Mayo Clinic Announces New Comprehensive Wellness and Fitness Center

Friday, November 19, 2004

ROCHESTER, Minn. — Mayo Clinic plans to build a new comprehensive wellness and fitness facility on its downtown campus. The facility will be funded through a generous gift from S. Daniel Abraham, an entrepreneur and philanthropist of Palm Beach, Fla., and New York, whose original gift in May 1995 established two successful employee fitness facilities at Mayo Clinic.

The goal of the new center is to offer an expanded range of activities designed to help Mayo Clinic's employees improve their health and fitness, reduce stress and implement beneficial lifestyle changes. Construction will begin in 2005 with completion expected in 2006.

"Plans for a new comprehensive Healthy Living Center are part of a larger trend at Mayo Clinic that includes offering healthy food choices on campus, and programs promoting healthier nutrition, exercise and weight loss," says Donald Hensrud, M.D., medical director of Dan Abraham Healthy Living Center.

Kerry Olsen, M.D., chair of Mayo Clinic's committee that will oversee design and construction of the new building, says the new center may provide a model for others to follow.

"As a leader in health care, Mayo Clinic has an opportunity to provide a leadership role in promoting health and wellness on a broader scale," says Dr. Olsen. "This may be one of the most comprehensive wellness facilities in the country, and could be a model that will be replicated in other locations."

Mayo Clinic currently has two Dan Abraham Healthy Living Center sites on its Rochester campus: the Ozmun Building and Saint Marys Hospital. The new center will replace the Ozmun facility. The Saint Marys facility will remain open. The Dan Abraham Healthy Living Center sites have established a model upon which Mayo Clinic hopes to build. Dan Abraham has expressed interest in supporting expanded health and wellness facilities at Mayo Clinic, in keeping with his vision for a healthier America.

"Mayo Clinic has meant a great deal to my family," says Mr. Abraham. "I believe by helping Mayo Clinic develop a new comprehensive wellness and fitness center, there could be a profound positive impact on the health of its employees and eventually patients."

The project is entering the design phase as Mayo Clinic determines how the new facility will provide the best space to expand the center's programs and focus, including aerobic conditioning, strength training, optimal nutrition, weight management and stress reduction. The facility also will be used to evaluate new health promotion programs.

Some components of the facility will include:

• aerobic classes
• weight training
• assessment of fitness conditioning
• a lap pool
• a jogging track
• resistance training
• relaxation instruction
• education facilities, including classrooms and a library
• nutrition assessment and information

"Dan Abraham has offered this gift in gratitude for the care he and his family and friends have received at Mayo Clinic, and this new center would not be possible without his generous gift," says Hugh Smith, M.D., chair of the Board of Governors, Mayo Clinic in Rochester. "Mr. Abraham has a vision for a healthier America and believes the Healthy Living Center concept could be a model for promoting healthy living across the country. The center represents an extension of Mayo's commitment to the well-being of its staff."

The goal of the Dan Abraham Healthy Living Center is to give Mayo Clinic staff members improved access to health and fitness programs and services to help them live healthier lives. The center strives to provide a welcoming, non-intimidating environment for all members, regardless of experience and fitness level. Membership is open to all Mayo staff, retirees, Mayo-program students, Mayo volunteers, and their spouses.

As the new facility develops, Mayo Clinic will explore opportunities for programming specifically for patients and for interaction with other areas at Mayo Clinic, including education and research opportunities.

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To obtain the latest news releases from Mayo Clinic, go to www.mayoclinic.org/news. MayoClinic.com (www.mayoclinic.com) is available as a resource for your health stories.

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To obtain the latest news releases from Mayo Clinic, go to www.mayoclinic.org/news. MayoClinic.com is available as a resource for your health stories.