Google Opens Office in MN to Enhance Mayo Clinic Partnership

February 19, 2021 - Google has announced its first office in Rochester, Minnesota, a new space that will help the tech giant deepen its long-term strategic partnership with Mayo Clinic.

The two organizations launched their partnership in September 2019, with the goal of leveraging healthcare cloud computing, data analytics, machine learning, and AI to improve care delivery.

“Data-driven medical innovation is growing exponentially, and our partnership with Google will help us lead the digital transformation in healthcare,” Gianrico Farrugia, MD, president and CEO of Mayo Clinic, said when the partnership was announced.

“It will empower us to solve some of the most complex medical problems; better anticipate the needs of people we serve; and meet them when, where and how they need us. We will share our knowledge and expertise globally while caring for people locally and always do it with a human touch.”

Since then, Google has helped Mayo Clinic move its data to the cloud, helped providers use AI to design radiotherapy plans, and worked with Mayo Clinic to respond and adapt to the COVID-19 pandemic. Together, Google and Mayo Clinic explored site locations that would enable them to work side-by-side to improve patient care.

“The COVID-19 pandemic has illustrated the importance of coming together to come up with innovative ways of tackling health challenges,” said Chris Mueller, Rochester Site Lead and Software Engineer, Google Cloud. “We are excited to officially join the Rochester community and deepen our collaboration with Mayo Clinic as we work together to transform health through technology.”

The new office will be located at Collider Coworking in the historic Conley-Maass-Downs building in downtown Rochester. The office will serve as a physical space for Google and Mayo Clinic to work together and develop comprehensive solutions for prevalent issues in healthcare.

“Part of what drew us to partner with Google was our shared cultures of collaboration. While the pandemic has accelerated usage of many valuable forms of remote collaboration and virtual health services, it has also caused us to truly appreciate in-person experiences and connection,” said Cris Ross, chief information officer of Mayo Clinic.

“We’re excited to have this physical space designed to deepen our bond and facilitate innovation, where Google engineers will work side by side with Mayo Clinic researchers, physicians, information technology staff and data scientists, to apply advanced computing techniques to health care problems.”

The new office will build on Google’s past efforts to support Minnesota businesses. In 2019, the company helped generate $7.29 billion of economic activity for 22,200 Minnesota businesses, nonprofits, publishers, creators, and developers, as well as $7.3 million of free advertising to Minnesota nonprofits through the Google Ads program.

“Mayo Clinic is a source of pride for our city, and we’re excited to welcome Google to our growing, vibrant business community,” said Rochester Mayor Kim Norton. “Google has long supported Minnesota businesses and nonprofits, and the fact that they’ve chosen Rochester for their first physical space in the state is testament to our reputation as a first-class city.” 

Google will officially open the office later this year, once it is deemed safe to do so and in line with local and state COVID-19 guidelines.

“Google putting down roots in Minnesota will provide sustained economic opportunity not only for the Rochester area, but for our entire state,” said Governor Tim Walz. “This partnership with the Mayo Clinic reinforces Minnesota’s reputation as a welcoming state for innovation and economic opportunity. We welcome Google to our community.”