Patient's 10-Year-Old Son Uses Birthday Money to Help Kids at Mayo Clinic
When Bobby Pignati acquired a stash of cash for his 10th birthday, his parents assumed he'd buy a video game he'd been eyeing. Instead, Bobby announced he wanted to donate the bulk of the funds to Mayo Clinic where his dad, Joe, was receiving treatment for bile duct cancer. "I wanted to do something nice for Mayo," Bobby says. The decision took his parents by surprise. "He came up with the idea all by himself," Joe tells us. "It made me really proud."
Silent Heart Attacks Are a Real Thing -- But They Don't Have to Be
The symptoms of a heart attack are often pretty clear: pressure, tightness, pain, or a squeezing or aching sensation in your chest or arms that may spread to your neck, jaw or back; nausea, indigestion, heartburn or abdominal pain; shortness of breath; cold sweats; fatigue; and lightheadedness or sudden dizziness, to name a few.
Quote of the day
"Good habits formed at youth make all the difference."
Aristotle
Lost and Found: Helping a Patient's Spouse Return a Borrowed Wheelchair
After listening to a patient's husband explain how a wheelchair he had borrowed went missing, Paul Albrecht gave the man one of his business cards — and a promise to help.
Toy Drive a Holiday Tradition for Transplant Family
Each year, Linsey Rippy and her family organize a toy drive to stock the toy closets at Mayo Clinic and Ronald McDonald House. It's their way of paying forward the kindness they've been shown.
Quote of the day
"Helping others in need is not only a responsibility of life; it is what gives meaning to life."
Mollie Marti
Doctor and Patient Share Special Connection -- and Big Macs
Medical problems led to more than a year of living on liquid nutrition through a tube for D'Ann Mitchell. After her recovery, her doctor made good on a promise to treat her to lunch.
Neurologists' Annual Trip to Ethiopia Honors Ongoing Commitment to Global Health Care
After reading about Ethiopia's lack of neurological care, James Bower, M.D., joined others in an effort to turn that around, including developing a neurology learning program for local physicians.
Quote of the day
"A man’s true wealth is the good he does in this world."
Kahlil Gibran
Steve Grinnell: Staying Ahead of Parkinson's Disease One Ping Pong Game at a Time
Since being diagnosed with Parkinson's disease, Steve Grinnell has worked hard to stay active, stepping up his table tennis game and, thanks to co-workers, testing his skills outside his home.
Dog Days Bring Joy to Staff in Community Pediatric and Adolescent Medicine
Tammy Schmit was looking for a way to lift the spirits of her team when she had an idea: invite Mayo Clinic's Caring Canines to bring their unique brand of cheer to the staff.
Quote of the day
"Every ball counts."
Sir Matt
Surprise Party for 85-Year-Old Nurse Who Shows No Signs of Slowing Down (or Retiring)
Donna Alger has been a nurse for more than 60 years, the last 14 in Mayo Clinic's Pre-Operative Evaluation Clinic. Her colleagues recently helped her celebrate her 85th birthday.
Tips for Turning Your Home Into a "Wellness Refuge" This Winter
As the days turn darker, Kyja Stygar, M.D., a family practice physician at Mayo Clinic Health System in Eau Claire, Wisconsin, offers tips on making it a happy, healthy winter.
Quote of the day
"When people go to work, they shouldn’t have to leave their hearts at home."
Betty Bender
All Hands on Deck: Larry Oelkers Suffers Heart Attack, Community Rushes To Help
Larry Oelkers was just about to leave a high school football game when he went into cardiac arrest. His community jumped in to help save his life.
Pediatric Advisory Board Gives Kids a Voice in Research That Affects Them
A group of young people make up Mayo Clinic’s unique Pediatric Advisory Board, offering ideas about recruiting and communicating with research participants.
Quote of the day
"Time isn’t the main thing. It’s the only thing."
Miles Davis
Ambulance From Mayo Clinic Finds New Life in Haiti
Mayo Clinic Ambulance Service's recent donation will arrive in Carrefour, Haiti, next month after Chris Hedlund, an emergency medical technician, went the extra mile to make it happen.
Ensuring the Franciscan Values Survive
The Sisters of Saint Francis, who cared for patients alongside the Mayos and helped establish the values that guide Mayo Clinic, still influence how health care is provided today.
Quote of the day
"What do we live for, if not to make life less difficult for each other?"
George Eliot
Halloween Comes to Kids in Hospital With Trick-or-Treating, Costumes and More
Mayo Clinic's Child Life Program brought Halloween to kids spending their favorite candy-gathering holiday at Mayo Clinic Children's Center. There were costumes, face painting and reverse trick-or-treating, so the kids in their care didn't feel left out.
'Medical Games for Doctors' Helping Clinicians Fine-Tune Their Craft
Mayo Clinic developed a Virtual Reality lab to teach real-world medical procedures and let doctors learn where unique structures are situated before performing a procedure.
Quote of the day
"I hear and I forget. I see and I remember. I do and I understand."
Confucius
Nurse Brings Hogwarts to Mayo Clinic To Cast a Fall Prevention Spell
Megan VanDeVoorde, a nurse a Mayo Clinic, used her knowledge of all things Harry Potter as a way to inspire her organ transplant colleagues during the recent Fall Prevention Awareness Week.
