For the last 10 years we have relied on Mayo Clinic in Jacksonville. It is a 2 Hr 30 Minute
drive from the Villages and is a great facility. There are great treatment and experimental plans at Mayo. There is a plan e.g.that uses tissue from prior surgery to establish a plan (Mayo saves tissue from surgery for 10 years) and another plan that uses genetic research to determine specific treatments for a specific need. In addition if you need extensive radiology etc treatments, there is a house on the premises named the "Gilbert House" and you can stay there for $45 a night which includes huge rooms with two queen beds overlooking a lake and your own refrig. and dried food storage and about 3-4 times a week a group will serve dinner. One rule is that you must have a 24/7 caretaker with you and you must have a need for at least 3 days and approval from Mayo. The $45 is for both the patient and the caretaker. It can take 28 patients and since there are regular turnovers of patients it is usually able to take on new patients? In addition there are employees to handle rooms cleanings, linens, etc. As an aside, the house was built and donated to Mayo by the founder and owner of a famous "Rum Company" who had a lung transplant at Mayo and was so thankful he built the house and gave it to Mayo. There are rules e.g. if you are waiting for a heart transplant you must stay within a certain time limit from the house, etc. You do not need a car as there
are shuttles that will take you from the house to one of the Mayo buildings on the property. Just an idea if you ever need great medical care and facility.
