As healthcare evolves at an unprecedented pace, Mayo Clinic is investing in lifelong learning to prepare the workforce for the future of medicine. 

Healthcare is evolving at an unprecedented pace. Advances in artificial intelligence, precision medicine, digital health and quality improvement are transforming how care is delivered, while new knowledge and evolving professional standards require clinicians to continually adapt. 

For healthcare organizations, keeping pace is about more than meeting licensure or certification requirements. It requires a workforce prepared to respond to emerging technologies, new models of care and rapidly expanding medical knowledge while continuing to deliver the highest quality patient care. 

At Mayo Clinic, continuous professional development is a strategic investment in that future. 

Through Mayo Clinic School of Continuous Professional Development (CPD), education is embedded into professional practice across the organization, helping physicians, advanced practice professionals, allied health professionals and other staff continuously build the knowledge and skills needed to advance patient care, research and education. 

"Learning doesn't end when someone joins Mayo Clinic — it becomes part of how we practice every day," says William Palmer, M.D., dean of Mayo Clinic School of Continuous Professional Development. "Continuous professional development helps our staff stay current in rapidly changing fields while reinforcing the curiosity, collaboration and commitment to excellence that defines Mayo Clinic. Investing in lifelong learning is ultimately an investment in better care for our patients." 

Preparing the workforce for artificial intelligence

Few developments are reshaping healthcare as rapidly as artificial intelligence (AI). Mayo Clinic is approaching AI education with the same evidence-based philosophy that guides its clinical practice. 

The Practical Applications of AI at Mayo Clinic course, launched in spring 2026, focuses on real-world examples of how Mayo Clinic staff and leaders are applying AI across clinical practice, research, education and administrative work. Rather than exploring AI as a future possibility, the course demonstrates how these tools are already being used within a framework of responsible governance and patient-centered innovation. 

Directed by Atul Jain, M.D., M.S., the course offers up to eight types of continuing education credit. 

"Artificial intelligence is already changing how healthcare is delivered," said Dr. Jain. "Our goal isn't simply to introduce AI concepts — it's to help members of the healthcare workforce understand how Mayo Clinic is using these tools responsibly and to provide practical knowledge they can apply in their own work." 

The AI Foundations and Applications for Emerging Digital Leaders course, launched in 2024, complements this work and reflects growing interest among staff in developing the knowledge and skills needed to responsibly integrate AI into healthcare. 

Learning as a cornerstone of excellence 

Lifelong learning has long been embedded in Mayo Clinic's culture.  

That commitment is reflected in the scale of CPD's educational ecosystem. In 2025, the school supported 191 regularly scheduled series, including grand rounds, journal clubs, morbidity and mortality conferences and other recurring educational activities, that together delivered more than 6,000 educational sessions. 

For the 191 regularly scheduled series alone, CPD awarded more than 87,000 continuing education credits, helping employees maintain professional competencies, fulfill licensure requirements and stay current in rapidly evolving fields. The school also supports Maintenance of Certification requirements for physicians and physician assistants, reinforcing the connection between professional learning, operational improvement and patient outcomes. 

An accessible, century-long commitment to professional growth 

Mayo Clinic's commitment to continuous learning is not new. 

This year, Clinical Reviews in RST, one of CPD's longest-running educational programs, celebrates its 100th anniversary. While educational formats have evolved dramatically over the past century, the underlying principle has remained constant: Patient care depends on clinicians who never stop learning. 

And as healthcare professionals face increasing demands on their time, education must become more accessible without sacrificing quality. 

CPD has expanded learning beyond traditional conferences through online courses, podcasts, journal-based education and self-paced learning that allow healthcare professionals to access trusted education whenever and wherever it best fits their schedules. 

One example is Mayo Clinic Talks, a weekly podcast that delivers timely discussions on common clinical conditions and emerging topics across primary care and specialty practice. 

The school's online continuing medical education platform also offers hundreds of learning opportunities across specialties and professions, providing clinicians with flexible access to evidence-based education. 

Investing in the future of healthcare 

As medicine becomes more complex and innovation accelerates, organizations that embed learning into everyday practice are better positioned to improve care, advance discovery and prepare for what comes next. 

"Education has always been central to Mayo Clinic's mission," says Dr. Palmer. "By expanding access to emerging areas of learning, we are investing in our people and empowering them to deliver the highest-quality care, research and education for the patients and communities we serve." 

By treating continuous learning as a strategic capability rather than simply a professional requirement, Mayo Clinic is helping define what lifelong learning looks like in modern healthcare. 

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New educational programs are helping clinicians and trainees turn everyday healthcare challenges into solutions 

Innovation is often viewed as the domain of entrepreneurs, engineers and technology companies. Mayo Clinic is challenging that notion by teaching innovation as a practical skill that healthcare professionals can learn, apply and use to improve patient care.  

Through its growing Biodesign educational initiatives, Mayo Clinic College of Medicine and Science is training clinicians, trainees and students to identify unmet needs in healthcare and develop solutions using a structured, evidence-based methodology.  

"When people hear the word innovation, it's kind of confusing. It's a fun word to use, but it's nebulous," says Aman Verma, D.O., a hospitalist and innovation educator at Mayo Clinic. "My passion is showing clinicians that innovation can be taught."  

As an established framework, Biodesign follows three phases — identify, invent and implement — guiding participants from recognizing challenges in healthcare delivery to developing and implementing solutions.  

"Biodesign is a framework. It's a validated, repeatable process. Biodesign is transforming innovation from an abstract concept into a teachable skill, one that Mayo clinicians, trainees and staff can learn and apply in their daily work," Dr. Verma says.  

Mayo Clinic's approach focuses on embedding innovation training directly into healthcare education. Leaders believe clinicians are uniquely positioned to recognize opportunities for improvement because they experience healthcare challenges firsthand.  

Recent educational offerings have included multidisciplinary workshops bringing together physicians, trainees, nurses and other health professionals to solve real-world healthcare problems.  

Participants report that the training helps make innovation more accessible and actionable.  

"Prior to the course, Biodesign innovation felt somewhat abstract and intimidating, but this workshop made it accessible and energizing," says Viet Do, D.O., a Mayo Clinic hospitalist and recent participant in Mayo's Biodesign workshop. “I now feel empowered to evaluate my clinical environment through a lens of innovation and improvement, and more confident in pursuing new ideas. It has also ignited my interest in innovation and entrepreneurship."  

Dr. Do plans to incorporate innovation education as a core part of a proposed hospital medicine fellowship program.  

Mayo Clinic is also expanding innovation education through graduate medical education programs, undergraduate medical education opportunities and a master's degree program developed in collaboration with Arizona State University focused on innovations in medical and patient care technologies, or IMPACT.  

That program, with a foundation in biomedical engineering, combines academic training with extensive clinical immersion, allowing students to observe patient care environments, identify unmet needs and develop healthcare solutions.  

"Clinicians aren't just the best people to drive innovation in medicine — they're the ones who see the problems every single day," says Pankaj Pasricha, M.B.B.S., M.D. Dr. Pasricha is a pioneer in Biodesign education, chair of the Department of Internal Medicine at Mayo Clinic in Arizona, and co-developer of the IMPACT program. "We don't have to imagine where healthcare falls short. We see it, we feel it, and now we can fix it." 

By teaching innovation as a repeatable skill rather than an innate talent, Mayo Clinic aims to create a new generation of healthcare professionals equipped to improve patient care, advance medical practice and accelerate the development of healthcare solutions. 

Another Biodesign workshop is scheduled for Mayo clinicians and learners in Phoenix on Nov. 5–6. While current efforts are centered in Arizona, Mayo Clinic leaders envision broader expansion of the Biodesign framework across the organization.  

"Education powers the engine of innovation," says Devyani Lal, M.D., dean of Education at Mayo Clinic in Arizona. "With support from our executive leaders, we are building an ecosystem of programs and platforms that give clinicians, trainees, and teams the skills, structure, and support to transform unmet patient needs into meaningful solutions."  

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As national attention continues to focus on the urgent need for advances in brain tumor care, Mayo Clinic is preparing the next generation of physicians and scientists to change the future of treatment and research. Across Mayo’s campuses, residents, medical students and research trainees are working alongside internationally recognized experts to tackle some of the toughest questions in neuro-oncology, from understanding how tumors grow to developing more precise and personalized therapies.

In Mayo Clinic’s uniquely collaborative environment, discoveries in the lab are closely connected to the needs of patients and families facing brain tumors today. For these emerging doctors and scientists, the mission is deeply personal: improve outcomes, expand treatment options and bring new hope to patients confronting life-altering diagnoses. Hear from several emerging doctors and scientists who are helping shape the future of brain tumor care.

Panos Kerezoudis, M.D.

Neurosurgery resident, Mayo Clinic School of Graduate Medical Education, Mayo Clinic in Minnesota

My interest in brain tumors developed organically during my neurosurgical training, where these cases consistently present some of the most demanding challenges we face as surgeons. Mayo Clinic has been an exceptional place to train because the volume and complexity of cases here are matched by a genuine culture of academic rigor. As residents, we are expected to ask hard questions about the care we deliver and pursue the evidence to answer them.

The case that has shaped me most during residency involved a pregnant woman in her third trimester who presented with rapidly progressive vision loss from a large tumor above the pituitary gland that was compressing her optic nerves. The urgency was real — delay risked that she would have permanent blindness — yet every decision carried risk for both mother and unborn child. Being part of the multidisciplinary team that planned and performed her surgery, and then seeing her recover near-complete vision and later deliver a healthy baby, reinforced for me that neurosurgical outcomes are never just about the operation itself. They are the product of coordinated planning, careful decision-making and the infrastructure that surrounds the surgeon.

That experience has pushed me to include clinical outcomes research in my training — studying not just whether surgery works, but how we organize and deliver care around it. For brain tumor patients, that means asking questions like: Which surgical approaches lead to fewer complications? Which patients are most likely to benefit from early intervention? And how do we build care systems that give every patient the safest possible experience?

Evelyn Turcotte

Medical student, Mayo Clinic Alix School of Medicine, Mayo Clinic in Arizona

I'm pursuing an M.D. degree through Mayo Clinic Alix School of Medicine and a master's degree through Mayo Clinic Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, a combination that has positioned me to pursue my long-term goals of becoming both a neurosurgeon and translational researcher. Throughout medical school, my interests have evolved from neuro-oncology to include a broader focus on how technology such as artificial intelligence and robotics can impact neurosurgical care. Under the mentorship of Bernard Bendok, M.D., in the Precision Neurotherapeutics Lab, I have had the opportunity to explore emerging robotic technologies aimed at expanding access to specialized neurosurgical treatment.

Our research team is exploring how robotic systems could eventually allow expert neurosurgeons to perform or assist with certain procedures — such as removing a brain tumor or addressing a stroke — from a remote site. While these technologies are still in early stages of development, the broader vision is to create tools that can improve precision and ultimately help deliver advanced care to more patients regardless of geographic location. What excites me most about this work is the idea that innovation should not only advance what is technically possible but also broaden who can benefit from those advances as the technologies reach underserved or rural areas. As I prepare for neurosurgery residency, my hope is to contribute to the development and clinical translation of technologies that improve neurosurgical outcomes, increase access to expert care and offer patients and families greater hope during some of the most difficult moments of their lives.

Marissa Russo, Ph.D.

Recent graduate student, Mayo Clinic Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences; postdoctoral fellow in Neurosurgery, Mayo Clinic in Florida

I've always been interested in the brain and cancer biology. When I was applying to graduate school, I wanted to find a program where I could conduct translational research — making discoveries that can be applied to patient care. This year I completed my Ph.D. in neuroscience and have begun a postdoctoral research fellowship at Mayo Clinic. My research with mentor Hugo Guerrero Cazares, M.D., Ph.D., has focused on understanding glioblastomas, which are among the most aggressive and lethal brain tumors. Our goal is to understand the biological factors that make these tumors so dire.

My studies have focused on small particles, known as extracellular vesicles, that are released by glioblastoma cells and contain molecules generated by the tumor. The molecules that are transported help the tumor "communicate" with the surrounding area in the brain. My research identified extracellular vesicle proteins that influence cell processes such as proliferation and migration, making the microenvironment more favorable for the tumor to grow. My wish is that studies like these will bring new hope. As we identify new pathways, we can then target them with new therapeutic strategies, ultimately making a difference in patients' lives.

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Mayo Clinic celebrated the graduation of 19 physicians and scientists at its Jacksonville, Florida, campus, recognizing the achievements of students from Mayo Clinic Alix School of Medicine and Mayo Clinic Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences.

The ceremony reflects the continued growth of the Florida campus and its role in preparing future leaders in medicine and science. Medical student graduates in Florida follow a distinctive training pathway, completing foundational coursework in Arizona or Minnesota before finishing their clinical education in Jacksonville.

The 19 Florida medical and graduate school graduates join 164 classmates graduating across Mayo Clinic campuses in Rochester and Arizona this spring, forming a national cohort of physicians and scientists who will advance to residencies and research roles at Mayo Clinic and institutions nationwide. Together, they will contribute to patient care, scientific discovery and the evolving needs of healthcare.

Student speakers emphasized the importance of purpose, growth and responsibility as graduates move into the next phase of their training and careers.

Graduating medical student Ryan May reflected on the shared experience of growth and the commitment ahead.

"We are each graduating as beautifully distinct works in progress, headed to further hone our craft and continue carving our respective paths," he said. "What I do hope we share is a commitment to showing up fully — for our patients, for each other and for ourselves."

Graduating Ph.D. student Jaida Lue spoke to the personal transformation that defines scientific training.

"Your degree is as much about who you are becoming as it is about academic achievement," she said. "It forces you to decide who you are when no benchmark exists, and no one is keeping score. It asks you to set your own standard in the absence of a clear one. To believe in work that has not yet produced results. To defend ideas you built from nothing in front of people who have spent their lives in that exact space. To find motivation from within when external validation is scarce."

Abba Zubair, M.D., Ph.D., vice dean of the medical school in Florida, encouraged graduates to carry forward the Mayo Clinic mission.

"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."

Class of 2026

The ceremony reflects Mayo Clinic's integrated approach to education, research and clinical practice, preparing graduates to lead with purpose in a rapidly evolving healthcare landscape.

Commencement recordings

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

Please use the courtesy "Mayo Clinic."

About Mayo Clinic Alix School of Medicine 
Mayo Clinic Alix School of Medicine is preparing the next generation of physician leaders through excellence in education and a deep commitment to patient-centered care. As part of the integrated Mayo Clinic enterprise, the school delivers a learner-centered curriculum grounded in strong scientific foundations, ethical practice and real-world clinical experience. Small class sizes, a 3:1 faculty-to-student ratio, and a national multi-campus model foster close mentorship with world-renowned physicians and scientists. Graduates are equipped to deliver high-value, evidence-based care while leading improvements in compassionate healthcare delivery and scientific discovery.

About Mayo Clinic Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences
Mayo Clinic Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences (MCGSBS) is revolutionizing healthcare by catalyzing multidisciplinary science and preparing the next generation of leaders in biomedical research. Embedded within Mayo Clinic's integrated model of research and patient care, the school delivers innovative, individualized and technologically advanced training that advances discovery and improves lives worldwide. Across its campuses in Minnesota, Florida and Arizona, students work alongside internationally recognized mentors to translate scientific breakthroughs into meaningful impact.

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 Where journeys converge: Mayo Clinic celebrates commencement in Florida appeared first on Mayo Clinic News Network.

Mayo Clinic Alix School of Medicine and Mayo Clinic Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences celebrated the graduation of 48 students in Phoenix, Arizona, on May 15, marking the beginning of their next chapter as physicians and scientists.

This is the first graduating class from Mayo Clinic Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences in Arizona. Six students earned their Ph.D. 

These Arizona students join more than 135 of their fellow students in Florida and Minnesota who are graduating throughout May.

The ceremony highlighted not only academic achievement, but the responsibility graduates carry to uphold core values and invest in others.

"In these moments, I urge you to return to the values that have anchored your training here — Respect, Integrity, Compassion, Healing, Teamwork, Innovation, Excellence and Stewardship," said Jewel Kling, M.D., Suzanne Hanson Poole Dean, Mayo Clinic Alix School of Medicine —Arizona Campus, referencing the set of Mayo values referred to as "RICH TIES." "These are not just aspirational words — they are lived commitments."

Graduates will continue their training in residencies and research roles across Mayo Clinic and the nation, where they will care for patients and help shape the future of medicine.

The student speakers at commencement reflected on the personal and professional growth during their time in the programs ­—and the responsibility ahead.

Arizona medical student speaker Stephanie Hernandez, M.D., said that an attribute of this class is shared joy and its hallmark is mutual respect. "What I am most proud of is to be part of a class that is not only intelligent, ambitious, perseverant but that we cared for each other. Our class built a community on the knowledge that each one of us belonged here, had something to contribute and were cared for."

One of the first class of Arizona Ph.D. graduates, Natalie Elliot, Ph.D., said, "Today as we step forward as scientists, scholars and leaders, may we carry with us humility, collaboration and a sense of wonder. May we continue to ask bold questions, support one another generously and build lives that are as meaningful as the work we do."

Leigh Griffiths, Ph.D., MRCVS, Dean of Mayo Clinic Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, emphasized that leadership in medicine includes lifting others along the way.

"Aim to nurture others' advancement and be known for those efforts just as much as your own work," he said. "Your impact will be defined not only by what you achieve, but by who you help along the way."

The keynote speaker was Fredric Meyer, M.D., former Waugh Executive Dean of Education at Mayo Clinic and an alumnus of the Mayo Clinic School of Graduate Medical Education. Meyer told graduates to stay true to their values throughout their career.

"All of you who have been trained at Mayo Clinic know our primary value: the needs of the patient come first," he said. "I would also add humility as a key value. Humility as a core value will help you steer your ship straight even during the most difficult times."

Graduates leave prepared to advance medicine and science while fostering a culture grounded in mentorship, values and shared success.

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 preparing the next generation of physician leaders through excellence in education and a deep commitment to patient-centered care. As part of the integrated Mayo Clinic enterprise, the school delivers a learner-centered curriculum grounded in strong scientific foundations, ethical practice and real-world clinical experience. Small class sizes, a 3:1 faculty-to-student ratio, and a national multi-campus model foster close mentorship with world-renowned physicians and scientists. Graduates are equipped to deliver high-value, evidence-based care while leading improvements in compassionate healthcare delivery and scientific discovery.

About Mayo Clinic Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences
Mayo Clinic Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences (MCGSBS) is revolutionizing healthcare by catalyzing multidisciplinary science and preparing the next generation of leaders in biomedical research. Embedded within Mayo Clinic's integrated model of research and patient care, the school delivers innovative, individualized and technologically advanced training that advances discovery and improves lives worldwide. Across its campuses in Minnesota, Florida and Arizona, students work alongside internationally recognized mentors to translate scientific breakthroughs into meaningful impact.

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 Advancing medicine and science through values and mentorship: Mayo Clinic celebrates commencement in Arizona appeared first on Mayo Clinic News Network.

Mayo Clinic honored the achievements of its newest physicians and scientists from the Class of 2026 during a combined commencement ceremony held Saturday, May 9, in Rochester, Minnesota. Degrees were conferred by Mayo Clinic Alix School of Medicine and Mayo Clinic Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences.

At the Rochester ceremony, 46 new physicians joined the Mayo Clinic alumni community, 34 biomedical scientists received doctoral degrees, and six students earned dual M.D.-Ph.D. degrees through the Medical Scientist Training Program. In addition, 29 students received master's degrees.

These graduates join 48 Mayo Clinic Alix School of Medicine students in Arizona and Florida who will graduate next week, along with 14 additional biomedical scientists. The Class of 2026 will move on to residencies and professional roles at Mayo Clinic and across the country, helping strengthen the healthcare workforce and advancing innovation in science and medicine.

Dr. Fredric Meyer, former Waugh Executive Dean of Education, was the keynote speaker. Dr. Meyer is the distinguished Alfred Uihlein Family Professor of Neurologic Surgery, former enterprise chair of Neurological Surgery, and executive director emeritus of the American Board of Neurological Surgery. He is an alum of the Mayo Clinic School of Graduate Medical Education. 

Dr. Meyer encouraged graduates to work hard and take advantage of opportunities presented. 

"Careers rarely unfold in straight lines. The things that seem irrelevant at one stage of life may prove decisive later, so pursue excellence. Trust your instincts," said Dr. Meyer. "It is critical to be humble. What matters is that you work hard, communicate clearly, build trust, treat patients and colleagues with kindness, and learn from those around you."

The commencement ceremony featured a student speaker from each school. Dr. Skip Harvey, the student speaker from Mayo Clinic Alix School of Medicine and a soon-to-be pediatric resident, reflected on achievement and gratitude.

"Words cannot contain how much I owe you (Class of 2026) for shaping me as a human, peer and physician," said Dr. Harvey. "And I want you to be able to see you and your greatness through my eyes. Each of you has inspired me as I've watched you over the last four years. I am better for having known each and every one of you." 

Class of 2026

Dr. Megan Ritting, the student speaker from Mayo Clinic Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, spoke to the power of persistence and perspective.

"Each of us arrived here on a different path — different backgrounds, different disciplines, different stories of how we got to this stage today. But while those journeys may look very different, they share something important in common. Every one of us has proven that we can persist through things we didn't know we were capable of," said Dr. Ritting. "Here, science is not separate from impact —it's deeply connected to it. It represents perseverance in the face of uncertainty, curiosity that refused to fade, and proof — to ourselves more than anyone else — that we can do hard things."

Dr. Nneka Comfere, the new Waugh Executive Dean of Education, encouraged graduates to embrace the challenges ahead with confidence and purpose. 

"Graduates, your ability to become an extraordinary physician or scientist is not defined by a location, a title or a reputation. It is defined by your habits, your character and your unwavering commitment to your patients," she said. "What comes next will challenge you, but it will also shape you. We look forward to the discoveries you will make, the innovations you will lead, and the difference you will create. Your journey is just beginning, and we are proud to call you Mayo Clinic alumni."

Commencement recordings and livestreams

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

Please courtesy: "Mayo Clinic"

About Mayo Clinic Alix School of Medicine
Mayo Clinic Alix School of Medicine is preparing the next generation of physician leaders through excellence in education and a deep commitment to patient-centered care. As part of the integrated Mayo Clinic enterprise, the school delivers a learner-centered curriculum grounded in strong scientific foundations, ethical practice and real-world clinical experience. Small class sizes, a 3:1 faculty-to-student ratio, and a national multi-campus model foster close mentorship with world-renowned physicians and scientists. Graduates are equipped to deliver high-value, evidence-based care while leading improvements in compassionate healthcare delivery and scientific discovery.

About Mayo Clinic Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences
Mayo Clinic Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences (MCGSBS) is revolutionizing healthcare by catalyzing multidisciplinary science and preparing the next generation of leaders in biomedical research. Embedded within Mayo Clinic's integrated model of research and patient care, the school delivers innovative, individualized and technologically advanced training that advances discovery and improves lives worldwide. Across its campuses in Minnesota, Florida and Arizona, students work alongside internationally recognized mentors to translate scientific breakthroughs into meaningful impact. MCGSBS is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission as an independent Ph.D. and M.S. degree-granting institution.

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 A milestone moment: Mayo Clinic celebrates new physicians and scientists in Rochester  appeared first on Mayo Clinic News Network.

From the moment David Sanborn, M.D., arrived at Mayo Clinic as a resident in 2018, he envisioned a career built around caring for the whole patient. What he did not anticipate was how fully Mayo's education programs, mentorship culture and research capabilities would shape his training — and launch his career as a clinician‑scientist in lung transplantation.

Dr. Sanborn completed all of his graduate medical training at Mayo Clinic School of Graduate Medical Education, including internal medicine residency, a chief resident year, pulmonary and critical care fellowship, and a highly specialized transplant‑focused fellowship. Along the way, Mayo's educational flexibility allowed him to explore his interests before narrowing his focus.

"I wanted deeper expertise," he says, "but I never wanted to give up taking care of the whole patient."

That philosophy ultimately drew him to lung transplantation, where he could care for patients over many years, not just during moments of crisis, and see how treatment decisions shaped their quality of life. The specialty offered what he was seeking from the beginning: ongoing relationships with patients and families, complex medicine, and the chance to help people reclaim milestones they once thought were out of reach.

Training future colleagues to advance the science of transplantation

Dr. Sanborn's training coincided with a period of rapid program growth. Over the past several years, the number of lung transplants performed at Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota, has increased, highlighting a national shortage of physicians prepared to manage the complex, long-term needs of these patients. In response, Mayo launched the Advanced Lung Disease and Lung Transplant Fellowship in 2023.

"In planning for that growth, it became clear that we needed not only more staff, but better training pathways," says Cassie Kennedy, M.D., Dr. Sanborn's research mentor and medical director of Lung Transplantation at Mayo Clinic in Rochester. "There are very few programs in the U.S. preparing physicians to care for lung transplant patients at this level. One of our goals was to train future colleagues who excel clinically, are committed educators, and are motivated to advance the science of transplantation. Dr. Sanborn is a clear example of that vision in practice."

A defining feature of his fellowship was protected research time and faculty mentorship. Supported by Dr. Kennedy and fellowship director  Kelly Pennington, M.D., a Mayo Clinic transplant pulmonologist and critical care specialist, Dr. Sanborn devoted a full year of research to studying chronic lung transplant rejection, an area that historically lacked predictive tools.

His work adapts Mayo‑developed CALIPER imaging technology and applies machine‑learning approaches to identify early, noninvasive changes associated with rejection.

"Dr. Sanborn brings a level of curiosity and drive that elevates the entire team," says Dr. Pennington. "He consistently turns clinical questions into meaningful research. His success reflects both his dedication and an environment that encourages innovation and mentorship."

As the project expanded, Dr. Sanborn recognized the need for formal research training. "I knew I needed stronger grounding in statistics and study design if I wanted to do this well," he says.

With faculty advocacy, Mayo provided fully funded tuition and protected time for him to pursue a master's degree in clinical and translational science through Mayo Clinic Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences during his fellowship. The program connected him with statisticians, ethicists and clinical trial experts who became long-term collaborators. He will complete the degree in June, the same month he finishes his fellowship.

Helping trainees build meaningful careers

Mentorship remains central to Dr. Sanborn's work. A former chief resident, he actively mentors residents and fellows and recently began mentoring a Mayo Clinic Alix School of Medicine student developing a transplant‑related research project. He sees teaching as essential to sustaining academic medicine and helping trainees build meaningful careers.

That pipeline extends to MCASOM students at all three campuses (Rochester, Arizona and Florida) through elective transplant rotations, which immerse learners in the full transplant journey. Students observe liver, kidney and pancreas transplant surgeries, participate in organ recovery, join transplant rounds, and engage in post‑transplant inpatient care. They also attend transplant selection and education conferences, gaining insight from evaluation through recovery.  

In July, Dr. Sanborn will join the Mayo Clinic staff as a transplant pulmonologist, continuing both his clinical work and research with dedicated time.

"Mayo didn't just train me," he says. "They invested in what I wanted my career to look like, and now I get to stay, care for patients and help move the field forward. That means everything to me."

The post Shaped by curiosity, supported by Education: How Mayo Clinic propelled Dr. David Sanborn’s career in transplant medicine appeared first on Mayo Clinic News Network.

John Zajac, a certified golf physical therapist at Mayo Clinic Sports Medicine, demonstrates the best pre-golf dynamic warmup stretches. 

Watch: The Mayo Clinic Minute

Journalists: Broadcast-quality video (1:04) is in the downloads at the end of this post. Please courtesy: "Mayo Clinic News Network." Read the script.

Mayo Clinic doesn’t just advise golfers on stretches and strength. For 25 years, it has served as the official medical sponsor of the WM Phoenix Open, providing on-site care for athletes, event staff and spectators. Supporting one of the world’s largest golf events, from heat-related illness to musculoskeletal injuries, reflects deep expertise in both prevention and knowing when specialized care is needed. 

The golf swing requires coordinated rotation through the hips and upper back. When those areas are stiff, the lower spine often compensates, increasing strain and risk of injury. Spend 5-10 minutes warming up before each round. It helps improve performance and protects your joints. 

These golf warmup stretches help you stay healthy and out of the orthopedics office. See you on the green. 

Related posts:

• Mayo Clinic Minute: 4 physical therapist-recommended golf exercises
• Mayo Clinic Minute: Are the yips just nerves or something more?
• Mayo Clinic Q and A: Golf-related wrist pain and injuries

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Mayo Clinic Alix School of Medicine has again been recognized by U.S. News & World Report as a top-rated national medical school. The publication released its latest "Best Graduate Schools" rankings today, placing Mayo Clinic in Tier 1, the highest tier, and highlighting the school's strength in medical research and its distinctive approach to physician education. 

The U.S. News methodology categorizes medical schools into four tiers based on a range of academic and institutional measures. The top-tier recognition reflects the collective dedication of the school's faculty, staff and students — and affirms Mayo Clinic Alix School of Medicine as a Category-of-One model for medical education. 

"This distinction reflects more than academic excellence. It reflects Mayo Clinic's development of physician-leaders," says Nneka I. Comfere, M.D., Waugh Executive Dean of Education at Mayo Clinic and dean of Mayo Clinic Alix School of Medicine. "Within Mayo Clinic's integrated practice, a focus on teamwork and patient-centric outcomes shapes every aspect of student development. We are intentionally cultivating physician-leaders who will lead with integrity, adapt to a changing healthcare landscape and drive innovation that improves lives."

Dr. Comfere also credits the faculty and staff for their dedication and purpose. "Our faculty and staff are the foundation of our success. It is their daily commitment to excellence — in the classroom, in the lab and across our clinical practice — that ensures we continue to educate physicians who uphold the highest standards of the Mayo Clinic Model of Care."

At Mayo Clinic Alix School of Medicine, education is deeply integrated with research and clinical practice, an approach that distinguishes the school nationally. Students are immersed in an environment where scientific discovery and innovation are closely connected to patient care, preparing them to think critically, contribute to advances in medicine and lead in a rapidly evolving healthcare environment.

"This recognition exemplifies how our strength lies in the integration of education, research and clinical practice," says John Poe, chair, Education Administration. "Students are immersed in a culture of teamwork and collaboration with access to world-class mentors, along with opportunities to engage in research and innovation that directly shape the future of patient care."

As part of an integrated academic medical center with a multi-campus model across Minnesota, Arizona and Florida, the school provides a unified curriculum and shared culture while offering students exposure to diverse patient populations and care settings. 

National ratings are just one of many measures of quality and value for prospective students. Mayo Clinic Alix School of Medicine shares quality and value data, including Quick Facts, so prospective students can evaluate what distinguishes the school from other leading medical schools.

The 2026 ratings are based on selected school data submitted to U.S. News & World Report as well as third-party verifications.

About Mayo Clinic Alix School of Medicine

Mayo Clinic Alix School of Medicine is preparing the next generation of physician leaders through excellence in education and a deep commitment to patient-centered care. As part of the integrated Mayo Clinic enterprise, the school delivers a learner-centered curriculum grounded in strong scientific foundations, ethical practice and real-world clinical experience. Small class sizes, a 3:1 faculty-to-student ratio and a national multi-campus model foster close mentorship with world-renowned physicians and scientists. Graduates are equipped to deliver high-value, evidence-based care while leading improvements in compassionate healthcare delivery and scientific discovery.

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. 

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Innovation in healthcare begins with curiosity — and with caregivers who are trained to ask better questions. At Mayo Clinic School of Graduate Medical Education (MCSGME), the Clinical Innovation and Entrepreneurship (CIE) Academy helps residents and fellows build an entrepreneurial mindset by integrating hands‑on innovation, collaboration and problem‑solving directly into their training.

That spirit was on full display during Platform Experience Day on Dec. 18, where trainees explored real‑world scenarios on Mayo Clinic Platform to see how de‑identified, large‑scale data can inform clinical decisions, accelerate research and spark innovation in everyday practice.Experiences like this — hallmarks of the CIE program — foster leadership skills in trainees, accelerating their ability to affect meaningful change in the practice. 

Watch to learn more about how MCSGME is leveraging today's data‑driven, technology‑enabled learning environment for its trainees. 

Hands-on exploration meets real-world questions

During the immersive experience, trainees rotated through case studies and brainstorming exercises, then tested their own questions on the Platform. They learned to define cohorts, explore associations, check feasibility and examine population‑level outcomes such as hospitalizations and emergency department visits. These kinds of early indicators emerge when exploring data through Mayo Clinic Platform, one of the largest sets of de-identified healthcare data in the world.

One team explored how often patients completed their pre‑appointment lab work before seeing an endocrinologist. Using Platform, they quickly created "case" and "control" groups based on whether labs were completed before or after the visit. From there, they could easily compare the number of consults in each group, see who referred patients and understand why patients were being sent to Endocrinology in the first place. The process showed how helpful Platform can be for answering practical clinical questions without the burden of manual chart review.

"Participating in this experience significantly reinforced my belief that digital health and data-driven medicine are not simply future concepts, but essential components of modern clinical care," says Leticia Sandoval, M.D., a participant in the CIE Academy. "It highlighted how much high-quality data we already generate — across labs, imaging, genomics and clinical documentation — and how transformative it can be when those data are meaningfully integrated rather than siloed."

Creating superusers who accelerate progress

Residents and fellows who participated in Platform Experience Day are becoming "superusers" who can serve as go‑to resources in their departments. CIE created guidance for GME leaders on how Platform-trained learners can support innovation within their departments, leveraging the trainees' new expertise when program directors may not have had the time to dive into the Platform as much as the trainees did.

"If trainees know the pathway and have baseline experience, they can jump two or three steps ahead," says Rena Hale, Ph.D., director of the Clinical Innovation and Entrepreneurship program. "They're not stuck asking, 'What is this? 'They're already applying it to real problems."

During the event, trainees used the basic version of Mayo Clinic Platform to explore their own questions and get a sense of what the tool can reveal. They gained a clear understanding of how to incorporate the Platform into future work, and they also learned that the full version can provide deeper insights with the right guidance.

"Going into the session, I had only a general sense of what the Platform could do," says Evan Wilder, M.D., a fourth‑year gastroenterology fellow at Mayo Clinic in Arizona and a trainee in the CIE Academy. "Getting to use it firsthand showed me how powerful it is for looking at large groups of patients and spotting patterns you wouldn't see otherwise."

Building confidence that benefits the institution

As more residents and fellows show interest in hands‑on innovation, Mayo Clinic continues to expand opportunities like these across the organization. The ongoing partnership between MCSGME and Mayo Clinic Platform will create even more ways for trainees to explore real‑world questions and build skills that shape their future careers 

CIE is also a part of a growing MCSGME initiative to build additional long-term experiences designed to help trainees shape and differentiate their careers. Similar to CIE, these academies — such as the Clinician Educator Academy and the Resident Leadership Academy — offer structured, yearlong experiences that support professional growth and open doors to new paths within the practice 

Ultimately, says Dr. Hale, Platform Experience Day is about confidence. It equips learners to ask better questions, choose the right tools and move with purpose. "No one walks out a master," she says, "but they do leave with knowledge, experience and the ability to act. That speed and clarity are difference makers for our trainees and for Mayo Clinic."

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