The Mayo Clinic Alix School of Medicine (MCASOM), headquartered in Rochester, Minnesota, stands among the most respected medical schools in the world. Part of the internationally renowned Mayo Clinic, the school is celebrated for its integration of cutting-edge biomedical science, compassionate clinical care, and a patient-centered philosophy.
Since its establishment in 1972, MCASOM has expanded to include campuses in Arizona and Florida, forming a national network that mirrors the Mayo Clinic’s three-site clinical system. The school’s mission—to educate future physicians grounded in scientific inquiry, ethical leadership, and service—has made it a model for modern medical education.
Historical Background
The Mayo Clinic’s roots trace back to the late 19th century, when Dr. William Worrall Mayo and his sons, Dr. William J. Mayo and Dr. Charles H. Mayo, established a group practice that emphasized teamwork, innovation, and patient welfare. Their vision evolved into the Mayo Clinic, which became synonymous with excellence in healthcare.
Recognizing the need to train physicians who embodied this ethos, the Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research (MFMER) founded the Mayo Medical School in 1972. In 2018, following a historic $200 million gift from Jay Alix, the institution was renamed the Mayo Clinic Alix School of Medicine, signaling a renewed commitment to innovation and accessibility in medical education.
Today, MCASOM continues to uphold the Mayo legacy: combining rigorous scientific training with humanistic medicine.
Campuses and Facilities
MCASOM operates on three campuses that reflect the geographic and cultural diversity of the United States:
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Rochester, Minnesota (Main Campus): Home to the original Mayo Clinic, this site provides students with access to over 4,000 physicians and scientists. Facilities include the Gonda Building, Mayo Clinic Hospital, and state-of-the-art simulation centers.
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Scottsdale/Phoenix, Arizona: Established in 2017, the Arizona campus focuses on biomedical innovation, regenerative medicine, and desert-region health challenges.
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Jacksonville, Florida: Specializing in neuroscience, oncology, and aging research, this campus connects students to cutting-edge clinical programs and translational research.
All campuses share a unified curriculum and faculty oversight, allowing students to learn within an integrated healthcare and research environment unmatched by most medical schools.
Educational Philosophy
Mayo Clinic Alix School of Medicine follows a guiding principle deeply rooted in the Mayo brothers’ vision: “The needs of the patient come first.”
Education at MCASOM blends scientific inquiry, clinical excellence, and compassionate care. The school’s distinctive approach includes:
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Small class sizes (approximately 50 students per campus) enabling personalized mentorship.
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Team-based learning emphasizing collaboration over competition.
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Early clinical exposure beginning within the first few weeks of medical school.
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Vertical integration of research and ethics, ensuring scientific rigor and professionalism.
This model fosters intellectual curiosity, emotional intelligence, and leadership in healthcare innovation.
Academic Programs
1. Doctor of Medicine (MD) Program
The MD curriculum at MCASOM, known as the Science of Health Care Delivery Curriculum, is organized into three interwoven phases:
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Foundations Phase (Years 1–2): Integrates anatomy, molecular biology, pathophysiology, and patient communication skills. Students participate in longitudinal integrated clerkships that connect basic science with clinical context.
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Core Clinical Phase (Year 3): Rotations in internal medicine, surgery, pediatrics, psychiatry, obstetrics-gynecology, neurology, and family medicine.
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Advanced Selectives Phase (Year 4): Specialty electives, sub-internships, and research capstones designed to prepare students for residency.
Distinctive elements include simulation-based learning, longitudinal patient panels, and early scholarly research opportunities through the Mayo Clinic Center for Clinical and Translational Science (CCaTS).
2. Dual-Degree and Advanced Study Options
MCASOM promotes interdisciplinary expertise through several dual-degree and specialization pathways:
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MD/PhD (Mayo Clinic Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences) – training physician-scientists for research-intensive careers.
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MD/MS (Biomedical Informatics or Clinical and Translational Science) – integrating medicine with data analysis and evidence-based practice.
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MD/MBA (in collaboration with Arizona State University W. P. Carey School of Business) – combining medical education with leadership and management training.
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MD/MPH (via Johns Hopkins University collaboration) – preparing physicians for careers in population health and epidemiology.
3. Graduate and Postdoctoral Programs
Through the Mayo Clinic Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, students pursue PhD programs in molecular pharmacology, biochemistry, immunology, neuroscience, and regenerative medicine. Postdoctoral research fellowships attract scientists from around the world, reinforcing Mayo’s global influence in biomedical innovation.
Research and Innovation
Research is a fundamental pillar of the Mayo Clinic’s mission, and MCASOM students benefit from direct access to one of the world’s most advanced medical research environments.
Key Research Strengths:
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Regenerative Medicine: Pioneering stem-cell therapies and tissue engineering under the Center for Regenerative Biotherapeutics.
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Oncology: Personalized cancer treatment and molecular diagnostics through the Mayo Clinic Comprehensive Cancer Center.
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Neuroscience: Studies in Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, and neuroimmunology.
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Cardiovascular Research: Innovations in heart transplantation, electrophysiology, and minimally invasive surgery.
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Genomics and Individualized Medicine: Integrating genomics into clinical care, building on Mayo’s role in the ClinGen and All of Us Research Program.
Students participate in mentored research from the first year, often publishing papers or presenting at national conferences before graduation.
Clinical Training
Clinical education at MCASOM reflects the Mayo Clinic model of integrated, team-based care. Each campus provides exposure to a vast patient population with diverse medical conditions.
Key clinical training sites:
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Mayo Clinic Hospital – Rochester: A tertiary referral center known for complex cases and multidisciplinary care.
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Mayo Clinic Arizona and Florida Hospitals: Advanced facilities emphasizing minimally invasive surgery and regenerative therapies.
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Mayo Clinic Health System: A network of community hospitals across the Midwest, offering rural medicine experiences.
Students learn alongside practicing physicians who model professionalism, empathy, and evidence-based care. The curriculum’s longitudinal integrated clerkship system allows continuity with both patients and mentors, enhancing clinical competence and patient rapport.
Admissions and Requirements
Admission to the Mayo Clinic Alix School of Medicine is exceptionally competitive, reflecting its small class size and elite academic standards.
Typical admissions profile:
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MCAT scores in the 96th–98th percentile range.
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GPA ≈ 3.9.
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Demonstrated research and clinical experience.
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Commitment to service, leadership, and Mayo values.
The admissions committee uses a holistic review process, evaluating not only academic excellence but also empathy, integrity, and dedication to patient welfare. Approximately 50 students per campus are admitted annually from an applicant pool exceeding 7,000.
Tuition, Scholarships, and Financial Aid
Tuition at MCASOM is approximately $65,000 per year, but the institution provides extensive financial support. The Jay Alix Endowment established in 2018 expanded full-tuition scholarships and need-based aid programs, ensuring financial barriers do not limit access for qualified applicants.
In 2021, over 80 percent of students received some form of scholarship assistance, with nearly half graduating debt-free. Mayo’s generous financial model reflects its mission to produce physicians driven by service rather than financial constraint.
Faculty and Alumni
MCASOM’s faculty include leading clinicians, researchers, and educators whose work has shaped global medicine.
Distinguished faculty and alumni:
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Dr. Michael Joyner, expert in human physiology and exercise science.
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Dr. Joseph Murray, Nobel Laureate in Physiology or Medicine for the first successful kidney transplant (trained at Mayo).
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Dr. Kendall Lee, pioneer in neurostimulation and brain-machine interfaces.
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Dr. Sharonne Hayes, advocate for women’s cardiovascular health and medical equity.
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Dr. Gianrico Farrugia, current President and CEO of Mayo Clinic.
Mayo graduates hold leadership positions in hospitals, academic institutions, and healthcare systems worldwide, carrying forward the Clinic’s values of integrity and compassion.
Community Engagement and Global Health
Mayo Clinic Alix School of Medicine emphasizes social accountability and service to both local and global communities.
Community programs include:
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Student-run Health Clinic in Rochester: Provides care to uninsured and underserved populations.
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Arizona Outreach Clinics: Deliver health education and screening in Native American and Hispanic communities.
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Florida Global Health Initiatives: Collaborative programs addressing infectious diseases and healthcare access in developing nations.
The Office for Community Engagement in Health Equity (OCEHE) supports student projects that address disparities in chronic disease management, mental health, and preventive care.
Technology and Innovation in Education
MCASOM integrates technology across all aspects of learning:
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Simulation-Based Learning Centers replicate real-world patient scenarios for skill development.
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Virtual Reality (VR) Anatomy Labs replace cadaver dissection with immersive 3D visualization.
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Telemedicine Modules prepare students for digital healthcare delivery.
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Artificial Intelligence Applications in clinical decision-support and radiology training.
Through partnerships with Mayo’s Center for Digital Health, students gain exposure to the technologies shaping the future of medicine.
Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
The Office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (ODEI) at Mayo Clinic fosters a learning community built on respect, empathy, and representation. Programs encourage recruitment and mentorship of students from underrepresented backgrounds in medicine.
Cultural competency, implicit bias training, and courses on structural determinants of health are integral to the curriculum. The school’s commitment extends beyond admissions to include faculty development and community partnerships that promote equitable healthcare.
Global Reputation and Rankings
Mayo Clinic Alix School of Medicine consistently ranks among the top 10 U.S. medical schools for both research and primary care (U.S. News & World Report). Its integration within the Mayo Clinic system—ranked the No. 1 hospital in the world by Newsweek—gives students unparalleled access to premier clinical resources and interdisciplinary collaboration.
The school’s international partnerships with institutions in Europe, Asia, and Africa foster cross-cultural research and global health education, expanding Mayo’s influence beyond the United States.
Conclusion
The Mayo Clinic Alix School of Medicine represents a unique fusion of scientific excellence, clinical mastery, and humanitarian values. Guided by the principle that “the needs of the patient come first,” it educates physicians who not only treat disease but also advance human health through discovery, empathy, and leadership.
From regenerative medicine and genomics to artificial intelligence and telehealth, MCASOM continues to shape the future of healthcare while maintaining the timeless Mayo philosophy of compassion and service.