Mayo Clinic Rebrands DEI As ‘Office Of Belonging’

The Mayo Clinic has officially rebranded its Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) office as the “Office of Belonging.” The change, announced in a statement by the clinic’s media director Andrea Kalmanovitz, marks a significant pivot for one of the nation’s most renowned medical institutions.

“Since 2020, Mayo Clinic has intentionally focused on belonging as a cornerstone of staff wellbeing,” Kalmanovitz told the Minnesota Star Tribune. “In keeping with this focus and recent national events, we’re embracing an opportunity to accelerate Mayo Clinic’s belonging journey to reflect our culture of collaboration and respect and support positive patient experiences.”

The rebranding comes in the wake of President Donald Trump’s January executive order titled “Ending Illegal Discrimination and Restoring Merit-Based Opportunity,” which directed federal agencies to cease all DEI practices. The order also urged private sector institutions, like the Mayo Clinic, to “end illegal DEI discrimination and preferences” in hiring and advancement.

While Mayo has not explicitly tied its decision to the executive order, the timing and language suggest that the institution is re-aligning its public messaging and internal structures in light of the new federal stance.

Despite the change in name and tone, the clinic’s “Office of Belonging” still signals a commitment to many of the principles associated with DEI. Its webpage states the new office’s vision is to “create a global environment of empowered belonging,” emphasizing “psychological safety,” collaboration, and authenticity among staff and patients.

“We embrace all people who come through our doors, whatever their race or ethnicity, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability status, military service, faith, or culture,” the site states.

The Mayo Clinic also continues to stress that equity remains “embodied in every aspect” of its mission and practices. However, the rebrand notably de-emphasizes institutional hierarchy and centralized DEI authority, opting instead for a decentralized model driven by “internal communities of passionate people, committees, and initiatives.”

The Mayo Clinic, which received more than $500 million in federal and state research funding in 2024, is among the most high-profile institutions to rename or restructure its DEI efforts in recent months. Its pivot may signal a broader trend as organizations across the country reassess the future of such programs under a new presidential administration.

The term “belonging” has increasingly become a buzzword in corporate and academic circles, often seen as a more inclusive and less divisive alternative to the DEI framework. Critics argue it’s simply rebranding without meaningful change, and they aren’t actually letting go of the controversial dogma or complying with the executive order, but instead trying to protect their federal funding. Supporters say it more accurately reflects the goal of creating inclusive environments where everyone feels valued.

The Mayo Clinic, founded in 1864 and headquartered in Rochester, Minnesota, has long been at the forefront of innovation in both medicine and organizational culture. With this move, it may once again be setting the tone for what institutional equity efforts will look like in a post-DEI era.

As national policy shifts and public opinion continues to evolve, the question now is whether other major institutions will follow Mayo’s lead, and whether the Trump Administration will retaliate.

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