Health care is the city's biggest industry. As of 1999, medical services accounted for 23,376 jobs - 30 percent of Rochester's employment. The majority work for Mayo Clinic and while Mayo Clinic is the largest, it isn't the only health enterprise in town.

When you want to see a doctor, you can choose among Mayo Clinic, Olmsted Medical Center, Associates 2000 PA, and the Rochester Family Medicine Clinic. And when you're counting health related organizations, remember Olmsted County Public Health Services, Ronald McDonald House, Gift of Life Transplant House, Hope Lodge, hospice, nursing homes, assisted-care facilities, support groups, and holistic therapy center.

Health care is indeed Rochester's biggest industry.

Mayo Clinic

The medical mecca known as Mayo Clinic didn't begin with a cast of thousands. It started with one physician, Dr. William Worrall Mayo, who hung out his shingle in Rochester in the 1860's. By 1890, his sons Will and Charlie had earned medical degrees and joined the practice. The Mayo brothers, eager to learn the most up-to-date surgical techniques, travelled all over the world to study and when they returned home they improved on the techniques they had learned.

By then, physicians from around the world were coming to Rochester to learn from the Mayo brothers, and with them more patients and the practice began to expand. In 1912 the clinic treated 15,000 patients and by 1919 60,000. In 2002, Mayo tallied 1.38 million patient visits, with 1595 physicians and scientists on staff, 1612 residents and fellows, Mayo is one of the largest group practices in the world.

Today, Mayo Clinic is one of the most respected health institutions worldwide attracting more patients and respect every year and still abiding by the same philosophy when Mayo Clinic was founded. Through expansion and growth, Mayo has maintained its high standards of excellence in every pursuit it has lead and followed. In 2003 Governor Tim Pawlenty awarded Mayo Clinic and the University of Minnesota a grant for the state's goal of becoming a leader in genetic research, realizing the best chance at success rested with Mayo Clinic.

Mayo Facts

• More than 80 percent of the patients who come to Mayo Clinic are treated as outpatients

• 79 percent of Mayo Clinic patients come from Minnesota and adjoining states and over 2 percent come from outside the U.S.

• Mayo Clinic operates two local hospitals - Rochester Methodist Hospital (794 beds) and Saint Marys Hospital (1157 beds)

Olmsted Medical Center

Another cornerstone of the health system in Rochester is the Olmsted Medical Center. Just over 50 years old, the Olmsted Medical Center was also started by one man, Dr. Harold Wente, who was encouraged by city leaders as well as Mayo Clinic to offer another hospital to the residents of Olmsted County.

The hospital offers many services such as emergency care, same day surgery, a birth center, and a full range of diagnostic and patient services. Olmsted Medical Center really fills the gap in care for many of Rochester's residents and throughout the county with offices throughout. Mayo Clinic College of Medicine students also receive part of their training at OMC and OMC practitioners also attend meetings and seminars at Mayo Clinic, giving the two medical centers a unique synergy that complements each others' strengths.

Support Groups

Besides these two medical centers, Rochester is home to numerous support groups, nursing homes, and independent businesses that help fill out the city's health industry. One public entity, the Olmsted County Public Health Service, is aimed at preventative services to ensure homes are healthy and provide consultation and advice to the area residents. Very often Mayo Clinic and OMC make use of these services and vice versa.