April 14, 2017

Mayo Clinic in the News Weekly Highlights

By Karl Oestreich

Mayo Clinic in the News is a weekly highlights summary of major media coverage. If you would like to be added to the weekly distribution list, send a note to Emily Blahnik with this subject line: SUBSCRIBE to Mayo Clinic in the News.

Editor, Karl Oestreich;  Assistant Editor: Emily Blahnik

 

ABC News
What patients need to know about new recommendations for prostate cancer screening
by Allison Bond

The new recommendations may help patients get personalized care to address their health and specific concerns. The guidelines empower patients to talk with their doctor about personalized care tailored to their health and priorities, Dr. Jeff Karnes, a urologist at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota, who was not involved in the new recommendations, toldABC News logo ABC News. “A man should be allowed to discuss with his physician whether to have a PSA ordered or not,” Karnes said.

Reach: ABC News Online has more than 28.8 million unique visitors to its site each month. ABC’s World News Tonight with David Muir averages about 9.2 million viewers each night.

Additional coverage: NBC NewsKTIC Nebraska

Context: R. Jeffrey Karnes, M.D. is a Mayo Clinic urologist. Dr. Karnes and his urologist colleagues diagnose and treat problems involving the male and female urinary tract and the male reproductive organs.

Contact: Joe Dangor

 

Daily Mail
Paralysed man moves his legs and STANDS for the first time after a computer-controlled electrode is inserted into his abdomen and stimulates his spinal chord
by Claudia Tanner

A man paralysed from the waist down has moved his legs for the first time after doctors inserted an electrode sending an electrical current to the spinal cord… Mayo Clinic researchers, who tested the pioneering treatment, say these results offer further evidence that a combination of this technology and rehabilitation may help patients with spinal cord injuries regain control.

Context: the Daily Mail has a circulation of more than 1.4 million readers. Its website has more than 16.4 million unique visitors each month.

Additional coverage: ReliaWire, Infobae.com

Previous coverage in April 7, 2017 Mayo Clinic in the April 7, 2017 News Weekly Highlights

Context: Mayo Clinic researchers used electrical stimulation on the spinal cord and intense physical therapy to help a man intentionally move his paralyzed legs, stand and make steplike motions for the first time in three years. The case, the result of collaboration with UCLA researchers, appears today in Mayo Clinic Proceedings. Researchers say these results offer further evidence that a combination of this technology and rehabilitation may help patients with spinal cord injuries regain control over previously paralyzed movements, such as steplike actions, balance control and standing. More information can be found on Mayo Clinic News Network.

Contacts: Susan Barber LindquistRhoda Fukushima Madson

 

Twin Cities Business
Mayo Clinic Expanding Sports Medicine Facility In Minneapolis
by Sam Schaust

It was revealed last week when Chicago-based LaSalle Investment Management purchased Mayo Clinic Square that the building was 96 percent leased. Mayo spokeswoman Rhoda Madson told TCB that the medical institution’s expansion would be into the existing space on the second level connected to the skyway. “The cost of the project and our staffing needs are still beingTwin Cities Business Magazine Logo determined,” Madson said, noting that work on the new space is expected to wrap by the end of the year. Mayo said in a release on Friday that the expansion would include a number of additions and improvements to its current operation.

Reach: Twin Cities Business is a monthly business magazine with a circulation of more than 30,000 and more than 74,000 readers. The magazine also posts daily business news on its website.

Additional coverage: Minneapolis/St. Paul Business Journal, KTTCPost-Bulletin

Context: Mayo Clinic announced April 6 that it is expanding its services, space and other capabilities at its sports medicine facility in downtown Minneapolis to meet the growing demand for its expertise. Construction on the 16,000-square-foot project at Mayo Clinic Square is expected to begin in late April. “This project builds on our commitment to patients in the Twin Cities area by providing more convenient and accessible sports medicine services,” says Edward Laskowski, M.D., co-director of Mayo Clinic Sports Medicine. “This expansion allows us to serve our patients better by tapping Mayo Clinic’s expertise, cutting-edge technology, research and educational capabilities." More information can be found on Mayo Clinic News Network.

Contact: Rhoda Fukushima Madson

 

Star Tribune
Mayo doctor performs 'life-changing' surgeries on kids all over the world
by Allie Shah

Born with a congenital heart defect, a 13-year-old girl in Mongolia was suffering from severe heart failure. Even worse, she had no place to go for the medical care she desperately needed. Star Tribune newspaper logoEnter Dr. Allison Cabalka, a Mayo Clinic pediatric cardiologist. As part of a U.S. medical team, she traveled to Mongolia to treat children with heart defects in countries where heart surgical resources are limited or nonexistent. Cabalka also helped bring the girl to the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, where she underwent surgery. “It was life-changing,” Cabalka said. “She graduated from high school and university training in Mongolia and moved to Istanbul this year to pursue further education.”

Reach: The Star Tribune Sunday circulation is 518,745 copies and weekday circulation is 300,277. The Star Tribune is the state’s largest newspaper and ranks 16th nationally in circulation.

Context: Allison Cabala, M.D. is a Mayo Clinic pediatric cardiologist. Dr. Cabalka's research interests in the areas of congenital and interventional cardiac catheterization and congenital echocardiography. Dr. Cabalka cares for patients of all ages with congenital heart disease and also participates in the care of adult patients with structural heart disease with Mayo Clinic's structural heart disease team.

Contact: Kelley Luckstein

 

Florida Times-Union
Guest column: Medical research plays an important role in meeting patient needs
by Gianrico Farrugia, M.D.

Ingenuity, innovation and hard work have been the key drivers of our state’s economic destiny. The support of state and federal governments, the private sector and philanthropy must continue to advance research, promote discovery and develop the next generation of scientists and innovators. This is vital to solve the threats to public health while maximizing theFlorida Times-Union newspaper logo tremendous economic benefit of innovation for Florida’s communities…Mayo Clinic is a committed partner in accelerating Florida’s economy. While the NIH budget over the past decade has remained flat with the exception of some targeted funding from the 21st Century Cures Act, Mayo Clinic has doubled our investment in research. Right now we are testing a vaccine that could become a gold standard therapy and prevent recurrence of breast cancer, and testing drugs that starve cancers. We also are developing mechanisms for the body’s immune system to protect itself from cancer. Physician Gianrico Farrugia is CEO of Mayo Clinic’s campus in Jacksonville.

Reach: The Florida Times-Union reaches more than 120,000 daily and 173,000 readers Sunday.

Context: Gianrico Farrugia, M.D. is CEO of Mayo Clinic in Florida.

Contact: Kevin Punsky

The New York Times, Why Are So Many People Popping Vitamin D? by Gina Kolata — In 2011, a committee of the Endocrine Society, headed by Dr. Holick, came out with a recommendation that vitamin D levels be at least 30 nanograms per milliliter, which meant that most people were vitamin D deficient. The group recommended the taking of supplements but not widespread testing, on the grounds that this would not be cost-effective. The new guideline had an immediate effect: Commercial labs began describing levels of 20 to 30 nanograms per milliliter as insufficient. Many continue to do so today. “There was a vitamin D bandwagon,” said Dr. Sundeep Khosla, an osteoporosis expert at the Mayo Clinic. Vitamin D tests “became incorporated into the general evaluation of patients,” he added. Ravinder J. Singh, who runs a testing lab at the Mayo Clinic, was taken aback by the sudden deluge. “Demand for vitamin D testing went through the sky,” he said. “It was almost as though there was nothing else serious in clinical practice.” Additional coverage: Globe and Mail

Yahoo! Beauty, Teen Model Opens Up About Ovarian Cancer Diagnosis by Elise Sole — A teenage model with one of the “worst cases” of ovarian cancer is now living cancer-free. Just one year ago, 16-year-old Peyton Linafelter of Littleton, Colo., suddenly started feeling sick during a winter vacation in Barbados. “I couldn’t keep anything down,” she told Fox News…Although Linafelter was diagnosed with ovarian cysts, on her 16th birthday the teen learned she had Stage 4 ovarian cancer, which had spread to her stomach and lungs. … According to Jamie Bakkum Gamez, MD, an ovarian cancer specialist at the Mayo Clinic (who didn’t treat Linafelter), while the teen’s diagnosis is rare for her age, women should be on the lookout for four subtle but important signs of ovarian cancer. “We advise women to note any bloating,” she tells Yahoo Beauty. “Not bloating that comes and goes depending on what you ate that day, but rather persistent or worsening bloating.”

Los Angeles Times, 5 simple steps to be your best at any age — They say you’re only as young as you feel, and if you're an older American, the ability to feel young a little while longer is always appealing. Having a youthful state of mind goes a long way toward accomplishing this goal, but you can’t ignore the importance of solid physical health. To improve your physical and mental health and prove age is just a number, apply these five tips from Mayo Clinic today.

The Guardian, Should I ask for a second opinion? by Luisa Dillner — In this latest study, researchers compared the diagnoses of 286 patients before and after their referral to the Mayo Clinic in Minnesota. They found that one in five patients ended up with a diagnosis very different from the one their primary care doctors (more or less equivalent to GPs in the UK) put on their referral form. Professor James M Naessens in the Division of Health Care Policy and Research at the Mayo Clinic says that not every condition needed a second opinion. “However, with the diagnosis of a serious condition, if the condition is not responding as expected, it may be valuable to get another perspective,” he says. Additional coverage: Study Finds, Clinical AdvisorTribune-Review, Times of Malta, FOX News, WCPO Cincinnati

Daily Mail, Mayo Clinic robot enables remote concussion diagnosis for athletes by Lauren Dubinsky — Fortunately, a new remote-controlled teleconcussion robot may be able to help fill the void. The robot, developed by researchers from Mayo Clinic and the Peter O'Donnell Jr. Brain Institute, enables a neurologist to remotely evaluate athletes for concussions. In a study published in Neurology, the research team stationed the robot on the sideline at football games and in the athletic training room for two seasons at Northern Arizona University.

Huffington Post, Pertussis Vaccine Should Be Given To All Expectant Mothers by Dr. Melvin Sanicas — Pertussis affects people of all ages, but can be very serious, even deadly, for babies less than a year old, particularly during the gap between birth and receipt of the first vaccine dose at 2 months of age. Coughing can be so severe that it is hard for babies to feed, drink or even breathe. The best way to protect against pertussis is by getting vaccinated. To fully understand what pertussis does to infants, watch the video below (courtesy of Mayo Clinic) of a baby whooping.

Huffington Post, Do I Still Need Birth Control? — Wondering when you’re menopausal and can safely stop birth control? What birth control is best for women over age 35 or 40? Can you still get pregnant in your 40s and 50s? These are common questions women ask of their gynecologists, women’s health physicians and other health care providers…This article is written by Petra Casey, M.D., an Associate Professor of Obstetrics and Gynecology at Mayo Clinic. Her clinical and research interests include contraceptive technology and menopause management. She has co-authored over 50 peer reviewed publications and is leading a clinical trial focused on management of contraceptive implant-related bleeding. Additional coverage: Daily Mail

Washington Post, College student charged with hazing after allegedly smearing peanut butter on freshman with allergy by Samantha Schmidt — Peanuts can be life-threatening to those allergic. For some, even a tiny whiff can cause a severe reaction just minutes after exposure, according to the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minn. Peanut allergies can cause anaphylaxis, a medical emergency that requires treatment with an epinephrine injector, such as an EpiPen, and a trip to the emergency room.

ABC News, Some fitness trackers may fall short in measuring heart rate accurately, study finds by Dr. Chris Gu —Your favorite wristband fitness-tracker may be good at measuring your steps, but not as accurate at monitoring your heart rate when you are at rest or exercising, according to a new study published today. The study, published in the Annals of Internal Medicine, found that four popular wrist-worn fitness trackers fell short in measuring heart rate during moderate exercise. — Chris Gu contributed to this report. He is a radiology resident at the Mayo Clinic and a resident in the ABC News Medical Unit.

New York Post, How to reverse the damage you’ve inflicted on your body by Molly Shea — Regenerate your liver: The liver, your body’s main detoxifying organ, is also “the most naturally regenerative organ,” says Robert C. Huebert, a Mayo Clinic gastroenterologist who specializes in liver transplants. “Humans can tolerate a 70 percent recession of liver and the liver will [still grow back].” That’s good liver news for those who occasionally indulge in a night of binge drinking. (Consistent over-drinking, of course, can result in cirrhosis or fatty liver disease, both of which cause permanent damage.) Additional news: FOX News

Fortune, The 30 Best Workplaces in Health Care Mayo Clinic: “At our institution, there is a culture of compassion and caring that has been developed over the past century and a half that makes it so very unique. Every day we come to work ready to provide the best possible care and service to our patients and guests, but we also come with a desire to elevate our colleagues and ensure that we are successful as a team. We all have a recognition that no one is greater than the sum of our parts. We continually collaborate, support each other, share the values of our institution, and work for the greater good. The combination not only creates a positive work environment, but results in the best possible outcomes for all.”

Reader’s Digest, What Does It Really Take to Lose One Pound? (It’s Not the Answer You’re Thinking) by Denise Mann — Protein is also key here because it’s super thermogenic, adds Jason Ewoldt, RDN, LD, a wellness dietitian at the Mayo Clinic Health Living Program in Rochester, Minnesota. This is a science-y way of saying that protein turns up the heat in our body’s furnace, which increases our metabolism and our ability to burn fat (which is why so many diets are all about the protein—here are some top plant-based sources)… Our physical build also factors into our ability to lose even just one pound of fat. “If you think of muscle tissue vs. fat tissue, the muscle needs more calories to be maintained,” Ewoldt says, “so one individual could theoretically ingest more calories and still lose weight [compared with someone] who has more adipose fat tissue.”

Redbook, This Pregnant Woman's Stomach Pains Turned Out to Be Widespread Cancer by Mallory Schlossberg — It's not entirely clear if melanoma and pregnancy are linked, according to Dr. Aleksandar Sekulic, M.D., a dermatologist at Mayo Clinic and a principal member of Stand Up to Cancer's research team. "There have been a lot of opinions and suggestions that melanoma may be impacted by [a woman's] hormonal status — which dramatically changes during pregnancy — but studies [haven't found] a very clear indication of that. That means women who have been diagnosed with melanoma during their pregnancy do not necessarily fare worse than women diagnosed with melanoma who aren't pregnant."

CNBC, John H. Noseworthy Nominated to Stand for Election to Merck Board of Directors — Merck (NYSE: MRK), known as MSD outside the United States and Canada, today announced that Dr. John H. Noseworthy, president and chief executive officer of Mayo Clinic, has been nominated to stand for election to the company’s board of directors. “We are pleased to nominate Dr. John Noseworthy to stand for election to the Merck board and look forward to benefiting from his first-hand insights about patient care and health care delivery as a leader of one of the largest non-profit health systems in the United States,” said Kenneth C. Frazier, chairman and chief executive officer, Merck. Additional coveragePost-BulletineMarkets Daily, KHQ-TV

MPR, Mayo Clinic CEO's Big Pharma gig: 4 questions by Catharine Richert — Global pharmaceutical giant Merck this week asked Mayo Clinic CEO Dr. John Noseworthy to join its board. While common, experts say these kinds of relationships raise conflict of interest concerns and must be carefully navigated. Here's a quick look at how Noseworthy, a neurologist by training, might manage his dual roles as Mayo's CEO and Merck board member. Additional coverage: Minneapolis/St. Paul Business Journal, Post-Bulletin

Star Tribune, Mike Sherels to receive Courage Award as recovery continues by Chip Scoggins — The Minnesota chapter of the National Football Foundation is honoring former Gophers captain and assistant coach Mike Sherels at its annual ceremony May 7. For those unfamiliar with Sherels’ story, he nearly died last summer after suffering an intestinal problem that led to a series of complications…Sherels still has a port in his chest that provides him nutrients at night to supplement his diet. He suffered a severe infection with his stomach tube and his port last month. That required him to return to Mayo Clinic for additional surgeries.

Managed Care magazine, Mayo Clinic’s Telemedicine NICU Study Shows Some Success, But Also Tech Glitches —The first study to examine the effectiveness of telemedicine consultations for newborn resuscitation demonstrates the technology’s strengths and weaknesses, according to Mayo Clinic researchers. “If the remote neonatologist had not been able to visually assess the newborn and provide remote-guided care, many of these infants may have otherwise been transferred to the NICU unnecessarily,” the study stated. And money was saved. Helicopter transfers to higher-level neonatal intensive care units would have cost anywhere from $12,000 to $25,000, according to lead author Jennifer Fang, MD, and her colleagues in Mayo’s Division of Neonatal Medicine.

News4Jax, Mayo Clinic News Network: Work-life balance: Tips to reclaim control — Technology that enables constant connection to work can eat into time at home. Work-life balance can be especially difficult for parents of young children; almost 60 percent of employed first-time mothers in the United States return to work within 12 weeks after childbirth. Still, work-life balance isn't out of reach. Start by evaluating your relationship to work. Then apply specific strategies to help you strike a healthier balance.

Post-Bulletin, 'Medicine is really about giving back' by Matthew Stolle — Ahmed Mohamed was 6 years old when he and his family arrived in Rochester as part of the first wave of Somali immigrants in 1996. His knowledge of English at the time consisted of three words. Today, Mohamed is a doctor, a resident physician in Mayo Clinic's Department of Internal Medicine, one of a tiny handful of Somali-American doctors at the clinic. And to those who have witnessed his progress, it hasn't come as a great surprise… Though weak and struggling to speak, his dad gave Mohamed a thumbs up when Mohamed told him about his job interview opportunities, including an offer at Mayo Clinic in Rochester, which was his top choice.

Post-Bulletin, Can we keep world-renowned doctors? by Heather J. Carlson — Since arriving at Mayo Clinic last year, fetal surgeon Dr. Rodrigo Ruano has already performed several complex surgeries on fetuses in the womb…But Ruano would not be practicing at Mayo Clinic if it had not been for a law passed last year. The measure established a Medical Faculty License. It allows extraordinarily skilled physicians trained in other countries the opportunity to practice at the state's two academic medical centers — the University of Minnesota and Mayo Clinic. That law expires July 1, 2018. If that happens, Ruano and others would lose their licensure.

Post-Bulletin, Mayo Clinic doc: Trump has 'community on edge' over vaccines by Brett Boese — Medical personnel at Mayo Clinic, Rochester Epidemiology Project, Minnesota Department of Health and elsewhere routinely dismiss the alleged connection between vaccines and autism as — to use today's popular vernacular — "fake news." The 1998 study that first raised that alleged connection has been formally retracted, and its author, London's Andrew Wakefield, lost his medical license in 2010. Newsweek says Wakefield remains "revered and reviled" by the two factions, but his claims have been so widely debunked — including by a 2005 REP study completed in Rochester — that Mayo Clinic Dr. Robert Jacobson says "it's strange that people are still questioning the safety" of vaccines.

Post-Bulletin, 'Stress can sneak up on you' Minnesota ranks as least-stressed, but stress still takes a toll by Brett Boese — Last week, the veteran psychologist (Dr. Donald Williams) took the field with 30-plus teenagers in his second year as an assistant coach at John Marshall. He can't sprint the field like he used to, but the game is still his favorite way to decompress while leaving behind life's usual stressors. Williams left Mayo Clinic about a decade ago to start his own consulting firm in downtown Rochester. About 90 percent of his patients now come from Mayo referrals, where he provides one of three critical supports for stress-related issues.

Post-Bulletin, Treatment often can keep morphea, a skin condition, in check — DEAR MAYO CLINIC: About six months ago, a large, white dent appeared on my left buttock. After a biopsy, I was diagnosed with morphea. I was told that it is not systemic, but that the drug methotrexate could prevent future skin lesions and possibly cure the morphea. Is this possible, and what are the risks of the treatment?...Morphea, which is a rare skin disorder, causes painless hardening and discoloration of the skin. In many cases, morphea affects only a few areas on the body. The condition usually goes away on its own within several years. In the meantime, treatment often can keep symptoms in check...— Jason Sluzevich, M.D., Dermatology, Mayo Clinic, Jacksonville, Fla.

Post-Bulletin, Mayo Clinic breaks ground on Cannon Falls expansion by Brett Boese — Mayo Clinic opened its new hospital in Cannon Falls less than three years ago, but it just broke ground on a significant expansion project. The $750,000 expansion project is being fully funded by community donations, according to Mayo spokeswoman Asia Zmuda, and is expected to be completed later this spring. The original project cost Mayo $28 million and coincided with the Minnesota Department of Transportation interchange project that cost $14.3 million and removed the final two stoplights between Rochester and the Twin Cities.

Post-Bulletin, Answer Man: Future parking in Square area yet to be discovered — Dear Answer Man, I am sure you can respond to my inquiry, as you know all. Do you have any updates on when the Discovery Square project will break ground at Third Avenue Southwest and Fourth Street? And how will Mayo Clinic and/or the city address the parking that will be lost to build Discovery Square?...There's no new information on the groundbreaking — Twin Cities-based M.A. Mortenson Co. announced in January that it will happen late this year. Mortenson will lead Mayo Clinic's redevelopment of the entire six-block Discovery Square area, and it will put up the first building, though the location hasn't been confirmed. Mortenson has said only that the first one will be 60,000-120,000 square feet and Mayo will take half of it for R & D….But on a point that's just as interesting — last week the same DMC doyens told me that wherever Mortenson builds, both the land and building will be subject to property tax.

Mankato Free Press, Our View: Health screenings: Local clinics do well in closing care gap — Thumbs up to the Mankato Clinic and Mayo Clinic Health System in Mankato for above average rankings on treating patients equally no matter what kind of health insurance they had. The Minnesota Community Measurement organization took a look at how patients were treated for immunizations, diabetes care, colorectal cancer screenings and other care based on whether they were on public or private health insurance plans. But Mankato Clinic was above the state average in eight of 12 categories and was number one in getting children on public health programs their immunizations. Mayo also performed above average in asthma control and colorectal screenings. Some of its satellite clinics were also highlighted including St. Peter rankings for diabetes care.

Mankato Free Press, Spring (and allergens) are in the air by Brian Arola — Itchy eyes and sneezing fits don’t factor into anyone’s plans for springtime fun, but plenty of options are available for people hoping to stay comfortable during peak allergy season. For the milder symptoms, over-the-counter options include non-drowsy antihistamines. Crockett said these can be effective at relieving watery eyes, itching and runny nose symptoms. For persistent symptoms, nasal sprays might be the best bet, said Dr. Vasan Ramanuja, allergist at the Mankato Clinic.

Mankato Free Press, Report shows health disparities for low-income patients by Brian Arola — Locally, Mankato Clinic ranked above average in at least eight of the report’s 12 measures. Of the clinic’s patient population, 15 percent are enrolled in Medical Assistance or MinnesotaCare. Dr. Julie Gerndt, chief medical officer for Mankato Clinic, said medical groups are now more than ever trying to connect with low-income populations. A partnership with the state allows the clinic to see their patient’s historic insurance claims. It’s a useful tool when a patient doesn’t receive consistent care. They might see their primary physician once at Mankato Clinic, then receive care at an emergency department elsewhere.

KEYC Mankato, Allergy Season Starts Early by Angela Rogers — "Classic seasonal allergies symptoms include itchy eyes, and stuffy nose, and nasal itching, you wanna call it the allergic salute. Everybody has their own style," Richard Crockett, a senior allergist with Mayo Clinic Health System, said. Doctors are blaming the early warm weather for bringing allergies on so soon this year. Dr. Crockett says he's seen people with seasonal allegories since mid-March-- that's weeks before he typically sees those affected by what's in the air. "Starting to see a little bit of a rise in the tree pollens, no grass or weeds yet, but that'll for sure be on its way. And then molds are a little bit of an issue at this time of year as well," Cornelius said.

Red Wing Republican Eagle, MCHS begins pharmacy, wellness center construction — Benike Construction has been named the manager for a retail pharmacy and wellness center expansion on the main level of Mayo Clinic Health System in Cannon Falls. Crews are scheduled to complete the project by late-spring, according to a news release. "We are working on a very tight deadline, but our goal is to be fully operational by June," said Glenn Christian, operations manager at Mayo Clinic Health System in Cannon Falls. "Our staff, patients and the community have been anxiously awaiting this project since we opened the doors to the medical center over two years ago, and we are excited to finally make it a reality."

WEAU Eau Claire, Walker talks on Jakubowski, Gorsuch during Mayo stop — Gov. Scott Walker was back in the Chippewa Valley on Monday, making a visit to Mayo Clinic Health System in Eau Claire. Walker discussed the "Project Search" program, which is aimed at helping people with disabilities to enter the workforce. Additional coverage: WQOQ Eau Claire, Eau Claire Leader-Telegram

WEAU Eau Claire, Mayo Clinic Health System president retires — After nearly 36 years of service, Randall Linton, M.D., president and CEO of Mayo Clinic Health System for northwest Wisconsin, is retiring at the end of April. Linton has served in his current capacity as president and CEO for the past 15 years. Prior to that, he served as a pediatrician for more than 20 years. Linton announced his retirement plans in September 2016. “During my career, I have had the honor of providing health care to young children and watching them grow into adults,” Dr. Linton says. “I also had the honor of being a part of establishing Mayo Clinic Health System in northwest Wisconsin and watching it develop into one of the region’s leading health care organizations. I am truly grateful for a very rewarding career. Today, the organization is positioned to continue to meet the needs of our patients well into the future. It’s a good time to transition out of this leadership role, and I know the mission and vision of Mayo Clinic will continue to be upheld.” Additional coverage: WXOW Eau Claire

Daily Trojan, After the hit: How Jack Jablonski is living life to the fullest despite paralysis by Eric He — …He also dedicates time to his foundation, the Jack Jablonski Bel13ve in Miracles Foundation (13 was his jersey number), a charity set up to support spinal cord injury recovery. Launched on the one-year anniversary of his injury, the foundation partners with the Mayo Clinic, one of the most reputable hospitals in the country. Last November, at a fundraising event during a Wild game, the foundation raised more than $350,000. The money is being spent on research and studies by the Mayo Clinic that Jablonski hopes will one day cure spinal cord injuries. One possibility is what is called “epidural stimulation,” which Jablonski said is yielding results.

Naples Daily News, Moorings Park’s Care 360 Healthcare Program extended to public — The alliance between Moorings Park and Naples Community Hospital will provide participants with a number of important advantages. "A notable advantage is our affiliation with the Mayo Clinic Care Network," stated Dr. Allen Weiss, president and CEO of NCH. "We became a member of the network more than four years ago and are proud to extend Mayo Clinic's physicians and specialists' knowledge and expertise to the residents and members of Moorings Park."

Minnesota Watchdog, E-cigarette critics get research dollars from industry competitors by Kathy Hoekstra — The prestigious Minnesota-based Mayo Clinic and its Nicotine Dependence Center, for one, has followed the FDA’s lead in calling e-cigarettes a method to avoid due to lack of risk data and “mixed results” of studies so far. And Mayo Clinic addiction expert and researcher Dr. Jon Ebbert has been an outspoken critic for several years. The star of Mayo Clinic in-house podcasts and videos, Ebbert has repeatedly advised against e-cigs. “I think we need to be very clear as clinicians that these electronic cigarettes have an unknown safety profile,” Ebbert said in Mayo Clinic videos in both 2015 and 2016, And in a widely circulated 2013 column and a 2015 research paper, Ebbert advised clinicians to be “justifiably circumspect in recommending e-cigarettes” for smokers until there is more data.

Fierce Healthcare, 4 healthcare systems using tech-based solutions to cut costs by Evan Sweeney — Mayo Clinic: Incorporating a cloud-based analytics system to synthesize patient information within EHRs, lab results and physician orders, clinicians at the Minnesota-based system were able to prioritize ICU patients based on their needs, saving more than $4.2 million in Medicare costs during a two-year period.

Reason blog, Genetic Testing Might Not Cure Everything That Ails America. So What? by Mike Riggs — Genetic testing company 23andMe received FDA approval this month to resume telling customers about their predisposition to various syndromes and illnesses. Reason's Ronald Bailey, a longtime 23andMe user, is happy, though he'd be happier still if the FDA got out of the genetic information-policing business altogether. The Mayo Clinic's Dr. Michael Joyner, meanwhile, responded to the FDA's announcement with skepticism. His beefs, in order…

Healio, Vaccine may prevent progression of DCIS to breast cancer — Researchers at Mayo Clinic received a $3.7 million grant from the U.S. Department of Defense to test a vaccine designed to establish lifelong immunity against the development of breast cancer in women with ductal carcinoma in situ…“We still have hundreds of thousands of breast cancers diagnosed every day in the world, and we still have 40,000 deaths from the disease every year in this country,” Keith Knutson, PhD, director of the Discovery and Translation Labs Cancer Research Program at Mayo Clinic’s campus in Florida, told HemOnc Today. “Imagine if we had a vaccine that could prevent breast cancer.

Cure, MarginProbe System is Effective Tool in Assessing Margins During Breast Cancer Surgery by Katie Kosko — In a study recently published online in the Annals of Surgical Oncology, a team of researchers gave a systematic review of the device. Richard Gray, M.D., general surgeon, co-director of the Breast Clinic at the Mayo Clinic in Phoenix, Arizona, and lead author on the study, spoke about the MarginProbe’s usefulness and limitations in an interview with CURE.

Live Science, How a Fitness Tracker Spotted a Woman's Life-Threatening Condition by Rachael Rettner — A rapid or irregular heartbeat can be a sign of a pulmonary embolism, according to the Mayo Clinic. The blockage caused by the clots can require the heart to start working harder to pump blood through vessels, and this can also lead to an increase in blood pressure inside the lungs, the Mayo Clinic says. Other conditions that a fitness tracker might detect include atrial fibrillation (an erratic heartbeat), anemia (a low red blood cell count) and an overactive thyroid. All of these conditions can lead to a faster-than-normal heart rate. A normal resting heart rate is between 60 and 100 beats per minute, according to the Mayo Clinic.

News4Jax, Mayo Clinic hosts 'Brain Tumor Awareness Social' — The Mayo Clinic hosted a "Brain Tumor Awareness Social" Tuesday night putting a spotlight on cancer. News4Jax anchor and reporter Kent Justice served as the master of ceremonies for the packed auditorium of about 300 people. The social joined three of the Mayo Clinic's departments together. Patients, caregivers and clinic staff from neurosurgery, neurology and the cancer center shared experiences, along with the latest breakthroughs in treatment and research.

Star Tribune, Study: Big hospitals outside Twin Cities grow profits by Christopher Snowbeck — A summary of the report added that outstate hospitals saw profits increase by 22 percent in 2014. During 2015, the Mayo Clinic’s hospital in Rochester posted $503.1 million in net income, Baumgarten said, while five smaller Mayo Clinic hospitals in southern Minnesota collectively lost nearly $8 million…Mayo Clinic issued a statement saying: “With an integrated health care delivery system, Mayo Clinic’s financial picture is not limited to our Minnesota hospital practice.”

Miami Herald, Mayo Clinic News Network: Cellulitis can be life-threatening, so prompt treatment is key — Cellulitis is a bacterial infection that typically affects the deeper layers of your skin and the layer of fat just beneath. It's quite common, especially among middle-aged and older adults. Most often, cellulitis occurs when a crack or cut in your skin allows bacteria to get inside and multiply.

Healio, Zika virus may lead to CV complications — “Since the majority of people with Zika virus infections present with mild or nonspecific symptoms and symptoms of CV complications may not occur right away, we need to raise awareness about the possible association,” Karina Gonzalez Carta, MD, a cardiologist and research fellow at the department of cardiovascular diseases at Mayo Clinic, said in a press release.

KJZZ News, Joseph Sirven: To Shave Or Not To Shave — Guys have stopped shaving and doctors are not immune. Yet, with so much attention on infection control and antibiotic drug resistance, can doctors have beards? Clinical studies on the issue have led to surprising results. One study of orthopedic surgeons found that bearded surgeons did not shed more bacteria any more than clean-shaven ones if the surgeon was masked or hooded as required in all ORs.

Arizona Daily Star, Mayo Clinic and TMC to host free cancer symposium by Brandi Walker — Cancer patients and their caregivers are invited to join the Mayo Clinic and Tucson Medical Center this month for a free local symposium that will focus on new research trends and resources. The Survive Well: Living with Cancer symposium is scheduled 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday, April 22 at the Westin La Paloma, 3800 E. Sunrise Drive. For the past eight years the Mayo Clinic has offered similar events in the Phoenix market and in Chicago. This month’s event will mark the first time the symposium has been offered in Tucson. It is being offered through the Tucson Medical Center (TMC) partnership with the Mayo Clinical Care Network.

WPXI Pittsburgh, Mayo Clinic study: High-intensity interval training can reverse aging process by Danielle Avitable — A new study by the Mayo Clinic found that certain workouts can reverse the aging process.The study found that a high-intensity interval training workout, combined with resistance training, can turn back time. "You're essentially slowing down that aging process, (which) I think is amazing, because we didn't have those things before," said Dr. Vandana Bhide, of the Mayo Clinic. The study was conducted by researchers in Rochester, Minnesota, and targeted two age groups -- 18 to 30-year-olds and 65 to 85-year-olds. Additional coverage: Chatelaine

Sacramento Bee, Diekman taking leave from Rangers for next step in treatment by Jeff Wilson — Doctors at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minn., will perform the ileoanal anastomosis surgery, which will begin to restore order to Diekman's plumbing after his colon was removed in late January. According to the Mayo Clinic website, surgeons will create "a pouch shaped like the letter J from the end of the small intestine and attached to the anus. An opening is constructed in the abdominal wall (ileostomy) for eliminating waste. The opening is temporary, to allow time for the pouch to heal."

Twin Cities Business, Rochester Startup Vyriad Expanding, Signs Lease For Ex-IBM Building by Don Jacobson — One of the earliest adapters of Mayo Clinic’s push to encourage local entrepreneurship among its bio-researchers is preparing to leave the nest of Mayo’s business incubator for a much larger lab/manufacturing space elsewhere in Rochester. Vyriad Inc., a clinical-stage biotech company developing new kinds of virus therapies to treat cancers, told TCB it has leased 25,000 square feet for lab space, offices and other uses in the now-vacant Building 110 on the IBM campus.

Gastroenterology & Endoscopy News, Value-Based Model for IBD Improves Outcomes, Lowers Costs — Sunanda Kane, MD, an IBD specialist at Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minn., said apart from the magnitude of the savings, the findings did not surprise her. “We know from work done in Pittsburgh that a minority of patients make up the majority of the costs, and that a medical home is cost saving,” Dr. Kane said. “Having patients know that there is someone they can contact if sick and that they will be seen certainly reduces the chance that they would turn to an ER for care.”

Arizona State University, Mayo Clinic-ASU program helps mothers in medical professions lower stress, beat burnout — Mayo Clinic-ASU program helps mothers in medical professions lower stress, beat burnout. Dr. Cynthia Stonnington, associate professor, Mayo Clinic College of Medicine and Science, and chair of psychiatry at Mayo Clinic’s Arizona campus, is senior co-author and collaborator on the project. Other authors are Alexandria Curlee, an ASU graduate student; Susannah Tye, Department of Psychiatry and Psychology, Mayo Clinic; and Dr. Judith Engelman, a psychiatrist in private practice. Additional coverage: Medical Xpress

Doctors Lounge, Lower Risk of Gastrointestinal Bleeding for Apixaban — Neena S. Abraham, M.D., from the Mayo Clinic in Scottsdale, Ariz., and colleagues conducted a retrospective study using administrative claims data of privately insured individuals and Medicare Advantage enrollees. Three propensity-matched cohorts of patients with non-valvular atrial fibrillation with incident exposure to dabigatran, rivaroxaban, or apixaban were created. Data were compared on rivaroxaban versus dabigatran for 31,574 patients; for apixaban versus dabigatran for 13,084 patients; and for apixaban versus rivaroxaban for 13,130 patients. Additional coverage: Cardiology Advisor

Medscape, Screen for Endocrine Hypertension, Endocrine Society Says by Veronica Hackethal, M.D. — "Without appropriate lab tests, some common endocrine disorders are nearly indistinguishable from a routine case of hypertension," Endocrine Society past president William F Young, Jr, MD, MSc, from the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota, said in a press release. Dr Young chaired the task force that drew up the scientific statement. "Screening for underlying causes of high blood pressure can save lives. This new resource offers healthcare providers valuable guidance on when to suspect a hormone disorder and how to test for it," he added.

Uproxx, New Study Reveals That Scarfing Down Chocolate May Keep You Young Much Longer by Delenda Joseph — A diet rich in chocolate, however, has benefits, including slowing down the inevitable and lowering your risk of heart disease and then some: “We’re trying to target the biology of aging to delay the onset of age-related diseases and extend the number of healthy, active, productive years,” Consumer Reports sites Nathan LeBrasseur, Ph.D., director of the Healthy Aging and Independent Living Program at the Mayo Clinic as saying. “Diet can play a major role in that.”

Winnipeg Free Press, Transcona family seeks help for daughter by Tony Zerucha — When you’re 17 the only things that should take your breath away are the firsts you experience as you discover the world and its possibilities. That’s not the case for Transcona resident Tianna Kowalson, who has been diagnosed with a medical condition so rare she has to go to the United States for treatment... She was eventually diagnosed with a pericardial cyst which, in itself, is not that rare. But the size and location of Tianna’s cyst posed a challenge. It is situated near the phrenic nerve, which plays an important role in breathing…The Kowalsons quickly become experts on a rare medical condition so they could properly advocate for Tianna’s care. Their research has led them to the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minn., where specialists have dealt with similar cases. But the Mayo Clinic is a pricy place. The Kowalsons have to pay a $7,000 US deposit and are expecting to pay an extra $3,000 US to complete tests.

Bitacora Medica, ¿Cómo hacer que los niños dejen de mojar la cama? — Estimada Mayo Clinic: Mi hijo tiene 8 años y moja la cama pocas veces por semana. Hemos intentado varias cosas para ayudar a evitarlo, tales como suspenderle las bebidas 2 horas antes de acostarse y colocar protectores en el colchón que disparan una alarma cuando moja la cama. ¿Debemos llevarlo a un especialista, o suelen los niños dejar de mojar la cama a medida que avanzan en edad?

El Salvador, ¿Cuánto resisten los microbios a los antibióticos? — Escuchar de resistencia a los antibióticos es común en la actualidad, por ello Patricio R. Jeraldo, Ph.D., investigador de microbiomas, científico del Departamento de cirugía de Mayo Clinic en Rochester, nos enseña sobre el tema.Los antibióticos son compuestos químicos que se usan en bacterias para detener una infección; funcionan destruyendo o interfiriendo en la membrana celular de las bacterias o evitando el crecimiento y desarrollo de estas, bloqueando así la producción de proteínas dentro de ellas. Additional coverage: La Nueva

El Colombiano, Prometedoras técnicas para pacientes con parálisis — Mediante estimulación eléctrica en la médula espinal y una terapia física intensa, investigadores de la Clínica Mayo lograron que moviera las piernas, se parara y realizara movimientos tratando de dar pasos… Si bien se trata de una tecnología incipiente, los hallazgos sugieren que funciona y puede ser perfeccionada.“Estamos muy animados porque los resultados van más allá de nuestras expectativas”, dijo el neurocirujano Kendall Lee, principal investigador.

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