Fellow Life
The esprit de corps is rich within Mayo Clinic's residency and fellowship programs and is one of the most cited positives at the end of the year.
Many fellows move to Rochester, Minnesota, from elsewhere and are looking for friends and people to hang out with. All of our trainees have been selected because of the richness they add to the community and their ability to bring out the best in those around them. It is no surprise that fellows develop some of their closest friendships with one another.
In addition to the Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine fellows, Mayo has more than 1,900 residents, fellows, and medical and postgraduate students in Rochester. This is a diverse group, as the size and reputation of the institution attract a wide variety of people to Rochester from around the country and the world. Numerous social activities are organized for residents and fellows throughout the year.
We'll support you both inside and outside of the Mayo Clinic campus to promote wellness and ensure your work/life balance.
Wellness initiatives
As a trainee, your physical and mental health is a priority to both Mayo Clinic and our department. Trainees 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 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.
- Dan Abraham Health Living Center https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K7OLDXcTtXA&list=PLijUmSxlCLn-JP5dDXYwo4jpRooQYY03T&index=3
- A look inside the Dan Abraham Health Living Center https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1-65NDLr38U
Well-being
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. These groups help enhance your training by providing and organizing wellness initiatives and social activities.
Workshops for spouses and significant others are also available.
Diversity and Inclusion
At Mayo Clinic, we're committed to recruiting a diverse workforce (e.g. women, underrepresented in medicine, LGBTI) in order to provide the best care for our diverse community.
As a trainee, you'll have the opportunity to be a part of:
- Regularly scheduled Women in Medicine events, with participation by women leaders across the institution.
- Mayo Employee Resource Groups (MERGs) dedicated to diverse groups to allow for broader institutional engagement and interaction.
- The OUTList — an internal resource created by the LGBTI MERG that promotes community, visibility, and mentoring among Mayo's faculty, staff, and trainees by identifying LGBTI mentors within Mayo Clinic interested in being a resource for others.
- The Student National Medical Association and National Medical Association conferences, which provide a place for you to share and learn diversity and inclusion best practices.
- The Mayo Clinic Trainee Diversity & Inclusion Committee, a group that recruits and mentors applicants from underrepresented backgrounds in medicine.
Accompanying Talent
Mayo Clinic is committed to help 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.
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
Life in Rochester
Our fellows love the small-town safety and conveniences paired with the big city entertainment and diverse restaurants Rochester has to offer. 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 and what our fellows love about living here.
I really enjoy living in Rochester. It offers the vibrant atmosphere of a large city while preserving the cordiality and charm of the Midwest. It has an enticing food scene and a breadth of outdoor activities. I particularly enjoy "Thursdays Downtown" during the summer. With regards to housing, there are plenty of fancy apartments and affordable houses close to Mayo.
Amjad Kanj, M.D., M.P.H.
Pulmonary and Critical Care Fellow
In my free time, I enjoy spending time with my family and friends. I love just about anything outdoors, including biking, running, boating, and hiking, as well as going to restaurants, concerts, and breweries (both locally in Rochester, and around the Midwest).
Sam Falde, M.D.
Pulmonary and Critical Care Fellow
Life as a fellow photo gallery
Explore just a few ways fellows maintain balance between work responsibilities and hobbies, family, and friends outside of the clinic.
