Torsten Gruchmann visits the USA

June 9, 6:20 AM: A bit sleepy, but full of anticipation I boarded the flight to Minneapolis for this year’s collaboration-delegation trip!

Joining me on this trip were representatives from politics, academia, and industry. The focus of our trip? Strengthening collaboration in the healthcare field between the Münsterland, where Use-Lab is located in Germany, The Netherlands and the State of Minnesota region. Minnesota, home to the renowned Mayo Clinic as well as global companies like Medtronic, Boston Scientific, and Abbott, is considered one of the hotspots for medical technology and clinical expertise. This along with existing relationships with local universities in other fields, made it an obvious choice for the Münster Economic Development Corporation who organized this trip.

After a quick welcome drink at the hotel, we headed right back out again to a meet and greet at the impressive Minnesota State Capitol!

That evening we got to enjoy a pizza dinner in the magnificent Senate Chamber.

Well-rested we began Monday with a visit to the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED). There, I was happy to talk about “Innovation Engineering & Design & Clinical Trials.” In the evening, we experienced a true highlight: The Minnesota Twins baseball game, which ended with a victory over the Colorado Rockies.

Minnesota is considered a US hotspot for health and medical technology. In addition to the Mayo Clinic, it is home to renowned institutions such as the University of Minnesota and the Earl E. Bakken Medical Device Center (BMDC).

The University of Minnesota, with over 50,000 students and around 20,000 employees, impresses with its extensive research and teaching across numerous disciplines.

The BMDC, also located on the campus, combines basic research, applied and translational research, and education. We were happy to receive a very interesting tour of the BMDC.

The following days were marked by our visits to the Mayo Clinic and the Destination Medical Center (DMC) in Rochester. The Mayo Clinic, firmly rooted in the heart of Rochester, has been treating patients from around the world for over 100 years. Particularly impressive were the state-of-the-art teaching rooms and innovative skills labs, which use “escape rooms” to tackle medical challenges as a team. Additionally, there are numerous high-tech patient simulators, including one that can simulate childbirth with all possible complications.

Besides the simulation labs, the clinic boasts its own 3D labs with almost 100 employees. Here, various 3D models and implants, for instance made of titanium, are created for surgery and radiology, later to be used for surgical planning or application on patients.

The State of Minnesota has long recognized the global importance of the Mayo Clinic and its clinical and scientific work. In 2013, state authorities approved public investments in Rochester to support the Mayo Clinic as a global medical center. This led to the creation of the Destination Medical Center (DMC) initiative—a public-private partnership aimed at securing the future of the Mayo Clinic and the Rochester region’s infrastructure. With an impressive budget of $5.6 billion, the DMC is the largest project in Minnesota’s history.

Our visit to Minnesota provided valuable insights and led to significant connections for the Münsterland and the neighboring Twente region in the Netherlands. The trip concluded with the unanimous feeling that this experience had enriched and inspired us.

After our return and a thorough analysis of our experiences, a follow-up meeting is planned to discuss strategic connections. These will not only focus on relationships in the USA but also strengthen and expand regional ties within the Münsterland and the adjacent Twente region.

Looking back on this trip, I am filled with enthusiasm and look forward to future developments and collaborations!

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