DMC ambassadors have gathered ideas for the community vision boards, volunteered at community events and shared their suggestions for what would make Rochester an ideal experience for those who visit, live here or work here.
Join the group. Meet others who are jazzed about the possibilities of DMC. Come to one meeting to learn more, or come every week. DMC ambassadors meet every other Wednesday. There are two meetings with the same agenda each meeting day – to accommodate more schedules.
Noon – 1 p.m.: University of Minnesota, 300 University Square, 111 S. Broadway, Room 337
4:30 – 5:30 p.m.: Sontes restaurant, 4 Third St. S.E.
Barbara Porter moved to Rochester 22 years ago, vowing to make it her home. She’s been active in the community ever since. Listen to her thoughts on opportunities to make Rochester even better by getting involved in the Destination Medical Center.
It took just 20 minutes for 300 free pumpkins to be distributed to children at the Pumpkin Festival on the Plaza in downtown Rochester.
Families galore enjoyed pumpkin crafts.Sekapp Orchard brought 800 pumpkins to the plaza in downtown Rochester.
The family-friendly event, on Saturday, Oct. 12, drew thousands who enjoyed arts, crafts, pop-up restaurants and yes, pumpkins. There were impromptu meet and greets with Captain Jack Sparrow, Cinderella, Cruella de Vil and Miss Pumpkin.
Thank you to Destination Medical Center Ambassador (and high school student) Gabriel Yeager. The Pumpkin Festival was his brainchild, and he was involved in the groundwork to make it happen.
Join in the DMC discussion at Taste of Rochester this weekend – Saturday, Sept. 7 from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Olmsted History Center, 1195 West Circle Drive SW, Rochester.
DMC Ambassadors will be on hand to answer questions and discuss your ideas. You can also add your thoughts to the DMC vision boards.
Former Medtronic CEO and business ethics leader Bill George called Destination Medical Center “the most important thing for Minnesota’s future” in an interview with TPT’s Almanac last week. George, a member of the Mayo Clinic Board of Trustees, was appointed as the Mayo representative to the Destination Medical Center Corporation Board, which is the governing board responsible for overseeing the DMC initiative.
“… It’s brand new – it’s a whole new idea that has never been tried here – I’m not sure where it’s ever been tried,” he said of the $6 billion economic development initiative that will leverage Mayo Clinic and private development to ignite growth and create jobs over the next 20 years. “I see this as the most important thing for Minnesota’s future,” he said. “This is making Minnesota a health care mecca. Our best opportunity for economic growth, jobs and good health is making Minnesota the healthiest state in the nation … that should be our goal.”
Tina Smith named chair of DMCC Board
Tina Smith, Chief of Staff for Governor Mark Dayton, was unanimously selected as chair by the Destination Medical Center Corporation Board at its inaugural meeting last week.
DMCC was created as part of the (DMC) legislation passed in May and serves as the public governing board charged with overseeing the implementation of DMC. The law outlines the appointments of the eight members of the DMCC Board, with Governor Dayton appointing four, the City of Rochester appointing two, Olmsted County appointing one and Mayo Clinic appointing one. Governor Dayton’s appointees include Smith, former Wells Fargo executive James Campbell, Rani Engineering President Susan Rani and Minneapolis Mayor R.T. Rybak. City of Rochester representatives are Mayor Ardell Brede and Council member Ed Hruska. Olmsted County’s representative is Commission President Jim Bier. Mayo Clinic’s representative is former Medtronic CEO Bill George, who is a member of the Mayo Clinic Board of Trustees.
The Board directed Smith to retain independent legal counsel to review and propose Articles of Incorporation and Bylaws for the DMCC, as well as take steps to develop the DMC work plan. Both action items will be discussed at the next meeting of the Board, which is expected at the end of September.
DMC Ambassadors engage community in visioning Rochester’s future
Thursdays on First, a weekly festival in downtown Rochester, was the site of community brainstorming and visioning for DMC. Over 80 DMC ambassadors have been working to talk with individuals and groups in the Rochester community and surrounding region about what they would like to see grow over the next 20 years. Visioning boards were full of ideas by the end of the day, including everything from increased transportation options to suggestions for restaurants, entertainment venues and social activities. Ambassadors also handed out free DMC t-shirts with the slogan “Let’s Build This Thing” – an invitation for community members to become part of the DMC initiative.
Community members are encouraged to continue sharing their ideas through the DMC Blog, as well as Facebook, Twitter and Pinterest.
With legislative funding secured and a governance structure under way for Destination Medical Center, it’s time for the community to share ideas for Rochester’s future.
In this video, Mayo Clinic’s own Hoyt Finnamore and John Murphy talk with Mayo Clinic staff and other community members about what they envision for Rochester – and even do a little dreaming themselves.
“The community visioning process is an important part of DMC’s success,” says Lisa Clarke, administrator for DMC. “We want to hear from community members, employees, patients, visitors – anyone who wants to help build an even more vibrant Rochester that will provide great experiences.”
The community visioning process will kick off next week. The DMC Ambassadors, a group of volunteers who are rallying the community during the visioning phase, will host DMC Day at Thursdays on First. To participate, visit the DMC table at the Peace Plaza intersection at Thursdays on First this coming Thursday, July 25 from 11 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. Share your ideas and be sure to pick up a free DMC T-shirt – while they last.
You can also share your ideas by commenting on this post, as well as DMC’s Facebook page, Twitter and Pinterest – check out the top navigation to get there quickly and easily!
