Long admiring the Mayo Clinic from afar, it struck me at times how much we share a vision of why we exist and how we do what we do.

When I visited the Rochester, Minn., headquarters of the worldwide leader in health care and research in April, I saw the words of Dr. William Mayo featured prominently: “The best interest of the patient is the only interest to be considered.”

We at NorthBay Healthcare heartily agree. But that is not the only alignment, the only shared vision of our two nonprofit organizations.

More than a decade ago, we put into writing our mission: Compassionate care, advanced medicine, close to home. Meanwhile, Mayo Clinic established its “care network” with a similar theme: Share with local physicians its medical expertise so more patients get the best care close to home, ensuring that patients travel only when necessary.

NorthBay Healthcare is the first in Northern California, and one of two in the entire state, to pass a rigorous review process based on quality, service and patient care excellence and be selected as a member of the Mayo Clinic Care Network.

NorthBay Healthcare’s physicians now collaborate with Mayo Clinic’s world-class medical experts and scientists. Working together, they can ensure our patients here in Solano County receive high quality, data-driven, evidenced-based, compassionate care.

Earning membership in the network is validation of the exceptional care our physicians and staff provide to our patients every day.

Our care providers have access to Mayo Clinic resources, including the ability to collaborate with Mayo Clinic physicians on patient care, community health and innovative health care delivery. Think of it as an opportunity to have something akin to a world-class “second opinion.”

This is now available at no cost to our patients. It is an investment we have made to improve care for a wide variety of medical conditions.

Let me emphasize that this is not a merger or an acquisition. This is not an affiliation that imperils the independence of NorthBay Healthcare. Like Mayo Clinic, we retain our identity and, true to our history, we will fiercely protect our autonomy and individualism.

We want our friends, families and neighbors in Solano County to live longer, happier, healthier lives through access to the highest-level knowledge and expertise. Collaborating with others to provide the best care possible for patients is part of Mayo Clinic’s culture and part of ours.

In this edition of Wellspring you will learn how the Mayo Clinic Care Network will connect Mayo and NorthBay Healthcare in new ways to enhance the lives of patients.

Gary Passama

President and Chief Executive Officer