"We are incredibly proud to celebrate these 15 companies. Their dedication and accomplishments have raised the bar, and we look forward to continuing to support their efforts as they make strides in advancing patient care worldwide,” says Jamie Sundsbak, senior manager of Mayo Clinic Platform_Accelerate.

Using Mayo Clinic Platform’s global, de-identified data network, Mayo Clinic Platform_Accelerate helps startups validate and prepare their artificial intelligence (AI)-driven solutions for clinical and administrative deployment, in line with healthcare industry standards. The program provides participants access to Mayo Clinic experts in regulatory, clinical, technology, and business domains.

Learn more about each company in the Showcase:

• Bloom Standard’s RAPIDscan is a one-minute, easy-to-use ultrasound device that helps detect and monitor heart and lung conditions, providing quick assessments and supporting healthcare staff at all levels with AI-driven guidance for diagnosis and patient referrals.

• Ethos is an AI-powered platform that detects and monitors alcohol use, helping healthcare providers identify and treat individuals at risk for Alcohol-Associated Liver Disease.

• Hope AI uses clinical evidence, advanced statistics, and AI technology to address challenges in clinical trials, such as long durations, large sample sizes, slow patient recruitment, and high costs, by optimizing trial design and accelerating development timelines.

• Lasa Health uses AI and machine learning (ML) to help diagnose and manage pelvic pain disorders.

• OPTT is a digital mental health platform that helps clinicians deliver data-driven, measurement-based care by providing clinically validated content and AI-powered insights to improve patient evaluations and treatment decisions.

• PEP’s AI persona, Addie, helps hospitals identify post-acute care candidates and streamline the recovery process, ensuring smooth handoffs between acute and post-acute providers for better patient outcomes.

• PONS uses AI to enhance ultrasound imaging, providing deeper insights into disease progression with improved scan resolution, tissue contrast, and noise reduction, all without the need for costly new hardware.

• Respiree™ uses AI and ML to track and manage disease progression across the care continuum, providing clinically validated insights based on data in electronic health records.

• Smart Opinion, Inc. uses AI to enhance ultrasound accuracy for early breast cancer detection, particularly in women with dense breast tissue, offering real-time support to improve diagnostic accuracy and reduce false positives and negatives.

• Splink, Inc. specializes in AI-driven early diagnosis and behavior change solutions for brain disorders like dementia, depression, and schizophrenia, addressing both prevention and post-onset stages, with a focus on dementia in aging populations.

• Ubie- Home uses its AI-powered symptom checker to guide 12 million patients to appropriate care, supporting 1,800 hospitals and clinics worldwide to improve clinical outcomes for consumers, healthcare providers, and pharmaceutical companies.

• Voythos is developing a machine-learning platform that predicts life-threatening complications in patients with complex aortic disease, helping surgeons intervene precisely to reduce morbidity and mortality with advanced data integration and predictive modeling.

• Whyze Health uses AI to integrate clinical and patient data from both hospital and home settings, enabling continuous monitoring of treatment efficacy and safety while providing insights to improve patient care and outcomes.

• Ystory uses an AI-driven app to provide personalized, evidence-based support for women over 35, providing guidance on menopause awareness, diagnosis, and treatment.

• Yuimedi is a health-tech company transforming medical data management with YuiQuery, an AI-powered solution that simplifies SQL query generation, helping healthcare teams efficiently analyze data and make faster data-driven decisions.

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About Mayo Clinic Platform
Founded on Mayo Clinic's dedication to patient-centered care, Mayo Clinic Platform enables new knowledge, new solutions, and new technologies through collaborations with health technology innovators to create a healthier world. To learn more, visit Mayo Clinic Platform at www.mayoclinicplatform.org.

About Mayo Clinic
Mayo Clinic is a nonprofit organization committed to supporting 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:

• Kaitlin Haar, Mayo Clinic Communications, newsbureau@mayo.edu

The post Mayo Clinic Platform_Accelerate Showcase celebrates promise of health tech innovation for improving patient care appeared first on Mayo Clinic News Network.

PORT OF SPAIN, Trinidad and Tobago — Mayo Clinic has opened a patient information office in Trinidad and Tobago to assist patients and their families, referring physicians, health insurers and others interested in engaging with Mayo. The office is Mayo Clinic's second in the Caribbean.

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

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

Mayo Clinic previously launched a patient information office in the Dominican Republic. Together, the two offices will assist patients throughout the Caribbean region.

"The new office in Trinidad and Tobago, like Mayo's office in the Dominican Republic, will play an essential role helping Mayo Clinic provide a seamless experience for patients before, during and after their care at Mayo," says Jorge Pascual, M.D., a pulmonary medicine physician at Mayo Clinic in Jacksonville, Florida, and Mayo Clinic executive medical director of the Americas. "The office staff will also facilitate engagement with insurance companies, insurance brokers, referring physicians and others who wish to connect with Mayo."

Mayo Clinic excels in caring for patients with serious, complex or undiagnosed conditions. Mayo care teams work together to provide an outstanding patient experience, including coordinated appointment schedules; all specialists, tests and procedures under one roof; one personal physician coordinating a patient's care; smooth communication; and a healing environment. The care team partners with patients and respects individual needs and preferences. 

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

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 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.

Mayo Clinic has patient information offices in roughly 15 countries around the world.

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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 patient information office in Trinidad and Tobago  appeared first on Mayo Clinic News Network.

MONTERREY, Mexico — Mayo Clinic has opened a patient information office in Monterrey to assist patients and their families, referring physicians, insurance companies and brokers and others interested in connecting with Mayo. The office is Mayo Clinic's second in Mexico, joining a patient information office in Mexico City that opened in 1998.

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

"The addition of a Mayo Clinic office in Monterrey reflects Mayo Clinic’s longstanding engagement with patients and healthcare providers in Mexico," says Jorge Pascual, M.D., a pulmonary medicine physician at Mayo Clinic in Jacksonville, Florida, and Mayo Clinic executive medical director of the Americas. "The services the office staff will provide support and further Mayo Clinic's mission to provide an unparalleled patient experience and to serve as a resource for patients and healthcare organizations in Mexico and around the world."

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

The office staff may be reached by email at MonterreyOffice@mayo.edu or by phone at 52-81-3404-8502. The office is located at Av. Ricardo Margain Zozaya 335, Floor 4 and 5, Zona Santa Engracia, 66265, San Pedro Garza Garcia, Nuevo Leon. Learn more here. 

Mayo Clinic has patient information offices throughout the region, including Colombia, the Dominican Republic, Ecuador, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Panama, Peru and Uruguay.

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.

Mayo Clinic’s ties to Mexico date back more than a century.

In 1923, Dr. William J. Mayo was made an honorary member of the National Academy of Medicine in Mexico, and roughly eight years later, his brother, fellow Mayo Clinic co-founder Dr. Charles H. Mayo, received the honor.

Professional ties between Mayo Clinic and the Mexican medical community continued to grow over the ensuing decades. The first Mexican physician to train at Mayo Clinic School of Graduate Medical Education began his residency in 1925, and since 1966 more than 60 Mexican physicians have trained at Mayo Clinic and now practice in Mexico.

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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 patient information office in Monterrey, its second in Mexico appeared first on Mayo Clinic News Network.

ROCHESTER, Minn. — A study published in Brain Communications highlights a new approach to treating drug-resistant epilepsy. Researchers at Mayo Clinic have developed an innovative deep brain stimulation (DBS) platform that was used to not only reduce seizures, but also improve memory and sleep — two common challenges for patients with epilepsy.

Epilepsy, a seizure disorder that affects about 50 million people worldwide, often disrupts memory, emotions and sleep. Many cases are drug-resistant, leaving people with limited treatment options. Researchers at Mayo Clinic found that low-frequency DBS not only reduced seizures, but it also improved memory and sleep.

"Using an implanted investigational device, the team continuously monitored brain activity with AI-driven seizure and sleep tracking," says Gregory Worrell, M.D., Ph.D., Mayo Clinic neurologist and co-lead author of the study. "A cloud-based platform simultaneously assessed participants' behavior, memory and mood at home. This real-time data enables precise tuning of stimulation settings, maximizing benefits while minimizing side effects."

"By using an implanted device that continuously monitors brain activity, we can detect seizures more accurately than patient-reported diaries in order to optimize deep brain stimulation in real-time and improve treatment," says Vaclav Kremen, Ph.D., Mayo Clinic researcher and co-lead author of the study.

The researchers monitored five patients with temporal lobe epilepsy throughout their DBS treatment. The system allowed patients to track their brain activity and symptoms remotely, providing doctors with detailed, real-world data to fine-tune treatments. This technology could lead to more effective treatments for drug-resistant epilepsy and could be expanded to treat other neurological and psychiatric disorders.

"Our study demonstrates the potential of emerging neurotechnology to treat human disease," says Jamie Van Gompel, M.D., Mayo Clinic neurosurgeon and co-author of the study.

"Combining neuroscience, engineering and artificial intelligence, our work is paving the way for more personalized and effective treatments for epilepsy and other brain disorders," says Dr. Worrell.

The study was supported by the National Institutes of Health — National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency, and the CLARA project, which has received funding from the European Union's Horizon Europe research and innovation program.  The implanted devices were donated by Medtronic as part of the National Institutes of Health Brain Initiative Public-Private Partnership.

Review the study for a complete list of authors, disclosures and funding. 

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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: 

• Tia Ford, Mayo Clinic Communications, newsbureau@mayo.edu 

The post New study in Brain Communications finds personalized deep brain stimulation shows promise for drug-resistant epilepsy appeared first on Mayo Clinic News Network.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

A battle for millions worldwide

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

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

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

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

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

Unlocking new hope for patients

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Tabitha's life-long struggle to control seizures

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Related articles

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

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

Mayo Clinic is taking epilepsy research in a bold new direction, exploring treatment approaches to help patients living with the most severe and difficult-to-treat forms of epilepsy. About 50 million people worldwide are impacted by epilepsy. Approximately 30% of patients, or about 15 million people, suffer with drug-resistant epilepsy (DRE). While some patients experience only a few seizures per month, others may endure hundreds each day — ranging from episodes that are mild to life-threatening. 

Current treatment options for patients with DRE include surgical procedures such as brain resection to remove a portion of the brain tissue responsible for generating seizures. A less invasive procedure involves laser ablation therapy that pinpoints and destroys abnormal brain tissue. While often effective, these surgical approaches carry the risk of possible side effects, such as memory impairment, motor deficits and speech difficulties. Neuromodulation is another surgical approach that uses electrical or magnetic stimulation to interrupt abnormal neural activity without removing brain tissue.

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

Neurosurgeon Jonathon J. Parker, M.D., Ph.D., is the lead investigator of the first-in-human clinical trial at Mayo Clinic studying the use of implanted specialized inhibitory brain cells as a potential reparative treatment for DRE. The clinical trial is underway at Mayo Clinic in Arizona.

"This is an exciting time for regenerative medicine and the potential it may have for millions of people who suffer from the debilitating side effects of DRE," says Dr. Parker. "We use a very minimally invasive technique where we inject the inhibitory cells through a pencil eraser-sized incision in the back of the head. Our hope is that, over time, these cells become part of the brain and help repair the neural circuitry, and reduce or prevent seizures without the side effects," says Dr. Parker.

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

Arizona resident Anthony Maita was the first person at Mayo Clinic to participate in the clinical trial. He underwent the one-time, single-dose procedure and was discharged from the hospital the next day. "I had no trouble with it," says Anthony. "My biggest hope is that, one day, I don't have to deal with this. My other biggest hope is that other people won't have to either."

It is still too early to determine whether the brain cell implant was effective for Anthony. Doctors are monitoring his progress closely. "Anthony has been doing great since the procedure," says Amy Crepeau, M.D., neurologist at Mayo Clinic. "We have a great deal of optimism in regard to the potential of this brain cell therapy. Developing a safe and effective, minimally invasive treatment that does not carry the possible negative side effects could be a game changer in treating patients with DRE and improving their quality of life."

Another clinical trial is underway at Mayo Clinic in Florida investigating the potential of regenerative medicine as a reparative treatment for DRE. Researchers are exploring the use of implanted stem cells in conjunction with neuromodulation.

One of the most recent FDA-approved methods of neuromodulation therapy for epilepsy is deep brain stimulation. While patients who undergo deep brain stimulation experience median seizure reduction up to 70% after five years, it is uncommon for patients to become seizure-free. Sanjeet Grewal, M.D., director of stereotactic and functional neurosurgery at Mayo Clinic, is hoping to change that. "Unfortunately, neuromodulation doesn't give us the seizure freedom we want, and that's why we are trying to combine deep brain stimulation with stem cell therapy to see if we can increase the efficacy of neuromodulation," says Dr. Grewal. 

Dr. Grewal is the lead investigator of the clinical trial which involves the use of implanted adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) as an adjunct to deep brain stimulation for DRE patients. MSCs are a special type of adult stem cell with anti-inflammatory properties that may also have potential for healing.

Many, like Dr. Grewal, hope MSCs will serve a pivotal role in the future of regenerative medicine to treat conditions like epilepsy. "There are some patients whose seizures are just much harder to treat with the technology we have today. Our hope is that by adding stem cells and their regenerative potential, we can increase treatment success," says Dr. Grewal.

The clinical trial is using MSCs derived from fat tissue and produced at the Human Cell Therapy Laboratory at Mayo Clinic in Florida under the leadership of Abba Zubair, M.D., Ph.D. His research teams have developed a cost-effective method of producing MSCs for use in potential treatments for conditions such as stroke and osteoporosis. "My mission is to discover ways to address problems that patients have been struggling with and find a solution for them. I want to give them hope," says Dr. Zubair. "I truly believe the future is bright."

"MSCs are what we call multipotent, meaning they can differentiate into different cell types based on where they're placed. If they are placed near blood vessels, they can become blood vessel types. If they're placed by heart cells, they can become heart cell types," explains Dr. Grewal. It is hoped the MSCs in Dr. Grewal's clinical trial will become neural or brain cell types and interact in the part of the brain where seizures occur. "It's called paracrine signaling, where they're releasing signals to the brain tissue around them and interacting in a way to try to repair that tissue."

Tabitha Wilson began having seizures at the age of 2. The Florida resident says her seizures were well controlled until her mid-20s when her medication stopped working. Tabitha tried numerous other medications and underwent three brain surgeries, none of which provided the relief she needed.

"There are days when I'll have two, three or four seizures, back-to-back," says Tabitha. "I fell down a flight of stairs. I've burned myself while cooking. I've completely blacked out and don’t know where I am." Like many people who have epilepsy, Tabitha says uncontrolled seizures have robbed her ability to live independently. "I can't drive, can't cook or swim alone. I can't take a bath, only a shower and someone has to be in the house," says Tabitha.

Tabitha became the first person to participate in the Florida clinical trial. Dr. Grewal says she is also the first person in the world to undergo surgery for deep brain stimulation and receive stem cell therapy in the thalamus in her brain as a potential treatment for DRE. "I'm willing to try everything and anything to get some sort of control over these seizures because I've been living with this for so long," says Tabitha. "I hope to be a mother someday."

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

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

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

Press kit, including b-roll, photos and interviews, available here.

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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:

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

The post Mayo Clinic researchers lead transformative shift toward neurorestorative treatment strategies for most severe forms of epilepsy appeared first on Mayo Clinic News Network.

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — Today, Mayo Clinic in Florida introduced a five-floor patient tower expansion as part of Mayo Clinic's Bold. Forward. Unbound. investments to revolutionize the healthcare experience for patients and staff. The vertical growth of the tower will enable 166 new patient beds within medical/surgical nursing units, supported by new automation and patient care technology. These new offerings will further unite the physical and digital healthcare environments.

"Mayo Clinic continues to invest in growth and healthcare transformation, including a plan to more than double our space for patient care, biomedical research and education in Florida," says Kent Thielen, M.D., CEO of Mayo Clinic in Florida. "The structures we are creating now will serve the patients of today and the patients we will care for over generations to come."  

The expansion's technology makes the rooms an extension of the care team. Patients can control every aspect of their room experience from an app on their phones. Emerging technology will monitor a sleeping patient's vital signs with fewer interruptions. Family members can drop in virtually from across the city or around the world to participate in patient care consults with Mayo experts.

For staff, the updated technology and spaces create an improved workflow and a more efficient clinical environment. This will allow them to spend more time focused on patient care and less time on administrative tasks. Added automation means that self-guided carts can deliver food and linens on command.

Other features include a top-floor indoor/outdoor lounge for staff and visitors who need respite, a breath of fresh air, nourishment, or the tranquility of coastal views.

"The expansion of our hospital is not just a new building, it is a bold reimagining and blueprint for the future of healthcare delivery, codesigned with the collective wisdom of those who live and breathe it," says Michael Maniaci, M.D., professor of medicine, Mayo Clinic College of Medicine and Science. "By weaving together the insights of both our staff and our patients, we've created a space where innovation is not only imagined but also implemented, shaped by the very people it serves."

Throughout the planning and development process, Mayo Clinic staff input has been critical to expansion design. Staff representing different roles and functional areas joined to plan, pilot, evaluate and implement the innovative technologies that will solve unmet patient and staff needs. This collaborative approach demonstrates how Mayo Clinic continues to shape the future of healthcare.

Expansion highlights:

• Technology-enhanced patient, visitor and staff experience.
• Floor-to-ceiling windows that increase natural light by 80% in patient rooms. Studies show that natural light improves patients' moods and speeds healing. Many rooms will also offer scenic views of the coastal environment near Mayo Clinic.
• A modernized patient digital wall that engages patients with clinical information, education, communication, relaxation and entertainment.
• A digital entryway display that pulls real-time data from the electronic health record and delivers information to protect the patient as well as care team members and visitors who are entering the room.
• An ambient clinical intelligence-empowered camera that enables the consolidation of multiple sensors into a single platform, turning patient rooms into an integrated virtual care delivery hub.
• A pass-through drawer that allows staff to stock patient supplies from outside the room, with design considerations that will enable further automation.
• An updated headwall that allows the optimal placement of each clinical connection, increased access to outlets and additional med-gas and oxygen ports to improve patient care efficiency.

Mayo Clinic Hospital opened in April 2008 with six floors and 214 beds. In 2012, two additional floors and 90 beds were added. With the most recent five-floor expansion, the tower's capacity is 419 licensed beds. In addition to new patient rooms and a lounge, the expansion includes one floor for mechanical and electrical support and one floor for future growth.

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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: 

• Tia Ford, Mayo Clinic Communications, newsbureau@mayo.edu

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JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — Liver transplants are becoming a new treatment option for certain colorectal cancer patients whose cancer has spread to their liver and are ineligible for other surgical options. This innovative approach is providing hope to colorectal cancer patients who otherwise are often faced with a grim prognosis.

"Colorectal cancer is the fourth-most-common cancer in the United States, but it's also the second-deadliest cancer. At the time of diagnosis, about 1 in 5 patients will have metastatic disease, meaning the cancer has spread outside of the colon. The most common place we see metastasis is in the liver," says Denise Harnois, D.O., a Mayo Clinic transplant hepatologist.

In roughly a quarter of these cases, the cancer does not spread beyond the liver. Traditionally, surgeons first explore the option of cutting out the cancer in the liver. However, if the cancer has spread to more than one area of the liver, this approach may not be an option. That is when a liver transplant can be considered for patients who meet certain criteria, Dr. Harnois says.

The ideal candidate will have responded well to chemotherapy, and the colorectal cancer will not have spread beyond the liver. They are also not a candidate for surgical removal of the cancer in their liver. Patients also need to be healthy enough to undergo a liver transplant. This new approach is critical for these patients, whose five-year survival rate without a transplant is only about 15%.

"Mayo Clinic is one of very few transplant centers in the U.S. performing liver transplants on patients with colorectal cancer metastasis, in part because it's a relatively new treatment option. It also requires a multidisciplinary team of oncologists, surgeons and transplant experts who work closely together to help these patients," Dr. Harnois says.

Gary Gonzales is among those grateful this new option exists. The 59-year-old from Broomfield, Colorado, was diagnosed with colorectal cancer at age 52. The cancer soon spread to his liver. He was referred to Mayo Clinic after having undergone multiple rounds of chemotherapy and two liver resection surgeries at another institution. He had a liver transplant at Mayo Clinic in July of 2024, and says he finally feels like his old self. He is thankful for his care team and his liver donor.

"I am very grateful for that donor," Gary says. "I would definitely like to give the donor's family a hug. The donor is a part of me and my family and gave me a chance to live."

Journalists: Press kit, including b-roll, photos and interviews available here. Dr. Denise Harnois and Gary Gonzales are available for interviews. Please contact newsbureau@mayo.edu to schedule.

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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:

• Heather Carlson Kehren, Mayo Clinic Communications, newsbureau@mayo.edu

Additional resources: Mayo Clinic Minute: Liver transplant for patients with advanced colorectal cancer

The post Liver transplants offer new hope for colorectal cancer patients with liver metastasis appeared first on Mayo Clinic News Network.

ROCHESTER, Minn. — Students at Mayo Clinic Alix School of Medicine campuses in Arizona, Florida and Minnesota joined more than 40,000 medical students nationwide as they simultaneously opened envelopes at 11 a.m. CDT to reveal their residency training placements through the National Resident Matching Program (NRMP). Mayo Clinic School of Graduate Medical Education is one of the nation's largest schools of graduate medical education, with a total enrollment of more than 1,900 physicians in training, and has trained half of Mayo's current physicians. This year, the school's 65 programs in Arizona, Florida, Minnesota and Wisconsin participated in the National Resident Matching Program and offered 372 residency positions to students nationwide.   

"This Match represents an incredible opportunity to train the surgeons of the future, who will go on to make significant contributions to the field of medicine. Being selected for our program is not only a testament to the applicants' dedication and skill but also a life-changing opportunity that will shape their careers," said Mariela Rivera, M.D., Program Director General Surgery Residency Program, Rochester. "This Match welcomes top physicians from different backgrounds and with varied work experiences and perspectives who will collaborate to enhance our profession, patient outcomes and innovation while fostering an inclusive healthcare community."

Among the 87 students in the Mayo Clinic Alix School of Medicine class of 2025 participating in the Match, 24 will complete their residencies at Mayo Clinic. The others will bring their training in the Mayo Clinic Model of Care to residency programs across 22 states.  

The most popular specialties are surgical and surgical specialties including ophthalmology, orthopedic surgery, neurosurgery and OB/GYN. Internal medicine, anesthesiology, radiation oncology and emergency medicine were other top specialties Mayo Clinic Alix School of Medicine students matched in.

Meet the students who matched.

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

About Mayo Clinic School of Graduate Medical Education  
Mayo Clinic School of Graduate Medical Education (MCSGME) was established by the Mayo brothers in 1915 to provide specialty training to graduate physicians. The school has since grown to become one of the largest in the country, sponsoring more than 250 residency and fellowship training programs located on the Mayo Clinic campuses in Minnesota, Florida, and Arizona. Graduate medical education is an essential part of the spirit and legacy of Mayo Clinic, and it is a critical investment in Mayo's future. For more information visit Mayo Clinic School of Graduate 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. 

The post Envelope please: Match Day 2025 appeared first on Mayo Clinic News Network.

ROCHESTER, Minn. — Match Day, held each March, is the moment when graduating medical school students across the country learn where—and in which specialty—they will complete their residency training for the next three to seven years.  

“Passionate,” “prepared” and “inspired” are the words echoing the medical school hallways during Match week. Fourth-year medical students at Mayo Clinic Alix School of Medicine (MCASOM) campuses in Arizona, Florida and Minnesota will join more than 40,000 medical students nationwide as they simultaneously open envelopes at 11 a.m. CDT to reveal their residency training placements through the National Resident Matching Program (NRMP).

Watch live on March 21.

LINKS ABOVE WILL CONVERT TO SHAREABLE VIDEO AFTER THE CEREMONY.

Match Day has been described by MCASOM and Mayo Clinic School of Graduate Medical Education alumni and keynote speaker Natalie Strand, M.D., as a milestone transition, threshold students are stepping across, from medical student to physician, researcher, or educator. It is not simply the next step—it is a transformation, a shift from learning medicine to living it. Held each year on the third Friday of March, graduating medical school students from the U.S. and around the world await the pivotal moment when they learn which residency programs they will complete their training.  

Fredric Meyer, M.D., the Waugh Executive Dean of Education, shares his advice with medical students, “As future doctors, you are not only healers but also advocates for the core values of respect, integrity, compassion, healing, teamwork, innovation, excellence and stewardship. Your voices are powerful tools in shaping a healthcare system that reflects these values. Embrace this responsibility knowing that your efforts can drive meaningful progress."

Mayo Clinic Alix School of Medicine students consistently match above the national rate with 97% NRMP placement rate, have a 100% USMLE Step 2 exam pass rate and 94% are satisfied with their medical education at the top-rated national medical school, as reported by U.S. News and World Report "Best Medical Schools - Research."

Students Meet their Match

Match Day is the result of the hard work students put in during their medical school training. If you looked for a common theme this year, one clearly emerged: students are ready and prepared to truly listen to their patients. Five students share what Match Day means to them. 

Ning McKenzie, Mayo Clinic Alix School of Medicine — Arizona 

Match Day brings a lot of nerves, both from hope and from anxiety. I love the national significance of Match Day and have watched videos for years, because it's a universal experience of opening your envelope and finding out where your future will be. I think it's a rite of passage and an honor to celebrate with friends, family, and mentors. 

 I am excited to start residency and am prepared to enter this new phase with curiosity and humility. Medical student rotations have repeatedly instilled us to constantly learn, adapt, and build strong team relationships. I feel prepared to enter yet another unknown! 

Guozhen (Gordon) Xie, Mayo Clinic Alix School of Medicine — Florida 

I doubt that anyone truly feels "ready," but when I look at my fellow classmates, I realize that I would (and do) already trust them with my health and medical care. I believe that wherever they might go to train, their work will reflect positively on the medical school here at Mayo. 

Anders Jenson, Mayo Clinic Alix School of Medicine — Minnesota 

The ability to make meaningful connections with my future patients and their families motivates me. I am most passionate about ensuring that all my patients’ voices are heard, and empowering them to make the medical decisions that best fit their individual goals and needs. 

My personal experiences drew me to medicine, as I hope to able support the next generation of patients and their families as a physician myself, recognize the wide-ranging impact illness can have on someone's life. 

Casey Martinez, Mayo Clinic Alix School of Medicine — Arizona 

I have been surrounded by true excellence here, from fellow classmates to professors, researchers, clinical staff, administrators and mentors. The culture at Mayo Clinic is second to none, and I’ve learned what it truly means to put the needs of the patient first. I owe so much to those who have shaped me into who I am today. It has been incredible to rotate in Phoenix, Rochester and Jacksonville, learning from experts on the cutting edge of each of the three shields- clinical practice, education and research. 

It is an honor to step into the next phase of training, knowing that we are joining a profession dedicated to lifelong service. 

Kiyan Heybati, Mayo Clinic Alix School of Medicine — Florida 

Mayo has become a place that I am proud to call my second home. Whether learning in the hospital or through research initiatives, my experiences here have allowed me to not only see but also play an active role in always placing the needs of the patient first through the integration of the three shields. As I look toward residency, I will carry forward the lessons I have learned in always prioritizing the needs of the patient through interdisciplinary and team-based care. 

Above all, Mayo instilled a value of always placing the needs of the patient first which I am confident will serve me well in the future. 

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

About Mayo Clinic School of Graduate Medical Education
Mayo Clinic School of Graduate Medical Education (MCSGME) was established by the Mayo brothers in 1915 to provide specialty training to graduate physicians. The school has since grown to become one of the largest in the country, sponsoring more than 250 residency and fellowship training programs located on the Mayo Clinic campuses in Minnesota, Florida, and Arizona. Graduate medical education is an essential part of the spirit and legacy of Mayo Clinic, and it is a critical investment in Mayo’s future. For more information visit Mayo Clinic School of Graduate 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 contact:

• Mayo Clinic Education Communications, newbureau@mayo.edu

The post From learning to living medicine: Mayo Clinic Alix School of Medicine students participate in Match Day appeared first on Mayo Clinic News Network.