Mayo Clinic Review that Judy posted in another thread, but certainly worthy of its own space:

I sure can! As well as expertise in their specialty Mayo always stressed "bedside manner" so most Mayo doctors have a pretty good rapport w/their patients. Due to sheer numbers of patients going thru the Clinic each year the Mayo doctors get greater experience and exposure detecting, Dx'ing and treating the multiple disorders in their field. Again due to sheer numbers Mayo has the latest and greatest in technology, radiology, etc. equipment and their technologists gain more experience in use of the equipment due to the sheer numbers of procedures and tests they do each year. For instance, a radiologist can gain more experience recognizing Crohn's disease manisfestations in a month than most local radiologists could gain in a year; a gastroenterologist can gain more experience recognizing, Dx'ing and treating Crohn's disease in 3 months than a local gasterologist can in 3 years!

One of the first "partners" to join the Drs Mayo developed the pneumatic tube system you used to see used in department stores, etc. in years past. Mayo has always EXCELLED in efficiency. With IBM headquarters in Rochester and the working relationship between Mayo and IBM Mayo is still UNPARALLED in efficiency. They are THE EPITOME of efficiency. Once you arrive for your initial consultation you are on your way for a whirlwind of diagnostic tests and appointments, many the same day unless your initial consultation is late in the afternoon. Most all testing, etc. is done outpatient right there in the various departments.

However, the Mayo doctors cover both St Mary's hospital and Methodist Hospital right there in Rochester, Methodist being right across the street from the Clinic. The doctors rotate alternating days in the Clinic consulting and Dx'ing with attending to patients and surgeries at the two hospitals. As one would expect both hospitals are up to date w/the latest in technology and equipment.

It can take some time to get an initial appointment at Mayo but once you are an established patient, regardless how long between your visits, you receive priority in setting appointments and often can be given an appointment w/in a week of your request for an appointment.

There are plenty of housing accomodations w/in a short distance of the Clinic, many w/in walking distance, and there is an underground shopping and walkway between the various Clinic buildings and hotels nearby. The public transportation during Clinic hours is amazing. There are shuttles from the more distant motels to the Clinic on a regular basis and between St Mary's Hospital and the Clinic (about 11 blocks away) so you can meet your various appointments. There are computer stations where patients can access the internet, their e-mail, etc. thru out the Clinic and to my knowledge just about all the motels/hotels provide internet access. It is a beautiful town, the people are very friendly and helpful.

There is no way a local doctor in private or clinic practice can get the experience in consulting, diagnosing and treating specific disorders that Mayo Clinic affords their doctors. And Mayo attracts the brightest and the best for just this very reason. Year after year Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN has been voted #1 in multiple specialties by US News & World Reports.

How does your doctor think that Cleveland Clinic, U of Michigan, etc. Dx their patients, by hospitalizing them for all testing??? IF so, she is naive and has a lot to learn! And I can tell you from personal experience niether of the above are as EFFICIENT as Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN. I can't speak from personal experience for Mayo, Jacksonville, FL or Mayo, Scottsdale, AZ.