And then they were two...

I have so much to write about this week, I think I'll end up doing it in more than one post. Right now I want to share with you an exhilarating experience I had this week. My next post will be a cruely funny experience.

I joined Mayo Clinic in February. I learned early on that there was a "department summit" held every year. Basically, all employees in our department (across all three locations - MN, FL, AZ) gathered here in Rochester this week for a conference like meeting complete with panel discussions and special speakers. I anticipated it would be much like so many of the conferences I've participated in in the past. For much of it, that is true, but there were some outstanding events and one that I just have to share with you. Our summit officially started out yesterday morning with a breakfast gathering at the Radisson and a "panel" discussion on teamwork. That's the only description they gave us. The chair of our department said he'd like to bring in the panel - part of the team that performed the separation of the conjoined twins, Belle and Abby Carlson. Led by this man, Dr. Moir, the team filed in and took their place in front of us.

You see, this miraculous feat is what makes Mayo Clinic great - its teamwork and collaborative approach is unmatched in the medical industry. They were all so humble and gracious, and although there were 9 on stage, no one person dominated the discussion. Then Dr. Moir said they brought along a couple of guests to join the discussion, and in walks Jesse and Amy carrying their beautiful daughters Belle and Abby (Here's a recent picture):

The entire room stood in a burst of applause and tears, there wasn't a dry eye at my table. What a magical moment to see the true reason why we are all there doing what we're doing. It's to meet the needs of our patients, patients like Belle and Abby, and patients like you and me. There is a reason the mission at Mayo Clinic is unique - it's the only major medical facility in the country whose mission is solely based on the needs of the patient. Quite simply it reads "The needs of the patient come first."



It was cool. It was wonderful. It was humbling.

On my next posting...I'll tell you about my experience as patient as I am getting a cortisone shot in my hip tomorrow morning...