The Mayo Clinic, located in Rochester, Minnesota, has been a long-standing scion of collaborative medicine and groundbreaking research. Read on to find out more about this amazing medical institution.
A Harrowing Start
Ken Burns’ 2018 documentary The Mayo Clinic is a unique look at one of the most prestigious group practice clinics in the world. Current patient stories and commentary are woven in with chronicles of the clinic’s history (see the timeline here). The idea for the clinic was born out of a collaboration of necessity between doctor William Worrall Mayo (known as “W.W.”) and Mother Alfred Moes of the Sisters of St. Francis. Following a catastrophic tornado in 1883, both saw a need for advanced medical care to be brought to the area.
The Mayo Family
The documentary makes seamless work of connecting early practices to current advancements. The practice of remaining open to new technologies and techniques comes from a collaborative approach fostered by Dr. Mayo’s two sons, Will and Charlie Mayo, who were brought up in medicine since their childhood.
The Mayo Clinic’s history mirrors other establishments of the time such as Royal London Hospital in Whitechapel, London (1740) and Bellvue Hospital in New York City (1736), who both became leading pioneers in the field of medicine and its education.
The Patients
"The patient comes first" -- W.W. Mayo
The most striking element of this documentary for me is the current day patient stories that are incorporated into it. The cast includes not only everyday people but also celebrities, giving different perspectives to the overall impact of the Mayo Clinic and its work. Notable interviewees include the His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama, journalist Tom Brokaw, the late Senator John McCain, and Roger Frisch, violinist with the Minnesota Orchestra.
Innovations & Advancements
Notable innovations mentioned in this documentary include advances in pathology, pioneering work in sterilization, internal medicine, insulin research, and more. The creation of the “dossier” system by doctor Henry Plummer also revolutionized patient care with its organization and efficiency. He was, along with the Mayo brothers, was a key contributor to the creation of the collaborative structure that the Mayo Clinic is famous for.
"The greatest asset of a nation is the health of its people. The medical profession can be the greatest factor for good in America. Our failures as a profession are the failures of individualism, the result of competitive medicine. It must be done by collective effort." -- W.W. Mayo
Ken Burns’ The Mayo Clinic gives us a glimpse inside a historical medical practice that is constantly pushing the boundaries of innovation, collaboration, and holistic patient care. It is a fascinating look into the history of medical practice and shows the tenacity and hard work required to bring a profession forward into the modern age.
Interesting Links
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About the Author
Jayme Nelson is a graduate student in library science at Texas Woman's University, with a focus on archives and special collections. She plays bassoon in the Austin Symphonic Band and serves as a collections volunteer at the Austin History Center, a local city archive. She is currently completing her practicum with the Dolph Briscoe Center for American History in Austin, TX.
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