The Rochester Art Center (RAC) is an essential community asset and the local hub for culture, innovation, and creativity driven through contemporary art.
We sat down with Executive Director Brian Austin, who has been in his role since January 2018, to learn more about his priorities for the organization and why he thinks the Destination Medical Center (DMC) initiative will encourage more collaborations for the community.
The Commission is a young professionals organization that aims to make a positive impact on the Rochester community by connecting and engaging young professionals and encouraging them to explore opportunities for collaboration and increase their community involvement.
As cities around the nation vie for workers to replace retiring baby boomers, groups like The Commission can enhance a sense of community and make Rochester the ideal place for millennials – and professionals of all ages – to live, work, and engage.
Founder and President Sankesh “Sunny” Prabhakar has been the driving force behind The Commission since its inception five years ago. We sat down with Sunny to get his take on how young professionals will help shape Rochester’s future.
Diversity is a key component in building a strong, cohesive community. In fact, the more unique perspectives we invite to be part of our community conversations, the more creative and innovative ideas will result.
Dee Sabol stepped into the role of executive director for the Diversity Council in 2015. She is committed to community engagement, equity, and education as she works toward the Diversity Council’s vision of creating “an inclusive and welcome community in which every individual is respected.”
DMC connected with Sabol to gain more insight into the importance of diversity in building America’s City for Health and why the Destination Medical Center (DMC) initiative was an important factor in her return to the Midwest.
Workforce needs continue to grow in and around the region, and the incoming president of Rochester Community and Technical College (RCTC) is dedicated to helping meet those needs.
Jeffery Boyd, former provost of the Norfolk campus of Virginia’s Tidewater Community College, began his new role as the 17th president of RCTC, Minnesota’s oldest community college, on July 1.
Boyd’s dedication to career and technical education and advocacy for the role it plays in growing a strong and prosperous workforce aligns directly with the goals of the Destination Medical Center (DMC) initiative. Learn more about his journey to RCTC and why he feels Rochester is “a city on the move.”
As president & CEO of The Medical Alley Association (MAA), Shaye Mandle has been instrumental in MAA’s focus on championing and facilitating an environment that enables health technology and care organizations to innovate, succeed, and influence the evolution of healthcare. Under Mandle’s leadership, the association’s vision to elevate Minnesota’s Medical Alley as the global epicenter of health innovation and care is coming to life.
This summer, Mandle and Medical Alley will bring their signature networking and education event, Alley Chats, to Rochester.
The Destination Medical Center (DMC) initiative strives to position Rochester as a global destination for anyone who has a passion for health and wellness, not just those coping with illness and disease. Dr. Donald Hensrud leads the Healthy Living Program within Mayo Clinic’s Dan Abraham Healthy Living Center. With clinical research from Mayo Clinic experts, this comprehensive wellness program enhances mental, physical, and emotional well-being.
We sat down with Dr. Hensrud to learn more about the Healthy Living Program and why he feels making wellness a priority will help us become a stronger community.
Through philanthropy and community partnerships, Rochester Area Foundation plays a vital role in building and enhancing the quality of life in the greater Rochester area for all who live, work, learn, and play here.
Executive Director Jennifer Woodford brings an extensive background in leadership and nonprofit management to the Rochester Area Foundation (RAF). Woodford’s passion to improve housing affordability for all is also an aim of Destination Medical Center (DMC).
We connected with Woodford to learn more about how she came to work in her role at the Rochester Area Foundation and why she feels partnerships are key to building a stronger community.
In his role as executive director of the Rochester Area Builders, John Eischen is dedicated to supporting and promoting regional building, construction, and design. He is a Rochester native, an award-winning home brewer (he is the founder of “Golden Child Brewery”), and an advocate for encouraging more young people to pursue the viable and lucrative career opportunities that exist in the building industry.
DMC reached out to Eischen to learn more about the purpose of the Rochester Area Builders and the impact he is already seeing DMC make in Rochester.
Chris Schad is a driving force behind Destination Medical Center’s Discovery Square. He directs business and economic development for the healthcare technology hub that is the cornerstone of the Destination Medical Center (DMC) initiative. He works to recruit healthcare companies to Rochester and attract investment capital to the region. He is also passionate about growing the entrepreneurial ecosystem in Rochester, a key to our community’s long-term success.
We spent some time with Chris to learn more about his priorities for Discovery Square and why he thinks Rochester is a hidden gem.
The University of Minnesota Rochester (UMR) has been an increasingly influential presence in downtown Rochester since it first opened its doors in 2006. The institution is dedicated to inspiring and empowering its students to solve healthcare challenges of the 21st century by engaging them in a one-of-a-kind, hands-on learning experience.
Just south of Destination Medical Center’s (DMC) Discovery Square sub-district, UMR will serve as the cornerstone of DMC’s Education & Recreation sub-district focused on the innovation, creativity, and education that sets Rochester apart from other cities of its size.
UMR welcomed its second chancellor, Dr. Lori Carrell, in February 2018 after the university’s inaugural chancellor Dr. Stephen Lehmkuhle retired at the close of the 2017 school year. As progress at UMR keeps pace with the rest of downtown, Dr. Carrell’s leadership will be integral to the future of the institution and the forward-thinking minds it produces.