As Mayo Clinic in Florida celebrates the opening of the Duan Family Building, a state-of-the-art facility that will house seven MRI machines, the need for highly trained imaging professionals is greater than ever. In response, Mayo Clinic School of Health Sciences is expanding its Radiography Technologist Program to meet the moment and build the workforce of the future.

Beginning in January 2026, the program will welcome an expanded cohort of 20 students, doubling its original class size. The expansion reflects Mayo's commitment to proactive workforce development.

"The decision to increase our Radiography Technologist Program from 10 to 20 students per cohort wasn't just about growth; it was a strategic response to staffing challenges and future expansion, including the Duan Family Building," says David Ausejo, director of education at Mayo Clinic in Florida. "By offering affordable education and launching a focused MRI internship, we're creating a reliable, well-trained pipeline that directly supports our imaging needs and helps retain talent within Mayo Clinic Florida."

The program offers hands-on experience and training in diagnostic imaging, preparing participants to step into high-demand roles across the enterprise. To further strengthen the pipeline, Mayo has developed a five-month, post-primary MRI internship, designed to help graduates prepare for the MRI registry exam. The internship includes a stipend and benefits, making it a well-supported and accessible pathway into a critical specialty.

The Radiography Technologist Program expansion mirrors the success of Mayo's interventional radiology internship, which currently boasts a 100% hiring rate. Together, these programs offer a practical way to help current staff grow their skills while also tackling the nationwide shortage of imaging professionals. According to a 2024 survey from the American Society of Radiologic Technologists, the vacancy rate for radiologic technologists has surged to 18.1%, nearly tripling from just three years ago.

In addition to growing its own program, Mayo Clinic in Florida has opened clinical rotation slots for students from local universities, recognizing that many of Mayo's current diagnostic radiology technologists are graduates of local schools that have collaborated with Mayo in the past.

As the Duan Family Building opens its doors, Mayo Clinic is ensuring that the right people are in place to deliver world-class care. The expansion of the Radiography Technologist Program is a clear example of how Mayo is investing in its learners, its workforce and its future.

About Mayo Clinic School of Health Sciences 
Mayo Clinic School of Health Sciences educates allied healthcare professionals to meet Mayo Clinic's staffing needs and to train the healthcare workforce of the future. Part of Mayo Clinic College of Medicine and Science, the School of Health Sciences has more than 1,900 students enrolled annually in more than 210 allied health programs that offer transformational training and education, innovation and a commitment to excellence in patient-centered care. For more information, visit Mayo Clinic School of Health Sciences.   

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ROCHESTER, Minn. — Scientific breakthroughs in one disease don't always shed light on treating other diseases. But that's been the surprising journey of one Mayo Clinic research team. After identifying a sugar molecule that cancer cells use on their surfaces to hide from the immune system, the researchers have found the same molecule may eventually help in the treatment of type 1 diabetes, once known as juvenile diabetes.

Type 1 diabetes is a chronic autoimmune condition in which the immune system errantly attacks pancreatic beta cells that produce insulin. The disease is caused by genetic and other factors and affects an estimated 1.3 million people in the U.S.

In their studies, the Mayo Clinic researchers took a cancer mechanism and turned it on its head. Cancer cells use a variety of methods to evade immune response, including coating themselves in a sugar molecule known as sialic acid. The researchers found in a preclinical model of type 1 diabetes that it's possible to dress up beta cells with the same sugar molecule, enabling the immune system to tolerate the cells.

"Our findings show that it's possible to engineer beta cells that do not prompt an immune response," says immunology researcher Virginia Shapiro, Ph.D., principal investigator of the study, published in the Journal of Clinical Investigation.

A few years ago, Dr. Shapiro's team demonstrated that an enzyme, known as ST8Sia6, that increases sialic acid on the surface of tumor cells helps tumor cells appear as though they are not foreign entities to be targeted by the immune system.  

"The expression of this enzyme basically ‘sugar coats' cancer cells and can help protect an abnormal cell from a normal immune response. We wondered if the same enzyme might also protect a normal cell from an abnormal immune response," Dr. Shapiro says. The team first established proof of concept in an artificially-induced model of diabetes.

In the current study, the team looked at preclinical models that are known for the spontaneous development of autoimmune (type 1) diabetes, most closely approximating the process that occurs in patients. Researchers engineered beta cells in the models to produce the ST8Sia6 enzyme.

In the preclinical models, the team found that the engineered cells were 90% effective in preventing the development of type 1 diabetes. The beta cells that are typically destroyed by the immune system in type 1 diabetes were preserved.

Importantly, the researchers also found the immune response to the engineered cells appears to be highly specific, says M.D.-Ph.D. student Justin Choe, first author of the publication. Choe conducted the study in the Ph.D. component of his dual degree at Mayo Clinic Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences and Mayo Clinic Alix School of Medicine.

"Though the beta cells were spared, the immune system remained intact," Choe says. The researchers were able to see active B- and T-cells and evidence of an autoimmune response against another disease process. "We found that the enzyme specifically generated tolerance against autoimmune rejection of the beta cell, providing local and quite specific protection against type 1 diabetes."

No cure currently exists for type 1 diabetes, and treatment involves using synthetic insulin to regulate blood sugar, or, for some people, undergoing a transplant of pancreatic islet cells, which include the much-needed beta cells. Because transplantation involves immunosuppression of the entire immune system, Dr. Shapiro aims to explore using the engineered beta cells in transplantable islet cells with the goal of ultimately improving therapy for patients.

"A goal would be to provide transplantable cells without the need for immunosuppression," says Dr. Shapiro. "Though we're still in the early stages, this study may be one step toward improving care."

The research was funded by grants from the National Institutes of Health.

Please see the study for the full list of authors.

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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:

• Kelley Luckstein, Mayo Clinic Communications, newsbureau@mayo.edu

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Mayo Clinic celebrated the graduation of the next generation of physicians and scientists. In a combined ceremony in Rochester, Minnesota, on Friday, May 16, students received degrees conferred by Mayo Clinic Alix School of Medicine and Mayo Clinic Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences. Forty-six new physicians joined the prestigious Mayo Clinic alumni, and 42 new biomedical scientists received doctoral degrees. In addition, 37 students received master's degrees.  

They join 48 other Mayo Clinic Alix School of Medicine students in Jacksonville, Florida, and Phoenix who graduated this week. The students will move on to residencies and positions at Mayo Clinic and across the country, helping ease the physician shortage and becoming future science and healthcare leaders.

Dr. Saranya Wyles was the keynote speaker. Dr. Wyles is a Mayo Clinic College of Medicine and Science alumna and Mayo Clinic dermatologist-scientist with specialized training in regenerative medicine and additional focus on skin aging. 

She encouraged graduates to remember Mayo's primary value, reinforced throughout their training: The needs of the patient come first. "It sounds simple," she said, "but in a world that sometimes confuses fame with purpose, or fortune with fulfillment, it is revolutionary. When things get hard — and they will — let that mantra reorient you. It's your North Star. It will never fail you."

The commencement ceremony featured a student speaker from each school. Dr. Steven Callori was the student speaker from Mayo Clinic Alix School of Medicine, and as a soon-to-be physician, he reflected on the accomplishment at this stage of his education. 

"As we embark on this next stage in training, I hope you all remember this one. Remember the joy and pride in your accomplishments in the hearts of those around you today, and give yourselves credit for the amazing people that you are and the amazing physicians you are all certain to become," said Dr. Callori.    

Dr. Esther Rodman was the student speaker from Mayo Clinic Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences. She focused on cancer during her Ph.D. research. She urged graduates to use their training constructively for society. 

"We now hold a degree that gives us a platform. We're trained to think critically, to problem-solve, to ask tough questions. And we can use that — not just to publish papers, but to advocate for what we believe in, to speak up for patients, to mentor the next generation. I hope we take these skills with us wherever we go next — whether it's in academia, industry, policy, education or something entirely new. The world needs that more than ever," said Dr. Rodman.

Dr. Fredric Meyer, Waugh Executive Dean of Education, concluded the ceremony with these remarks: "You have chosen a noble profession. You will be on the front lines of some of the most important health issues and challenges of our time. You have an enormous responsibility to listen when others are not and to see what others do not, and to heal the ills of both your patients and society. I'm optimistic that the future of medicine will no doubt be brilliant with these graduates entering the field."

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 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 next generation of healthcare: Mayo Clinic celebrates commencement in Rochester 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."

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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.

As a transplant surgeon, Timucin Taner, M.D., Ph.D., is a world-renowned physician and researcher. He has authored more than 100 peer-reviewed publications, performed pioneering surgeries and received numerous awards and honors. As an educator, Dr. Taner is training the next generation of transplant surgeons — just as he was trained when he began his residency in general surgery at Mayo Clinic School of Graduate Medical Education (MCSGME) 15 years ago.

In his role as division chair of transplantation surgery, Dr. Taner takes pride in Mayo's strong legacy of transplant surgery training. Mayo Clinic in Rochester has been training transplant fellows continuously since 1979, making it one of the oldest training programs in the United States.

A fellow is a graduate of medical school who has already finished their residency. Doctors pursue a fellowship to gain expertise in a specialized area of medicine, such as transplant surgery. During a fellowship, a doctor follows a specialist closely to get even more education in a single field of medicine.

"We really are preparing our fellows to become leaders in the field,” says Dr. Taner, "and every year, the interest and applications from our residency programs increases."

Mayo Clinic's abdominal transplant surgery fellowship, which Dr. Taner completed himself, offers a multidisciplinary approach that makes for well-rounded training, with fellows getting to work with hepatologists, nephrologists and endocrinologists. This is a strength of the program, according to Dr. Taner, as it ensures that fellows can take care of a patient not only in the operating room but also in the pre- and post-operative periods. Additionally, fellows must do a certain number of kidney, liver and pancreas transplants to be certified as an abdominal transplant surgeon.

An educational journey

After completing a medical degree, Dr. Taner earned his Ph.D. in transplant immunology. While in his doctoral program, he decided to become a transplant surgeon, beginning with a General Surgery residency with MCSGME in Rochester. After residency, he stayed at Mayo to complete the fellowship in abdominal transplant surgery. Dr. Taner looked at 10 other fellowship programs but ultimately decided there was no better program than Mayo's.

“I was truly ready when I took my first call on staff about a month after I finished my fellowship,” he says. “I still think it was one of the best training programs back then, as it is now.”

Part of what helps prepare fellows for the rigors of transplant surgery is the program's team-based approach. Nurse practitioners and physician assistants are incorporated into patient care, allowing the fellows to focus more on the surgical aspects of their training. Since Dr. Taner's time as a fellow, there is now a greater emphasis placed on the use of robotics in surgery. But what hasn't changed, he says, is the tremendous investment Mayo makes in training its surgical fellows.

The next generation of transplant surgeons

Omar Haque, M.D., M.P.H., understands that investment. Dr. Haque is a fellow in the Abdominal Transplant and Hepatopancreatobiliary (HPB) Surgery Fellowship in Rochester. He graduated from Mayo Clinic Alix School of Medicine and, after completing his surgical residency in Boston, was eager to come back home to Mayo Clinic for his fellowship.

"This was my top choice for fellowship. There is a long line of outstanding surgeons who trained here," says Dr. Haque. "I knew and trusted the Mayo environment, and it still felt like I was a part of the family here. Plus, if Dr. Taner was chosen to lead this institute, then it must be in good hands."

Very few institutions offer a dual fellowship in abdominal transplant and HPB surgery in two years, says Dr. Haque, who appreciates the versatility that this training offers him. The program is dual accredited by the American Society of Transplant Surgeons (ASTS) and the Americas Hepato-Pancreato-Biliary Association (AHPBA), which structures the training to include four rotations: donor procurements, kidney transplant, liver transplant and HPB surgery.

Since his fellowship began, Dr. Haque says he has received outstanding technical training and has been pleasantly surprised with how much operative autonomy Mayo Clinic gives its fellows. Eight months into a two-year fellowship, Dr. Haque feels independent in the majority of transplant operations, which is something he says is rare among other transplant fellowships.

In addition to being drawn to the world-class surgical training and the values of Mayo Clinic, Dr. Haque admits there was another factor in making his fellowship decision.

"Dr. Taner is one of the major reasons I came here. Not only is he one of the most technically talented surgeons I've ever come across, but also one of the most humble and kind," says Dr. Haque. "He is always there to support his fellows and treats everyone fairly, and that's really special coming from your chair."

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About Mayo Clinic School of Graduate Medical Education
MCSGME currently offers fellowships in three transplant surgical specialties, spanning all three Mayo campuses. Fellows perform hundreds of organ transplants annually and are active in transplant practice in the U.S. and abroad.

Mayo Clinic Graduate School of Medical Education is one of the nation’s oldest and largest institutions of graduate medical education and has more than 2,000 learners enrolled in programs across the country. Of those more than 300 programs, 197 are accredited by the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME), and 95 percent of Mayo’s GME training programs are above the national average in board passage rates.  

The post Mayo Clinic-trained transplant surgeon instills educational excellence in next generation appeared first on Mayo Clinic News Network.

JACKSONVILLE — More than 2 million people in the United States are living with limb loss — 1.7 million of whom use a prosthetic limb. One of those people is Hamaad Khan, D.O., a first-year internal medicine resident with Mayo Clinic School of Graduate Medical Education (MCSGME). With the guidance and resources available at Mayo Clinic, Dr. Khan is developing an idea that could significantly improve outcomes for patients using prosthetics.

In December, Dr. Khan won Mayo Clinic in Florida's 2024 Alligator Tank — a "Shark Tank"-style pitch competition presented by Mayo Clinic Research Innovation — with his idea to bring sensor technology to prosthetic sockets, which are used to help fit amputees to their prosthetic limbs.

Alligator Tank is open annually to individual innovators from the Mayo Clinic in Florida campus as well as teams with at least one member based on the Florida campus. Contestants are judged by a five-member panel hailing from across the Florida campus, including researchers, consultants, engineers and business developers. (Mayo Clinic's Minnesota and Arizona campuses have similar competitions, known, respectively, as Walleye Tank and Roadrunner Sprint.)

Despite competing against more seasoned innovators, Dr. Khan came out on top, receiving $50,000 in funding, with an additional $500 for being voted the crowd favorite. His success could only be realized through MCSGME, where trainees are empowered to adopt an entrepreneurial mindset and develop groundbreaking, innovative solutions to lead the global transformation of healthcare.

Innovation a lifetime in the making

Dr. Khan was born with only a partial left arm, having experienced Amniotic Band Syndrome in the womb — a condition where parts of the amniotic sac wrapped around his forearm, hindering its development. He started using prosthetics at three months old and required a new prosthetic arm every time he outgrew the previous one. By 17, he had been through nearly 20 prostheses, each one taking several weeks of fitting and sizing prior to use.

As he got older, Dr. Khan was fitted with a cable-powered prosthesis, enabling greater functionality and giving him the confidence to complete emergency medical technician training. He volunteered as an EMT, serving several years as chief of his university's volunteer EMT service during his undergraduate education. This solidified his desire to pursue a career in medicine, where he will specialize in physical medicine and rehabilitation beginning in July 2025.

Dr. Khan knows the trials and tribulations that an ill-fitting socket presents and felt strongly that the functionality and daily use of prosthetics depends almost entirely on the improvement of this core element.

"I have always been fascinated by how clinicians use a simple yet effective method to create personalized sockets for their patients, but there have been few significant advancements in this process in recent years," he says. "I figured it was time to bring in something new."

Each prosthetic socket is custom made and acts as a direct interface between the prosthesis and the patient's limb. Studies show that ill-fitted prosthetics can lead to pressure injuries, skin breakdown, hypersensitivity and other problems that may keep people from using their prosthesis daily.

The idea Dr. Khan pitched at Alligator Tank brings sensor technologies into the socket itself, identifying areas during the fitting that might lead to discomfort or injury with continued use of the prosthesis.

"The goal is to catch these problem points early in the socket creation process and provide a comfortable fit for the patient with greater time and cost effectiveness," he says.

From innovator to entrepreneur

As a patient and a physician, Dr. Khan knew that finding a way to accelerate the socket-fitting process while lowering clinician costs presented a great business opportunity.

The opportunities at Mayo Clinic allowed Dr. Khan to develop his Alligator Tank pitch. In addition to consulting with friends who have experienced limb loss and professional prosthetists who make the devices, he spoke with several Mayo physicians who regularly care for amputees and witness the effects of poor socket fit. They encouraged Dr. Khan to explore ways to improve and update the current process for prosthetic fitting.

He also worked closely with faculty within Mayo Clinic's Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation department who helped him develop his idea, Internal Medicine faculty who encouraged his interest in innovation and helped him make many connections within their Mayo Clinic network, and faculty involved with Mayo's partnership with Brooks Rehabilitation Hospital who taught him about common problems facing amputees and introduced him to patients living with limb loss.

Dr. Khan is now working with Mayo Clinic Research Innovation, Mayo Clinic Ventures and other internal resources as he continues his efforts to turn his idea into a reality.

Fostering entrepreneurial spirit in Mayo's trainees

Clinical innovation and entrepreneurship are strategic areas of importance for MCSGME. Trainees can enroll in a four-week elective course or a year-long academy, both aimed at helping develop and strengthen skill sets in clinical innovation and thinking. Additionally, Mayo Clinic in Florida was the first in the nation to create a formal innovation curriculum embedded into its Internal Medicine residency program, in which Dr. Khan is currently a trainee.

Abdallah El Sabbagh, M.D., associate program director for innovation for the Internal Medicine residency, says Dr. Khan's success is attributable in large part to the support and connections he found at Mayo Clinic, which fosters innovation and creates such opportunities for its trainees.

"For years, innovation has remained an untapped resource in medical training, despite its undeniable importance in advancing patient care and transforming healthcare delivery," he says. "We are fortunate that Mayo Clinic recognizes the immense value of innovation and has committed significant resources to making it a priority in medical education.

"Dr. Khan's story should inspire trainees across all of Mayo Clinic that anything is possible in this institution and that they should carry forward with their ideas, as creativity knows no age, hierarchy or background. What it knows is that the needs of the patients come first."

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Mayo Clinic Alix School of Medicine today again has been rated as a top national medical school in the country by U.S. News and World Report's "Best Graduate Schools” in the category of medical school: Research. The rating methodology places medical schools into one of four tiers; Mayo Clinic Alix School of Medicine is in the highest tier, Tier 1. 

"This rating is a direct result of the unwavering commitment of our entire medical school community. We congratulate our medical school faculty and staff for their talents, hard work and commitment to the Mayo values," says Fredric Meyer, M.D., Waugh Executive Dean of Education at Mayo Clinic and dean of Mayo Clinic Alix School of Medicine.

National ratings are just one of many measures of quality and value for prospective students. Mayo Clinic Alix School of Medicine publishes its own quality and value data on its website under Quick Facts, so prospective students can evaluate what distinguishes the school from other leading medical schools. The site also contains news about Mayo Clinic College of Medicine and Science. 

Dr. Meyer underscored how, as an academic medical center, the medical school exemplifies the integration of education with research and clinical practice. It's part of the culture at Mayo Clinic — one that encourages students to collaborate with and learn directly from renowned practicing physicians and scientists.

A tiered rating system has replaced the ordinal ranking system used in previous years. Tiers were calculated based on data related to research activity, student selectivity and faculty resources.

The ratings and data for these disciplines were derived from survey data that schools reported to U.S. News in 2024, in some cases combined with third-party-sourced information. Detailed methodologies will be published in the ranking methodologies section of usnews.com. 

Mayo Clinic is top-ranked in more specialties than any other hospital and has two hospitals recognized as Honor Roll members — the highest honor — in U.S. News & World Report's 2024-2025 "Best Hospitals" rankings. U.S. News continues to rank hospitals numerically within states. In the most recent report, Mayo Clinic once again holds the No. 1 position in Minnesota, Arizona and Florida. 

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• Mayo Clinic Alix School of Medicine: A beacon of excellence in medical residency training
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What medical residency programs are saying about Mayo Clinic Alix School of Medicine students.

Mayo Clinic Alix School of Medicine continues to uphold its reputation for excellence in medical education and residency training. The 2024 AAMC Resident Readiness Survey revealed that 96% of respondents indicated that residents from Mayo Clinic Alix School of Medicine met or exceeded performance expectations.

AAMC Resident Readiness Survey: An overview

The AAMC Resident Readiness Survey is an annual assessment that provides feedback to medical schools about the performance of their graduates during the early stages of residency. Program directors evaluate the readiness of their residents, offering insights that help medical schools improve their curricula and better prepare students for the challenges of graduate medical education.

Mayo Clinic Alix School of Medicine: Leading the way

The Mayo Clinic Alix School of Medicine, part of the Mayo Clinic College of Medicine and Science, is renowned for its rigorous academic programs and innovative approach to medical training. With campuses in Minnesota, Arizona and Florida, the school offers unparalleled clinical and research opportunities, fostering an environment where students can thrive and develop into exceptional medical professionals.

Exceptional performance in residency

The 2024 AAMC Resident Readiness Survey highlighted the outstanding performance of Mayo Clinic Alix School of Medicine residents. According to the survey, 96% of program directors reported that these residents met or exceeded expectations in various competencies including clinical skills, professionalism and teamwork. This high level of performance is a testament to the school's comprehensive training programs and the dedication of its faculty and staff.

Innovation and curriculum

Mayo Clinic Alix School of Medicine's commitment to continuous improvement and innovation is evident in its Patient-Centered and Science-Driven Approach. The curriculum emphasizes a patient-centered approach, integrating clinical experiences early in the education process. This hands-on learning is designed to expand upon classroom knowledge and ensure students are well-prepared for real-world medical practice. This includes a comprehensive anatomy curriculum, allowing students to gain hands-on experience with human anatomy, supplemented with simulation.

Three-phase structure

The curriculum is divided into three phases: Pre-Clerkship, Clerkship, and Post-Clerkship.

• Pre-Clerkship (18 months): Focuses on foundational basic sciences and pathophysiology through a series of academic courses called "blocks." This phase also includes dedicated study time for the United States Medical Licensing Examination (USMLE) Step 1, which Mayo medical students. scored 100% in 2024.
• Clerkship (18 months): Begins in the last six months of the second year, earlier than many other medical schools, allowing students to apply their basic science knowledge to patient care in various core disciplines. This early exposure helps students integrate theoretical knowledge with practical skills, enhancing their overall medical education.

• Post-Clerkship (12 months): Includes a subinternship, several rotations at Mayo Clinic and affiliate institutions, and courses designed to prepare students for residency, such as Transition to Residency and Internship Bootcamp. Mayo Clinic Alix School of Medicine students have a 100% pass rate for the USMLE Step 2 examination (U.S. and Canada pass rate average is 98%).

High patient-to-student and faculty-to-student ratios

With only 100 students per medical class, Mayo Clinic Alix School of Medicine boasts the highest ratio of patients to medical students globally, providing a wide variety of clinical experiences from primary care to serious and complex. Students not only have access to Mayo patients at its three sites and health system but also at the medical school’s community affiliates, ensuring the most diverse experiences with patients. This exposure is crucial for developing practical skills and gaining confidence in patient care.

An impressive 3:1 faculty-to-student ratio allows for highly individualized instruction and supervision, ensuring that students receive personalized attention and mentorship throughout their medical education. Students practice side-by-side with world-renowned physicians and experts in their fields. 

Academic enrichment opportunities

The school offers nearly 200 academic enrichment opportunities, allowing students to customize their education to meet individual goals. These include Selectives, dual degree programs, and global health and research opportunities.

Mayo Clinic Alix School of Medicine's exceptional performance in the 2024 AAMC Resident Readiness Survey underscores its status as a leading institution in medical education and residency training. With a commitment to excellence, continuous improvement and innovation, the school is ensuring its graduates are well-equipped to meet the challenges of modern healthcare.

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