Who We Are

A Place for Re-Imagination

At Mayo Clinic, observation and imagination come together in a novel laboratory called the SPARC Program. Researchers inspire unconventional thinking about the process of delivering medical care. They are not involved with finding new treatments or cures, but instead focus on how to make the experience of being a patient better.

Researchers in this lab apply a combination of design principles and hypothesis-based scientific method to uncover patient needs. The lab is located in a patient care corridor and includes exam rooms and a glassed-enclosed, reconfigurable space. Based on the findings from human-centered, participatory research, diverse disciplines come together to imagine how healthcare could be delivered differently. And the key is involving both patients and staff.

SPARC's unique methodology and environment in which the voice of the patient is heard, observed, and acted upon contributes to Mayo's ability to create a healthcare experience unlike any other.

SPARC welcomes other academic medical centers and organizations to visit; use and learn from Mayo’s experiences in this innovative, problem-solving approach. Please contact SPARC anytime to arrange a visit.