ROCHESTER, Minn. — As the new year begins, people around the world resolve to improve their health. For some adults living with obesity, lifestyle changes alone may not be enough to treat the disease.

Watch: Dr. Omar Ghanem discusses treatment options for obesity

Journalists: Broadcast-quality sound bites are available in the downloads at the end of the post. Please courtesy: "Mayo Clinic News Network." Name super/CG: Omar Ghanem, M.D./ Endocrine and Metabolic Surgery /Mayo Clinic.

Omar Ghanem, M.D., Mayo Clinic medical director for the Middle East and a metabolic surgeon and chair of metabolic and abdominal wall reconstructive surgery at Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota, says people should care for their health throughout the year. Yet, the start of a new year is a meaningful time for some people to reassess their health and learn about all available treatment options for obesity.

"Obesity is a complex disease, not a personal failure," Dr. Ghanem says. "Many people try diets, exercise programs and medications, but still struggle because obesity has many causes — psychological, metabolic, behavioral and genetic. Because it is a complex disease, it requires a comprehensive treatment. Metabolic surgery helps treat obesity in ways other treatments cannot."

Addressing obesity stigma

Despite its rising prevalence, obesity is often misunderstood. Many people living with obesity encounter stigma — including the false assumptions that weight is simply a matter of willpower or personal responsibility. Research shows that obesity is a chronic disease influenced by multiple factors outside an individual's control, and stigma can prevent people from seeking appropriate treatment. 

Research published in The Lancet's eClinicalMedicine reports that weight stigma leads to avoidance of healthcare, delays in seeking medical care and reduced trust in providers — all of which can interfere with receiving appropriate, evidence-based treatment.

Metabolic surgery offers lifesaving benefits for patients with obesity

According to studies, metabolic surgery is an effective and durable therapy for severe obesity. Metabolic surgery typically results in 25%–30% total body weight loss that often is sustained for many years. Metabolic surgery supports weight loss, and it also can improve conditions associated with obesity, such as diabetes, sleep apnea, high blood pressure and high cholesterol.

"For many patients, surgery is the turning point that allows them to get their health back," Dr. Ghanem says. "Some patients no longer need diabetes or blood pressure medications immediately after surgery. It can be life-changing."

Beyond weight loss: Surgery can open doors to other lifesaving care

At Mayo Clinic, Dr. Ghanem and colleagues regularly treat patients with complex medical needs who require weight loss before they can safely undergo another operation, such as a heart or kidney transplant, joint replacement, or hernia repair.

"These are highly coordinated cases involving cardiologists, endocrinologists, anesthesiologists and transplant specialists," he says. "Multidisciplinary care allows patients to access treatments they were previously told were impossible."

Mayo Clinic also specializes in corrective bariatric surgeries for complications from procedures performed elsewhere, including hernias, ulcers, fistulas, malnutrition or weight regain.

A new era in obesity treatment

Dr. Ghanem says obesity treatment continues to evolve. A promising approach is the integration of anti-obesity medications with surgery.

"Combining medical and surgical therapies has tremendous potential — similar to how medications and surgery work together in cancer treatment," he says.

Mayo Clinic research has demonstrated that bariatric surgery provides long-term metabolic benefits, may reduce cancer risk and can even be performed at the same time as a liver transplant in select patients — improving long-term survival.

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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:

• Caroline Auger, Mayo Clinic Communications, newsbureau@mayo.edu

The post New year, new focus on health: Mayo Clinic expert highlights effective treatment options for obesity appeared first on Mayo Clinic News Network.

RIYADH, Saudi Arabia and ROCHESTER, Minn. — Saudi German Health (SGH), a leading healthcare provider and pioneer in advancing medical excellence across the region, is expanding its relationship with Mayo Clinic. This milestone cements SGH as the largest group of Mayo Clinic Care Network members in the region, bringing world-class expertise and innovation closer to patients across the Kingdom and beyond.

SGH will integrate Mayo Clinic's clinical knowledge and resources to enhance patient outcomes, elevate quality of care and accelerate innovation. This week, SGH hospitals in Ajman, UAE, and Cairo, joined the Mayo Clinic Care Network. Over the next three years, five additional SGH hospitals across Saudi Arabia and the UAE will join the network, creating an unprecedented ecosystem of shared expertise.

The announcement was made at a landmark internal event in Riyadh, home of the first Saudi German hospital to join the Mayo Clinic Care Network.  The event brought together SGH leadership, physicians, key stakeholders and media, reflecting the shared commitment to transforming healthcare delivery in alignment with Saudi Vision 2030.

"This is more than working together, it is a promise," says Makarem Sobhi Al-Batterjee, vice chairman of Saudi German Health. "By working side by side with Mayo Clinic, we are combining our strengths to create a future where exceptional healthcare is accessible to all. Together, we are ensuring that every patient receives the highest standard of care, right here at home. This is a direct reflection of the SGH promise of Caring Like Family."

The strengthened relationship currently includes facilities in Jeddah, Dammam and Ajman, with Riyadh and Cairo being previous members.

"Our relationship with Saudi German Health reflects a deep commitment to advancing care through knowledge sharing and clinical transformation," says Dr. Eric Moore, medical director, Mayo Clinic International, and chair of head and neck surgery at Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota. "Together, we are elevating healthcare standards and delivering meaningful value for patients and communities throughout the Middle East." 

A key focus of the next phase is the introduction of specialty-based clinical transformation programs, beginning with cardiovascular care, a critical priority for the region's healthcare landscape.

Mayo Clinic experts will conduct comprehensive annual evaluations at SGH's designated hub hospitals, codeveloping clinical transformation roadmaps. The purpose is to improve quality of care and patient safety, enhance operational efficiency and service delivery, and build leadership capabilities and specialized expertise.

The knowledge exchange from the transformation roadmaps will be shared across SGH hospitals that are part of the network, ensuring consistent world-class standards for all patients.

SGH and Mayo Clinic's relationship reflects a simple but powerful idea: when global expertise and local passion unite, extraordinary healthcare becomes possible.

"`Working Together. Working for You.' is not just our theme, it's our commitment," adds Al-Batterjee. "Through this relationship, we are bringing Mayo Clinic's world-class practices to our communities, building trust and transforming lives. Ultimately, this relationship is about people, our patients, our teams and the families we care for every single day."

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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:

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

The post Saudi German Health strengthens relationship with Mayo Clinic, becoming largest group of Mayo Clinic Care Network members in the region appeared first on Mayo Clinic News Network.

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates — Mayo Clinic is marking the five-year anniversary of its office in Dubai, opened to assist patients and their families, Mayo Clinic Laboratories clients, healthcare payers, referring physicians, and others interested in connecting with Mayo. 

The office recently moved to a new location in Dubai Healthcare City.

For patients who may have a serious or complex disease, the office staff, fluent in Arabic and English, helps make appointments at Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota; Phoenix and Scottsdale, Arizona; Jacksonville, Florida; and Mayo Clinic Healthcare in London.

"We are pleased to commemorate the five-year anniversary of Mayo Clinic's office in Dubai, which is one of many important ways that we engage with people in the Emirates and surrounding countries," says Dr. Eric Moore, medical director, Mayo Clinic International, and chair of head and neck surgery at Mayo Clinic in Rochester. "Mayo Clinic serves as a trusted navigation point for the region's most challenging medical cases, providing cutting-edge expertise that complements local care. We strive to make communication as seamless as possible as part of our longstanding commitment to patients, healthcare providers and others seeking to collaborate with Mayo Clinic."

Patients and their families seeking Mayo Clinic appointments can reach out to the Dubai office for assistance with travel, lodging, billing and insurance arrangements; general orientation to Mayo Clinic; facilitation of Mayo review of medical records; and coordinating future appointments. These services are provided at no cost to patients. The office does not provide medical care.

The office staff may be reached by email at dubaioffice@mayo.edu or by phone at +971-55-526-8899. The office is located at Office 401, Al Jalila Foundation, Dubai Healthcare City.

Mayo Clinic has patient information offices throughout the world, including in India, Indonesia, Canada, China and several countries in Latin America.

Mayo Clinic accepts appointment requests directly from patients and patient referrals from physicians. Interpreters are available at no cost to assist with communication between healthcare providers and patients whose primary language is not English.

Mayo Clinic is ranked the best hospital in the world by Newsweek and is top ranked in more specialties than any other hospital in the U.S. by U.S. News & World Report. In 2024, Mayo cared for patients from every U.S. state and 135 countries.

The Dubai office also provides support for current and prospective Mayo Clinic Laboratories customers, healthcare providers and payers, and others reaching out to Mayo Clinic, including organizations interested in learning more about the Mayo Clinic Platform, Mayo Clinic Care Network membership and Mayo Clinic Global Consulting services.

"The Dubai office reflects our mission to put the needs of the patient first by providing timely access to Mayo Clinic Laboratories' expertise and resources in the region. It enables us to support clients in real time while serving as a trusted partner to healthcare organizations internationally," says Dr. William Morice II, president and CEO of Mayo Clinic Laboratories.

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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:

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

The post Mayo Clinic marks 5-year anniversary, new location for Dubai office, its first in the region appeared first on Mayo Clinic News Network.

ROCHESTER, Minn. — A new international study led by Mayo Clinic researchers has identified a genetic factor that may explain why some patients with colorectal cancer that has spread to the liver experience more severe liver damage after chemotherapy.

For patients with colorectal liver metastases, surgery offers the best chance of long-term survival. To improve outcomes, many patients receive chemotherapy before surgery. While this approach can shrink tumors to make them more operable, one potential side effect is injury to the liver. Until now, it hasn't been clear why certain patients' livers are more prone to chemotherapy-associated liver injury.

"This is the first study to clearly show that a genetic predisposition plays a significant role in how the liver tolerates chemotherapy," says Patrick Starlinger, M.D., Ph.D., a Mayo Clinic Comprehensive Cancer Center hepatobiliary and pancreas surgeon and senior author of the study published in The Lancet eBioMedicine.

In this study, the researchers reviewed 551 patients who had chemotherapy followed by surgery to remove the tumor. They looked at liver health tests to see how chemotherapy affected liver function and genetic markers that are already linked to liver disease in other settings. 

They found that a specific gene variant in the PNPLA3 gene, which is known to affect fat metabolism in the liver, was strongly linked to liver injury after chemotherapy. Patients with two copies of this variant were especially vulnerable, and all of them developed signs of significant liver injury after chemotherapy.

Genetic differences help explain global variation

According to Dr. Starlinger, the PNPLA3 variant is common worldwide, but its prevalence differs by population. For example, in Japan, the mutation is present in more than 41% of the population. It's found in more than 71% among people of Peruvian descent, but fewer than 10% of people in some European populations have it.

Because the genetic variation is more common in certain groups, such as people of Asian or Latin American descent, this may help explain why previous studies in different countries have reported conflicting results about the benefits of giving chemotherapy before and/or after surgery when treating colorectal liver metastases.

Personalizing care to maximize benefit, minimize risk

The findings suggest that a blood test to check for the PNPLA3 variant, along with monitoring liver health, could help doctors identify patients at higher risk for liver damage from chemotherapy.

"These findings offer us insight into how we can adjust treatment strategies to best manage the care for patients diagnosed with colorectal liver metastases, while potentially avoiding a negative side effect of chemotherapy," says Dr. Starlinger. "Chemotherapy may still be an appropriate treatment option, and with this information, we can personalize treatment for each patient — for example, tailoring chemotherapy or allowing more time for the liver to recover before surgery."

For a complete list of authors, disclosures and funding, review the study.

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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: 

• Chloe Corey, Mayo Clinic Communications, newsbureau@mayo.edu

The post New study links genetic variation to chemotherapy-related liver damage in patients with colorectal cancer liver metastases appeared first on Mayo Clinic News Network.

HAINAN, China and ROCHESTER, Minn. — Mayo Clinic and Leczcore Hainan Mellsser Hospital, a member of the Leczcore Group, have announced that the hospital is the newest member of the Mayo Clinic Care Network. This formal relationship marks an important step in Leczcore's mission to provide world-class, patient-centered care to communities in Hainan and the surrounding area.

Leczcore Hainan Mellsser Hospital is one of three hospitals operated by Leczcore Group, which also oversees wellness centers dedicated to postoperative recovery and chronic disease management. As a Mayo Clinic Care Network member, Leczcore Hainan Mellsser Hospital gains access to Mayo Clinic's extensive clinical knowledge and expertise to enhance care.

"Becoming a Mayo Clinic Care Network member is a realization of Leczcore Hainan Mellsser Hospital's concept of 'boundaryless medical care,'" says Leczcore President Liu Xiangli. "We have not only introduced advanced medical technology, but more importantly, we are incorporating the patient-first service values ​​of Mayo Clinic, allowing our members to enjoy world-class medical services without having to go abroad."

Through the Mayo Clinic Care Network, physicians at Leczcore Hainan Mellsser Hospital will have access to tools and services such as AskMayoExpert and eConsults, which enable Leczcore doctors to consult directly with Mayo Clinic specialists when needed. This connection supports Leczcore's strengths in oncology screening, executive health and chronic disease management, while opening new opportunities for:

• Enhancing clinical standards and operational processes.
• Advancing quality improvement and patient safety initiatives.
• Strengthening nursing leadership, capability and training.
• Expanding patient education and improving overall experience.
• Establishing a trusted care pathway for the most serious and complex cases through direct referrals to Mayo Clinic destination centers in Rochester, Minnesota; Phoenix and Scottsdale, Arizona; and Jacksonville, Florida.

"We are honored to welcome Leczcore Hainan Mellsser Hospital to the Mayo Clinic Care Network," says Eric Moore, M.D., medical director, Mayo Clinic International, and chair of Head and Neck Surgery at Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota. "Leczcore Hainan Mellsser Hospital's focus on advancing preventive care, recovery and chronic condition management aligns closely with our values. We look forward to working together to expand access to high-quality care and deliver meaningful outcomes for patients in Hainan and the surrounding area."

The Mayo Clinic Care Network includes carefully selected independent organizations worldwide that are committed to working together to improve the quality and value of healthcare. Members retain their independence while benefiting from Mayo Clinic's decades of experience and best practices.

Through membership in the Mayo Clinic Care Network physicians have access to Mayo Clinic clinical tools and services, including:

AskMayoExpert

• This point-of-care tool offers concise clinical information on hundreds of medical conditions and includes medical protocols, treatment recommendations and medical references. The database can be used wherever healthcare is provided.

eBoards

• These live, scheduled video conferences enable medical teams at member hospitals to review and discuss complex cases with a Mayo Clinic multidisciplinary panel and other doctors in the Mayo Clinic Care Network.

Healthcare Consulting

• Member hospitals have access to Mayo's extensive experience, knowledge and subspecialty expertise to attain clinical, operational and business goals.

Leczcore Hainan Mellsser Hospital and other members of the Mayo Clinic Care Network remain independent. Created in 2011, the Mayo Clinic Care Network has more than 45 member organizations across the U.S. and in Asia, Europe, Latin America and the Middle East.

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About Leczcore Hainan Mellsser Hospital
 
Hainan Mellsser Hospital is located in Lecheng, Hainan — the only national-level International Medical Tourism Pilot Zone approved by the State Council. It benefits from the exceptional timing advantage of the State Council's special Nine Policies for Lecheng, the geographic advantage of the Hainan Free Trade Port, and the "human synergy" advantage of bringing together world-class medical experts and elite management professionals.

The hospital features a diverse range of departments, including Health Screening & Imaging, International Medicine, Precision Medicine, Reproductive & Anti-aging Medicine, Customized Anti-aging Services, and Five-Dimensional Cardiac Wellness. With top-tier international medical services, highly precise diagnostic equipment and renowned global medical specialists, Hainan Mellsser Hospital is committed to delivering one-stop, high-quality healthcare services to members both domestically and internationally.

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 contacts:

• Qian Chen, Mellsser Hospital Branding, chenqian-83@163.com
• Elizabeth Baxter, Mayo Clinic Communications, newsbureau@mayo.edu

The post Leczcore Hainan Mellsser Hospital joins Mayo Clinic Care Network appeared first on Mayo Clinic News Network.

Cancer, stroke, bone loss among diseases and conditions studied in microgravity

JACKSONVILLE, Florida — Mayo Clinic physician and researcher Dr. Abba Zubair’s work combines two passions — medicine and space — for the benefit of astronauts and people on Earth. His research in space is yielding discoveries in cancer, stroke, bone loss and more. In this expert alert, Dr. Zubair answers five questions about his studies in microgravity.

What are you hoping to accomplish through your research?

"The goal is to harness the uniqueness of the space environment for the betterment of humanity, be it on Earth or in space," Dr. Zubair says."We wanted to take advantage of the environment at the International Space Station to study how it affects human physiology."

The absence of gravity and the impacts of radiation and vacuum are three fundamental aspects of the uniqueness of space, adds Dr. Zubair, who has sent three research projects to the International Space Station (ISS) since 2017, with more to come.

As a regenerative biotherapeutics specialist, Dr. Zubair's work focuses in part on adult stem cells — known as mesenchymal stem cells —and their use in future treatments for stroke. He noted that he uses stem cells in regenerative medicine and in supporting Mayo's bone marrow transplant program.

"I also know how challenging it is to grow them in the lab. One of the first fundamentals is to see how the absence of gravity influences how stem cells divide and the growth rate," Dr. Zubair explains. "We wanted to see whether cells grown in space are any better or grow faster than cells grown in the lab. When we did our first space flight, we had a really interesting finding, because we realized that the absence of gravity affects stem cells, but it depends on the type of stem cells."  

That led Dr. Zubair to another project on the ISS: studying how mesenchymal stem cells, the precursor for bone-forming cells, play a role in bone formation or osteoporosis, bone loss. He notes that astronauts tend to lose bone density despite rigorous exercise. 

How might your research benefit people with cancer?

Dr. Zubair is also studying how leukemia stem cells, the cells that form the seed of this blood cancer, respond to the space environment.

"We are also working to understand the impact of space radiation, from the angle of how we can mitigate the effect of radiation and prevent cancer," Dr. Zubair says. "In the long run, we really want to protect astronauts, especially during long-term space travel, such as to Mars, where they would be deep in space and away from any magnetic field protection that we get from Earth."

The research also may benefit people on Earth by revealing how to protect stem cells or cells in general when there is radiation exposure, such as nuclear accidents, he adds.

In addition, Dr. Zubair's space research could have implications for CAR-T treatment, bone marrow transplants or other therapies for cancer patients.

"If we can understand how stem cells in space, especially hematopoietic stem cells (cells that live in the bone marrow and produce cells that function in the blood), expand and differentiate to make immune cells like T cells, microphages, we will learn how to make them more efficiently," Dr. Zubair says.

You've remarked that you can envision a time when people might go into space to receive certain medical treatments. How would that work, and might it be possible to simulate microgravity for those treatments on Earth?

If cells proliferate more in space, for example if cancer cells go into what is called cell cycle and multiply abnormally when they proliferate, then chemotherapy will be more effective, Dr. Zubair says.

"If that is the case, that absence of gravity can induce leukemia cells or other cancer cells to go into cell cycle, that makes them susceptible to chemotherapy," he explains. "So instead of giving the chemo on Earth, you might go into space where the absence of gravity makes the cancer cells more vulnerable to chemotherapy. That would be one more reason to go to space. That is definitely something that I would love to explore."

It would be difficult to create a comparable microgravity environment on Earth, but technically, it could be done, Dr. Zubair adds.

Journalists: Broadcast-quality video is in the downloads at the end of this post. Please courtesy: "Mayo Clinic News Network."

"Microgravity on Earth is basically like going into a swimming pool, a state of buoyancy where you are kind of in suspension; the gravity is canceled out by the effect of the water," he says. "Now, obviously it wouldn't be pleasant to be in water for quite some time. In the lab, we use a microgravity simulator where cells are suspended. It would be interesting if you could do the same for a human being."

What attracted you to space research?

Dr. Zubair grew up in Kano, Nigeria, and remembers gazing at the night sky as a child.

"As far back as I can remember, I was always fascinated by what is out there in space. Looking at the moon and all the stars, and really that ignites my passion for space and space exploration," Dr. Zubair says.

Dr. Zubair's first dream was to become an astronaut, but an adviser in high school counseled him to find a more practical career, and he pursued medicine.

What's next?

One of Dr. Zubair's next two payloads to the International Space Station, not yet scheduled for launch, will examine whether umbilical cord blood cells, rich in stem cells and potential therapeutic value, can be expanded. Another study will explore different cell types that participate in bone formation and whether the problem of bone loss in space can be alleviated through use of a special compound. 

"If it works, then definitely we will see how we can treat patients with osteoporosis, particularly women, cancer patients, or people who are bedridden for a long time and are not weight-bearing, which affects their bone," Dr. Zubair says.

Dr. Zubair notes that all of his space experiments are done in parallel on Earth with identical cells to compare the two results and validate the findings from space.

 "I really think there is a lot out there that is just waiting for us to explore and use," he says. "And that's why I do what I do."

Dr. Zubair has been honored by NASA with the Exceptional Scientific Achievement Medal for demonstrating that human-derived mesenchymal stem cells grown aboard the International Space Station could be used for potential clinical applications.

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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:

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

The post Mayo Clinic researcher harnesses uniqueness of space to advance medicine on Earth appeared first on Mayo Clinic News Network.

BUCARAMANGA, Colombia, and ROCHESTER, Minnesota — Hospital Internacional de Colombia (HIC) and Mayo Clinic announced that HIC in Bucaramanga has joined the Mayo Clinic Care Network. HIC is the first hospital in Colombia and in South America to join the network, a group of carefully vetted health care organizations with special access to Mayo Clinic's knowledge and expertise.

HIC is one of the highest-rated medical institutions in Latin America and recipient of the Five-Star Global Hospital Rating by Newsweek and Statista.

With the formal signing of the agreement, HIC becomes part of a select group. Created in 2011, the Mayo Clinic Care Network has roughly 45 member organizations across the United States and in Asia, Europe, Latin America and the Middle East.  

To select network  members, Mayo Clinic conducts a thorough evaluation process that includes an in-depth review of each institution’s clinical and business practices, quality, safety, and service efforts. HIC and other members of the Mayo Clinic Care Network remain independent.

“The agreement with Mayo Clinic represents a significant achievement—not only for our institution, but also for Colombia and the entire region. This milestone is the result of more than a year of continuous work, and today we are proud to announce that we are part of the Mayo Clinic Care Network. We take on the responsibility of evolving our care model by progressively incorporating its guidelines into our clinical protocols, workforce training, and safety standards,” said Dr. Víctor Raúl Castillo Mantilla, President of the Hospital Internacional de Colombia – FCV.

Objectives include further strengthening HIC’s diagnostic and treatment capabilities in key areas such as oncology and cardiology, while also enhancing medical training and overall quality of care, Dr. Castillo added.

“Mayo Clinic is pleased to welcome HIC to the Mayo Clinic Care Network,” said Dr. Eric Moore, medical director, Mayo Clinic International, and chair of head and neck surgery at Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota. “We look forward to working together to develop innovative solutions to advance our common purpose: high-quality, patient-centered care.

Among projects planned, Mayo Clinic will conduct a comprehensive review of HIC’s breast cancer care and offer guidance on best practices in areas including diagnostics, clinical protocols, workflows, and quality. Both institutions will also explore the integration of additional innovative technologies into patient care.

Benefits of Joining the Mayo Clinic Care Network

Through membership in the Mayo Clinic Care Network, HIC physicians have access to Mayo Clinic clinical tools and services, including:

• AskMayoExpert

This point-of-care tool offers concise clinical information on hundreds of medical conditions and includes treatment recommendations, clinical protocols, and medical references. The database can be used wherever care is provided.

• eBoards

These live, scheduled video conferences allow member hospital medical teams to review and discuss complex cases with a multidisciplinary panel from Mayo Clinic and other physicians across the Mayo Clinic Care Network.

• Healthcare Consulting

Member hospitals can access Mayo Clinic’s extensive experience, knowledge, and subspecialty expertise to achieve clinical, operational, and business goals.

HIC personnel will also benefit from Mayo Clinic’s patient education materials, professional development opportunities, and continuing medical education. In addition, they will have access to Mayo Clinic-verified medical information through an online database. These tools—along with clinical consulting—will help HIC continue delivering outstanding care to its patients.

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About HIC:

The Hospital Internacional de Colombia (HIC) is one of Latin America’s top-ranked medical institutions, recognized among the Top 10 hospitals in the region by Latam Business Conference (LBC) and awarded the Five Stars Global Hospital Rating by Newsweek and Statista. As a core part of the FCV ecosystem, HIC is located in Bucaramanga, a city in northeastern Colombia, situated in the Andes mountains and approximately 250 miles from the capital, Bogotá.

HIC operates two campuses: a high-complexity medical center with more than 60 specialties, and the Cardiovascular Institute — the facility that marked the start of the hospital’s growth. With its specialized medical divisions and advanced care centers, HIC delivers comprehensive, high-complexity services. Its integrated approach combines patient-centered care, cutting-edge technology, and a strong focus on innovation, research, and medical education.

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 contacts:

• Yira Guerrero, FCV Head of Press and Protocol, yiraguerrero@fcv.org, +57 322 5251793
• Pilar Salcedo, FCV International Public Relations Specialist, internationalpr@fcv.org, +1 854236 9726
• Sharon Theimer, Mayo Clinic Communications, newsbureau@mayo.edu

The post Hospital Internacional de Colombia becomes first in Colombia and South America to join Mayo Clinic Care Network appeared first on Mayo Clinic News Network.

Mayo Clinic Healthcare cardiologist offers simple tips to maximize health at outdoor events

LONDON — Festival season can be surprisingly physically demanding. Hours spent standing, walking or dancing can put extra strain on the heart, especially for those with preexisting conditions such as heart disease, high blood pressure or diabetes, explains Gosia Wamil, M.D., Ph.D., a cardiologist at Mayo Clinic Healthcare in London.

For people with heart failure, this can lead to shortness of breath or a worsening of symptoms. For those with coronary artery disease, in which the major vessels that supply blood to your heart become narrowed or blocked, sudden intense activity can trigger chest pain or even a heart attack, Dr. Wamil says.

"Key warning signs of heart distress at festivals include chest pain or pressure, shortness of breath, dizziness, nausea, cold sweats, or fainting," Dr. Wamil adds. "These symptoms should never be ignored, and immediate medical help should be sought if they occur."

Noise exposure at outdoor concerts, carnivals and other events also can affect heart health.

"Short-term, loud noise can trigger the body's 'fight or flight' response, raising blood pressure and heart rate," Dr. Wamil says. "Long-term, chronic noise exposure has been shown to increase the risk of high blood pressure and heart disease."

Overindulging in alcohol, caffeine or salty food poses another serious risk. It can trigger holiday heart syndrome, in which even healthy individuals develop an irregular heartbeat, or atrial fibrillation, Dr. Wamil says.

"Alcohol is a direct toxin to the heart muscle and can cause a sudden rise in blood pressure," she explains. "For those with existing heart conditions, binge drinking can trigger heart failure or even a heart attack."

People with diabetes or heart disease should plan ahead when attending festivals and other events, advises Dr. Wamil, who specializes in the link between diabetes and heart disease. It's important to take medications on time, bring medical identification and carry essential supplies, such as snacks, water and a list of medications.

Keeping blood sugar stable with healthy food choices and staying hydrated can help prevent complications. Comfortable shoes and regular rest breaks are also key, especially for those with neuropathy or fatigue.

"If you have a heart condition or other serious medical issue, staying near the edge of crowds is a sensible precaution. It allows quicker access to medical help and an easier way out if needed," Dr. Wamil suggests. "Crowded environments can lead to overheating, anxiety or unexpected physical exertion, so choosing a shaded, quieter area can reduce risk."

For everyone, staying healthy during festival season means hydrating often, especially with water, and seeking out shade on hot days.

"Try to balance fun with rest, and include healthy foods when possible," Dr. Wamil says. "Protect yourself from the sun, pace your activities, and keep your phone charged in case of emergencies."

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About Mayo Clinic Healthcare
Mayo Clinic Healthcare, located in London, is a wholly owned subsidiary of Mayo Clinic, a not-for-profit academic medical center. Mayo Clinic is top ranked by U.S. News & World Report in more specialties than any other hospital for a reason: quality of care. Mayo Clinic Healthcare is the U.K.'s front door to that unparalleled experience. Visit Mayo Clinic Healthcare for more information.

Media contact:

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

The post Holiday heart: The overindulgences during festival season that put even healthy people at risk appeared first on Mayo Clinic News Network.

GUAYAQUIL, Ecuador — Mayo Clinic is adding a second patient information office in Ecuador. The new staff in Guayaquil will assist patients traveling to Mayo Clinic for care and help insurance companies, referring physicians and others connect with Mayo.

Mayo Clinic's first office in Ecuador opened in Quito in 2009. Mayo now has patient information offices in 15 countries, including several locations in Latin America.

The office staff in Ecuador, fluent in Spanish and English, help patients make appointments at Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota; Phoenix and Scottsdale, Arizona; Jacksonville, Florida; and Mayo Clinic Healthcare in London.

"We are pleased to add services for patients and their families in Guayaquil and the surrounding area," says Jorge Pascual, M.D., a pulmonary medicine physician at Mayo Clinic in Florida and Mayo Clinic executive medical director of the Americas. "Mayo Clinic excels in caring for patients with serious, complex and unsolved medical needs. Our office staff in Guayaquil and Quito play a critical role in facilitating patients' travel to Mayo for care."

The staff help with travel, lodging, billing, and insurance arrangements; provide general orientation to Mayo Clinic; facilitate Mayo review of medical records; and coordinate future appointments. The services are free of charge. The office does not provide medical care.

Mayo accepts appointment requests directly from patients and patient referrals from physicians. Interpreters are available at no cost to assist with communication between healthcare providers and patients whose primary language is not English.

Mayo care teams work together to provide a healing environment and a seamless patient experience. That includes coordinated appointment schedules, with specialists, tests and procedures located in close proximity to each other; coordination of care by one personal physician; and smooth communication at Mayo and with patients' healthcare teams at home.  

The Guayaquil office staff may be reached by email at guayaquiloffice@mayo.edu. Learn more here.

Mayo Clinic is ranked the best hospital in the world by Newsweek and is top ranked in more specialties than any other hospital in the U.S. by U.S. News & World Report. In 2024, Mayo cared for patients from every U.S. state and 135 countries.

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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:

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

The post Mayo Clinic opens second patient information office in Ecuador appeared first on Mayo Clinic News Network.

GUATEMALA CITY — Mayo Clinic's patient information office in Guatemala, one of Mayo's first local offices to assist patients in the region, is growing.

Mayo Clinic is adding a second representative to the office to assist patients, referring physicians, health insurance companies, and others interested in connecting with Mayo. The office in Guatemala City opened in 2008. Mayo Clinic now has patient information offices in 15 countries, including several locations in Latin America.

The office staff, fluent in Spanish and English, help patients make appointments at Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota; Phoenix and Scottsdale, Arizona; Jacksonville, Florida; and Mayo Clinic Healthcare in London.

"The growth of the office in Guatemala reflects Mayo Clinic's commitment to providing an excellent patient experience before, during and after patients visit Mayo for care," says Jorge Pascual, M.D., a pulmonary medicine physician at Mayo Clinic in Florida and Mayo Clinic executive medical director of the Americas. "The Mayo team partners with patients and their families to assist with arrangements and meet individual needs and preferences throughout their care experience."

Mayo accepts appointment requests directly from patients and patient referrals from physicians. Interpreters are available at no cost to assist with communication between healthcare providers and patients whose primary language is not English.

The staff also help with travel, lodging, billing, and insurance arrangements; provide general orientation to Mayo Clinic; facilitate Mayo review of medical records; and coordinate future appointments. The services are free of charge. The office does not provide medical care.

Mayo Clinic is a destination for patients with serious, complex or undiagnosed conditions. Mayo care teams work together to provide a healing environment and a seamless patient experience. That includes coordinated appointment schedules, with specialists, tests and procedures located in close proximity to each other; coordination of care by one personal physician; and smooth communication at Mayo and with patients' healthcare teams at home.  

The Guatemala office staff may be reached by email at guate.oficina@mayo.edu. They can be contacted by phone at (502) 5551-5137 and (502) 3848-6031. The office is located at Blvd. Vista Hermosa 25-19 Multimedica Nivel Of 1206, zona 15, Guatemala City.

Learn more here.

Mayo Clinic is ranked the best hospital in the world by Newsweek and is top ranked in more specialties than any other hospital in the U.S. by U.S. News & World Report. In 2024, Mayo cared for patients from every U.S. state and 135 countries.

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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:

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

The post Mayo Clinic expands patient information office in Guatemala  appeared first on Mayo Clinic News Network.