Mayo Clinic's Executive Health Program begins new chapter

Mayo Clinic's Executive Health Program, which has kept thousands of business leaders healthy without major disruptions in their lives, begins a new chapter today with the announcement of a $10 million gift by W. Hall Wendel, Jr. to expand and name the W. Hall Wendel, Jr. Center for Executive Health.

The new center is located on the fifth floor of the Mayo Building and is the centerpiece of Mayo Clinic's worldwide program offering premium services and all-inclusive care targeted for busy business leaders.

"Mayo Clinic's Executive Health Program is geared to executives from around the world," says Mr. W. Hall Wendel, Jr. "It is designed for efficiency and thoroughness; busy executives are in and out in a day and a half, assuming no complications. If there are complications, the entire health and medical services of Mayo Clinic are on site and immediately available. Mayo Clinic's medical services are unparalleled in the world."

Mr. Wendel's gift highlights his belief in giving back to an organization that has provided top-quality, efficient care to him throughout his career. Mr. Wendel, retired chairman and CEO of Polaris Industries, is a longtime patient and benefactor of Mayo Clinic. He established the W. Hall Wendel Jr. Musculoskeletal Center in 2007 and has also funded musculoskeletal research and established an endowed research professorship.

"Mr. Wendel's gift reflects his generous history of giving to Mayo Clinic and his strong commitment to the health and wellness of our patients," says John Noseworthy, M.D., Mayo Clinic president and CEO. "The ongoing financial support demonstrated by Mr. Wendel ensures that patients who participate in the Executive Health Program will experience superior care for years to come."

Mayo Clinic's Executive Health Program will be able to accommodate the high demand of executives seeking care at Mayo Clinic, with minimal waiting time for appointments.

Within this center, executives will experience a quality, relaxed atmosphere with concierge services, a complimentary lounge with food and beverages and a full range of business services. There will also be a library of reference materials (Web-based, print and classes) on various health and wellness-related topics. Executive patients will experience an uninterrupted health care visit with applicable tests, physician appointments and services in one central location.

Mayo Clinic's executive health programs, offered at all three sites, provide personalized care based on the executives' needs and if other health concerns arise during the exam, access to a specialist can typically be coordinated in the same visit.

"The center will bring together medical professionals in a unique environment dedicated to improving the health and wellness of time-pressed executives," says Kurt Carlson, M.D., medical director, Executive and International Health Program. "Corporate executives, small business owners and those seeking the next level of health care often don't have time to attend to their physical well-being, and this center allows them to receive premier medical offerings within their busy schedules."

Mr. Wendel credits Mayo Clinic for helping him maintain his current healthy lifestyle that includes a balanced diet and various exercises, such as hiking, swimming, and strength and flexibility training. He first learned of Mayo Clinic in the mid-1960s and started having physicals there after moving to Minnesota in the mid-1970s.