Pectus Team with Dr. Dawn Jaroszewski -- Mayo Clinic

Pectus excavatum is a common congenital deformity of the chest wall. Dawn Jaroszewski, M.D., a cardiothoracic surgeon at Mayo Clinic in Arizona, and team perform over 100 cases of surgical repair annually. The evaluation for pectus excavatum patients includes many tests to assess whether the deformity is affecting the heart/lungs and causing symptoms. This video shows some of the testing performed and interviews two patients who underwent evaluation and surgery to correct their pectus excavatum.

The Power of Finding Your Niche | Dr. Dawn Jaroszewski | TEDxFountainHillsSalon

Finding your way to a successful and fulfilling life takes hard work and dedication. The path can be difficult, but discovering your niche and encountering supportive mentors can smooth the way.
Dr Dawn Jaroszewski is a world leader in the surgical repair of chest wall deformities, including pectus excavatum.
“Dr J” as she is more commonly called, shares her journey from high school social-misfit to successful businesswoman, and ultimately a world-renowned cardiothoracic surgeon. She discusses ground-breaking innovations she developed to modify a surgical procedure that was once thought to be applicable only to children, which can now be life changing for almost any adult.
Dr. J also reveals the impact mentorship has had on her life and how it can benefit others. She offers encouragement and gives advice on how to obtain success and fulfillment in life with these simple steps; find a passion that inspires you; work hard to become the best in the world at what you choose; and make the lives of others better in the process.

Brought to you by Rebecca Uhl who also volunteered as the Speaker Coach. Also contributing is Financial Potion for the production and photography. Dr. Dawn Jaroszewski, known to her patients as “Dr. J”, began her journey in a lucrative business career. Upon finding ample success, but an empty life in the corporate world, she decided to pursue medical school to make a difference, where her passion for surgery was discovered. Now, after 20 years of hard work and dedication, she is the director of Mayo Clinic’s Chest Wall and Thoracic Oncology Program and is considered the world’s expert in reconstruction of chest wall deformities.

If you would like to learn more about Dr. J here are some links:


This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at