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Resident Life

Residents in the Orthopedic Surgery Residency love all that Mayo Clinic and Rochester, Minnesota, have to offer. We'll support you both inside and outside of the Mayo Clinic campus to promote wellness and ensure your work/life balance.

Wellness resources

Your physical and mental health is a priority to Mayo Clinic. Fellows have access to several resources to promote well-being while you train here.

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 Student Services office 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 Student Services office.

Diversity and inclusion

Orthopedic Surgery is a department where diversity is embraced and celebrated while providing an inclusive environment where employees, trainees, and everyone we serve feels valued and respected.

As a resident, you’ll have the opportunity to be a part of:

  • Mayo Employee Resource Groups (MERGs) to allow for broader institutional engagement and interaction.
  • The OUTList: an internal resource that promotes community, visibility, and mentoring by identifying LGBTQ+ mentors within Mayo Clinic.
  • The Mayo Clinic Trainee Diversity & Inclusion Committee, a group that recruits and mentors applicants from underrepresented backgrounds.

The Orthopedic Diversity Committee drives several initiatives to make our department more diverse and inclusive. One of our goals is to recruit and retain outstanding and diverse faculty, including minority and female candidates. In fact, over 50% of our incoming trainees (residents and fellows) in 2019 were women.

We have also developed a collaboration with Nth Dimensions where we host two students each summer for internships. Nth Dimensions is a nonprofit that addresses the dearth of women and underrepresented minorities (URMs) in orthopedic surgery.

Class of 2025 Orthopedic Surgery residents

Get social

For an ongoing look into the residency program, consider following us on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter. Connect with many of our residents there too!

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. 

Video: Living in Rochester, Minnesota

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Video: Living in Rochester, Minnesota

The culture of the Mayo Clinic orthopedic surgery program is second to none—it is my favorite aspect of the program. In part due to the large class size, I have found a new community amongst my co-residents. I consider my co-residents and their families to be some of my closest friends. Both in and out of the hospital, residents and their families support each other and regularly spend time together, making Rochester feel like home.

Brian Wahlig, M.D.
Orthopedic surgery resident

Brian Wahlig, M.D.

Life as a resident photo gallery

Explore just a few ways residents maintain balance between work responsibilities and hobbies, family, and friends inside and outside of the clinic.

Academics ▸ Residencies and Fellowships ▸ Orthopedic Surgery Residency (Minnesota) ▸ Resident Life
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