College of Science & Health (CSH)
Mayo Partnership
Forging the next generation of scientists, innovators and health care providers
Become part of the movement to better educate and prepare tomorrow’s health care providers — all while improving the region’s health.
A Mayo Clinic Health System and UWL research agreement announced in 2019 is helping improve the health and wellness of the Coulee Region. It enables researchers at both — students and professionals — to work together while preparing the next generation of scientists, innovators and health care providers.
The collaboration adds to several previous successful health care associations in medical research and education. Among them:
- Joint faculty appointments, degree programs and research projects
- Cross-organizational education events and forums
- Mayo Clinic Health System and UWL Youth Sports Safety Symposium
The collaboration gives UWL students projects to research and Mayo professionals opportunities for additional experimenting.
UWL, Mayo Health System agreement betters health, wellness.
The agreement, signed Nov. 21, 2019, at UWL, enables researchers at the two institutions to work together, helping to prepare the next generation of scientists, innovators and health care providers.
“This is a wonderful opportunity for the best and brightest people in two outstanding organizations to come together to conduct essential research aimed at discovering invaluable new health benefits,” says then UWL Chancellor, Joe Gow. “We hope that today's announcement is just the beginning of many similar future collaborations. We certainly will encourage our faculty, staff, and students to investigate all the exciting possibilities Mayo Clinic Health System affords us.”
Mayo Clinic Health System Regional Vice President Paul S. Mueller, M.D., says he has been in La Crosse for just over a year now and is impressed by the collaborative spirit he’s seen. “Just last month, our Sports Medicine department at Mayo Clinic Health System and UWL joined forces to host the first annual Youth Sports Safety symposium,” Mueller notes. “It was an overwhelming success, and a great example of how by working together, we can be better stewards to our community and address patient needs.”
Mueller expects the agreement to bolster and continue that stewardship. “It will enable our physicians and UWL’s faculty, staff and students to further collaborate and will provide a catalyst for developments in research and health care education,” says Mueller. “Ultimately, today’s research will transform into tomorrow’s cutting-edge care and cure for patients.”
UWL’s strong tradition of faculty and students collaborating on research was key for Mayo reaching out to do more hands-on, undergraduate learning opportunities. Research is key to Mayo’s mission — one of the three shields of the clinic’s logo represents research.
“The Mayo model of research has a long history of transforming the practice of medicine by taking a collaborative approach to medical science with the ultimate goal of translating new discoveries and knowledge into the benefit of our patients,” Mueller notes. With a strong commitment to advance research, Mayo found it only natural to sign the agreement, he adds.
UWL College of Science and Health Dean Mark Sandheinrich says the new collaboration complements the university’s strong alliance with several local healthcare providers through the Health Science Consortium, along with numerous collaborative efforts in educating students in the health professions.
“Our students will especially benefit from the increased opportunities for undergraduate experiences that this agreement presents,” explains Sandheinrich. “More than 2,000 students at UWL are interested in careers in the health professions and these academic programs are one of numerous strengths of the college and the university.”
Chancellor Gow says the agreement further advances UWL’s strategic plan. “One of the key emphases in UWL's Sustaining Excellence strategic plan is ‘Community Engagement,’ and by partnering with Mayo Clinic Health System we will be engaging with one of the most important organizations in the world community,” says Gow. “We feel privileged to be entering into this collaboration.”
Dr. Mueller agrees the new collaboration is community-engaging. “We believe this relationship will help to draw the best and brightest physicians, faculty, staff and students to the La Crosse area,” he says. “This agreement will benefit our patients and make life better for all La Crosse area residents.”
Cutlines:
The signing of a new research collaboration between UWL and Mayo Clinic Health System will benefit the Seven Rivers Region with better health and wellness. UWL Chancellor Joe Gow, left, and Mayo Clinic Health System Regional Vice President Paul S. Mueller, M.D.
The collaboration gives UWL students projects to research and Mayo professionals opportunities for additional experimenting.
The Mayo Clinic Health System and UWL agreement aims to enable researchers at the two institutions to work together and prepare the next generation of scientists, innovators and health care providers.
For information on research related to Geriatrics, Family Medicine, and selected other clinical areas.
Creating the future of medicine through research
What is clinical research? Clinical research involves patient-focused studies that can lead to better ways to detect, prevent, control and treat diseases and other health conditions. These studies may lead to new discoveries that can improve the quality of our lives and the lives of future generations.
What kind of research is happening at Franciscan Healthcare? Numerous approved research studies are available for eligible patients in a variety of clinical areas, including:
- Cancer - Clinical trials are available in our Cancer Center for many types of cancers and for minimizing the symptoms caused by cancer treatment. Physicians and other staff help patients decide what the best treatment options are for their condition, which may include the opportunity to participate in a clinical trial.
- Center for Breast Care – Many clinical trials are accessible for the treatment and recovery of breast cancer patients.
- Heart Disease – Several clinical trials and observational studies are available through for qualifying patients. Through these trials we are assessing cutting-edge treatment options for our patients so as to advance the management of heart disease.
- Digestive Tract – Various clinical trials are offered for difficult to treat digestive conditions such as Crohn’s Disease as well as to develop early detection for pancreatic disease.
FAQ
Why Do We Have Clinical Trials?
Clinical trials allow our experts to:
- compare existing treatments to determine which is best.
- study different ways to use standard (approved) treatments, so they will be more effective, easier to use, and/or decrease side effects.
- see if a new drug or device is safe and effective for people to use.
How is the safety of study participants protected?
All research activity conducted is reviewed by a group of individuals, referred to as an Institutional Review Board (IRB). This group, which includes scientists and community members, meets regularly to approve new studies and ensure safeguards are in place to protect the rights and welfare of research participants. The IRB review process is guided by federal rules and regulations, and is based on the Protection of Human Subject Code of Federal Regulations and the Belmont Report.
Does insurance cover any costs of participating in research?
Insurance coverage for clinical trials varies by individual policy and depends on the nature of the study. Participants must review their own policy benefits and contact their insurance company for specific limitations, if any. If the participant’s insurance is Medicare, more information can be found here.
How can I get more information about the Mayo Clinic Health System Research Program?
For more information on clinical trials and other research opportunities go to www.mayo.edu/research
Other sources of information on research and clinical trials:
- Research at Mayo Clinic
- National Institutes of Health
- Food and Drug Administration
- Clinicaltrials.gov - a registry of clinical studies of human participants from the National Institutes of Health
More about Mayo Research
Mayo Clinic Health System professionals team up with scientists at Mayo Clinic and research centers across the country to evaluate new treatments and make cutting edge technologies available to patients we serve. Thousands of patients have participated in our research studies over the years, helping to advance the science of health care while remaining close to home.
Search for clinical trials across Mayo Clinic.
Learn more about Research at Mayo Clinic Health System in La Crosse.
UWL, Mayo program funds new research projects
Mayo Clinic Health System and UWL have announced recipients of the 2021 Mayo Clinic Health System and UWL Collaborative Seed Grant Program.
The program, in its inaugural year, funds health-focused research projects led by teams of physicians and scientists from both organizations. Seed grants often launch promising new research projects and bring them to the point where they can attract more substantial funding from external sources.
See how the 2021 projects will advance new research at UWL and Mayo in the strategic areas of sports medicine and cancer:
