Traveling Alone to Jacksonville

I would fly in the night before. You can’t depend upon airline flights to be on time or possibly cancelled. If I was coming alone I would stay at a hotel either on campus or close by that offers a shuttle.

Let's be clear, if obtaining care ay Mayo is important to you, any chance of arriving late is an unacceptable risk. Fact is you have a strong likelihood of being denied you appointment if you are late...even by a few minutes....we have seen it first hand more than once. Provider's time is priceless. This is not "doc in the box". We travel to Jax Mayo two to three times a year from Tampa in our motorcoach and no matter how late the appointment may be, we always travel the day before, planning a mid afternoon arrival....Just in case. Our normal messaging to our providers is "their schedule is our schedule"...whether its hours, days, or in one case two weeks (unplanned) to accommodated the provider's surgical schedule. It is a privilege, not a right to receive care at Mayo.....make it YOUR priority to respect the privilage.... oh. and trying to get your act together just one week out...well, its a little late.....

@flrvingbob

Ya know- the tone is unnecessary when I’m asking for opinions. Also- I was LUCKY and they called me Friday afternoon and had an appt for Wed the 10th- and I took it. So I’m not doing this “late”, I’m literally doing this as soon as I had the information.

I used to live in FL near Orlando and my husband was a patient at Mayo Jacksonville and traffic can get crazy around there. FL is notorious for afternoon storms that often cancel or delay flights so personally I would plan on arriving in Jacksonville at least the night before so you are well rested and not frazzled for your first appt. I didn’t think I would be anxious for my first appt in Rochester for myself but wow I woke up hours before my appt and got there an hour early fearing I would be late and miss the appt. altogether. The campuses for both Rochester and Jacksonville are huge. Also, if you aren’t used to the heat and humidity of FL summers that is going to zap your energy. Get there the night before and pamper yourself with binge watching a program, grabbing a nice meal or reading that book you haven’t gotten around to. If you are not mobility challenged parking at the Jacksonville campus was never a problem for us.

Hi @rcole90, welcome to Mayo Clinic Connect. You have received good information to help with decisions as you make travel arrangements. I agree with members comments that doing your best to avoid possibility of delays will be most helpful.

My 2 cents are that arriving with time to spare does more than allows for delays. My experience is I have less stress so am best prepared for appointments. Also, there has been several times reporting early for appointments allowed them to call me in for appointments earlier than scheduled.

If you are comfortable sharing, what brings you to Mayo Clinic?

@jlharsh
35yr old Female
I have a history of lupus, heart attack/stents, and most recently bilateral PEs. Not to mention horrendous genes.

I have been sick since March, in and out of hospitals and ERs- and literally 11 “ologists”. Still sick and getting worse day by day. Tons of testing that hasn’t produced much of anything :-/

@rcole90 I am so sorry you are going there with so many health challenges. The heat and humidity plus the afternoon appt time/rain you mentioned may make walking from any of the parking lots a challenge for you. An on site hotel with shuttle service may be your best bet. Hope you get answers to your health challenges. I never stayed on site so I can’t give you any recommendations for hotels.

@rcole90 On the campus of Mayo there is a Hilton and a Courtyard Marriott. They offer shuttles that continuously go to all the buildings. Close by is a Marriott Renaissance that offers a shuttle. There is a Holiday Inn Express but I don’t know if they or any other hotel locally offers transportation. When you check, ask for the Mayo rate. The hotels close to Mayo tend to be pricey. There is a concierge at Mayo that may be helpful . Good Luck

They hotels are definitely up there haha. I guess you’re getting convenience to the max!
I actually found someone to come with and we’ll have a car- so I’m thinking not having to be super close would be ok?
I’m trying to make decisions tonight!

@rcole90
I relate to what you are going through (I promise!). I am so glad you are making this trip to have an integrated look. This is exactly what Mayo Clinic does well!

You don’t want to hear about me, though. Thank you for sharing where you are at. I have been able to pronounce my “ologists” thus far…..except the ENT. I am thankful it is common to call them “ENT”. 🙂

I want to understand more about what you are dealing with when you say you are getting worse. Are you able to function day-to-day? What does your schedule for your upcoming Mayo visit look like? Is there information that will be helpful for you (no one wants to overload you)?