Kathy was the heart and soul of Mayo's Division of Hand Surgery for four decades. I worked with her for many years to run our alumni group, the Mayo Hand Club. Of course, Kathy did all the work, including planning (and, happily, able to accompany us to) international reunions in France and Spain. She will be mourned by hand surgeons around the world.

Gail and I are saddened to learn of Kathy's passing.  She and I were a team for almost half of the years she worked as a Medical Secretary in the Division of Hand Surgery. 

Kathy was a tireless worker, stickler for proper procedures, superb organizer and remarkably skilled in assessing and triaging patient problems on the phone.  The responsibilities she managed in running a busy outpatient practice, transcribing notes, making all patient appointments and managing the hand fellows' and resident's rotations in our division were staggering. Nevertheless, all of these roles were seemingly easily handled, although often at her desk on Saturday mornings taking care of business. She played an important role in the success of our Hand Surgery Fellowship. She will be fondly remembered by everyone in the Division of Hand Surgery who worked during her years with us...the staff physicians, trainees, PAs, therapists and secretarial colleagues.  I credit Kathy to a large extend for helping me successfully earn the American Society for Surgery of the Hand Sterling Bunnell Traveling Fellowship award, polishing my CV and ensuring the letters of recommendation were up to her standards. This fellowship opportunity changed the course of my practice, and those of many fellows who subsequently worked with me over the following years.

Congratulations to you, Kathy, for a life well-lived. Thank you for all you did for me, my patients and our Fellowship. Gail and I thank you for keeping my organized at work, and your interest in the Bishop family.

Allen Bishop, for myself and Gail