The Mayo Clinic experience and patient stories Our patients tell us that the quality of their interactions, our attention to detail and the efficiency of their visits mean health care like they've never experienced. See the stories of satisfied Mayo Clinic patients. 3 lifesaving surgeries and a second chance (VIDEO) What began as a routine check for swelling quickly turned Randy Ramey's life upside down. When pneumonia and swelling were diagnosed as stage 4 cirrhosis of the liver, Randy, of Denton, Texas, struggled to understand how it was all connected. A series of visits with local specialists revealed a fatty liver disease called metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis, or MASH. For Randy, the diagnosis set off a cascade of life-or-death decisions that led his wife and him to Mayo Clinic,… When a healthy life meets an unexpected colon cancer diagnosisDonna J. Gainer, shown hiking in Park City, Utah, lives each day with gratitude since her colon cancer diagnosis. Donna J. Gainer fuels her active lifestyle of hiking, bicycling and gardening with a health-conscious diet of mostly whole foods. So, when the 64-year-old received news that she had colorectal cancer in autumn 2025, a wave of emotions hit her. "My first thought was the heartbreak I felt knowing I would have to call my son… (VIDEO) Transforming colon cancer care through precision medicinePaula and Eric Minnesota at the finish line of a half marathon Photo courtesy: Minnesota family Precision medicine is rapidly transforming modern healthcare. It's a personalized approach that tailors prevention and treatment to each individual — moving beyond the traditional one-size-fits-all model. Colorectal cancer is one area where precision medicine is reshaping the standard of care for patients like Eric Minnesota. At 56, Eric was training for an Ironman triathlon when he got a devastating… Mayo patient cycles 4,500 miles after ostomy surgery for Crohn's disease After 41 years with Crohn's disease, Moi Monroe underwent ostomy surgery at Mayo Clinic in Florida. A few years later, he cycled from Alaska to Florida, and his bag didn’t slow him down. When Moi Monroe walked into Mayo's ostomy class, his first thought was, "What am I doing here?" The next day, he was scheduled for surgery to remove his colon and add an ostomy, often called a "bag," to his side. At age… Minneapolis baker, 'Cake Wars' winner, defeats 'incurable' stomach cancer Ann Alaboud smiles between her teammates, Brie Darling and Julie Jensen, while filming "The Big Bake: Holiday" for the Food Network. As a "Cake Wars" champion, Ann Alaboud knows that victory takes determination. While facing her biggest foe — stage 4 stomach cancer — she chose Mayo Clinic as her ally. Although it was February, Ann Alaboud was decked out for Christmas — green apron, bright red lipstick and a sparkly elf hat. She was… Resecting the unresectable: The right place, the right team CV Rao and his wife, Madhavi In April 2023, CV Rao had just returned from a work trip in Europe when he started experiencing abdominal pain on his right side. His wife, a doctor, recognized that he needed to see his primary care physician for an ultrasound scan. When the ultrasound didn't show anything, CV's care team ordered a CT scan. The results were alarming — a 7 centimeter tumor, the size of a large… (VIDEO) A rare cancer. A rare weapon. Curtis Jackson's inspiring story of survivalCurtis and Kim Jackson Curtis Jackson was living his dream life — a loving and supportive wife, three wonderful kids, and a future that looked as bright as could be. Then, one day, without warning, the dream was shattered. At only 46, Curtis was diagnosed with cholangiocarcinoma, one of the deadliest and most aggressive forms of cancer. It's a silent killer that strikes the liver. It is often diagnosed in later stages, leaving patients with few… Thriving, not just surviving, after bariatric surgeryA trip to Disney World in 2023 was an eye-opener for Katie Crow. It wasn't the rides, parades or immersive activities that caught her attention but that she struggled to have the energy to go to the amusement park every day. "It wasn't the experience I wanted it to be. That's when I knew I finally needed to do something about my weight," says Katie, an endoscopy nurse with Mayo Clinic Health System in La Crosse,… 'I'm so happy we're here:' An unexpected diagnosis saves Rich Bugay's lifeRich Bugay had an appointment with the Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology at Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota, on a Monday, where he had hoped to get answers and relief for what he thought was refractory acid reflux — until his doctor discovered a heart murmur. The next morning, Rich was told he had congenital heart disease and a severely dilated aorta that could rupture. Just two days later, Rich underwent lifesaving heart surgery. After… Request an appointment ResearchCosts & insurance Feb. 05, 2026 Share on: FacebookTwitter Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota, has been recognized as the best Gastroenterology & GI Surgery hospital in the nation by U.S. News & World Report. Learn more about this top honor Gastroenterology and HepatologyDepartmenthomeSectionsOverviewTests & proceduresConditions treatedDoctorsDoctors by location and specialtySpecialty groupsExpertise & rankingsClinical trialsResearchPatient storiesCosts & insuranceNews from Mayo ClinicReferrals SectionsRequest an AppointmentOverviewTests & proceduresConditions treatedDoctorsDoctors by location and specialtySpecialty groupsExpertise & rankingsClinical trialsResearchPatient storiesCosts & insuranceNews from Mayo ClinicReferrals ORG-20308333 Medical Departments & Centers Gastroenterology and Hepatology