Introduction 1
Chapter One "Take Me to Mayo" 5
The Mayo Model of Care 11
The Mayo Family 18
Chapter Two What Is Mayo Clinic? 21
When Do You Need Mayo Clinic? 22
Isn't It Too Expensive to Go to Mayo? 23
Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota 23
Getting In 24
When to Go 31
Preparing to Go 36
Mayo Clinic Express Care 41
Chapter Three Your Journey to Rochester, Minnesota 43
Getting from the Airport to the Clinic 49
Flying into Minneapolis/St. Paul 52
Getting Around in Rochester 53
Accommodations-Where Should We Stay? 56
Questions to Ask 60
The Lodging Guide 63
Chapter Four Navigating The Clinic 69
How Not to Be Intimidated by the Enormity of It All 69
Your First Day 71
Getting Your Bearings 76
Know Your Mayo Clinic Floors 79
Chapter Five Your Appointments 91
"Your appointment schedule and instructions" 91
Mayo Portal and Patient Online Services Account 93
Who Will You See 94
Medical-ese 97
Tests 98
Checking in at Your Desk 102
"Checkers" 104
Waiting Room Wisdom 107
Meeting Your Physician 108
Clinical Research Trials 112
The Exit Consultation 113
If You Are Hospitalized 114
Chapter Six Dining-"Where's a Good Place to Eat?" 117
Mayo Dining 117
Dining in the City 119
The Dining Guide 120
Eating In 121
Chapter Seven Patient Resources 123
Communicating with Home 123
Chaplain and Religious Services 125
Children at Mayo Clinic 126
Charter House 126
Giving a Gift to Mayo 127
Advance Directives 127
Comments 129
Tipping 129
Mail 129
Flowers 130
Coat Room 130
Lost and Found 130
Chapter Eight Shopping 131
The Mayo Stores 131
Personal Care 135
Chapter Nine Things to Do in Rochester and Environs 139
Mayo Clinic Itself 139
Rochester 151
Things to Do with Children 153
Day Trips and Excursions 153
Additional Services and Entertainment Banking 155
Chapter Ten The Mayo Hospital Experience 157
The Hospitals 157
Pre-admission to the Hospital 160
Timing Your Hospitalization 161
Tips for Family Members While You Are in Surgery 164
After Surgery 166
The Proper Role of Family Members 167
Who's Who in the Hospital 168
Nurses at Mayo 170
Your Room 171
Meals 173
Valuables 173
Parking 175
Additional Patient Services 175
Dismissal from the Hospital 182
Afterword 185
Addendum Covid-19 187
Coronavirus Disease 2019 (Covid-19) 188
Appendix 1 195
My Questions for the Doctors 197
Doctor Recommendations/Prescriptions 198
Visit to Rochester Logistics Notes 199
Appendix 2 200
Downtown Map and Businesses 200
Index 206
