News Releases - June 2015 Archives

ROCHESTER, Minn. — Mayo Clinic and the George Family Foundation are leading supporters of the newly formed Southeast Minnesota Partnership for Community-Based Health Promotion. A key aim of this partnership is to extend the care that occurs in Southeast Minnesota health systems into the communities. The partnership will focus first on incorporating clinical referrals of effective, community-based programs into routine primary care treatment strategies. The new program is called Living Well with Chronic Conditions (formally known as the Chronic Disease Self-Management Program). “The goal of this partnership is to fundamentally change the way individuals and communities in Southeast Minnesota experience life with chronic health conditions,” says Aaron Leppin, M.D., a research associate in Mayo Clinic’s Knowledge and Evaluation Research Unit. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 7 out of every 10 deaths in the U.S. are the result of chronic disease. In Southeast Minnesota, Community Health Needs Assessments consistently identify chronic disease management as an area of priority. Media Contacts: Colette Gallagher and Naomi Ogaldez, Mayo Clinic Public Affairs, 507-284-5005, newsbureau@mayo.edu 

PHOENIX — Mayo Clinic, as a three-site organization, remains the largest provider of solid organ transplants in the U.S. and continues to be identified as having patient and graft survival outcomes that rank among the best in the nation. According to the Scientific Registry of Transplant Recipients (SRTR), a national database of transplant statistics, Mayo Clinic’s transplant programs in Arizona, Florida and Rochester, Minn., score statistically better than expected in terms of patient and graft survivals at the reported time points of one month, one year and three years. Graft survival means that the transplanted organ is still functioning. The lung transplant program at Mayo Clinic’s Florida campus was one of two lung transplant programs in the U.S. with statistically better-than-expected outcomes for one-year patient and graft survival. Florida’s liver transplant program, with  three-year patient and graft survival rates that also are statistically better than expected, is one of only four programs meeting this criteria at that time point. MEDIA CONTACT: Lynn Closway, Mayo Clinic Public Affairs, newsbureau@mayo.edu / 507-284-5005.

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — Clinicians testing the drug dasatinib, approved for several blood cancers, had hoped it would slow the aggressive growth of the deadly brain cancer glioblastoma; however, clinical trials to date have not found any benefit. Researchers at Mayo Clinic, who conducted one of those clinical trials, believe they know why dasatinib failed — and what to do about it. In the online issue of Molecular Oncology, investigators report finding that dasatinib inhibits proteins that promote cancer growth as expected but also suppresses proteins that protect against cancer. The findings suggest that pretesting patient glioblastoma biopsies will help identify who may respond well to dasatinib and who should avoid using the drug, says the study’s senior author, Panos Z. Anastasiadis, Ph.D., chair of the Department of Cancer Biology at Mayo Clinic in Florida. MEDIA CONTACT: Kevin Punsky, Mayo Clinic Public Affairs, 904-953-0746, punsky.kevin@mayo.edu

WASHINGTON — Mayo Clinic is participating in the White House Forum on Excellence and Innovation through Diversity in the STEM Workforce. Participants will meet tonight ...

KASSON, Minn. – Construction plans are in place, and renovations are set to begin at Mayo Family Clinic Kasson in June. Mayo Clinic invites patients and community members to attend an informational construction kickoff event at Mayo Family Clinic Kasson, 411 W. Main St., on Wednesday, June 24, from 2 to 4 p.m. The event will be held outside in front of the clinic, weather-permitting. In case of rain, the event will be held inside the clinic. Visitors can learn more about the project from clinic staff and see artist renderings of what the clinic will look like once construction is completed late in 2015. Refreshments will be available at this event, and visitors can come and go as their schedules allow. “We are excited to launch this project, and we want to share that excitement with our patients and the Kasson community at this kickoff event,” says Anne Kramlinger, M.D., Family Medicine, who is medical director at Mayo Family Clinic Kasson. “Our staff is invested in the health and well-being of our patients. This project is also an investment in our patients and the entire community. It will help support our efforts to make our services more accessible and convenient through face-to-face and nonvisit care opportunities, including phone and online options.” MEDIA CONTACT:  Joe O'Keefe, Mayo Clinic Public Affairs, 507-284-5005, newsbureau@mayo.edu

ROCHESTER, Minn. — On June 19, Mayo Clinic was named a Yellow Ribbon Company — the first health organization in Minnesota to receive this recognition. Mayo received this recognition in connection with its participation in the Beyond the Yellow Ribbon Program, which was started by the Minnesota National Guard. This program creates awareness of the need to connect service members and their families with community support, training, services and resources. Being a part of the Beyond the Yellow Ribbon program enables Mayo Clinic to help those affected by military deployments, support successful transition into the workplace following military deployments and demonstrate a public commitment to supporting military members when they become patients. “To be named a Yellow Ribbon Company is a distinct honor,” says John Noseworthy, M.D., president and CEO of Mayo Clinic “Throughout our history, Mayo Clinic has been proud to serve, and serve with, the U.S. military. The risks and challenges faced by our military are very different today, but our passion for supporting the country and aiding and protecting its troops is unchanged.” Media Contacts: Kelley Luckstein and Mickella Geary, Mayo Clinic Public Affairs, 507-284-5005, newsbureau@mayo.edu 

American and Chinese adults with Type 2 diabetes are at similar risk for memory impairment, Mayo Clinic and Shanghai researchers report Rochester, Minn. – Diabetes is a known risk factor for cognitive decline and dementia, age-related conditions that affect memory and thinking skills. However, little is known about how the diabetes-cognitive decline link compares across cultures. Scientists from Mayo Clinic and Huashan Hospital in Shanghai explored the association between Type 2 diabetes and cognitive impairment to find out if the relationship varies in different populations. Study participants had not been diagnosed with memory-related diseases, such as vascular dementia or Alzheimer's dementia. For the study, the researchers evaluated data from two large, ongoing, population-based studies: the Shanghai Aging Study (SAS) and the Mayo Clinic Study of Aging (MCSA). Both use similar designs and methodologies. For example, both studies recruit participants from a defined population, include an on-site, in-person evaluation, use similar or comparable tests of cognition, and include participants over age 50. The SAS uses neuropsychological tests adapted from Western tests to harmonize with Chinese culture. MEDIA CONTACT: Duska Anastasijevic, Mayo Clinic Public Affairs, 507-284-5005, newsbureau@mayo.edu

Arizonans will receive benefit from recently FDA-approved precision medicine clinical trial to fight a deadly form of melanoma PHOENIX, Ariz. — Mayo Clinic and the Translational Genomics Research Institute (TGen) are helping launch a national clinical trial that will apply the latest in precision medicine to treat advanced melanoma skin cancer. The study leverages advances in genomics, informatics, and health information technology, yielding more precise medical treatments for patients with this devastating disease. Mayo Clinic is the only clinical site in Arizona to offer this new treatment, sponsored by Stand Up to Cancer (SU2C) and the Melanoma Research Alliance. These clinical trials are the culmination of nearly four years of research under an SU2C Melanoma Dream Team grant. Metastatic melanoma is a type of cancer that has spread from the skin to other parts of the body, most frequently the lungs, muscles, brain, and liver. Metastatic melanoma is responsible for more than 9,000 deaths a year in the United States, so there remains an urgent need for new treatment options. For interviews with Dr. Aleksandar Sekulic and Dr. Alan Bryce or a patient with metastatic melanoma, contact Julie Janovsky-Mason, Mayo Clinic Public Affairs at (480) 301-6173; Janovsky-Mason.Julie@mayo.edu. For interviews with Dr. Trent, please contact: Steve Yozwiak, TGen Senior Science Writer at 602-343-8704; syozwiak@tgen.org

MINNEAPOLIS – Dignitaries from the worlds of medicine, sports, business and politics hit the court today, Wednesday, June 17, to dedicate Mayo Clinic Square in downtown Minneapolis. The event was the first in a series of grand-opening events marking the strategic collaboration of Mayo Clinic, the Minnesota Timberwolves and Minnesota Lynx. "At Mayo Clinic we pride ourselves in teamwork," said John Noseworthy, M.D., president and CEO of Mayo Clinic. "We are proud to be part of the team that made this day possible." Mayo Clinic Square is home to Mayo Clinic Sports Medicine and the new headquarters of the Minnesota the Timberwolves and Minnesota Lynx. Mayo Clinic Sports Medicine provides medical services to the teams and is located just across from their training facility and practice court. "I've never seen anything like this," said Adam Silver, commissioner of the NBA. "It's the gold standard." "I couldn't be prouder to be a partner of the Mayo Clinic," said Laurel Richie, president of the WNBA. Guests at Wednesday’s dedication ceremony got a behind-the-scenes look at Mayo Clinic Sports Medicine, a 22,000-square-foot facility that opened in October 2014. It serves players and the public alike. MEDIA CONTACT: Rhoda Madson, Mayo Clinic, 507-284-5005, madson.rhoda@mayo.edu Journalists: B-roll from today's event plus sound bites from NBA Commissioner Adam Silver and Mayo Clinic President and CEO Dr. John Noseworthy are available in the downloads.  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hwS2EluWN9Y&feature=youtu.be

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — Mayo Clinic in Florida has been named a Pulmonary Hypertension Care Center by the Pulmonary Hypertension Association. The designation is given to centers that provide early diagnosis of pulmonary hypertension, a full range of therapies and specialized care, outcomes follow-up and clinical research and studies, among other points of excellence. Mayo Clinic in Florida is the only Pulmonary Hypertension Care Center in the Southeast and one of only 26 in the country. MEDIA CONTACT: Kevin Punsky, Mayo Clinic Public Affairs, 904-953-0746, punsky.kevin@mayo.edu

MINNEAPOLIS — Mayo Clinic, the Minnesota Timberwolves, Minnesota Lynx and other dignitaries will celebrate the grand opening of the teams’ new state-of-the-art training facility and headquarters at Mayo Clinic Square. WHAT: Leaders from Minnesota’s sports, medical, political and business communities will gather for the official dedication of the Timberwolves and Lynx Courts at Mayo Clinic Square. Attendees will also be able to take a tour featuring a history hallway, offices, theater, practice court and weight room, and M ayo Clinic Sports Medicine, the teams' exclusive provider of medical services. Appetizers will be served during the event. WHO: John Noseworthy, M.D., President and CEO, Mayo Clinic; Glen Taylor, owner, Minnesota Timberwolves and Minnesota Lynx; Adam Silver, Commissioner, NBA; Laurel Richie, President, WNBA; Phillip Jaffe, Principal and CEO, Provident Real Estate Ventures. WHERE: Timberwolves and Lynx Courts at Mayo Clinic Square, 600 Hennepin Ave., Minneapolis. Registration is on the second floor. The ceremony is on the third floor. WHEN: Wednesday, June 17, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Doors open at 11 a.m. Ceremony will be from 11:30 to 11:50 a.m. Tours will be held after the ceremony. NOTE: Dr. Noseworthy will be available after the ceremony to talk to media. Availability of the other speakers is being finalized. Members of the media should RSVP to Rhoda Madson at 507-284-5005 or newsbureau@mayo.edu. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IhcIXwpyvPE&feature=youtu.be

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zcJPXISDxkM SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. — An international research team led by Mayo Clinic oncologists has found a new way to identify and possibly stop the progression of many late-stage cancers, including bladder, blood, bone, brain, lung and kidney. The precision medicine study appears online in Oncogene and focuses on kidney cancer and its metastases. Recent studies of the same epigenomic fingerprint in other cancers suggest a common pathway that could help improve the diagnosis and treatment of advanced disease across a wide variety of cancer types. “If you think of late-stage cancer as a runaway car, most of our drugs take a shot at a tire here and there, but sometimes they miss and often they can’t stop it entirely,” says Thai Ho, M.D., Ph.D., a Mayo Clinic oncologist and lead author of the study. “We believe we have identified a mechanism that seizes the cancer’s biological engine and could potentially stop it in its tracks.” The new approach zeroes in on an epigenomic fingerprint in metastatic disease, in which the body often misinterprets a healthy genetic blueprint, producing toxic cells that run afoul of the body’s normal functions. MEDIA CONTACT: Sam Smith, Mayo Clinic Public Affairs, 507-284-5005, newsbureau@mayo.edu.