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From The Blog

5 tips for wading through hospital quality rankings, ratings

You may think of yourself as a savvy consumer, but do you know which national quality rankings to trust when comparing health care providers? Mayo Clinic quality experts offer 5 tips.

January 18, 2022

Finding new purpose as a hospice volunteer

My heart was touched after reaping the benefits of the hospice program when my husband was dying from cancer 14 years ago. I never forgot what a volunteer being there for us meant to my family and me. I knew that someday I wanted to be involved in the program.

September 12, 2017

Volunteering: Giving back to the community

My name is Nancy Nix. I am a 70-year-old retired grandmother of 10 grandchildren. I decided to give back by becoming a volunteer in 2014 after my husband of 32 years needed surgery and received such great care.

May 1, 2017

Paws Force: Offering a helping paw to patients in need

My dog, Bernie, and I volunteer together on the Paws Force team using animal-assisted therapy for patients in need of comfort or a smile

April 17, 2017

Pet dog brightens days of hospice patients

Cindi Thurston, hospice volunteer, is part of the pet therapy team at Mayo Clinic Health System. She and her partner, Watson, travel to homes and nursing facilities in the Chippewa Valley visiting with hospice patients. Read her story...

September 9, 2016

Volunteering a family affair for Osseo, Wis., couple

Neal and Marilyn Adcock have been volunteering for 35 years in nursing homes in communities where they’ve resided. They say once you get started volunteering, you'll be hooked, too.

April 15, 2014

Physical activity: The newest vital sign

Completing 150 minutes of moderate exercise each week can help treat and prevent disease. Add strength training to your routine for added health benefits.

March 27, 2014

The oncology nurse and teamwork

There's no way to overstate the importance of the role of the oncology nurse in your cancer treatment. Trust and teamwork are essential from the very first meeting.

March 14, 2014

I love being a hospice volunteer

When I mention to someone that I am a hospice volunteer, they might say, “I don't know how you can do that.” But, being a hospice volunteer can be rewarding.

March 7, 2014

How to have a healthy relationship with your health care provider

Oftentimes, people forget that the relationship between a patient and their health care provider should be a two-way avenue. The way to obtain a good relationship isn't always clear. Here are some tips to get the most out of the patient/provider relationship.

Alan Conway MD By Alan Conway January 6, 2014