Looking for female companion to accompany me while at Mayo, Rochester

If you can reply directly to me with more specific information. I may know someone who could assist you.

I do have a question for folks who have went to and received medical care from Mayo. In speaking to the indivudl that is rescheduling my appointments, she mentioned most of the care received is from interns that may work along side a Doctor, such as the primary care MD. Is this true?

I have been through so much in the past 3 yrs with terrible care here in Wisconsin only to worsen because lack of knowledge or care o their part; even when my weight plummeted to 89 lbs.

Given the long trip for me I want to make sure this is the right decision and that I won't be treated and taken care of interns in practice. Did you finally get the answers and care you needed at Mayo Clinic?

Hugs

@summerof42 Mayo provides both health care and has a medical college, as well as degree programs in nursing and allied health fields. An intern is a medical student who is in their final years of medical school and does not yet have a medical degree. In my experience I have had interns in the room when I received care but they accompanied the medical provider and I was asked if it was OK for the intern to be present. Mayo also has residency and fellowship programs in a wide variety of specialities. These are people who have finished medical college, have a medical degree, such as the MD and are in programs to specialize.

In radiation oncology I saw both residents and fellows but not interns. Yes, the residents and fellows are supervised by a supervising physician who I also saw. All of my care at Mayo has been excellent.

It is typical in academic medical centers such as Mayo or the University of Wisconsin-Madison’s hospital to see residents and fellows. This is what makes these medical centers top notch as they are training centers who are up-to-date on the latest in clinical care and research.

My advice is to go to your appointments with the mindset that you might see a very bright and intelligent resident who has been accepted into Mayo Clinic’s residency program. Residencies such as Mayo Clinic are very competitive to get into and you will also see the physician. I have never been rushed through my appointments as all the medical staff at Mayo Clinic listens and discusses your questions and care with you.
Does this answer your question?

Thanks Helen, this is very helpful. I just wanted to make sure I was heading in the right direction, since this is my last hope. Since I live in Wisconsin, I also thought about going to the University of Wisconsin-Madison’s hospital since it's much closer (2 hrs vs. 5 hrs) but I don't believe it works like Mayo in that you can request to be seen and schedule appointments and only alternative is showing up in the ER.

Thank you kad1357! It won't allow me to reply directly when I clicked on your name. We'll need to reach out to one of the moderators of this forum to see if he/she can assist in us sharing information.

I sent an email to Colleen Young, Community Director and hopefully she can get us connected.

@summerof42 and @kad1357, please check your private messages.

Honestly this is great idea for service that Mayo could offer. I unfortunately work so I can't be of much help but I can tell you that the patient cafes in both St Marys and Methodist campus's have wonderful frozen yogurt. Also if you're worried about forgetting something there's an app called Abridge that lets record medical conversations and it highlights important info for you to look into.

Good luck! (I'm actually also from WI, the western side and recently just moved to Rochester)

Hello laryssamarquardt,
Thank you kindly for responding. I'll keep the places in mind for the frozen yogurt!

I wish you didn't have to work that work and could be my support. Not sure if it matters and you have vacation time saved, but I was planning on paying the individual for the support. They also have the option of staying at the hotel, using their great amenities at Staybridge Suites Mayo (free breakfast, pool, etc) as well, or if living in Rochester or the outskirts going home each night.

Where in Wisconsin are you from? I'm near the Illinois border.

So sorry you are so worried about your Mayo visit. Many of us go to our appointments alone. I prefer it. And with Covid it was not the case to increase risk.
For procedures where I require someone to pick me up, I arrange with family. Otherwise, I would call "Visiting Angels" mentioned in one of the above posts and hire one of them. They provide qualified helpers to assist patients.
Regarding getting around, where are your appointments? The Gonda and the Mayo Buildings are more like the same building, just different elevators. Right next to them is the Methodist Hospital combined with other buildings with different specialties. A hotel like the Kahler Grande is across the street - five second walk to Gonda Building
Hotels have room service, but the sub level cafeteria in the Gonda Building is cheap and good. Wheelchairs are available everywhere so no problem to get one.
As far as absorbing everything the doctors say. establish an account on Mayo MyChart. The Doctors post their notes on the visit and all tests' results must be posted by law. That is very informative, and you will want to read results. Also you might engage your local Primary Care Provider to help you get through the documents.
Also remember Mayo is a teaching hospital and research institution. The "big cheese" doctor will see you for the major component of a visit, but you will have preliminary and follow-up by attendants, interns, PAs and nurses. There are many patients requiring attention, so it is a management technique.
Mayo is unique in its organization and scheduling follow-up appointments. You will be impressed.

Thanks Vic38! I hope I'm in the hands of an excellent Internal MD. I originally was supposed to see Dr. Carabello in Mar, who has been there for many years, but scheduling messed up the appointments and the type of specialists I was to see. When I called to inquire I was told if there not on the schedule, they are not available and he canceled everything and told me to resubmit my application request which was denied.

I then called them and luckily got a hold of a great individual who said I was instructed incorrectly and I should have been told I was fine to come in and Doc will make the necessary arrangements, so I was moved and scheduled to see another great MD, Dr. Kautz, but my eye developed a nasty chalazion, optomotrist injected a steriod shot which created a nightmare and became infected, inflamed, etc and required an incision and surgery and I just got the stiches out this week. I probably should have gone anyway and let Mayo take care of it, but I had no assurance if they could or anyone would be available.

Now, the only Doc available is Dr. Hurt, not one of the other two 🙂

I really liked the ability to see Dr. Carabello given he's been there forever, heard he's great and Dr. Kautz is bit younger, but there for about 10+ yrs and interned and graduated from Mayo.

I looked up the credentials for Dr. Hurt and they're. . . OK I guess. I just hope I'm in good hands having to travel 4.5 hrs and spend $1,000 on transportation one way! Plus the hotel and food.

I pray all goes well and I like Dr. Hurt and he can figure all this out.