Practice

Yonghun Kim grew up in North Carolina, half a world away from his grandfather in South Korea. When his grandfather was diagnosed with terminal gallbladder cancer, Yonghun felt helpless. He decided to change that feeling following the death of his grandfather by becoming a physician.

Jackie Zachmeyer received a transplant certificate from Mayo Clinic following her surgery. It includes a number — 31. "I'm number 31 in all Mayo Clinic's history for a heart-lung transplant. That puts it in perspective," Jackie says. "If it weren't for Dr. Connolly and the Mayo Clinic transplant care team, I guarantee you I wouldn't have had the career I had or experiences in life I had."

The first car Jonathan White fell in love with was a 1964 ½ Ford Mustang he and his dad restored together. That car led to several others, including one that almost killed Jonathan and led him to seek care at Mayo Clinic. Mayo Clinic is also why the White family was at the Barrett-Jackson auction in Scottsdale in the first place.

"To say the level of care at Mayo is unique is an understatement, and it is something I have not experienced anywhere else. When one hears that the patient comes first at Mayo, it is true. I have no words to thank Mayo Clinic. Mayo has given me the gift of extending my life. I am grateful that I can give back and know that in some way I am helping to make a difference.”

Emergency departments can be chaotic. Nurses and doctors moving quickly to meet patient needs, the wheels of gurneys rolling along hard floors, and monitoring equipment beeping to draw the attention of care providers. It was there that Fatima Islam discovered something was missing from her career.

Dick Buell’s goal is simple and selfless: “To help as many people as I can.”

Dawn Botsford was sitting in a chair at the hair salon in the fall of 2011 when her hairdresser commented on a spot on the top of her head. It was bug season in North Dakota, so Dawn didn’t think much of it. “When I told my hairdresser that, she said, ‘I really think you need to get it checked out.’ She saved my life,” Dawn recalls.

“Mayo Clinic is a special place — it’s the cohesiveness, competency and compassion shown by the doctors and staff and the immediate follow-up. The level of care is just so different, and it’s a pleasure to be on campus. All in all, it’s just such a fantastic organization. We believe in giving back, and it gives us such joy to give to Mayo.”  

Larry Connor will be one of four civilians from around the world to take part in the flight.

Larry Connor has participated in more than 1,000 hours of professional astronaut training, as well as Mayo Clinic instruction for the mission’s research component. That preparation, he feels, will contribute to a successful 10-day mission. In addition to the research materials, he's also bringing a few trinkets along with him to space on behalf of others.