Mayo Clinic in Florida CEO Dr. Kent Thielen received the 2026 “Rock of the Community Award” April 18 at the Rotary Club of Ponte Vedra Beach’s annual Mineral City Celebration gala, held at the Hilton Jacksonville at Mayo Clinic. Thielen was honored for his contributions to the health and well-being of Northeast Florida residents.
The evening featured a vibrant Palm Royale theme, with guests dressed in colorful Palm Beach-inspired attire, creating a festive and elegant backdrop for the celebration of community leadership and service.
“Each year, the Ponte Vedra Beach Rotary Club honors a deserving individual to thank them for their civic contributions and to inspire others to embrace a spirit of service,” club President Chris Eckols said. “Through his leadership of Florida’s world-renowned Mayo Clinic, Dr. Thielen has improved countless lives. We were thrilled to honor him as the 2026 Rock of the Community.”
Amid the lively, tropical ambiance of the Palm Royale-themed gala, Thielen’s recognition stood as the evening’s centerpiece, highlighting a career defined by service, innovation and impact.
A member of the Mayo Clinic staff for more than 35 years, Thielen also serves as vice president of Mayo Clinic. He previously served as chair of the Mayo Clinic Department of Radiology in the Midwest and chair of the Division of Neuroradiology in the Department of Radiology at Mayo Clinic in Rochester.
The Mineral City Celebration is the signature annual fundraising event for the Rotary Club of Ponte Vedra Beach. This year’s Palm Royale-inspired gala combined a spirit of fun and philanthropy, with proceeds benefiting dozens of local nonprofit organizations and charities. Local nonprofits that have benefited from previous Mineral City celebrations include the Beaches Dial-a-Ride program, Mission House, BEAM, HEAL, K9s for Warriors, United Way of St. Johns County, the Council on Aging, Volunteers in Medicine and more.
