Resident Life

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Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation residents enjoy boating down the river together during the summer

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.

As native Texans from Dallas-Fort Worth, moving to a smaller city in the heart of the Midwest was a giant leap of faith for our family. Having lived here for four years now, life in Rochester has truly been a dream. An idyllic setting where small-town charm is blended with a cosmopolitan community, we've been so fortunate to raise three kids here while enjoying the outdoors, entertainment, and local traditions. As a resident, you are equipped to flourish inside and outside the clinic walls.

Chris Thuc Ha, D.O.
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.

Rochester offers a simple day to day life that allows you to maximize your time off, minimize commute time, and be part of a community. Those who are single, married, have a family, and everything in between can find a home here. You can take advantage of the beautiful scenery and enjoy each of the seasons in Minnesota (yes, even the winters). Rochester will no doubt hold a special place in your heart as part of your Mayo Clinic journey.

Josh Romero, M.D.
PM&R resident