D.C. Mangum Jr., program director of Rochester, Minn.-based Mayo Clinic's Office of Diversity and Inclusion and Administrative Fellowship Program, died from a sudden illness this week, according to the Post Bulletin.
Mr. Mangum, who has served as a mentor and counselor to many in Rochester, was discovered in his home after not showing up for work Monday.
Sharonne Hayes, MD, Mayo Clinic's director of diversity, remembers Mr. Mangum as a compassionate man.
"Many people have told me he is the reason they are at Mayo Clinic, or that he helped them get through something very difficult," Dr. Hayes told the Post Bulletin. "People looked up to him as a leader and a very caring person."
Mr. Mangum began his career at Mayo Clinic in 2003. While had had no family in Rochester after moving from Arkansas, Mr. Mangum was an active member of the Rochester Community Baptist Church's men's ministry/Bible study and participated in an outreach ministry to addressed disparities in the African-American community, according to the report.
Pastor Don Barlow said of Mr. Mangum, "D.C. was very unassuming. He would always step up to serve and contribute, regardless if that was known by others or not."