Destination Medical Center Annual Meeting

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Riverfront Small Area Plan Project Page

 

 

UMR Career Pathways

 

 

City of Rochester Sustainability Page

 

 

Soldiers Field Memorial Park Improvements Project Page

 

 

Mayo Clinic Community Engagement

 

 

Link Bus Rapid Transit Project Page

 

 

Coalition for Rochester Area Housing

Coalition for Rochester Area Housing
BIPOC Homeownership Community Co-Design Report
First Homes Community Land Trust
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Equity in the Built Environment

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Built Environment Project Summary

DMC Equitable Economic Development

Community Co-design Guide
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City of Rochester

Racial Equity Dividends Index
Disability Equality Index

 

 

One and Two Discovery Square
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Medical Alley
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How Med City Fit Seer’s Vision for U.S. Expansion

When a successful disruptor like Seer Medical, Australia’s largest provider of epilepsy diagnostic services, launches an expansion into the United States, is there a better place to make home base than Rochester?

“Rochester has been innovative and supportive of disruptive med tech companies for quite some time. As a Minnesotan, you grow up hearing about Mayo – so it’s great to be near such a good community. It’s valuable to base the entire US ops in this ecosystem, surrounded by some of the best medical facilities and medical professionals and make sure that we’re learning from the best,” says Lizzie Stelten, senior project manager for Seer Medical.

Since Seer Medical’s 2017 founding in Melbourne, over 15,000 patients have connected to its technology – a take-home video EEG ECG monitoring device that assists with epilepsy diagnosis and seizure characterization. The widespread adoption of Seer’s tech by Australia’s healthcare system has freed up beds, cut patient wait times, improved seizure error diagnosis rates, collected over 200 years of inpatient monitoring data, and saved the country over $191 million.

On an individual level, it improves both patient experiences and outcomes by teleporting the monitoring environment from hospital bed to home sweet home.

Patients are connected to a lightweight wearable which sits around their shoulders and is connected to electrodes that monitor brain waves. This device sends signals to another portable device – a protective case that houses a wide angle, night-vision equipped camera that monitors patients constantly and provides a further source of information on which to differentiate seizure and non-epileptic events. If seizure activity is observed, these context factors can also be analyzed.

The system is also more comfortable than what came before it; Seer Medical’s adhesives which attach the electrodes to the scalp are water soluble, which avoids potential irritation by chemical removal methods.

“The cumulative impact of dreading the rash, the irritation, or the extra trip to the hospital can really escalate. So, from a purely consumer standpoint, it’s a much better experience.” says Levi Sauerbrei, product support engineer. He speaks from experience, “I have been connected to the Seer equipment. It’s almost like a rite of passage for new employees.”

“I was actually just connected last week, it was a wonderful patient experience,” says Stelten.

 

From Down Under to DMC

General manager and Vice President Chad Wilke leads Seer Medical’s current US team of six, which, as operations scale, will provide leadership across US operations as new regions open up. The company has over 200 employees globally, many based in Seer Medical’s global headquarters in Melbourne, Australia.

Seer Medical’s relationship with Rochester goes back to 2018, when a research relationship was started with Mayo Clinic. In early spring 2022, Seer joined the first cohort of Mayo Clinic’s Platform_Accelerate, which Sauerbrei points to as a “tangible instance” of Rochester’s med-tech ecosystem. Seer Medical won the final prize at the end of its Platform_Accelerate experience for its work using data to refine and test its epilepsy diagnosis and management capabilities, while also looking for digital biomarkers that might predict seizures.

“The number of organizations in Minnesota in general, but particularly in this part of the state, that are available to help businesses succeed is really remarkable. Something I haven’t encountered in other parts of the country.” says Levi Sauerbrei, who, as a small business owner himself, is a member of Collider Coworking Space and has connected with the Small Business Development Center.

 

“The sky’s the limit.”

In September 2022, the FDA cleared Seer’s technology for use in the United States. In December 2022, Seer Medical was awarded the Governor’s International Trade Award for Foreign Direct Investment by Governor Tim Walz and the Minnesota Trade Office.

“The growth path is very aggressive. We expect to grow to a few dozen US-based employees, certainly within the next calendar year or so.” says Sauerbrei. “The sky’s the limit on the expansion side. It’s just a question of maintaining the quality level that we expect and then expanding our capacity.”

“We’ve proven that we can change lives and disrupt the healthcare system. And we’re super excited to bring it here to American neurologists and patients,” say Stelten. “Our goal is to assist American neurologists with reaching more patients than ever.”

The quicker the company scales, the faster it can help break down barriers to healthcare. Stelton says Seer Medical has made a point to bring critical care to rural patients.

“In Australia, 30% of our patients are actually monitored, accessing this testing from more rural areas,” she says. “Assuming that people can travel to a clinic to get connected, which we do acknowledge is a privilege in and of itself, we can send them home and they can continue their lives and get monitored by world class doctors from afar, using the assistance of our technology. That’s one of the biggest reasons we are hoping to scale rapidly – so that we’re not just focused on the Rochester community and folks that might travel to Mayo. We want to bring it to everybody in this country quickly,” says Stelten.

Though momentum is picking up, the Rochester team has not lost its scrappy sense of startup energy.

“All of us are wearing multiple hats – also taking out the trash and making the coffee runs and things like that.” says Sauerbrei, whose mind these days is laser-focused on logistics, since, unlike Australia, the US does not have a network of Seer Medical clinics for convenient equipment returns.

“People come to Rochester from all over the world. And then they go home, and they’ll go home with our equipment, and then we’ll need to retrieve it when their study time is over,” he says.

Luckily, the longtime IT specialist’s newest favorite hat says ‘multi-channel logistics operation builder’.

For more information about Seer Medical, head over to their research and publications page, where their peer-reviewed publications are available for community review.

Destination Medical Center Hosts Annual Meeting on September 21

Join Destination Medical Center and partners for an evening reflecting on the past year and what is to come.

Join us in celebrating Rochester’s continued growth and vitality at the DMC Annual Meeting on Thursday, September 21 from 4 – 6 p.m. at Soldiers Field Memorial Park, just east of Zumbro Lutheran Church. This location is at the nexus of several DMC-funded projects connecting the Heart of the City, Discovery Walk, and improvements at Soldiers Memorial Field.

4:00 – 5:00 p.m. – Open House Highlighting Strategic Initiatives
Our partners will host learning stations where attendees can hear more about how their work adds to the vibrancy of our community. During this time, attendees can also grab a delicious bite from Twig’s, Pasquale’s, Cafe Steam, and People’s Food Co-op.

5:00 – 5:30 p.m. – Program
A recap of the past year and a glimpse into what is to come for downtown Rochester will be provided by the DMC EDA executive director Patrick Seeb, City of Rochester Mayor Kim Norton, and DMC EDA Board President Dr. Clark Otley.

5:30 – 6:00 p.m. – Networking
End the evening by connecting with community members.

*Please Note: Free, outdoor event, open-house style; Restrooms with washing stations provided on site.

If you’re enjoying your time at the end of the evening, we recommend you continue your evening at a nearby restaurant.

The DMC Annual Meeting is free and open to the public. Advanced registration is preferred.

Destination Medical Center and City of Rochester Present Geothermal Informational Event in Collaboration with Egg Geo, LLC

Rochester, MN – July 17, 2023 – Destination Medical Center Economic Development Agency and the City of Rochester are announcing a partnership with Egg Geo, LLC, a leading provider of geothermal solutions, to host an informational event aimed at showcasing the benefits and possibilities of geothermal energy in Rochester. The event, titled “Heat Pumps and Geothermal: Possibilities for Homes, Buildings and Community,” will take place on July 18 at the historic Chateau Theatre.

Geothermal energy is a clean source of power that taps into the Earth to provide heating, cooling, and hot water for residential and commercial buildings. By utilizing this sustainable energy solution, communities like Rochester can reduce their carbon footprint, lower energy costs, and contribute to a greener future.

The informational event will feature experts from Egg Geo, LLC, who will deliver engaging presentations to educate attendees about geothermal technology and its wide-ranging benefits. Participants will gain valuable insights into how geothermal systems work, the potential savings they offer, and their positive impact on the environment.

“We are excited to collaborate with Egg Geo, LLC, in bringing this informational event to the Rochester community,” said Kevin Bright, director of sustainability and housing at Destination Medical Center and City of Rochester. “Geothermal energy has the potential to revolutionize the way we power our buildings, making them more energy-efficient and environmentally friendly. By hosting this event, we aim to raise awareness and promote the adoption of geothermal technology in our region.”

The sessions will feature information for a variety of audiences including home and property owners, building managers, as well as education and workforce training professionals.

“Geothermal energy offers numerous advantages over traditional heating and cooling systems,” said Jay Egg, president of Egg Geo, LLC. “We are pleased to be partnering with Destination Medical Center and the City of Rochester to share our expertise and showcase the immense potential of geothermal technology. This event will empower individuals and businesses with the knowledge they need to make informed decisions about sustainable energy solutions.”

The “Heat Pumps and Geothermal: Possibilities for Homes, Buildings and Community” event is open to the public and welcomes homeowners, building professionals, architects, engineers, and anyone interested in learning more about geothermal energy. Registration is free and can be completed online.

About Destination Medical Center:

Destination Medical Center (DMC) is a unique economic development initiative in Rochester, Minnesota. Established in collaboration with the Mayo Clinic, DMC is focused on positioning Rochester as a premier global medical destination and fostering economic growth in the region.

About Egg Geo, LLC:

Egg Geo, LLC is a leading provider of geothermal energy solutions. With a commitment to sustainability and innovation, Egg Geo specializes in designing, installing, and maintaining geothermal systems for residential, commercial, and industrial applications.

 

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Introducing the Equity Alliance Equity Series

(Rochester, Minn.) July 5, 2023 – Destination Medical Center and the City of Rochester are introducing the Equity Series. The Equity Series will seek to address recent and historical events that have revealed the need for continued work on issues of diversity, equity, and inclusion in Rochester, MN.  The series will be hosted by DMC’s Equitable Development Coordinator Wafa Elkhalifa and the City’s Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Director Chao Mwatela.

“The series will feature a wide range of speakers and topics,” said Wafa Elkhalifa. “The idea is to equip the Rochester community with best practices and learning opportunities from successful examples of implementing diversity, equity, and inclusion practices in other communities.”

The Equity Alliance Equity Series will be an hour-long, monthly seminar. The purpose will be to introduce diversity, equity, and inclusion best practices, build sustainable DEI community strategies, and strengthen advocacy and allyship within the Rochester community. The series will begin on Wednesday, July 26th at noon using the Zoom platform, and will be held monthly on the fourth Wednesday. The series will be archived for later viewing on the DMC YouTube channel.

“The Equity Series is open to everyone, as all of us impact communities in the everyday decisions that we make,” stated City of Rochester DEI Director Chao Mwatela. “For example, this could include Rochester community and organizational leaders, DEI leaders and practitioners, educators, and policymakers.”

The Equity Series is free to view.

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Rochester Home Infusion: It’s the kind of story that could only happen in Med City.

In 2013, Joselyn Raymundo founded Rochester Home Infusion (RHI), a small home infusion pharmacy providing intravenous medications in the patient’s home. Starting with only a handful of dedicated team members, she worked tirelessly with Mayo Clinic physicians, at-home nursing agencies, and pharmaceutical companies and distributors to bring the critical care services of a hospital to the patient — in the comfort of their very own homes.

Over the past decade, RHI has contributed to transforming Rochester’s business ecosystem. Coming to the city in 2013 with two decades of home infusion pharmacy experience, Raymundo identified an unmet need for more comprehensive support after patients left their hospital support system and sought to close that gap. She chose to run RHI out of the Minnesota BioBusiness Center, where she could take advantage of the collaborative and innovative relationships forming between tenacious entrepreneurs like herself. She quickly integrated into the community, provided job opportunities to community members, and gathered a remarkably diverse workplace.

As Rochester’s first and only locally-based home infusion and alternate infusion center provider, RHI was uniquely positioned to help local and visiting patients throughout the Midwest navigate the challenging transitions out of hospital care. Since its founding, Rochester Home Infusion has supported thousands of people in their health journey through compassionate medical and educational services, helping patients heal in the company of those they love most. RHI stood out because of the team’s ability to provide exceptional patient experience, even in the face of the high care standards set by the Mayo Clinic.

While RHI owes much of its success to its founder and dedicated team, the DMC initiative laid the groundwork for entrepreneurs like Raymundo to thrive. When interviewed, Raymundo remarked that the “DMC fosters innovation by offering resources and connections for new entrepreneurs. There is strong collaboration between DMC, Mayo Clinic, the city, and other business owners. It makes all the difference, especially for first-time business owners like myself.”

“Life science businesses or medical providers who choose to build and grow their business in Rochester will have an extraordinary opportunity,” Raymundo says. “It is truly a destination medical center, but understand that, to be at this level, your business model and offerings must also be at that level to complement what has already been established here. RHI, for example, has always focused on helping the community and providing exceptional patient care. That is what works in Rochester.”

RHI’s engagement with local charities and reputation for transforming patients’ lives helped the company expand its coverage to nine states throughout the Midwest. But a broader geographic range brought new challenges, and Raymundo discovered that large-scale success would require more physical infrastructure and industry support. By 2022, she had a choice: forge the path forward alone or partner with a national infusion company.

Raymundo chose the latter. On August 5th, 2022, Option Care Health became the corporate owner of RHI. As a well-established national home infusion company, Option Care Health could help RHI form direct relationships with pharmaceutical companies, distributors, and provide in-network access to over 98% of insurance providers in the US.

“By combining the strengths of Option Care Health and Rochester Home Infusion, we can serve patients from all 50 states while still focusing on providing the most excellent service to our patients,” says Raymundo.

Having left her mark on Rochester’s history, many are wondering what comes next for Raymundo. While spending time with her family and friends, she will continue to serve on multiple for-profit and non-profit boards, including DMC, and provide invaluable expertise as the initiative draws talent and innovation to Rochester. Speaking optimistically, she had the following to say about entrepreneurship in Rochester.

“It is exciting to see these opportunities for life science businesses in Rochester. DMC has done an incredible job attracting and supporting these entrepreneurs. I am certain there will be more to come, and I can’t wait to see where our community goes.”

Written by Sheryl Barlow, Bryan Lund, and Olivia McCauley in collaboration with Destination Medical Center. 

DMC Announces Completion of Phase 1 of Main Street Revitalization Grant Program

Destination Medical Center Economic Development Agency (DMCEDA) is proud to announce the successful completion of Phase 1 of the $3 million Main Street Revitalization Grant program. This significant milestone marks a transformative step forward in enhancing the economic vitality and appeal of downtown Rochester.

The Main Street Revitalization Grant program, administered by DMC EDA in partnership with the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development, aims to support and promote the growth of businesses and enhance the vibrant downtown core of Rochester. The program is part of the broader initiative undertaken by the Destination Medical Center (DMC) to position Rochester as a premier global destination for healthcare, innovation, and economic development.

Prior to Phase 1 of the program going live, an extensive collaboration process between DMC EDA and a co-design team that helped guide the application and review process. Using a community review team, businesses were chosen to receive grants based on their potential to create and retain permanent jobs, revitalize properties in the eligible districts harmed by the events of the past two years, elevate opportunities for BIPOC, veteran, or disabled business and property owners, or enabling existing businesses to strengthen and diversify their products and services. The grants were used to fund various capital improvement projects, not for business operating expenses.

Of the 54 projects that were awarded funds, 24% went to Black, Indigenous, or People of Color-owned businesses and 30% was awarded to women-led enterprises. Twenty-two of the projects occupied unused or underutilized properties and over 270 permanent jobs were created.

The grants went to a variety of organizations including:

  • Retail and Dining – 31
  • Office, Technical, & Mixed Use – 13
  • Non-profit – 5
  • Housing & Lodging – 5

The Main Street Revitalization Grant program aligns with the DMC’s overarching vision to create a vibrant and sustainable urban core that will serve as a catalyst for economic growth, job creation, and improved quality of life for residents and visitors alike. By investing in the revitalization of downtown Rochester, DMC aims to foster an inviting atmosphere for businesses, encourage entrepreneurship, and provide an exceptional experience for all who visit downtown Rochester.

Looking ahead, DMCEDA remains committed to continuing its collaborative efforts with the local community, businesses, and stakeholders to ensure the success of Phase 2 of the Main Street Revitalization Grant program which focuses on areas that are outside the DMC district.

For more information about the Main Street Revitalization Grant program and other initiatives by Destination Medical Center Economic Development Agency, please visit the Main Street Revitalization Grant webpage.

DMCC Recognizes Work of Downtown Rochester Task Force

(Rochester, Minn.) May 25, 2023 – The Destination Medical Center Corporation Board of Directors recognized the extraordinary work of the Downtown Rochester Task Force at today’s regular meeting. The Task Force conducted several working sessions to identify four main themes to help inform a community-based action plan to address immediate and short-term recommendations to be taken by organizations and businesses that support downtown Rochester.

“While the DMC initiative is about the long-term vision for Rochester, it is important that we don’t lose sight of the immediate needs of our community,” said board member Brooke Carlson. “The City and City Council are committed to helping with the goals identified by the task force to help our downtown businesses.”

The Downtown Rochester Task Force includes members from the City of Rochester, Destination Medical Center, Experience Rochester, Mayo Clinic, Rochester Area Economic Development Agency, Inc., Rochester Area Chamber of Commerce, and Rochester Downtown Alliance.

The board also received an update on funding options for the District Energy System Rochester (DESR). With new possibilities available from the Inflation Reduction Act, it may now be possible to build out the system to its initial design while remaining within the original budget set by the Rochester City Council.

“It is heartening to know there is so much federal money for this project. It is a positive for this community and closely supports what the city council has already decided,” said Vice Chair Kim Norton. “It will be good for everyone’s health and everyone’s pocketbook.”

An update on the Main Street Revitalization Grant program was provided by DMC EDA President Dr. Clark Otley. The program provided $3 million in no-cost grants for capital improvement projects that result in improvements to any permanent structure or other asset added to a property that adds to its value. The grant awards covered up to 30% of the project costs.

Highlights from the presentation included:

  • Funding was provided to more than 50 projects
  • 24% of awardees were Black, Indigenous, or People of Color
  • 30% of awardees were women-led applicant teams
  • 22 awardees are occupying previously vacant or under-utilized project sites

“We invited a diverse group of entrepreneurs and community members to be a part of the application evaluation process,” stated Dr. Clark Otley. “It gave us great insights into some of the challenges that entrepreneurs in our community face when they are trying to develop businesses.”

Board members also kicked off a discussion on DMC investment priorities in preparation for the 2024 DMC funding request. Strategic direction from the board as well as DMC goals, guiding principles and priorities will help shape the annual request before it is presented to the DMC EDA Board of Directors, DMCC Board, and Rochester City Council for approval.

The DMCC Board will consider the 2024 funding request at its next meeting on September 28, 2023, at 9:30 a.m.

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About DMC

 

Destination Medical Center (DMC) is the largest public-private economic initiative in Minnesota’s history. The 20-year plan to transform Rochester into a global destination for health and wellness will attract developers, investors, startups, and entrepreneurs to live, work and play in America’s City for Health. For more information, visit dmc.mn.

DMC Real Estate Development and Investment Summit

Register here!

When: Wednesday, May 31, 2023 | 10:45 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.
Where: Mayo Civic Center – 30 Civic Center Drive SE
What: The Destination Medical Center Economic Development Agency Real Estate Development and Investment Summit is an opportunity for real estate and development professionals to learn about investment and development opportunities in Rochester, Minnesota. This event will feature a series of short, informative presentations on:

  • Economics and demographics of Southeast Minnesota
  • Mayo Clinic’s vision for the future and upcoming projects
  • City of Rochester’s priorities and upcoming opportunities
  • DMC and partner organizations discussing tools to support investment and development

After the presentations, participants will have the opportunity to network with other attendees over lunch, and then choose from a set of tours in the afternoon, including:

Heart of the City to Discovery Square

See the newly completed public realm where “Healthcare meets Hospitality” in the Heart of the City, and then walk along the under-construction Discovery Walk to Discovery Square, where you will tour the biomed-tech buildings that have been completed and hear about the entrepreneurial ecosystem under development.

Rochester Housing Market

Learn about the housing needs of the Rochester community and visit a recently completed mixed-income apartment building (Bryk on Broadway, 180 units at 50%, 60%, and 80% AMI rents), as well as other site developments underway in the downtown.

LINK Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) Corridor Tour

Hop on a bus that will take us along the planned BRT route along 2nd Street and learn about the project timeline, schedule, and development opportunities along the route, including the Transit Oriented Development (TOD) Village planned for the western terminus.

Riverfront

Take a walk along the Zumbro River as it passes through downtown and learn about the Rochester community vision captured in small area plans recently completed along the corridor. Get a preview of the City-owned properties that will be the subject of a forthcoming developer RFP.

This is a unique opportunity to learn about the exciting developments and investment opportunities in Rochester, Minnesota, and to connect with like-minded individuals who share a passion for economic growth and development.

We look forward to seeing you there!

Register here!

First Cohort of Community Co-Design Facilitators Graduate

(Rochester, Minn.) May 5, 2023 – Destination Medical Center Economic Development Agency and the City of Rochester are thrilled to announce the graduation of the first cohort of Community Co-design Facilitators. At a ceremony at City Hall on May 4, seven Rochester residents were recognized for their time and effort toward the advancement of the co-design process.

Co-design facilitator graduates
Shay Baumbach, Claudia Tabini, Lida Casper, Derrick Fritz, Julie Ruzek, Khadija Ali, and Fatuma Ahmed

“How are we, as a community, going to compete in the future? How can we be more resilient? We will be able to do those things because of co-design,” said Cindy Steinhauser, deputy city administrator. “Community co-design is not just a DMC initiative or a City of Rochester initiative. This is an initiative for government, non-profits, and the private sector as well.”

The seven co-design facilitator graduates are Fatuma Ahmed, Khadija Ali, Shay Baumbach, Lida Casper, Derrick Fritz, Julie Ruzek, and Claudia Tabini.

“I am very excited to be recognized as a co-design facilitator. I look forward to helping include diverse voices in future projects and initiatives,” said newly graduated facilitator Khadija Ali. “I have always been on the co-designer side, but now I will be able to recruit people and facilitate these sessions.”

A second cohort will be launched in the summer of 2023 and a third cohort will be held in late 2023 or early 2024.

The evening also saw the unveiling of a webpage dedicated to co-design in the Rochester area. On the page is information on upcoming leadership and facilitator trainings, as well as access to the Co-Design toolkit and case studies from several successful co-designs. The page can be found at www.rochestercodesign.com. You can learn more about Community Co-design by downloading the Community Co-design Toolkit.