Checkup

A Groundbreaking Day

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Although the ubiquitous green and orange construction fences made their first appearances back in July and the backhoes dug their first holes in the earth soon after, there was no shortage of earnest celebration at the groundbreaking ceremony for Mayo Clinic Hospital on Nov. 11.

If anything, it was more exciting for the 400 people who gathered for the event to see a long-awaited vision finally start coming true. As members of Mayo Clinic's Board of Governors, benefactors, patients and employees came together to commemorate the beginning stages of the hospital's addition to the Mayo campus, the signs of progress could be seen and heard.

Rev. Billy Graham signs the steel beam.

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"This has been a goal of ours for more than a decade," Dr. George Bartley, chair of the Jacksonville clinic's Board of Governors, told those in attendance. "Now that we are on the cusp of achieving this inspiring vision, it is immensely gratifying to be here today to celebrate this groundbreaking."

To the accompanying construction rhythm off in the background, Mayo Clinic leaders and supporters took turns sharing their past experiences with the clinic and future wishes for its Jacksonville campus. Among the guest speakers were Rev. Billy Graham, a long-time Mayo patient, who gave the invocation; Nancy Pitruzzello, a registered nurse who has worked for Mayo Clinic in Jacksonville for two decades; Denis Cortese, M.D., president and C.E.O. of Mayo Clinic; Bert Getz, chair of Mayo Clinic's Board of Trustees; and the keynote speaker, Sam Nunn, former U.S. senator from Georgia.

Former Sen. Sam Nunn was the keynote speaker.

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"Mayo Clinic in every language means the best medical care on earth," said Nunn, who also is a Mayo patient. "From cancer to carpel tunnel, the Mayo team leads the way."

At the conclusion of the ceremony, everyone was invited to sign a steel beam that will be used in the new hospital. Bartley used a fountain pen that once belonged to Dr. William J. Mayo to sign and date a proclamation on the beam.

"During his career, Dr. Mayo maintained a worldwide correspondence with leaders in patient care, education and research, as well as many patients," said Bartley. "For us today, it symbolizes our continuing commitment to the values that established our organization."

The addition of a hospital on site will make the Mayo Jacksonville campus a rare example of a fully integrated medical center with patient care, education and research under "one roof." The Perkins & Will-designed, 650,000-square-foot hospital is scheduled for completion in early 2008.

For ongoing progress reports and photos of the construction, please visit the Mayo Clinic Hospital Web site.