New Chapter

Mark Tyson II, M.D. (PRES ’11, U ’15), can point toward several mentors or colleagues for significantly influencing the direction of his career. He started out as an atmospheric sciences major in college, but the major was canceled during his first year. He says he tried a lot of different experiences to learn what he had a passion for. “I threw a lot of things against the wall to see what stuck.” Two work colleagues insisted he look into medical school. During medical school, another encouraged him to pursue his specialty area. After seeing “what stuck” and heeding the advice of others, he found his niche in urology at Mayo Clinic in Arizona.

“There’s a tendency during training to become cynical and tired. I encourage each trainee to continue to be the person they were when they arrived at Mayo. Don’t let cynicism creep in and change you.”

What led you to a career in medicine?

During college at the University of Arizona in Tucson, I worked in a basic science lab for three years. I enjoy the science but felt like something was missing — interpersonal relationships. I decided to try some different things to see what kind of work I had a passion for. One of those stints was volunteering as a transporter in a hospital cancer unit. I really loved talking to patients. The volunteer coordinator, whose name was Bruce, was adamant that I look at medical school. I talked to some of the physicians in the cancer center and got good guidance from them.

Simultaneously, I was an intern in the U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF). My mom worked for the ATF, which led to my internship. I was on the path to becoming a special agent. One of the agents heard that I was considering medical school and told me if I scored well on the MCAT, I should pursue medical school. I’m grateful to both of those people for pushing me because it helped to land me where I am now.

What led you to Mayo Clinic?

I applied to Mayo for medical school but got waitlisted. I went to Dartmouth instead.

I wanted to try Mayo Clinic again, for residency, but my then-fiancee had doubts about the cold winters in Minnesota. So I applied to Mayo Clinic in Arizona.

How’d you choose your specialty?

Just like I missed interpersonal relationships when I worked in a basic science lab, I missed the scientific method and writing when I was in medical school. I responded to an email from a urologist at Dartmouth who was looking for someone to work on research projects with her. She became a role model and mentor who urged me to consider urology.

Who were your mentors at Mayo Clinic?

Paul Andrews, M.D. (U ’93), Department of Urology at Mayo Clinic in Arizona, helped me choose my fellowship at Vanderbilt. He was the department chair at the time and said that staying at Mayo for fellowship wouldn’t diversify my experiences. I was a Mayo Clinic Scholar, and the department wanted me to go elsewhere and bring back experience in population health or health services research. I spent two years at Vanderbilt — one in clinical practice and one in research.

Mitch Humphreys, M.D. (U ’06), chair of the Department of Urology at Mayo Clinic in Arizona, has laid out a path for me to follow, by his example, and has helped to propel my career.

Parminder Singh, M.D. (HEMO ’16), Division of Hematology and Medical Oncology at Mayo Clinic in Arizona, has been a research mentor for my bladder cancer practice.

And David Etzioni, M.D. (CRS ’10), chair, Department of Surgery at Mayo Clinic in Rochester; and Felicity Enders, Ph.D. (HRS ’04), Department of Quantitative Health Sciences at Mayo Clinic in Rochester, have been valuable mentors.

Tell us what you do now.

I’m a consultant in the Department of Urology at Mayo Clinic in Arizona and an associate professor of urology in the Mayo Clinic College of Medicine and Science.

As a urologic oncologist, I specialize in bladder cancer. My goal is to build a bladder cancer destination practice in the Southwest. Toward that goal, we are developing a huge portfolio of clinical trials and studies. Every patient who walks through our door with bladder cancer has access to a clinical trial regardless of their disease state.

Bladder cancer is just starting the trajectory of excitement about possibilities — clinical trials, new drugs, biomarkers. It’s a lethal disease, but we can offer a cure to 3 of 4 people who otherwise would die.

What advice do you have for trainees?

There’s a tendency during training to become cynical and tired. I encourage each trainee to continue to be the person they were when they arrived at Mayo. Don’t let cynicism creep in and change you.

What valuable lesson have you learned at Mayo Clinic?

Put the patient first. It sounds like a cliché, but everything boils down to that. Every trial we open, every decision we make is always with the patient’s needs in mind. Treat patients like you’d want to be treated. That sentiment isn’t pervasive across healthcare brands.

What are you most proud of on your CV?

I received Top Performing Patient Experience Awards for the last several years. Those mean the most to me because satisfying patients is why I do what I do.

Why did you pursue a master of public health degree?

I got an MPH degree from the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health in 2018. I wanted to bolster my health services research skills with greater understanding of study design and statistical analysis.

What do you do in your spare time?

My wife and I have two sons, ages 5 and 7. In the winter, we ski in the mountains of Arizona. I coach their baseball teams, and we golf. In the summer, I take the kids fishing every weekend. People are surprised to learn that Arizona has good fishing!

What do you do to find a balance between work and non-work?

I run most days. I bike to and from work a couple of days a week. I feel like I’m a better dad when I can relieve stress by listening to music or a podcast on the 30-minute ride home after work.

What would people be surprised to know about you?

I like crossword puzzles and have one on my desk at all times. I like to multitask, so I often work on crosswords during meetings.

See past New Chapter stories here.