Mayo growing neuro practice

Jacksonville Business Journal – by Dave Strupp Staff Writer

The Mayo Clinic is investing $30 million over five years to expand its neurosciences department with more space, staff and equipment.

The department will add up to 13,000 square feet of clinical space in its location on San Pablo Road, and will also occupy space in Mayo’s new hospital, where construction is expected to be completed by April 2008. The new hospital will replace St. Luke’s Hospital, now run by Mayo, and St. Vincent’s Health System will take control of St. Luke’s in April.

In addition to physical expansion, the department plans to add up to seven physicians, seven physician trainees and more than 20 allied health staff. The department has 24 physicians, not including trainees, said Kay Thiemann, administrator for the neurosciences department at Mayo Clinic Jacksonville.

“The people we’ve brought on are adding expertise that did not exist in Jacksonville,” said Dr. Robert Wharen, chairman of the neurosurgery department. “We’re adding new techniques here that no one else can do.”
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