Fellow Life

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Fellow hiking at Frontenac park in Rochester, Minnesota.

Work-life balance is highly influenced by the nature of the people with whom you work. Mayo Clinic has more than 1,900 residents, fellows, medical, and postgraduate students in Rochester, Minnesota. Over 90 percent of trainees are moving to Rochester from elsewhere and all are looking for friends and people with whom they want to spend time. Numerous activities are organized to allow kindred spirits to find each other.

Many trainees at Mayo Clinic choose to purchase a home here because the cost of living is relatively low. Approximately 30 percent of trainees are single, 30 percent are involved in a serious relationship, and 40 percent are married. Approximately 25 percent of trainees have children. All have been selected because of the richness they will add to the community and their ability to bring out the best in those around them. It is no surprise that trainees develop some of their closest friendships with one another.

Living in Rochester is very convenient with everything you need within a ten-minute drive. Ample living space and a hassle-free work commute have been great for quality of life, and there have been plenty of ways to get plugged into the community here in Rochester. For the next year, I am excited to explore more of Rochester and Minnesota at large this year, including the pizza farms, hiking trails, farmers markets, and ice fishing in the winter.

Bradford Chong, M.D.
Pancreatology Fellow

This is my seventh year living in Rochester. I enjoy the lack of traffic and ease to get dinner reservations. As the city is smaller, it allows me to interact more with my family, friends, and colleagues allowing me to develop stronger bonds. I also like how Minneapolis and Saint Paul are within driving distance if I am ever in the need of visiting a more metropolitan area.

Jaime de la Fuente, M.D.
Pancreatology Fellow

Wellness initiatives

As a fellow, your physical and mental health is a priority to both Mayo Clinic and the department. You'll have access to several resources to promote well-being, as well as time off clinical duties to attend appointments. Learn more about life as a Gastroenterology Fellow at Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota.

Dan Abraham Healthy Living Center
Groups on campus
Well-being

Dan Abraham Healthy Living Center

Trainees taking a yoga class at the Dan Abraham Healthy Living Center at Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota. Trainees have access to the Dan Abraham Healthy Living Center (DAHLC), which is located on both Mayo Clinic campuses (downtown and Saint Marys) in Rochester, Minnesota. This state-of-the-art fitness facility offers basic classes (including free weights, stretching, cardio, and more), drop-in classes, evaluation services, group training, virtual personal training, and virtual wellness coaching.

Membership to the DAHLC is available at a low cost to trainees and their families through payroll deduction.

Video: Dan Abraham Health Living Center
Video: A look inside the Dan Abraham Health Living Center

Groups on campus

Several groups on campus help you connect with other fellows and their families, such as the Mayo Fellows Association, the Mayo Families' Connection, and Mayo Employee Resource Groups. Several groups on campus help you connect with other fellows and their families, such as the Mayo Fellows Association, the Mayo Families' Connection, and Mayo Employee Resource Groups. These groups help enhance your training by providing and organizing wellness initiatives and social activities.

Workshops for spouses and significant others are also available.

Well-being

Cardiovascular diseases fellow works on a computer at Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota. The Office of Academic Support and Well-Being provides resources to promote academic, emotional, social, cognitive, financial, and physical well-being. Career and academic services include academic advising, peer tutoring, and accommodations for learners with disabilities or health conditions. Mental health services, counseling, interview practice, and a variety of enrichment sessions on topics like budgeting, resiliency, and stress and burn-out are also available through the Academic Support and Well-Being office.

Opportunities for loved ones

We realize that for many fellows a move to Rochester, Minnesota, is highly dependent on the ability to secure employment for someone close to them. Mayo Clinic is committed to helping your spouse and/or significant other find employment prior to your move to Rochester. This program, referred to as Accompanying Talent, is available to all matched trainees and has contacts with employers in Rochester, the surrounding area, and Minneapolis/St. Paul.

Rochester is a growing city with a population exceeding 100,000. Mayo Clinic is one of the top employers in the region and other major employers include IBM, the Rochester school system, and the local hotel and restaurant industry. We offer opportunities for your spouse or significant other to connect with opportunities at Mayo Clinic as well as with external companies. Personalized support is available, including:

Career counseling
Resume writing and interviewing workshops
Mock interviews
Invitation-only networking
Informational interviews or job observations

Additionally, there are several institutions of higher learning in the area, as well as both public and private school systems that serve K-12.

The cities of Minneapolis and St. Paul, which comprise a major metropolitan area, are within 80 minutes by car. Mayo maintains an informal network of significant others and family members in the various arenas noted above to assist and guide new members to our community.

Mayo Fellows Association (MFA)

The Mayo Fellows Association (MFA) offers a peer and social support network for residents and fellows and their families with social events, athletics, and advocacy. The MFA also holds an annual resident and fellow appreciation event open to all trainees with complimentary massages, stress-reducing activities, and social support.

Life in Rochester

For a relatively small city, Rochester offers a surprising breadth of cultural, recreational, and educational activities. Our fellows love the small town safety and conveniences paired with the big city entertainment and diverse restaurants. With live concerts, craft breweries, and over 3,500 acres of parks and trails, it's never hard to find something to do.

Learn more about our community: