To the editor:

As leaders of the Mayo Clinic Health System sites in southeastern Minnesota, we want to offer a sincere apology to our patients for the long wait times they have experienced on the phone and in person over the past few weeks. This level of service is not acceptable, and falls well below the standards to which we hold ourselves accountable. We also want to thank everyone for the patience and kindness they have shown to our staff, who are doing an extraordinary job every day in a challenging environment.