June 2011 issue on Rochester 2020 vision

www.rochestermagazine.com --

June 2011 issue on Rochester 2020 vision

Edited by Steve Lange and Jennifer Koski

Rochester is a First-class destination city (within a destination state). Politically and economically, Rochester will be sought out by other officials to comment, influence, and direct public policy.

Population is ~170,000 (Rochesterites) … Our city values its diversity as an asset with significant ethnic and cultural contributions and is a national model for local governance.  Rochester is also one of the healthiest cities in the Midwest with an engaged, energizing, and accessible downtown.

Mayor is Joe Powers … joining Olmsted County and City of Rochester into one gov’t agency with fewer legislators and less face-to-face sessions (more electronic transactions/decisions)

Convention Center complex, University Center, Rochester Performing Arts Center, Roch College:

Host many venues for medical-industry exchanges for healthcare +/- IT professionals

3.9 million visitors/year, including Performing Arts & Entertainment, Sports

Rochester Public library will be “the gathering place” for all sorts of clubs and citizen groups.

Rochester is recognized as the Silicon Valley hub of the Midwest with a burgeoning multi-dimensional diversity. Coupled with the use of greener technologies, efficient mass transit, and a stable, basic infrastructure, the City Council allows the dreamers and doers to continue to synergize and accelerate a renaissance of sorts in medical science, education, and relevant technologies.

We will be a village of caring community partners with an interest in every child.  Every child entering kindergarten in 2020 for the class of 2032 is fully ready to learn.  Every citizen contributes to issues that matter in our own life, our family, our neighborhood, and our community. After all, WE are the ones waiting to improve, strengthen, collaborate, enhance, and embrace the community (of hope, health and healing) we want to be a part of.  We will have a well-trained and educated labor force to take up the jobs vacated by the retiring boomers.

Faculty, staff, and students of RCTC/”Rochester College” will telecommute and interact virtually. It will offer seamless education to K-12 schools in the district as well as pathways for higher ed. Socioeconomic and global political changes will demand institutional responsiveness, collaboration, flexibility and resilience.

The University Center will continue to be cherished as the educational, recreational, social, and cultural hub of the community.

Mayo Clinic hosts 200 million meaningful interactions with patients and people every year. It continues to evolve its global presence while impacting and honoring its birthplace.

Patients will be able to deliver their medical history to anyone that they desire and their life medical challenges will be charted. We/they will be more accountable for our/their actions and our/their medical history will be (almost) transparent.  Through technology, we will be able to access all human activities and services thru one portal….helping raise folks out of poverty, help counsel patients with addictions, and improve the quality of life for all.