Salutations and welcome to our fellowship. Years ago, I was lucky enough to train here in critical care and would absolutely train here again. Mayo Clinic is a unique institution with a storied history and an unparalleled learning environment — one that leverages immense resources to support its fellows, encourages excellence and professional development, and is at the forefront of cutting-edge medicine. We develop well-rounded intensivists who are comfortable and competent in all aspects of critical care.

Our fellowship is structured around the “Three Shields” of Mayo: integrated clinical practice, education, and research. All fellows engage in each of these areas during their training, but to different degrees and in varying ways depending upon their career aspirations and personal interests. You decide; we’ll support.

Mayo Clinic is so large and has so many resources, talent, extensive networks, partnerships with industry, ongoing trials, and abundant, state-of-the-art equipment in every location that training and working here is often described as, “Disneyland for Doctors.” And it’s true. Want a PICC line at 2 a.m. on a Sunday? Done. Need a collaborative meeting between multiple services when caring for a complex patient? Not a problem. Need to consult with a world expert in an obscure pathology — chances are you’ll find the expert here and readily available.

Frankly, it’s just easier and more fun to train and work here. We are all fortunate to be here, and we know it. This results in gratitude and excitement that permeates not only life inside the hospital but in the surrounding community as well.

We are always on the hunt for fellows with grit and gumption, a curious mind, and a servant’s heart. Once identified, we ask that they give us 12 months of their best effort. In return, we promise to support their well-being, hone their skills, develop their knowledge, pique their curiosity, expand their thinking, enlarge their ambitions, and equip them with the tools for a successful career. We don’t just train fellows in critical care; we develop physician leaders who will be at the forefront of our specialty going forward.

Our goal is nothing less than to change the trajectory of your career. It’s not about academic vs. private, research vs. clinical, or administration vs. education. It’s about being the best at whatever you pursue and leading others in that pursuit.

So please, peruse our web pages and see why Mayo is not only the best hospital in the world but the best place to train in the world!

Ben Daxon, M.D.
Program Director
Assistant Professor, Mayo School of Graduate Medical Education
Consultant, Department of Anesthesiology and Perioperative Medicine