Mayo closure hurts seniors the most

My first conscious trip to the New Richland Mayo Clinic came in 2000.

I was not yet three years old. After playing a little too roughly in Amy Ferber’s day care, I tripped and went head first into the corner of a dresser. Amy brought me into the bathroom, pulled my hair back to look at my head. The next thing I remember, my dad showed up and we were off to the clinic. 

I remember going into the “operating room” where something was put in place to cover my eyes. My dad told me to pretend it was a tent. I remember he tried to make it seem like a game. When he said that, I calmed down as they stitched up my head. 

I remember being disappointed when the New Richland Clinic stopped performing procedures, but reluctantly accepting it as part of “changing times.” 

With the clinic still “closed for repairs” a few weeks ago, I had to go to the doctor. Before even making the appointment, I had first waited almost a month, hoping the clinic would open, so I could see my local physician, Wendy. When I decided I shouldn’t wait any longer and called for an appointment, my “nearest” options were Albert Lea or Wells. 

Finally I caved and made an appointment (two weeks out was the soonest available date) in Albert Lea. Upon arrival, I was greeted by Traci Hoppe. I know her as the neighbor who grew up three blocks away from me.

She told me the New Richland office might close because of the flooding. I was really disappointed, but didn’t think it would happen. I didn’t write about it because I didn’t want to worry people. 

Losing the clinic means more than the loss of a building. 

It's a loss of personalized, one-on-one, timely care.

The loss of a New Richland area physician. 

And a further inconvenience for seniors.

People live in small towns for many reasons: a sense of community, a lower cost of living; a calmer, more peaceful lifestyle; connection to family and friends. The list goes on. 

Small towns are struggling. The loss of local services makes it worse. We lost our pharmacy in 2019. No one saw that coming either. 

The city of New Richland released the following statement regarding the decision, which was announced on Thursday:

“The City of New Richland is disappointed in Mayo Clinic's decision to close this facility, and while we don't necessarily disagree that they won't be able to meet the needs of our local community with their locations in Albert Lea, Wells and virtually, they will add an unneeded transportation component to the lives of many of our elderly community members and those with young children.”

Over the years the clinic has served me, my family and many, many others. 

Reed, my elderly neighbor, longtime employee, and very good friend, does not drive. After the pharmacy closed in 2019, my family and I delivered Reed’s medications. Now, we’ll have to drive him to appointments in other towns. (With the help of Pam and Larry Goehring.) This situation is one nearly every local family with an elderly member will now have to work through. 

It appears obvious this decision from Mayo is based on financial factors. It’s incredibly unfortunate, disappointing and sad the organization values its bottom dollar more than providing localized care. 

According to healthleadersmedia.com, in 2023 Mayo Clinic outperformed industry average monetarily and grew 82 percent from the year before. Their net operating income is $1.1 billion and includes a 6 percent operating margin–pretty impressive for a “non-profit” organization.

“In fact, as HealthLeaders previously reported, it was forecasted that the ideal margin range for not-for-profit hospitals will likely reset to one to two percent in the future, making six percent all the more impressive.” 

Mayo’s total revenue in 2023 was $17.9 billion. 

The Rochester Post Bulletin reported that, since 2017, Mayo Clinic Health System has closed at least 17 brick-and-mortar clinics in the Upper Midwest, while also investing millions of dollars into its rural hospitals. Other area Mayo Clinic closings include, most recently, Waterville, Janesville, Alden and Blooming Prairie. 

It goes without saying the people in New Richland will miss the clinic; the loss is yet another wound to the integrity of our community and our lifestyle.