At the heart of the Mayo Clinic Family Medicine Residency in Mankato, Minnesota, lies an unwavering commitment to community engagement—a principle that threads through every aspect of the program and serves as the bedrock of its mission and values. By fostering meaningful connections and responding directly to the needs of local individuals and families, the residency not only enhances patient care but also nurtures future physicians who are deeply attuned to the communities they serve.

This focus on engagement empowers residents to develop a holistic understanding of community health, learn the art of compassionate advocacy, and embrace collaborative approaches that extend well beyond the clinic walls. Through hands-on involvement in diverse settings and initiatives, residents embody the program’s dedication to service, equity, and education, transforming both themselves and the communities they touch.

Residents, faculty, and medical students are actively engaged with the community in a variety of venues.

Examples include:

• Peter Free Clinic – Established and operated by faculty and residents, this clinic provides free healthcare services to underserved individuals, including those who are uninsured or cannot obtain insurance due to their documentation status.
• Connections Shelter Clinic – This clinic is operated in collaboration with Open Door Health Center, a federally qualified health center, and Connections Shelter, providing on-site medical care for individuals and families experiencing homelessness.
• The Medical-Dental Integration Clinic is a collaborative effort with the Minnesota State University School of Dental Hygiene and Dental Therapy. This innovative program brings oral health care into primary care settings, allowing services such as well-child visits and chronic disease management to include dental care. It is the first program of its kind in Minnesota.
• Development and delivery of health education topics (including a “mini-medical school”) for infants, toddlers, and tweens at the Children's Museum of Southern Minnesota.
• Programs addressing food insecurity, including the on-site Mayo Clinic Community Garden, “rescuing” food in partnership with the South Central MN Food Recovery (South Central MN Food Recovery | program, and food drives.
• Sports Physicals Night Out - opportunity for the community to complete high school sports physicals during convenient evening hours
• Nursing home care and home visits
• Sports medicine opportunities with students in the athletic training rooms and sporting events at Minnesota State University Mankato
• Provide medical assistance at the Mankato Marathon and host the post-run Stretch Zone
• Health education with community partners such as VINE Adult Community Center, GEM speaking engagements, Minnesota Valley Action Council, Project Community Connect, and others as they become available