Author Archives: makalajohnson

Mayo Clinic Young Volunteers – W.E. C.A.R.E.


Volunteering at Mayo Clinic is an awesome opportunity and our Mayo Clinic Young Volunteers here in Rochester, Minn., are proud to be part of this world-class institution.  Team Leaders on our MCYV Council wanted to showcase some of the qualities of our volunteers, … Continue reading

By makalajohnson | Posted in Volunteers | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

Girl Scout Dr. Sharonne Hayes Receives Award


Dr. Sharonne Hayes, a Mayo Clinic cardiologist, in April was named one of the Girl Scout River Valleys 2013 Women of Distinction. When Dr. Hayes began working at Mayo Clinic, she became keenly aware that women in medicine, and particularly … Continue reading

By makalajohnson | Posted in Cardiology & Cardiac Surgery, Women's Health | Tagged , , , , | Comments (2)

Atlanta to Jacksonville: Short travel for answers from Mayo Clinic


Diane McIver’s first visit to Mayo Clinic mixed health care with pleasure – she and her now husband tagged their annual physical appointments with a trip to the golf course. At the time, they were just dating and enjoyed “a … Continue reading

By makalajohnson | Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

Suiting up for a celebration


“My sweet boy,” Deborah Morey said as she practically skipped across the room to join him in a group photograph. The boy is her son, 15-year-old Curtis Morey, who was diagnosed with medulloblastoma (a type of brain tumor) on Jan. 27, 2012. … Continue reading

By makalajohnson | Posted in Cancer, Pediatrics | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Mayo’s caring attitude brings hope to patient


Jim Brooks was vacationing with his family in Spain when suddenly he couldn’t speak for 10 minutes and wound up in the hospital. Jim and his wife Louanne decided together they wanted to return to their Minnesota home and Mayo … Continue reading

By makalajohnson | Posted in Cancer, Neurology & Neurosurgery | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Comments (3)

Gift from Daughter to Dad: a Liver Donation


Chuck Lewensten ran a successful business, hunted in Africa and played tennis with his fiancé, Jill. Nonalcoholic steatohepatitis changed all that. By the summer of 2010, the disease had ravaged Lewensten’s liver, leaving him homebound and dependent on his family … Continue reading

By makalajohnson | Posted in Gastroenterology, Transplant | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Rare heart-liver transplant gives South Carolina woman a second chance at life


Beki Rose and her husband, Tom, had met with half a dozen doctors, and they all said the same thing. “They told me to go home and get my things in order,” says Beki, a 51-year-old mother of three with … Continue reading

By makalajohnson | Posted in Cardiology & Cardiac Surgery, Transplant | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | Comments (2)

Surprise amyloidosis diagnosis leads to combined heart-liver transplant


At the end of a routine physical in 2006, Dan Carey’s doctor asked if there was anything else he wanted to discuss. Dan exercised regularly and felt good. Except for one thing. “I get out of breath when I walk … Continue reading

By makalajohnson | Posted in Transplant | Tagged , , , , , , , , | Comments (8)

Seizure-free after new surgery


One of Arden Berge’s most surprising discoveries while he was a graduate student in meteorology had nothing to do with the weather. “I’d been lying on the bed reading, and all of a sudden I looked up and there were … Continue reading

By makalajohnson | Posted in Neurology & Neurosurgery | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Comments (8)

Pleased Patient Shows Enduring Gratitude with Tattoo


David Prochello is no stranger to getting tattoos. He builds custom choppers, he has tats on his arms and a large one on his upper back inscribed: “I am my own role model.” So when Prochello, of Dakota Dunes, South … Continue reading

By makalajohnson | Posted in Cancer, Urology | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | Comments (2)