people to navigate," Dr. Rosenthal says. "It can be uncomfortable to ask about. It's hard to tell their peers about. There's a lot of work going into what we can proactively do to best support them."

Fertility can be impacted by cancer and its treatment, making conversations about fertility preservation important.

Another priority for the Adolescent and Young Adult Cancer Program is advance care planning. For older people with advanced cancers, involving palliative care earlier often helps them live longer and have a better quality of life, Dr. Rosenthal notes. That same approach could help younger patients.

"We're working on an advance care planning project specifically for young people with advanced cancers, to empower them to have a voice when they have time to have a voice, and not have that taken from them as well," Dr. Rosenthal says. "I know there's so much that can be done. Long-term outcomes, survivorship, quality of life — all of that is very important."

The program takes a multidisciplinary approach, including cancer specialists, social workers, health psychologists, and financial and vocational counselors.

"We're really fortunate that the majority of young adult patients who get cancer care are going to do well in the long term; there's going to be a lot of long-term survivors," Dr. Rosenthal says. "But if we aren't paying attention to the long-term treatment side effects, quality of life and the monitoring and maintenance of health, then we aren't providing the full service for these patients that they really deserve."

JOURNALISTS: Global, regional and national statistics on cancer in people ages 15 to 39 are available here.

###

About Mayo Clinic
Mayo Clinic is a nonprofit organization committed to innovation in clinical practice, education and research, and providing compassion, expertise and answers to everyone who needs healing. Visit the Mayo Clinic News Network for additional Mayo Clinic news.

Media contact:

• Sharon Theimer, Mayo Clinic Communications, newsbureau@mayo.edu

The post Cancer before 40: Mayo Clinic expert shares 3 topics that younger patients often want to discuss appeared first on Mayo Clinic News Network.

For Stewart, the desire to become a scientist began at home. From a young age, she was aware of her father's diagnosis with cancer and the struggles he faced as his body became resistant to some treatments. Four years ago, when she became a predoctoral student at Mayo Clinic Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, she chose a research project addressing blood cancers like his.

Working under the mentorship of Mayo Clinic hematologist oncologist Saad Kenderian, M.B., Ch.B., she has studied specially engineered immune cells, called chimeric antigen receptor-T cells or CAR-T cells, that are used to treat blood cancers like leukemia. She identified a signaling protein that, when neutralized, boosts the function of CAR-T cells by keeping them from reaching a state of "exhaustion." She and Dr. Kenderian's team published their findings in Nature Communications.

Stewart was delighted to learn that the journey of the new concept didn't stop there. "The approach she explored is novel, and her findings show there's a solid rationale to see whether it may help patients," says Dr. Kenderian.

'An incredible learning curve'

As the opportunity to advance the idea has emerged, Stewart has begun to learn about developing a clinical trial. "It's been an incredible learning curve," she says of taking a discovery beyond the lab space.

Close collaboration between researchers and clinicians at Mayo is what makes the steps of translation — from discovery to the clinic — happen efficiently, says Dr. Kenderian. Students like Stewart have opportunities to learn about the steps that shape clinical trials to bring new treatments to patients.

She and Dr. Kenderian met with a panel of Mayo physicians to get feedback about the design of a phase 1 clinical trial, which tests the safety of a new approach in a small cohort of patients who are interested in participating. "It was a great opportunity for me to hear how things are translated into the clinic, what questions and concerns clinicians may have, and how feasible our approach may be," she says.

"CAR-T cell therapy can be remarkable for some patients who have no other options, and the hope is to develop a more durable, lasting approach. This part of the research is still in early stages, but it's a very exciting project, and I feel lucky to be a part of it."

'Beyond what seemed possible'

Many Ph.D. students at Mayo Clinic are preparing for future careers in academia and industry. Another way they can learn about research that involves human participants is through an internship at Mayo Clinic's Office of Clinical Trials. Working with Mayo's clinical trials coordinators, students have followed a clinical trial underway and learned about designing a study that provides meaningful data and protects the rights, safety and welfare of patients who volunteer to participate.

But for some students, like Olivia Sirpilla, who is graduating in May from Mayo Clinic Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, a long series of successful experiments in Dr. Kenderian's lab has opened the door to the next stages. Sirpilla's Ph.D. research looked at developing specially engineered stem cells from fat tissue as a treatment to calm the inflammation that occurs in immune diseases.

The team's results, published in Nature Biomedical Engineering, have set the stage for two potential clinical trials. One may be applicable to graft-versus-host-disease, an immune system complication that can occur after a stem cell transplant. The findings also may be applicable to the treatment of inflammatory bowel disease, particularly for patients who no longer respond to medications.

To design these clinical trials, Sirpilla and Dr. Kenderian are working with teams of Mayo clinicians who specialize in these disorders and their standard treatments. "I chose to come to Mayo Clinic for my Ph.D. to conduct lab research that would be highly translational," she says. "But to spend my thesis work developing a new cell therapy platform that is ready to be translated into a clinical trial is beyond what I thought possible in a Ph.D."

Research that reaches patients' daily lives  

Stephanie Zawada began her Ph.D. with an interest in computational approaches to research, but she has always strived to make advances that reach patients' daily lives.

Her thesis project aimed to help physicians assess people who have experienced a stroke and may be at risk for another.  She engaged two Ph.D. mentors who shared their expertise: Bart Demaerschalk, M.D.,  and  Bradley Erickson, M.D., Ph.D. Dr. Demaerschalk is a professor of neurology who treats patients with stroke at Mayo Clinic in Arizona and has a longstanding interest in digital health and using telemedicine to reach remote patients, and Dr. Erickson is a professor of radiology who leads artificial intelligence studies at his lab at Mayo Clinic in Minnesota.

Zawada "took a very innovative approach, exploring digital tools that may help a healthcare team continue to monitor and evaluate patients who have been discharged from the hospital but remain at risk for stroke recurrence," says Dr. Demaerschalk.

First, Zawada scoured available databases to identify attributes, including mood changes and sleep patterns, that can signal an oncoming stroke and can be captured by smartphone-based technology known as "wearables." Then she worked with her mentors and members of the Center for Digital Health to develop a pilot clinical trial with patients who volunteered to participate in a study from their homes.

Zawada designed a study that met the requirements of an institutional review board, or IRB, to address regulatory compliance. Aiming to get information from a "real-world" setting — where patients interact with app-based tools and the tools account for the range of daily activities — added logistical and mathematical complexity to the project. She worked with Dr. Demaerschalk and Mayo Clinic hospital-based stroke teams to recruit a cohort of 35 patients who gave consent to be part of the clinical trial.  

"Interacting with patients and hearing their concerns is the best way to advance useful technologies," Zawada says of designing the trial. "You want the clinical trial process to be as simple as possible for participants, and the only way to learn what tools and designs can make their lives better is to listen to them."

Her results showed that several behavioral and mood changes related to cerebrovascular disease can be captured with the use of wearable devices, even from patients going about their daily routines far from a hospital. The approach will need further investigation as a strategy to improve care and in the development of clinical trial measures, but the training to conduct a clinical trial is something that Zawada will take to the next stages of her career.

"Setting up a clinical trial is a complex process and really involves a team," says Zawada, who graduates in May and plans to continue researching wearables for patients who have other severe health conditions. "My thesis project was a multi-site collaborative effort — putting together the clinical questions, the new technology and the data analysis, the connection with patients — it's why I came to train at Mayo in the first place. As a student, I couldn't have done this project anywhere else."

The post Graduate students’ research pushes discoveries toward clinical trials appeared first on Mayo Clinic News Network.

Newly minted physicians and scientists graduated from Mayo Clinic Alix School of Medicine and Mayo Clinic Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences in Jacksonville, Florida, on Wednesday, May 14. As the graduate school has grown on the Florida campus, this year marks the second commencement ceremony for Mayo Clinic Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences in Florida for students receiving Ph.D. and master's degrees. 

The 12 medical school graduates who earned their medical degrees were part of an innovative program that allows students to complete their first two years of classroom study in Arizona or Minnesota, and then complete two years of clinical study in Jacksonville. They join more than 80 other Mayo Clinic Alix School of Medicine students in Arizona and Minnesota graduating on those campuses this week.

Graduation speakers encouraged students to lean into the Mayo Clinic values emphasized during their training. "Remember our core values as embodied in the acronym RICH TIES, which stands for Respect, Integrity, Compassion, Healing, Teamwork, Innovation, Excellence and Stewardship," said Dr. Fredric Meyer, Waugh Executive Dean of Education, Mayo Clinic. "They are guideposts that should help guide you as a physician, scientist and human being."

Dr. Olayemi Sokumbi, a dermatologist who attended medical school and residency at Mayo Clinic and now serves as an attending physician, researcher and mentor, delivered the keynote address. She shared wisdom from her life and journey, encouraging students to trust the wisdom from their life experiences. 

"Where you come from is not a limitation. It is your launchpad. Your story — every chapter of it — is your strength. It has given you perspective. It has shaped your voice. It has taught you how to see the unseen, how to care deeply, and how to rise when nothing around you said you could," she said, adding, "The truth is the world doesn't just need more degrees — it needs more compassion. It needs scientists who think ethically, doctors who listen like the patient is their own mother, leaders who ask not just what's efficient, but about what's just — those who put the needs of the patients first." 

Dr. Stephanie Oatman was the student speaker from the Mayo Clinic Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences. She received her Ph.D. following research studying Alzheimer's disease, and she spoke about the importance of teamwork and community in science and medicine. "Ask for help," she encouraged the graduates. "Offer help. Share what you have learned and pay forward what you have been given. Regardless of where you go, lift others up and leave it a better place than when you found it." 

Dr. Abba Zubair, vice dean of the medical school in Florida, inspired graduates to perpetuate the contributions of Mayo Clinic as they take the next steps in their careers. "I am reminded of the profound legacy of Mayo Clinic and its unwavering dedication to excellence in patient care, research and medical education," he said. "Go forth and make a difference in the world, for you are the future of medicine." 

Commencement recordings

Visit the Mayo Clinic College of Medicine and Science website to view the commencement ceremony recordings from Arizona, Florida and Minnesota.

Please courtesy: "Mayo Clinic."

About Mayo Clinic Alix School of Medicine
Mayo Clinic Alix School of Medicine is a national medical school with four-year medical degree programs in Rochester and Arizona. The school also offers a Florida program, enabling students to complete their first two years of medical studies in Arizona or Minnesota, and their final two years of learning in Florida. For more information, visit Mayo Clinic Alix School of Medicine.

About Mayo Clinic Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences
Mayo Clinic Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences offers world-class graduate education leading to Ph.D. and M.D.-Ph.D. degrees, as well as master's degree programs. The school offers research opportunities on campuses in Arizona, Florida and Minnesota, with training by leading investigators and clinicians in cutting-edge biomedical fields. For more information, visit Mayo Clinic Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences. 

About Mayo Clinic
Mayo Clinic is a nonprofit organization committed to innovation in clinical practice, education and research, and providing compassion, expertise and answers to everyone who needs healing. Visit the Mayo Clinic News Network for additional Mayo Clinic news.

The post The future of medicine: Mayo Clinic celebrates commencement in Florida appeared first on Mayo Clinic News Network.

Thirty-six medical students graduated from Mayo Clinic Alix School of Medicine in Phoenix, Arizona, on Monday, May 12. They join more than 50 other Mayo Clinic Alix School of Medicine students in Florida and Minnesota graduating on those campuses throughout May.

The medical school and Mayo Clinic Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences jointly celebrated the first M.D.-Ph.D. student to graduate in Arizona. The M.D.-Ph.D. program on the Arizona campus provides a unique opportunity for students to pursue world-class training to become a physician-scientist, fostering both clinical excellence and scientific discovery.

Graduates will take their next steps as residents and researchers at Mayo Clinic and across the country, pioneering discoveries, easing the physician shortage, and becoming healthcare leaders.

Speakers focused their remarks on reinforcing the importance of character and values.

"I urge you to return to the values that have anchored your training here,” said Dr. Jewel Kling, the vice dean of Mayo Clinic Alix School of Medicine and the Suzanne Hanson Poole Dean of Mayo Clinic Alix School of Medicine in Arizona. An internal medicine physician and division chair of Women's Health, she described Mayo Clinic values that include respect, integrity and compassion.  

"These are not just aspirational words — they are lived commitments," she added. "They are what make Mayo Clinic what it is and what will shape the kind of physician you choose to be."

Dr. Vikram Gill delivered the student commencement remarks, and, as a graduate and soon-to-be physician, reflected on his time in medical school. "How would you like to be remembered?" he asked graduating classmates. 

"The residents and attendings I remember the best are the kind and gracious ones. Not necessarily the smartest or most accomplished ones or the ones with the most publications, but the ones that asked me my name, asked me where I am from, asked me about my hobbies, and showed that they cared about me as a person. Medical school taught us to think like doctors, but I hope we never forget how to also think and feel like human beings," said Dr. Gill.

Dr. Annie Rusk, a Mayo Clinic pulmonary and critical care physician, was the commencement address speaker. Dr. Rusk shared the significance of storytelling in her life and the importance of self-determination. "There will be unexpected turns on your journey," said Dr. Rusk. "Your character and actions during these challenges will ultimately be what defines you. Take these moments in stride, and when faced with a challenge, ask yourself, 'Does this path lead to the physician and person I would like to be?'" 

Graduates have worked side by side with world-renowned experts at Mayo Clinic to create new ways to address patients' future needs and lead positive change in medicine. They will lead innovative and transformative efforts in healthcare, and they will apply their knowledge to develop creative solutions for some of the most complex problems facing patients and health systems today.

Commencement recordings

Visit the Mayo Clinic College of Medicine and Science website to view the commencement ceremony recordings from Arizona, Florida and Minnesota.

Please courtesy: "Mayo Clinic News Network."

About Mayo Clinic Alix School of Medicine
Mayo Clinic Alix School of Medicine is a national medical school with four-year medical degree programs in Rochester and Arizona. The school also offers a Florida program, enabling students to complete their first two years of medical studies in Arizona or Minnesota, and their final two years of learning in Florida. For more information, visit Mayo Clinic Alix School of Medicine.

About Mayo Clinic
Mayo Clinic is a nonprofit organization committed to innovation in clinical practice, education and research, and providing compassion, expertise and answers to everyone who needs healing. Visit the Mayo Clinic News Network for additional Mayo Clinic news.

The post Mayo Clinic Alix School of Medicine students graduate in Arizona appeared first on Mayo Clinic News Network.

DEAR MAYO CLINIC: I was recently diagnosed with advanced-stage endometriosis and I am told I need to have surgery. I still want children someday — should I be worried about my future fertility? What else should I know about recovering from surgery?

ANSWER: As you are learning, endometriosis is a condition in which tissue that is similar to the inner lining of the uterus grows outside the uterus. It can cause serious pain. 

With advanced-stage endometriosis and things such as uterine fibroids and large ovarian cysts, we do our best to minimize the negative effects on fertility and instead actually optimize for pregnancy. A myomectomy for uterine preservation, for example, allows women to maintain their uterus, even with large fibroids. Similarly, removing endometriosis but leaving the uterus, fallopian tubes and ovaries intact ensures there is still the possibility of future pregnancy and can even promote a successful pregnancy. Even when large, endometriosis-filled cysts are present (endometriomas), we are able to remove the abnormal tissue but leave the normal, healthy ovarian tissue in place for future fertility and hormonal needs.

The biggest question I get from patients after surgery is, "When can I get back to life?" Patients have families, jobs or responsibilities outside of their own health. We know that women especially can struggle with that balance of taking care of themselves while also taking care of everyone around them. Understanding what those constraints are from a personal perspective and getting women back to their lives as quickly as possible are among the key things that we focus on.

The best recommendation I have for anyone going into surgery is to be the healthiest you that you can be. The less stress you have, the better your diet is and the more rest and exercise that you've been getting is all going to support your body through the stress of surgery, which in turn is going to help speed along the recovery. The other thing I always make sure my patients are aware of is that, after surgery, be prepared to need some assistance doing daily things until the pain and fatigue lifts. It's normal to need a bit of help, so be prepared for that. 

The advances that we've had in technology when it comes to surgical procedures have pushed the envelope and allowed us to do the majority of gynecologic procedures through a minimally invasive approach. This means most patients are back at work a couple of weeks after surgery, depending on the procedure, but have a speedy recovery because we're not negatively affecting their bodies any more than necessary. 

The other thing to keep in mind from a recovery perspective is not every surgery is the same. There are some surgical procedures where the total downtime is only the day of surgery. In contrast, if we're doing something such as a hysterectomy to remove the uterus— even if it's done through small incisions — we want to ensure that healing happens well. So we don't want any heavy lifting or strenuous exercise for typically six weeks after surgery. However, we do want normal physical activity to start even the day of surgery because that really helps maintain strength and normal body function, which helps speed along the recovery.

My team and I like to develop a close relationship with our patients to make sure that we know what their fertility goals are for the future and any barriers that might potentially stand in that way. Talk to your healthcare team about any other concerns, and best wishes to you during this time. — Megan Wasson, D.O., Gynecology, Mayo Clinic, Phoenix

The post Mayo Clinic Q and A: Postsurgery recovery for women, what to know with endometriosis appeared first on Mayo Clinic News Network.

When Tiffany Coco steps into a room at Mayo Clinic Transplant Center in Arizona, she focuses on the patient's needs beyond the medical updates.

"Often, patients put their best face forward with the physicians," says Coco, "And when they talk to us, they let their guard down and open up about how transplant affects their day-to-day life."

As a licensed clinical social worker embedded in multidisciplinary care teams, Coco uses her clinical expertise to assess patients' emotional, psychological and social needs to help them navigate their transplant experience.

Coco leads a team of 20 social work professionals who work alongside nursing and medical staff to deliver an unparalleled experience to patients and organ donors before, during and after their care at Mayo Clinic. Her commitment to this work is deeply personal.

From personal loss to professional calling

At age 15, Coco experienced a tragic loss when her mother passed away unexpectedly. Following this, her family faced a difficult decision: They chose to donate her mother's organs.

"I've been that family on the other side of the conversation," she says. "We woke up that morning not knowing our world would change forever that afternoon, that my mom was going to be gone and we would have to make that decision."

Coco had known from a young age that she wanted to pursue a career helping people; her experience as a donor family solidified her resolve and led her to social work. During graduate school, she began an internship at Mayo Clinic, which led to a full-time role. She joined the Transplant Center in 2013.

"Transplant is a second chance at life ― for the patient, their family and their community," Coco says. "No matter how many transplants I witness, it amazes me each time because I know there is another family that gets a chance that mine didn't."

Helping patients on 'a journey of cautious hope'

Across Mayo Clinic, more than 480 social workers in the Department of Nursing serve patients in all care settings. Social workers are licensed professionals whose work ranges from therapy and counseling to crisis intervention and connecting patients to resources to meet basic needs such as housing, child care and transportation.

In transplant care, social workers help patients and families navigate the emotional, financial and logistical challenges surrounding organ transplantation and left ventricular assist device (LVAD) therapy.

Coco calls the patients' experience "a journey of cautious hope" that begins well before the procedure day and sometimes ends without a transplant.

One of the most sensitive areas her team helps patients navigate is the experience of receiving an organ from a deceased donor.  

"To prepare for a transplant, you're preparing for a wave of emotions. It's the excitement. It's the nerves. It's worry. It's everything at once," Coco says. She helps them realize the donor's death would have happened regardless, and the decision to donate is a beautiful gift.

Coco and her team conduct comprehensive psychosocial assessments to identify factors that may affect care outcomes — such as a patient's occupation, housing situation, literacy skills and family dynamics — and bring their insights to the care team.

They serve patients during pre-transplant planning, the patient's hospital stay and post-transplant follow-up, sometimes providing lifelong support.

"We truly do walk along the journey, and we, as the social workers, are there making sure that they have a journey to walk on," says Coco.  

"If they don't have a house to go back to after their care, or if they have to choose between meds and meals, that's not quality of life." 

Holding patients' stories until they can carry them again

Coco says that from the time she first came to Mayo Clinic, she has been inspired by its culture of accountability and excellence. She admires the way healthcare professionals show deep respect for each patient as a person. This means remembering patients' stories and celebrating transplant anniversaries with them, sometimes 15 years or more after their procedures.

"A patient is not just their diagnosis. It's not just a heart patient ― it's Mr. John Doe, and his motivation for a transplant is to walk his daughter down the aisle. Or Miss Jane Doe, who wants to finish her degree and get married. These stories are the motivation that we hold for patients while they're going through it, and that we give back when they're ready to carry them again."

On her arm, Coco wears tattoos of the organs she's seen in her career. They're a visible reminder of the work she's devoted her life to and of how she is honoring her mother.

"Though I wish I still had my mom, her legacy lives on in not just those lives that were impacted through her organ donation but the patients I come in contact with and impact in a different way," she says.

"I went from being a little 15-year-old girl just trying to figure out her place in the world to being the supervisor who guides the helpers."  

Learn more

• Learn about social work at Mayo Clinic in Rochester and medical social worker careers.

The post Social worker helps patients on transplant ‘journey of cautious hope’ appeared first on Mayo Clinic News Network.

For Anthony Maita, 'Buddy' is not just any other dog.

"He's the best thing that's ever happened to me," says Anthony.

It's no wonder, considering Buddy was right by Anthony's side during one of the most challenging times of his life — when Anthony began having epileptic seizures.

Watch: When seizures don't stop: Anthony's battle against drug-resistant epilepsy

Journalists: Broadcast-quality video (2:38) is in the downloads at the end of this post. Please courtesy: "Mayo Clinic News Network." Read the script.

"I started having the seizures, noticeable seizures, and from there, it just started getting worse and worse," recalls Anthony.

It began after Anthony graduated from high school. He was making plans for his future and looking forward to attending college. That's when the seizures began.

Initially, the seizures were mild but quickly became more severe. "The experience (seizure) is like a loss of time, like a blank spot in your memory — like you're waking up without any recollection of what happened," says Anthony.

"The seizures were several times a week. His lips would be blue. His mouth would be blue," says Patricia Maita, Anthony's mother. "It so hard to see your child go through that and feel so helpless."

Doctors tried to manage Anthony's seizures with medication, but nothing worked. Eventually Anthony was diagnosed with drug-resistant epilepsy, or DRE.

In search of hope, Anthony's family turned to Mayo Clinic in Arizona.

"Up to a third of patients who develop epilepsy during their life will become resistant to medication," explains Jonathon J. Parker, M.D., Ph.D., a neurosurgeon at Mayo Clinic who specializes in treating the most serious and complex cases of epilepsy, including DRE.

"These patients have tried at least two medications, and they're still having seizures. At that point, we know the chances of seizure freedom unfortunately become very low, and that's when we start looking at other options," says Dr. Parker.

A battle for millions worldwide

Anthony is one of approximately 50 million people worldwide diagnosed with epilepsy. It is one of the most common neurological disorders globally. It is characterized by recurrent unprovoked seizures caused by abnormal electrical activity in the brain.

Of those diagnosed with epilepsy, approximately 30%, or 15 million people, are considered medication-resistant. Uncontrolled seizures often rob many people of their ability to live and function independently.

While it is rare, seizures can lead to sudden unexplained death in epilepsy, or SUDEP. "We know that more frequent seizures mean the patient is at higher risk of SUDEP, so that's why we are very aggressive about treating epilepsy with all the tools we have available," says Dr. Parker.

Current treatment options for patients with DRE include surgical procedures such as brain resection to remove a portion of the brain tissue responsible for generating seizures. A less invasive procedure involves laser ablation therapy that pinpoints and destroys abnormal brain tissue. While often effective, these surgical approaches carry the risk of possible side effects, such as memory impairment, motor deficits and speech difficulties. 

Neuromodulation is another surgical approach that uses electrical or magnetic stimulation to interrupt abnormal neural activity without removing brain tissue.

Unlocking new hope for patients

Now, a growing number of scientists across the globe are part of an innovative trend in research, investigating novel ways to treat DRE. It involves the use of regenerative medicine as a "reparative" approach to help the brain heal. 

Dr. Parker is the lead investigator of the first-in-human clinical trial at Mayo Clinic which studies the use of implanted specialized inhibitory brain cells as a potential reparative treatment for DRE. Dr. Parker's clinical trial is underway in Arizona.

Mayo Clinic in Arizona is one of 29 sites nationwide participating in the inhibitory brain cell implant clinical trial for patients with focal epilepsy, where seizures originate in a specific region of the brain. 

Anthony became Mayo Clinic's first patient to undergo the investigational brain cell implant. 

"We use a very minimally invasive technique where we inject the inhibitory cells through a pencil eraser-sized incision in the back of the head. Our hope is that, over time, these cells become part of the brain and help repair the neural circuitry, and reduce or prevent seizures without the side effects," says Dr. Parker. The cells are implanted in a one-time, single-dose procedure.

"Honestly, it was pretty easy," says Anthony. "I had no trouble with it." Anthony was discharged from the hospital the next day.

Doctors say it is still too early to determine whether the brain cell implant was effective, but they are hopeful.

"Anthony has been doing great since the procedure," says Dr. Amy Z. Crepeau, a neurologist at Mayo Clinic. "We have a great deal of optimism in regard to the potential of this brain cell therapy. Developing a safe and effective, minimally invasive treatment that does not carry the possible negative side effects could be a game changer in treating patients with DRE and improving their quality of life."

Tabitha's life-long struggle to control seizures

Tabitha Wilson lives in fear, never knowing when or where the next seizure will strike.

The Florida resident was diagnosed with epilepsy at the age of 2. She was placed on medication that adequately managed her seizures — until the week before her high school graduation. 

"I was 17 years old sitting in history class when the seizure happened," recalls Tabitha. "They had to load me up in an ambulance in front of the whole school."

Tabitha tried new types of medications, but the seizures only got worse.

"I fell down a flight of stairs, burned myself while cooking. I've completely blacked out and don't know where I am or who you are," says Tabitha. She was eventually diagnosed with drug-resistant epilepsy.

Tabitha underwent three brain surgeries to treat her DRE. Still, the seizures continued.

"I'll have good days and bad days. Some days, I'll have two, three, four seizures, back-to-back," says Tabitha.

Her uncontrolled seizures have robbed Tabitha of the ability to live independently. "I can't drive. I can't cook. I can't go swimming alone. I can't take a bath, only a shower and if someone is home with me," says Tabitha.

Watch: Tabitha Wilson shares what it's like to live with drug-resistant epilepsy.

Tabitha turned to Mayo Clinic in Florida where she learned about a clinical trial also investigating the potential of regenerative medicine as a possible treatment for DRE.

Dr. Sanjeet S. Grewal, director of stereotactic and functional neurosurgery at Mayo Clinic, is leading a team of researchers studying the use of implanted stem cells in conjunction with deep brain stimulation for patients like Tabitha.

Deep brain stimulation is one of the most recent FDA-approved methods of neuromodulation therapy for epilepsy. Studies show that patients who undergo deep brain stimulation experience median seizure reduction up to 70% after five years. However, Dr. Grewal says it is uncommon for patients to become seizure-free. 

"Unfortunately, neuromodulation doesn't give us the seizure freedom we want, and that's why we are trying to combine deep brain stimulation with stem cell therapy to see if we can increase the efficacy of neuromodulation," he says. 

Tabitha became the first patient to undergo the investigational treatment. Dr. Grewal says she is also the first person in the world to undergo surgery for deep brain stimulation and receive stem cell therapy in the thalamus in her brain as a potential treatment for DRE. 

Watch: Dr. Sanjeet Grewal, neurosurgeon, explains how Mayo researchers are leading a new trend in research for treating patients with drug-resistant epilepsy.

The clinical trial involves the use of mesenchymal stem cells, a type of adult stem cell that has anti-inflammatory properties. MSCs may also support tissue repair and healing. Further scientific research is needed to confirm their therapeutic potential in the field of regenerative medicine.

The MSCs used in the clinical trial are derived from fat tissue and created at the Human Cell Therapy Laboratory at Mayo Clinic in Jacksonville, Florida under the leadership of Abba Zubair, M.D., Ph.D., a pioneer in cell therapy.

Dr. Zubair's research teams have developed a cost-effective method of producing MSCs for use in potential treatments for conditions such as stroke.

Dr. Zubair has also led innovative research, including sending stem cells to the International Space Station to investigate how microgravity impacts their growth.

"My mission is to discover ways to address problems that patients have been struggling with and find a solution for them.
I believe the future is bright. "

Dr. Abba Zubair, Pioneer in Cell therapy, Mayo Clinic in Florida

Dr. Zubair has several research projects scheduled to launch into space in 2025.

"MSCs are what we call multipotent, meaning they can differentiate into different cell types based on where they're placed. If they are placed near blood vessels, they can become blood vessel types. If they're placed by heart cells, they can become heart cell types," explains Dr. Grewal.

The hope is the MSCs eventually become neural or brain cell types and interact in the part of the brain where the seizures occur. "It's called paracrine signaling, where they're releasing signals to the brain tissue around them and interacting in a way to try to repair that tissue."

Since undergoing the procedure, there has been an improvement in Tabitha's seizure management. However, Dr. Grewal says it is too early to know whether this is due to the deep brain stimulation, stem cells or both. 

Drs. Grewal and Parker say there is still a long road ahead to determine whether these cell therapies are proven safe and effective for patients with DRE. But they agree each day brings them one step closer to a potential treatment or cure for patients like Tabitha and Anthony.

"We've thought about this for generations, we just didn't have these technologies to enable it. Now we do," says Dr. Grewal. "So, whether it's wound healing, neurodegeneration, epilepsy or stroke, there are so many different studies going on investigating the potential of regenerative or reparative therapies."

Related articles

• Mayo Clinic researchers lead transformative shift toward neurorestorative treatment strategies for most severe forms of epilepsy
• Epilepsy Treatment
• Minimally invasive epilepsy treatment
• Mayo Clinic Minute: Demystifying epilepsy
• Epilepsy Surgery
• Laser ablation surgery helps treat young man’s epilepsy

The post (VIDEO) When seizures don’t stop: The battle against drug-resistant epilepsy appeared first on Mayo Clinic News Network.