Increased emphasis on community participation
ROCHESTER, Minn. -- If you've ever lived in Wisconsin, you probably know that June is Dairy Month. In Wyoming, May is Beef Month. But in Rochester, August is Clinical Research Appreciation Month.
That's why Rochester's Mayor Ardell Brede will join Mayo Clinic's leaders for a noon-hour kickoff celebration on Thursday, Aug. 2, at Annenberg Plaza in downtown Rochester. This year's event not only begins four weeks of presentations for and about researchers at Mayo, but it also applauds those in the community who have participated in research. Every year, hundreds of people of all ages from southeast Minnesota and around the country participate in clinical trials at Mayo.
The public is invited to the noon event which begins with music and free ice cream, followed by presentations and a balloon launch. A daylong informational poster fair is set for the Siebens Building. The day concludes with a free community reception from 5:30 to 8 p.m., also in Siebens, where researchers will explain how local participants have helped advanced research at Mayo.
A key message this year is that Mayo Clinic is encouraging the public to become even more engaged in research. Mayo is one of only 12 recipients of a major grant from the National Institutes of Health (the Clinical and Translational Science Award) to develop new and faster ways to translate research discoveries into treatments. Part of that initiative is community engagement.
"Everyone can be involved in discovery," says David Warner, M.D., associate director of Mayo's Center for Translational Science Activities (CTSA). "CTSA is saying to people, ‘Help us create the future of medicine — we're all in this together.' "
Mayo has a unique opportunity to help transform medical research nationwide with its campuses in four cities in three states (Rochester, Minn.; Jacksonville, Fla.; and Scottsdale and Phoenix, Ariz.), which represent diverse geographic and ethnic populations. Additionally, the CTSA is establishing a research network with Mayo Health System, which consists of 66 clinics and hospitals that serve many small towns and rural areas in Minnesota, Wisconsin and Iowa. Mayo Clinic's goal is a future where translational research is conducted by scientists and physicians at all Mayo Clinic locations, as well as key sites within Mayo Health System. Through this practice-based research network, Mayo would also expedite research discoveries into its day-to-day medical care.
Mayo Clinic CTSA will be sponsoring more informational community events in coming months.
July 30, 2007