Mayo: The Story of My Family and My Career. The Autobiography of Dr. Charles Mayo

by Charles W. Mayo

Vintage hardcover book

Hardcover

First published January 1, 1968

Reviews

[Lauren Vaughan · Rating 4 out of 5]

I very much enjoyed this book, reading about the details of Mayo Clinic’s beginnings and the stories of the Mayo family. I found the United Nations part a bit boring but very skim-able all the same.

[Michelle Rusk · Rating 5 out of 5]

Except for the parts about the United Nations which kind of bored me, I thought this was a great book because he didn't hold anything back about how things were not perfect as his life went forward and the clinic chose different directions.

[Jennifer · Rating 4 out of 5]

It gives a historical look at the development of medicine in this country and the world.

[Lee · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great story on the brothers who found d the Mayo Clinic. Well written.

[Prabhat sharma · Rating 5 out of 5]

Mayo: The Story of My Family and My Career by Charles W. Mayo- Children’s Illustrated Colour Picture Book- The book narrates the story of Charles Mayo and William Mayo Brothers and outstanding surgeons along with their father William Worrall Mayo, founded the world-famous Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota, one of the nation's first efforts at group practice of medicine. William James Mayo was born in Le Sueur, Minnesota, on June 29, 1861. His brother, Charles Horace, was born four years later in Rochester, Minnesota, on July 19, 1865. They were two of William Worrall Mayo and Louise Abigail Wright Mayo's five children. Their father had come to the United States from England in 1845 and settled in Rochester, Minnesota, as a country doctor. William and Charles studied Latin, art, and the classics at the Rochester Training School. At home their mother taught them botany and astronomy. Their father gave them instruction in chemistry, anatomy and laboratory methods. Both parents taught their children about the evils of prejudice and war and the benefits of working together. The Mayo brothers frequently accompanied their father on professional visits, observed his diagnoses (identifications of a disease through observation of its symptoms) and methods of treatment, and helped with operations. It is no wonder that they both chose to study medicine. William graduated from the University of Michigan Medical School in 1883 and also took degrees at the New York Post-Graduate Medical School and Hospital in 1884 and at the New York Polyclinic in 1885. He joined his family in practice at Rochester, as did Charles after his 1888 graduation from the Chicago Medical School (later Northwestern University Medical School). William was quiet and reserved; Charles was lively and friendly, with a love of practical jokes. They were known as "Dr. Will" and "Dr. Charlie." In 1889, the Sisters of Saint Francis opened Saint Mary's Hospital in Rochester. and asked the Mayo brothers and their father to help in planning the hospital and in attracting the services of skilled doctors. The three Mayos named their part of Saint Mary's the Mayo Clinic in 1903. It began as a surgical clinic but became a full medical center in 1915, and the brothers began to attract other famous physicians from all over the world. At that time, they also founded the Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research as part of the University of Minnesota. Coloured illustrations help the reader in relating to the story.

[Tom · Rating 4 out of 5]

After reading this book, it's easy to see why Mayo Clinic officials were not entirely pleased with it. Dr Charles W. "Chuck" Mayo pulls no punches in discussing his relations with the administration of the Clinic that bears his family's name. He's also painfully honest about the difficulties his six children were having (in 1968 when the book was written) at finding their way in life and in creating lasting relationships. Dr. Chuck's experiences in the Pacific during World War II are interesting, as are his opinions of the five presidents had had met and worked with. Mayo is engaging and self-deprecating, but also proud of his accomplishments as a surgeon. Unfortunately, he was killed in a traffic accident shortly after completing this thoroughly enjoyable book.

[Doug Shidell · Rating 4 out of 5]

A typical autobiography with the requisite self deprecating humor, humble list of accomplishments, acknowledgement of shortcomings and list of awards, prestigious organizations and honoraria. The writing was good enough to hold my attention until he got on his bandwagons around specific issues, at which point I found myself skipping paragraphs and pages. I quit shortly after he retired because I got the feeling he was trying to squeeze in all the awards and acknowledgements and board of directors he was on.

[Matej Misik · Rating 4 out of 5]

Zaujimave obzretie sa za erou ktora definuje nase dnesne zdravotnictvo. Ukazuje ako za uspechom Mayo Clinic stala od zaciatku ludskost, orientacia na pacienta a medicina zalozena na vyskume, dokazoch a vzdelavani. Ze sa da na tychto principoch vybudovat svetoznama institucia v malom mestecku v state Minnesota.