Astronaut, Physician and Businessman, Bernard A. Harris Jr. M.D., Coming to Mayo Clinic Heritage Days — Living the Legacy

Wednesday, October 02, 2002

ROCHESTER, Minn. — Bernard A. Harris Jr. M.D., will speak at Mayo Clinic on Wednesday, Oct. 9, 2002. Dr. Harris is a Mayo Graduate School of Medicine alumnus and a veteran astronaut for NASA. Harris has logged more than 438 hours in space and traveled more than 7.2 million miles, and he won the 2000 Horatio Alger Award for his achievements. On Oct. 9, he will address the topic of aviation and medicine. The presentation is free and open to Mayo Clinic employees and the public. Dr. Harris is scheduled to speak at 3 p.m. in Phillips Hall, Siebens Building, 100 Second Ave. S.W.

Dr. Harris' appearance is part of the week of celebration for Mayo Clinic Heritage Days — Living the Legacy, an annual event that honors the men and women, past and present, who represent the "Face of Mayo." Activities run from Oct. 7 through 11, and include historical displays, guest lecturers and musical entertainment.

Dr. Harris defines himself as a "dreamer who believes nothing is impossible." In 1990, he was selected as a NASA astronaut and flew his first mission three years later. A payload commander of STS-63, the first flight of the joint Russian-American space program, Dr. Harris accomplished his childhood dream by completing his first walk in space.

Throughout his life, Dr. Harris has received numerous awards and recognition, including election as Fellow of the American College of Physicians. He holds several faculty appointments and serves on several federal, state and corporate boards.

Dr. Harris is currently the president and CEO of Vesalius Ventures Inc., a business accelerator for medical informatics and technology. He is also president of the Harris Foundation, a non-profit organization that invests in the youth of America.

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Contact:
John Murphy
507-284-5005
507-284-2511 (evenings)
e-mail: newsbureau@mayo.edu

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