The vision

At the forefront of medical education, we prioritize the integration of learning innovation to cultivate well-rounded physicians prepared for the future of medicine. Our commitment to education in innovation is unwavering, as we believe that continuous learning and adaptation are essential in the ever-evolving field of medicine. By fostering an environment that encourages curiosity, critical thinking, and the application of cutting-edge technologies, we aim to equip our residents with the skills and knowledge necessary to excel in innovation.

Our residency has a dedicated associate program director for innovation to implement educational opportunities in innovation. Mayo Clinic in Florida is also home to the Innovation and Discovery building, where many of the innovation activities occur. The building also provides a space for the intersection of innovation, startups, business models and education.  We partner with our Innovation Exchange colleagues as well as our Chief Innovation Officer on Mayo Clinic's campus in Jacksonville, Florida.

Our vision is to create a dynamic and inclusive educational framework that not only addresses current healthcare challenges but also anticipates future advancements, ensuring that our trainees are prepared to lead and innovate in a rapidly changing world. 

Mayo Clinic in Florida offers several opportunities for residents to learn about innovation during their residency training.

Innovation curriculum

Our innovation curriculum is truly unique and is scheduled for all internal medicine residents as part of the noon conference curriculum schedule. Residents will develop a baseline knowledge of innovation, learning from inspiring physician-innovators as well as the basics of artificial intelligence, patents, 3-D printing, and more. This curriculum is truly one of a kind and is leading the way in the intersection of innovation and medical education.

If a resident is interested in expanding their knowledge in innovation, several other educational opportunities exist.

 Innovation and Entrepreneurship Academy

Structured as a year-long course across the Mayo Clinic Enterprise, learners will meet with a group of peers for monthly sessions to learn fundamentals and application of innovation skills to take forward in future project ideas, in dedicated innovation fellowships or as Mayo Clinic faculty. The Academy is designed to serve as a bridge for trainees to learn and apply the fundamentals of clinical innovation and entrepreneurship through a longitudinal program. The program will leverage expertise internally and externally on the topics of innovation, commercialization, entrepreneurship, AI, and communication.

Innovation and Entrepreneurship Elective

This is a four-week, elective course in Clinical Innovation and Entrepreneurship. In this elective, trainees will develop and strengthen skills and knowledge in clinical innovation design thinking.  Learners spend time testing, validating, and pitching an idea from problem/solution to business model development. The competencies focus on testing and validating a problem, market need, key resources, revenue streams, and minimum viable product prototyping.

Innovation Track

This track is dedicated to graduate physician-innovators with a certificate in medical innovation and entrepreneurship upon completion. After learning the basics of innovation and entrepreneurship, selected residents are given a standing role in Mayo Clinic's Innovation Exchange, where they have direct mentorship in innovation and entrepreneurship, and will have a hands-on experience in engaging in real-world projects, case studies, start-ups and gain expertise in needs assessment and taking ideas into implementation along with networking opportunities. Residents will also have opportunities to evaluate their own ideas; file a disclosure and possibly a patent; attend innovation conferences; and be involved in a capstone innovation project and think tanks.  Additional details regarding the structure of the Innovation Track are included below.

Mayo Clinic is committed to training future physicians to become physicians of the future. Education in innovation starts early in medical training and is crucial for the future of patient care.

Optional Innovation Track

Goals

This 24-month track during PGY-2 and PGY-3 years of Internal Medicine residency will prepare residents to become physician-innovators, equipped with the skills and knowledge necessary to drive advancements in healthcare.

Learning objectives

1. Articulate and employ the fundamentals of the biodesign process, including identification and screening of clinical needs.
2. Understand how to test and validate concept solutions.
3. Acquire skills in product design and prototyping.
4. Apply a variety of ideation and design thinking methodologies.
5. Understand the regulatory environment for medical technologies.
6. Perform market and stakeholder analyses and learn business model fundamentals.
7. Explore startup methodologies, fundamentals of fundraising and develop skills in pitch presentations.
8. Undertake an innovative project to apply this knowledge and gain practical experience through partnerships with Mayo Clinic strategic alliances.

Outcome

Upon successful completion of the Innovation Track, residents will be equipped with an in-depth experience in innovation and entrepreneurship processes and will receive a Certificate of Distinction in Medical Innovation and Entrepreneurship from Mayo Clinic in Florida Department of Medicine Chair and Chief Innovation Officer.

Core components and key experiences

• Apply for and complete MCSGME Innovation and Entrepreneurship education offerings
• Standing role with Mayo Clinic Innovation Exchange
• Attending monthly internal medicine innovation curriculum
• Engagement with Mayo Clinic strategic alliances
• Participation in local and national think tanks

Mentorship

• Mayo Clinic innovation faculty mentors
• External mentors through strategic alliances

Opportunities

• Selected residents are given a standing role in Mayo Clinic's Innovation Exchange, where they have direct mentorship in innovation and entrepreneurship, and will have a hands-on experience in engaging in real-world projects, case studies, start-ups and gain expertise in needs assessment and taking ideas into implementation along with networking opportunities.
• Residents will also have opportunities to evaluate their own ideas; file a disclosure and possibly a patent; attend innovation conferences; and be involved in a capstone innovation project.

Eligibility

Application to the Innovation Track is open to all rising PGY-2 or higher Mayo Clinic in Florida Internal Medicine residents in good standing in our program.

General requirements

• Residents must regularly attend residency conferences and participate in the innovation curriculum.
• Residents should meet with their innovation mentor frequently and on a regular basis, with the cadence to be set by the resident and mentor partnership.
• Present findings/projects to Mayo leadership and share knowledge with other trainees.
• Develop and implement an innovation project and/or submit a patent.
• Present at national conferences, publish in academic peer-reviewed journals.
• Residents must maintain good standing within the program throughout the Innovation Track. They must comply with work hour policies, regular conference attendance requirements, and continue to progress academically and clinically, achieving expected milestone progression.

Structure

Schedule

• Selected residents will have dedicated time each month during outpatient and /or elective rotations for working on innovation projects and contributing to their role with the innovation exchange.
• Residents in this program should allocate four weeks of elective time each year to research, focusing on fulfilling pathway requirements and needs to advance their innovation project.

Application process

• Internal Medicine residents at Mayo Clinic in Florida may apply for the Innovation Track during the spring of PGY-1 year, to begin July of PGY-2 year.
• Provide a personal statement of interest that highlights:
  • Motivations for choosing the innovation track
  • Area of interest within innovation
  • Prior relevant experience
  • Career goals
• Provide a statement of support from the program director confirming ability to meaningfully participate in this track without adversely affecting regular clinical training.