Top 5 Things You Didn’t Know About the Mayo Family or Mayo Clinic 🏥🔍

When you hear "Mayo Clinic," world-class healthcare and innovation probably come to mind—and rightfully so. But behind the name is a fascinating story full of surprises, strong personalities, and a community that came together to change the world of medicine forever. Here are five lesser-known facts about the Mayo Family and the world-renowned Mayo Clinic that just might surprise you:

1. Dr. William Worrall Mayo Wasn't From Minnesota

The patriarch of the Mayo family, Dr. William Worrall Mayo, was born in England and immigrated to the United States at the age of 26. Before settling in Rochester, he worked across the Midwest, gaining experience that would eventually shape the foundation of the Mayo Clinic.

2. The Mayo Brothers Were Brilliant—and Very Different

Dr. Will Mayo was known as the extroverted public speaker, while Dr. Charlie Mayo was more reserved and detail-oriented. Together, they made the perfect team—Will focused on big-picture ideas, and Charlie on surgical precision. Their combined talents built a legacy that still shapes medicine today.

3. They Gave It All Away 💝

In 1919, the Mayo brothers did something unheard of: they donated the entire Clinic, including its buildings, land, and equipment, to the nonprofit Mayo Foundation. Their goal? To ensure the continued advancement of medical knowledge and patient care, long after their time.

4. The Mayo Clinic Was a Pioneer in Team-Based Medicine 🤝

Long before "collaboration" was a healthcare buzzword, the Mayo Clinic was doing it. The idea of doctors working together across specialties to treat the whole patient started here. That team-first approach is still at the heart of Mayo’s mission today.

5. A Little Town with a Big Impact 🌍

Despite being located in a modest Midwestern city, the Mayo Clinic is consistently ranked among the best hospitals in the world. People come from across the globe for care, and the Clinic's research and education efforts shape modern medicine far beyond Rochester’s borders.

Want to dive deeper into the incredible story of the Mayo Family, the Sisters of St. Francis, and the roots of world-class medicine right here in Minnesota?

🩺 Join us on the “To Heal the Sick” History Tour—a guided trolley experience that explores the people, places, and pivotal moments that built the Mayo legacy.

🎟️ Book your seat now at https://www.rochestermntours.com/mayo_hisotry_tour/ and discover the inspiring history behind the headlines!

(This tour is not operated by the Mayo Clinic)