<p>Mayo Clinic first took root in farm fields near Rochester, Minn., in the late 1800s. It grew from the medical practice of a country doctor, William Worrall Mayo, and the partnership of his two sons, William J. and Charles H. Mayo—affectionately known as Dr. Will and Dr. Charlie.</p><p> The brothers’ innovative ideas and tireless work in learning and creating new surgical techniques attracted international attention. Physicians from around the world came to watch the Mayo brothers perform surgery.</p><p> The Mayo brothers invited other doctors to join them, forming teams of medical experts. Today, Mayo Clinic—one of the world's oldest and largest multi-specialty group practices—comprises more than 45,000 physicians, scientists, nurses and other staff at its three locations in Rochester, Minn., Jacksonville, Fla., and Scottsdale, Ariz., and its regional community-based health care practices.</p>
