Resident Life

Page Content

Wellness initiatives

As a resident, your physical and mental health is a priority to both Mayo Clinic and the department. Residents have access to several resources to promote well being, as well as time off clinical duties to attend appointments.

Dan Abraham Healthy Living Center
Well-being
Groups on campus

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

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.

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.

Rochester captures the hearts of all those who live here. It embodies a strong sense of community and exceptional quality of life, defined by the charming corn water tower and warm welcoming Midwest people. It’s a city where you feel accepted and at home. It’s a mid-size city that boasts beautiful parks and a diverse array of excellent restaurants. Highlights for me are the Saturday farmers markets, local rec sports leagues with co-residents, and covering Friday night lights HS football games.

Jessica Buttinger, M.D.
PM&R Resident

Living in Rochester

A short drive to the Twin Cities (Minneapolis and St. Paul), Rochester was founded in 1854 as a stagecoach stop. Dr. William W. Mayo arrived as an army surgeon for the Civil War, and the rest is history.

Rochester is the third largest city in Minnesota with a population of 220,000 in its metro area. Known as "Med City," Rochester has been voted by Money and U.S. World News & Report as one of the best places to live in the U.S., with the perfect combination of convenience, cost of living, and culture.

Destination Medical Center

In 2013, the Governor of Minnesota signed a bill known as Destination Medical Center (DMC) — a $5.6 billion collaboration between Mayo Clinic and the state of Minnesota to make Rochester a global destination for health and wellness. DMC is a 20-year plan of economic development, innovation, and growth.

While other cities in the U.S. may be experiencing an economic downturn, Rochester is growing at an incredible rate. Every week, new local restaurants, bars, coffee shops, breweries, entertainment centers, and high rise apartment buildings are popping up in our beloved city. The skyline is changing rapidly, and we can barely keep up.

Choosing to be a part of the Mayo family was an easy decision, this institution speaks to my authentic self; meeting people where they are. I grew up in a small town in California, and never envisioned myself living outside the state. Living in Rochester provides me and my family the comfort of small-town day-to-day living without potential struggles of a larger metro area. I am happy and fulfilled at this stage in my career, and grateful that I was truly open to this unique opportunity.

Anthony Kilgore, M.D.
PM&R Resident

In Rochester I can get anywhere in 15 minutes, which gives me time to spend on things I care about, like training for races on Rochester’s trail systems, taking my wife on dates, and climbing at the local gym or nearby crags. Rochester is a delightful and peaceful place to raise a family, there’s even an epic sled hill at Judd Park that’s popular in the winter! I find all my needs are met with the local farmers markets, Trader Joe’s, and Costco/Sam’s club, with the twin cities and MOA close by.

Wassim Drissi, D.O.
PM&R Resident