Rochester received a special visit this week when Minnesota Lynx guard Kayla McBride stopped by Mayo Clinic Children’s to spend time with young patients. The Post Bulletin reported the visit on Monday, September 15, bringing a warm spotlight to the intersection of professional sports and community care right here in Med City.

McBride, a standout on the WNBA’s Minnesota Lynx, took time away from the court to connect with children receiving care at one of the nation’s most respected pediatric medical facilities. Visits like these can mean the world to kids and families navigating challenging hospital stays, offering a moment of joy and excitement in an otherwise difficult time.

Mayo Clinic Children’s Center has long been a cornerstone of Rochester’s identity, drawing families from across the region and beyond who trust its physicians and staff with their most precious loved ones. When athletes and public figures choose to give their time there, it reinforces the sense of community that makes Rochester such a special place to live.

McBride’s visit is a heartening reminder that Rochester’s connection to Mayo Clinic goes beyond medicine — it creates moments of genuine human warmth that ripple through the entire community. For the young patients who got to meet a professional basketball player, it’s the kind of memory that can lift spirits and inspire hope during a tough stretch.

Rochester is proud to be home to world-class care, and even prouder when stars like Kayla McBride show up to make a difference — one smile at a time.

Sources: Post Bulletin