Mayo Clinic today announced that Shriners Hospitals for Children -- Twin Cities (Shriners) will build on the decades-long collaboration between physicians in both organizations and become part of the Mayo Clinic Care Network. Shriners provides specialized pediatric orthopedic care that serves a seven-state region and is part of a network of children's hospitals located across the U.S., Canada and Mexico. Shriners is the first pediatric hospital to join the Mayo Clinic Care Network.
MULTIMEDIA ALERT: Visit the Mayo Clinic News Network to retrieve video and photography.
Physicians at Shriners will be able to connect directly with Mayo Clinic specialists on questions of patient care using an electronic consulting technique called eConsults. Physicians also will have access to the latest evidence-based medical information through the AskMayoExpert database. These tools, among others, enhance the support available to manage complex patient care needs.
"The relationship between Shriners and the Mayo Clinic Children's Center has been a long-standing and rewarding one, and by formalizing our collaboration, we'll be able to work even more closely together to enhance the care we provide children" says David Hayes, M.D., medical director, Mayo Clinic Care Network.
"Both organizations are recognized leaders in their fields," says Douglas Maxwell, chairman and president, Shriners Hospitals for Children. "The challenges of medicine in this modern age demand that we seek and share knowledge in a way that has value to the patient. Our participation is a continuation of that commitment. We are energized by the possibilities."
"Shriners Hospitals for Children -- Twin Cities is delighted to become the newest member of the Mayo Clinic Care Network, which we believe will strengthen the 20-year bond between our two institutions," says Cary Mielke, M.D., interim chief of staff, Shriners Hospitals for Children -- Twin Cities. "Using eConsults and cutting-edge evidence-based medicine, Shriners Hospitals for Children -- Twin Cities and Mayo Clinic physicians collaborate on complex patient cases in the fields of pediatric orthopedics, scoliosis spine surgery, hand surgery, rheumatology and neurology. This partnership is a great benefit to the excellent care our patients receive."
"Both Mayo Clinic and Shriners have a heart for kids, and we're excited to know that this new collaborative step will increasingly benefit our young patients," says Christopher Moir, M.D., director, Mayo Clinic Children's Center. "Combining the knowledge of Mayo Clinic and Shriners experts can only benefit outcomes for patients who are the most vulnerable among us. Both our organizations are known for our commitment to high-quality pediatric care, and we look forward to strengthening our working relationship."
The Mayo Clinic Care Network represents non-ownership relationships with Mayo Clinic. With Mayo Clinic Care Network, members share a commitment to improve the quality and delivery of health care. The network launched in 2011, and now has member organizations based in Arizona, Florida, Illinois, Kentucky, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Montana, New Hampshire, North Dakota and Puerto Rico.
Shriners provides specialized pediatric orthopedic care that serves Minnesota, Iowa, North Dakota, South Dakota, Nebraska, Wisconsin and the upper peninsula of Michigan. For 90 years, Shriners Hospitals for Children -- Twin Cities has specialized in delivering life-changing care to children. The hospital is one of 22 Shriners Hospitals for Children in the U.S., Canada and Mexico that provide services to children with orthopedic conditions, burns, spinal cord injuries, and cleft lip and palate needs without regard to families' ability to pay.
Physicians from the Mayo Clinic Children's Center, with specialties in orthopedics, rheumatology, hand surgery and neurology, currently provide service at Shriners. The Mayo Clinic Children's Center consists of 200 pediatricians and surgical subspecialists from more than 40 medical and surgical specialties. The center provides care for more than 50,000 children and teens each year. The Children's Center is rated in all of the U.S. News & World Report pediatric specialty categories and is the highest-ranked children's hospital in Minnesota and across the region from Iowa, Wisconsin, North Dakota and South Dakota.