Podcast Summary

Podcast: Tomorrow’s Cure
Episode: Mayo Clinic Proceedings: Stories that Changed the World
Host: Kathy Werzer (A)
Guests:

• Dr. Carl Nath (B): Editor in Chief of Mayo Clinic Proceedings
• Dr. Vincent Rajkumar (C): Hematologist, Editorial Board Member of Mayo Clinic Proceedings
  Date: February 11, 2026

Overview

This episode celebrates the centenary of Mayo Clinic Proceedings, one of medicine’s most enduring and impactful journals. Host Kathy Werzer speaks with Dr. Carl Nath and Dr. Vincent Rajkumar about the journal’s historic legacy, its pivotal role in medical advancement, its rigorous editorial standards, the responsibility attached to sharing emerging discoveries, and its vision for the future. Listeners learn how Mayo’s unique culture and commitment to mentorship, clarity in science communication, and innovation have shaped both the journal’s impact and their guests’ careers.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. The Birth and Legacy of Mayo Clinic Proceedings

• The journal evolved from an internal bulletin in the early 20th century, becoming a formal publication in 1926, meant to disseminate discoveries and foster dialogue within and beyond Mayo Clinic.

• Dr. Nath explains the origins:

  “As the clinic grew, consultants traveled... there was a need... that bulletin of the Mayo foundation evolved into a fully fledged journal in 1926. So it's 1926 where we trace the origins.” (02:49)

• Both guests relayed the privilege of accessing early issues, referencing foundational research in insulin, cortisone, and cardiac surgery.

• Dr. Rajkumar added:

  “I had to go through old journal articles page by page... many, many old copies published in the 60s...” (03:48)

2. Personal Journeys with the Proceedings

• Both doctors encountered the journal as medical students abroad and felt inspired by its quality and international reach.

• Dr. Rajkumar:

  “They had issues on antibiotics... I told myself, you know, it would be really cool if one day I could be at the Mayo Clinic.” (05:28)

• Dr. Nath:

  “There is something magical about the Proceedings and something magical about Mayo Clinic.” (06:04)

3. Crafting Accessible, Impactful Medical Communication

• Both guests developed editorial skills through a love of language and commitment to clarity.

• Dr. Nath:

  “I developed a true reverence and love for the English language… being an editor really fulfills not just my medical desires… I love writing.” (07:19)

• The art of writing simply and clearly is stressed, likened to journalism.

• Dr. Rajkumar:

  “Clarity is critical... to write extremely simple is not easy unless you really understand the subject.” (07:47)
  He described testing clarity by having his children attend lectures:
  “I would go back and say, did you get any of that? They said, yeah, we got it.” (09:19)

4. Editorial Review and Standards

• Submissions undergo triage and expert peer review via a global editorial board; emphasis is on broad clinical relevance and contributing to new knowledge.

• Dr. Nath:

  “Is this article something that adds, however incrementally, to the current store of knowledge? And... is it going to stand the test of time?” (10:37)

• Dr. Rajkumar:

  “We have hundreds of thousands of medical journals, but Mayo Clinic Proceedings is affiliated with the Mayo Clinic, which has a worldwide reputation... we have to publish articles that are relevant not just to Minnesota or the US even, but to medicine as such.” (11:58)

5. Rigorous, Responsible Innovation

• The Proceedings has a tradition of publishing surprising and groundbreaking work, including voice biomarkers for cardiac health and pioneering research in AI-powered EKGs.

• Dr. Nath:

  “Who would have thought that the inflections... in an individual voice would have anything to do to cardiac disease? Yet the evidence... is incontrovertible.” (16:01)
  “I am particularly drawn to observations or findings that are improbable... That's the way I felt about the human voice.” (16:01)

• On Emerging Tech & Responsibility:
  Both guests underline the importance of careful scrutiny, especially with new fields like AI and bioprinting.

  “Once it's published ... it carries a certain level of trust and people's acceptance... Are these too new that we should take a breath and just pause and not publish it ahead of time?” (26:14, Dr. Rajkumar)

6. Impact Ripple: Practice-Changing Discoveries

• Historical examples—cortisone, penicillin, stem cell therapy—illustrate how published research alters global care.

• Dr. Nath:

  “I've received feedback... saying, you know, that's remarkable what you all have published... showing the protection that's provided by cardiorespiratory fitness...” (19:37)

• Dr. Rajkumar:

  “We have been at the forefront of highlighting the problems of physician burnout... We've received so much good feedback from physicians worldwide...” (20:46)

  “The first report of using a virus to treat cancer... that patient is still doing well now, more than 10 years later... I never thought it would work, but seeing this... was really remarkable.” (29:28)

7. Mentoring the Next Generation

• The Proceedings actively recruits and nurtures young contributors and editorial talent.

• Dr. Rajkumar:

  “We do have resident clinics, subspecialty clinics... to get people into the art of writing... recruiting from young faculty to the editorial board..." (30:55)

• Dr. Nath:

  “In 2026, we are hoping to introduce a Fellowship in Training Editors program…” (32:00)

8. The Future of Medical Journals

• Anticipation for a shift toward digital integration, social dialogue, and trusted information synthesis.

• Dr. Nath:

  “I have become a real convert to the importance and the power of digital medicine... journals will become more akin to social media... a forum for ideas, for findings to be fed in and for a dialogue to ensue.” (32:44)

• Dr. Rajkumar:

  “The amount of information is just so vast... Eventually people will not be able to tell what is true… I think one of the functions of Proceedings in the future is to expand and provide true, good, validated information.” (34:24)

9. Pride and Purpose in Stewardship

• Both physicians express deep gratitude for their association with Mayo Clinic and its Proceedings.

• Dr. Rajkumar:

  “For me it's an incredible honor to be in the Mayo Clinic... to be associated with the Mayo Clinic Proceedings for a long time." (36:11)

• Dr. Nath:

  “I never believed as a little kid growing up in Trinidad I'd ever end up my career at this stage at Mayo Clinic. So it's a dream come true. Mayo Clinic Proceedings is a joy.” (36:30)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On the mission of medical editing:

  “Clarity is critical and to write extremely simple is not easy unless you really understand the subject.” (07:47, Dr. Rajkumar)

• On the evolving role of journals:

  “Journals will become more akin to social media where you could provide an opinion, provide findings, and engage in a dialogue... It would become much more of a forum.” (33:10, Dr. Nath)

• On mentorship:

  “We want to nurture younger faculty even from the residency position onwards… to get people into the art of writing, into the art of publishing from a young stage.” (30:55, Dr. Rajkumar)

• On the honor of the work:

  “I love this institution... Its eight value statements are things that I believe personally in my heart." (36:30, Dr. Nath)

Important Timestamps

• 02:49: Dr. Nath recounts the origins of Mayo Clinic Proceedings
• 05:28: Dr. Rajkumar discovers the Proceedings as a student
• 08:57: The art of writing clearly and simply in medical publishing
• 10:37: Dr. Nath walks through editorial standards and process
• 16:01: Publishing improbable findings (voice biomarkers for heart health)
• 19:37 - 20:46: Ripple effects of research: fitness & physician burnout
• 22:54: Review process for cutting-edge fields like artificial intelligence
• 26:14: The caution required when publishing new technologies
• 30:55: Nurturing and mentoring the next generation of contributors
• 32:44: The future: AI, digitization, and journals as forums for dialogue
• 34:24: The journal’s pivotal role as a trustworthy source amidst information overload
• 36:11 - 36:30: Reflections on the honor of stewardship by Nath & Rajkumar

Conclusion

This centennial episode of Tomorrow’s Cure pays tribute to the enduring influence and legacy of Mayo Clinic Proceedings. Through engaging storytelling, insightful examples, and personal reflections, Drs. Nath and Rajkumar illuminate not only the history but the living purpose of medical publishing: to curate, clarify, and champion discoveries that save lives. As medicine races ahead, they see their responsibility only deepening—to shepherd innovation wisely, mentor new voices, and earn the public’s trust in an era of information overload.