The Mayo Clinic School of Health Sciences Alumni Association (MCSHSAA) held its Annual Business Meeting and Dinner on April 12, 2024 in Rochester, MN.
The evening began with a reception held at the Marriot hotel in downtown Rochester, followed by a catered dinner for over 70 MCSHS alumni and their guests. It was also during the dinner that the MCSHSAA conducted its business meeting, reflecting decisions and events of the MCSHSAA Board of Directors meeting held the morning of April 12.
MCSHSAA president, Christina Lazer, MPAS, P.A.C., P.A. (PA ’09) opened proceedings with a welcome message followed by a presentation of new MCSHSAA Board of Director nominees, led by MCSHSAA president-elect, Jody Erickson, M.B.A. (RAD ’94).
The keynote speaker of the evening was Colin P. West, M.D., Ph.D., who spoke on “Healthcare Professional Well-Being: From Burnout to Thriving in Modern Medicine.”
Dr. West is currently Professor of Medicine, Medical Education, and Biostatistics at Mayo. He is Director of the Mayo Clinic Program on Physician Well-Being and was named the first Medical Director of Employee Well-Being for Mayo Clinic in 2022.
Christina Lazer (left) pictured with Catherine J. Cook (middle) and Colin P. West (right).
The ROC award is presented annually at the MCSHS Alumni Association annual meeting and honors alumni whose contributions are exceptional in one or more of the following areas: Clinical care; research; mentoring and education; and humanitarian endeavors.
Cook is a C.R.N.A. with over 30 years of service with Mayo Clinic, and has exemplified commitment and excellence throughout her career. Specializing in cardiovascular anesthesia before transitioning to Florida in 2019, Catherine has demonstrated a passion for clinical anesthesia care.
Throughout her career, Cook trained and worked alongside countless students and residents. She lectured annually on hemodynamics to the S.R.N.A. class and presented various engaging presentations at the annual C.R.N.A. meeting.
Upon her relocation to Mayo Clinic in Florida, Cook spearheaded a team that implemented an On-Demand Blood Bank system. This not only improved blood delivery efficiency in the operating room but also resulted in significant cost reductions for the institution. She currently serves on the Florida Transfusion Subcommittee and the Florida Patient Blood Management team.
Cook says that one of the most rewarding aspects of her career has been her participation in over 20 medical mission trips to Guatemala and other countries.
Overall, the event was a great success and planning for the 2025 MCSHSAA Annual Meeting and Dinner has already begun, with plans for the event to take place in Jacksonville, Florida.
