History of Mayo Clinic in Timeline

Mayo Clinic is a non-profit American academic medical center with integrated healthcare, education, and research. It operates major campuses in Rochester, Minnesota; Jacksonville, Florida; and Phoenix/Scottsdale, Arizona, providing a wide range of medical services and conducting extensive research.

1905: Mayo Clinic Advanced Use of Frozen Tissue During Surgery

In 1905, Mayo Clinic advanced a technique of using frozen tissue during surgery to determine if a patient had cancer while the patient was still in the operating room.

1911: Death of William Worrall Mayo

William Worrall Mayo, M.D., the founder of the Mayo Clinic's medical practice, passed away in 1911. His work laid the foundation for the renowned medical institution.

1914: Opening of the 1914 "red brick" building

In 1914, Mayo Clinic opened the world's first building expressly designed for multispecialty group practice, known as the 1914 "red brick" building. It facilitated ease of movement, brought research and education functions into proximity with clinical practice, and patient amenities.

1915: Mayo Clinic Offered the First Graduate Medical Education Program

In 1915, Mayo Clinic offered the first graduate medical education program and the first nonprofit practice aligned with medical education and research.

1915: Establishment of Mayo Clinic College of Medicine and Science

In 1915, the Mayo Clinic College of Medicine and Science (MCCMS) was established, offering educational programs embedded in Mayo Clinic's clinical practice and biomedical research activities, marking a significant step in medical education.

1915: Development of Medical Educational Programs

In 1915, the first medical educational programs were developed at Mayo Clinic with the assistance of the University of Minnesota. The Mayo Clinic School of Graduate Medical Education and the Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research were also established in 1915.

1919: Mayo Brothers Donate Assets to Create Non-Profit Organization

In 1919, the Mayo brothers and their wives donated the assets of their medical practice, including land, buildings, equipment, and their life savings, to transform the private partnership into a not-for-profit organization, marking a major shift in the clinic's structure.

1928: Enhancement with the 1928 Mayo Clinic building

In 1928, the 1914 approach was replicated and enhanced with the adjoining 1928 Mayo Clinic building, later named for Plummer. The 1928 Mayo Clinic building is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

1935: Mayo Clinic Opened the First Hospital-Based Blood Bank

In 1935, Mayo Clinic opened the first hospital-based blood bank in Rochester, improving blood storage and transfusion practices.

1939: Death of William James Mayo and Charles Horace Mayo

In 1939, both William James Mayo (Dr. Will) and Charles Horace Mayo (Dr. Charlie) passed away. Their contributions to surgery and the development of the Mayo Clinic were significant.

1950: Nobel Prize Awarded for Cortisone Discovery

In 1950, Mayo Clinic physicians Edward C. Kendall and Philip S. Hench were awarded the Nobel Prize in medicine, along with Tadeus Reichstein, for their discovery of cortisone. They identified compounds from the adrenal cortex that produced cortisone and hydrocortisone.

1955: Mayo Building Completion

In 1955, construction of the Mayo Building in Rochester, Minnesota, was completed.

1956: Description of Lambert-Eaton Myasthenic Syndrome

In 1956, Mayo Clinic associates Edward Howard Lambert, Lealdes (Lee) McKendree Eaton, and Edward Douglas Rooke were the first physicians to substantially describe the clinic and electrophysiological findings of what is known as Lambert–Eaton myasthenic syndrome.

1969: First FDA-Approved Hip Replacement in the U.S.

In 1969, Mayo Clinic doctors performed the first Food and Drug Administration-approved hip replacement in the United States, a significant milestone in orthopedic surgery.

1972: Opening of Mayo Medical School

In 1972, the Mayo Medical School (now Mayo Clinic Alix School of Medicine) opened in Rochester, Minnesota, furthering Mayo Clinic's commitment to medical education.

1972: Hypothesis of Autoimmunity in LEMS

In 1972, the clustering of Lambert–Eaton myasthenic syndrome (LEMS) with other autoimmune diseases led to the hypothesis that it was caused by autoimmunity.

1973: Mayo Clinic Buys First CT Scanner in the U.S.

In 1973, Mayo Clinic bought the first CT scanner in the U.S., enhancing its diagnostic capabilities.

1974: Guggenheim Building Completion

In 1974, the Guggenheim Building was completed at Mayo Clinic.

1986: Mayo Clinic Formally Unites with Hospitals and Expands to Florida

In 1986, Mayo Clinic formally united with Saint Marys Hospital and Rochester Methodist Hospital. Additionally, Mayo Clinic expanded to Florida, partly due to a land donation in Jacksonville.

1987: Mayo Clinic Expands to Scottsdale, Arizona

In 1987, Mayo Clinic expanded its operations to Scottsdale, Arizona, further extending its reach across the United States.

1989: Completion of the Siebens Building

In 1989, the Siebens Building was completed after the 1914 "red brick" building was demolished in the 1980s to make way for it.

1992: Establishment of Mayo Clinic Health System

In 1992, the Mayo Clinic Health System was established as a network of community-based medical services in Minnesota, Iowa, and Wisconsin, extending Mayo's care to more local communities.

1998: Opening of Phoenix, Arizona Campus

In 1998, the Phoenix, Arizona, campus of Mayo Clinic opened, adding to its growing presence in the state and across the country.

September 11, 2001: Memorializing 9/11 Terrorist Attacks

On September 11, 2001, the bronze entry doors of the General Hospital at Mayo Clinic were closed to memorialize the victims of the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks.

2001: Development of Rapid DNA Test for Anthrax

In 2001, Mayo Clinic and Roche Molecular Biochemicals developed a rapid DNA test to detect anthrax in humans and in the environment, improving diagnostic capabilities for this infectious disease.

2001: Gonda Building Completion

In 2001, the Gonda Building was completed at Mayo Clinic.

2007: Opus Imaging Research Building Completion

In 2007, the Opus Imaging Research Building was completed at Mayo Clinic.

2008: Establishment of Mayo Clinic Center for Innovation

In 2008, the Mayo Clinic Center for Innovation was established, and has since worked on over 270 projects, fostering advancements in healthcare delivery and patient care.

November 2009: Denis A. Cortese, M.D. retired as president and CEO

In November 2009, Denis A. Cortese, M.D., retired as president and CEO of the Mayo Clinic, marking a change in leadership for the organization.

2009: John H. Noseworthy becomes CEO

In 2009, John H. Noseworthy, M.D., became the president and CEO of Mayo Clinic.

2011: Launch of Mayo Clinic Care Network

In 2011, Mayo Clinic launched the Mayo Clinic Care Network, a collection of facilities with access to Mayo Clinic protocols and experts, enhancing the quality of care at affiliated institutions.

2011: Mayo Foundation v. United States

In 2011, in Mayo Foundation v. United States, the Supreme Court sided with the Social Security Administration and required FICA to be deducted going forward, determining that medical residents were not exempt from Social Security deductions.

2013: First-in-Human Study in Regenerative Medicine

In 2013, Mayo Clinic specialists in regenerative medicine began the "first-in-human study," using patient cells to attempt to heal heart damage, marking an innovative approach in cardiac treatment.

2014: Partnership with Apple for Health Apps

In 2014, Mayo Clinic partnered with Apple Inc. to develop the Apple Health and HealthKit apps, creating a central location for personal health information and integrating technology into patient care.

2014: Development of HealthKit App

In 2014, Mayo Clinic was developing an app for Apple's HealthKit to help users maintain healthy lifestyles and warn of certain health signs that need attention.

September 2015: Launch of the Well Living Lab

In September 2015, Mayo Clinic and Delos Living launched the Well Living Lab. This research facility is designed to simulate real-world, non-hospital environments, allowing Mayo Clinic researchers to study the interaction between indoor spaces and human health.

2015: Gianrico Farrugia becomes CEO of Mayo Clinic in Florida

In 2015, Gianrico Farrugia had served as CEO of Mayo Clinic in Florida.

2016: Mayo Clinic Ranked #1 Hospital by U.S. News & World Report

Since 2016, the Mayo Clinic, Rochester, has been ranked as the #1 overall hospital in the United States by U.S. News & World Report.

April 2017: Leapfrog Safety Rating

In April 2017, every Mayo Clinic hospital received an "A" safety rating from Leapfrog in its report.

2017: Mayo Clinic Ranked Among Best Companies

In 2017, Mayo Clinic achieved a ranking on the "100 Best Companies to Work For" list published by Fortune magazine for the fourteenth consecutive year, highlighting its commitment to employee satisfaction.

March 2018: Partnership with Mytonomy

In March 2018, Mayo Clinic partnered with Mytonomy, a healthcare education system company, to provide video content for cancer patients.

December 2018: John H. Noseworthy, M.D. retired as president and CEO

In December 2018, John H. Noseworthy, M.D., retired as president and CEO of the Mayo Clinic, marking a change in leadership for the organization.

2018: Spinal Cord Stimulation and Physical Therapy for Paralyzed Man

In 2018, Mayo Clinic and UCLA used spinal cord stimulation and physical therapy that allowed a man paralyzed since 2013 to briefly regain his ability to stand and walk with assistance, demonstrating a potential breakthrough in treating paralysis.

2018: Gianrico Farrugia Appointed CEO

In 2018, Mayo Clinic announced that Gianrico Farrugia, M.D., would replace Noseworthy as CEO. By 2018, Mayo Clinic doctors saw approximately 1.3 million patients annually.

September 2019: Partnership with Google

In September 2019, Mayo Clinic partnered with Google for health care innovation and cloud computing. Google also planned to open its facility in Rochester, Minnesota for Mayo Clinic.

November 2019: Mayo Clinic Invests in UAE Hospital

In November 2019, the Mayo Clinic, in partnership with SEHA Abu Dhabi Health Services Co, invested $50 million into a 741-bed hospital in the United Arab Emirates for a 25% stake, expanding its international presence.

2019: John H. Noseworthy's Tenure Ends

In 2019, John H. Noseworthy, M.D.'s tenure as president and CEO of Mayo Clinic concluded. Under his leadership, Mayo Clinic added 7,200 employees.

2019: Discovery Square Building Addition

In 2019, the Discovery Square building was added to Mayo Clinic.

2019: Mayo Clinic and Oxford University Clinic Collaboration

In 2019, the Mayo Clinic created an independent business subsidiary in London in partnership with Oxford University Clinic, a collaboration between the University of Oxford and Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust to operate a clinic.

January 2020: Investment in Inference

In January 2020, Mayo Clinic and NTT Venture Capital joined a $60 million financing for biomedical software startup Inference.

July 2020: Mayo Clinic Becomes Sole Owner of London Clinic

In July 2020, Mayo Clinic acquired Oxford University Clinic's share of their joint facility in London, becoming the sole owner and establishing its first overseas clinic as a fully operated Mayo Clinic entity.

2020: Expanded Access Program for Convalescent Plasma

In 2020, Mayo Clinic began running a federally sponsored Expanded Access Program for Convalescent Plasma to treat hospitalized patients with COVID-19 in the United States.

2020: Launch of Advanced Care at Home Model

In 2020, Mayo Clinic's Advanced Care at Home Model of Care was launched to assist patients in their own homes through virtual care, enhancing accessibility and convenience.

2020: Mayo Clinic bought a facility in central London, UK

In 2020, the Mayo Clinic bought a facility in central London, UK, expanding its reach internationally. This marked a significant step in the clinic's global presence.

2021: Mayo Clinic Ranked #1 Hospital by U.S. News & World Report

In 2021, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, was ranked again as the #1 overall hospital in the United States by U.S. News & World Report.

2022: Mayo Clinic Employment and Reach

As of 2022, Mayo Clinic employs 76,000 people, including over 7,300 physicians and clinical residents, and more than 66,000 allied health staff. The Mayo Clinic Health System consists of more than 70 hospitals and clinics across Minnesota, Iowa, and Wisconsin.

2022: Mayo Clinic Research Funding and Personnel

As of 2022, Mayo Clinic's research personnel included about 5,500 physicians and scientists. Research funding exceeded $1 billion, resulting in 9,275 research publications and review articles in peer-reviewed journals.

2022: Mayo Clinic Patient Volume

In 2022, more than 1.3 million different patients from all 50 states and 138 countries were seen at Mayo Clinic facilities, demonstrating its wide reach and impact.

March 2023: Use of AI for Content Creation

In March 2023, Mayo Clinic disclosed that they are using AI technology to write content in plain language, choose words that are inclusive, and optimize content for search applications.

May 2023: Mayo Clinic's Lobbying Efforts Against Healthcare Bills

In May 2023, Mayo Clinic lobbied against the Keeping Nurses at the Bedside Act (KNABA) and the Health Care Affordability Board, threatening to pull over 4 billion dollars in investments into new facilities and infrastructure in the Mayo Clinic Rochester campus unless the Affordability Board bill was scrapped and the KNABA was amended. These lobbying attempts were successful.

2023: Proton Beam Therapy Treatments

As of 2023, Mayo Clinic had treated more than 10,000 patients with proton beam therapy across two of its facilities, underscoring its role in advancing cancer treatment.