Dr. Dawn Jaroszewski, MD

My son (13 years old) had a surgery for pectus excavatum with Dr. Dawn Jaroszewski at the Phoenix Children Hospital (PCH) the 12th of July 2017. We are Italians and we came in Phoenix just to have Dr. Jaroszewski for our son's surgery. When I realized that my son was suffering from pectus excavatum I started to do extensive research in patient forums and in scientific databases. In my opinion, the world's principal exponent for Nuss technique is Dr. Jaroszewski and her team. They have introduced many improvements to the technique originally proposed by Nuss and they continue to improve it. These improvements are able to guarantee better results, improved safety and lesser complications. On this basis, I realized that there were some important details of the Dr Jaroszewski’s technique that are very important which I cannot do without: i) shorter bars; ii) multiple bars; iii) sternal elevation (very important to avoid cardiac injury!); iv) fiberwire ligation and v) polypharmacy pain… control. Moreover, I realized that Dr. Jaroszewski has an enormous experience (she performs a huge Nuss procedures for year), and her percentage of post-operative complications is really very low. In addition, about 30% of her pectus surgery are redo from patients that underwent the procedure by other surgeons included European one. I contacted Dr. Jaroszewski's office and the Mayo Clinic and took an appointment for July 2017. We met Dr. Jaroszewski on 10th July at Mayo Clinic for the first visit and it was a very intense experience. Dr. Jaroszewski is an exceptional person also on the human side, she is compassionate and sensible to understand our needs. She immediately transfer us good vibrations in terms of competence, safety and experience. We immediately felt an emotional bond of empathy with her. She explained in detail how the surgery would take place, the expectations based on my child's initial condition and all possible complications, including her personal case histories of complications that are very low (i.e. zero cardiac injury during surgery). Fortunately, my son had a symmetrical PE in the lower part of chest so she predicted that the operation would be relatively easy. The medical assistant of Dr Jaroszewski (Dr Primus) gave us precise directions on what to do before the surgery and finally on July 12th my son had surgery. The intervention went very well, my son had two bars, the operation lasted approximately 1.5 hours and everything went as expected. Dr Jaroszewski in the post-surgery meeting told us that she was very satisfied about the surgery and that she had not encountered any difficulties. She gave us some photos taken before and after the surgery in which it was well visible as sternum compression on the pericardium has been eliminated. Then all the postoperative period has gone fine. Pain was always under control. Dr. Jaroszewski after the surgery came 2 times (!) to visit my son at the PCH. During these visits she carefully checked my son, his therapy and his vital signs and told us that everything is going well. In fact, my son walked and ate regularly and after 2 days was discharged. Another amazing thing of Dr. Jaroszewski is her incredible availability during the recovery. The night of the discharge day we had the need to contact Dr. Jaroszewski for a fever rise. We called her office at Mayo and in less than 20 minutes, we had her precious indications by telephone. At the postoperative visit (7 days after surgery) Dr Jaroszewski , after knowing that we would have been in Phoenix for other 3 weeks, invited us to came back in her office a couple of days before leaving to Italy for a further control. We appreciated so much this fact since it gave us greater serenity to face the long journey to home in Italy. At the last visit Dr Jaroszewski and her assistant (Dr. Parrett), gave us all the instructions we could need for the next 3 years (up to the removal of the bars). We were instructed on the X-rays to do and send to Dr J's office, about the therapy, cure of incisions, and how to communicate with them when needed. We are now at home, my son feels better every day, he moves smoothly and is returning to normal life. He is currently at the 5th week post op and has stopped all meds except occasional Ibuprofen. The operation went well not only from a functionally point of view but also from aesthetically standpoint. We are very satisfied and my son is so happy that now he is always without T-shirt. I highly recommend Dr. Dawn Jaroszewski to everyone that has pectus excavatum. If you have the possibility please do not hesitate and came in Phoenix. I am grateful to Dr Jaroszewski for everything she has done for us and for the patience she has had in answering to my boring questions. Everything about my personal experience exceeded all expectations! We will return to her for the extraction of the bar (this time at Mayo Clinic!). I would not trust to put my son’s life in any other hands. Angelo

In July of 2014 I came to Mayo Clinic and had the Nuss procedure done. In July of 2017, I was back to have my bars removed. I had my Nuss procedure when I was 23. I am now 26. It's been three years-How time flies! I had lived with Pectus Excavatum my entire life. Up until 2014, I had no idea it even had a name. Every Doctor I came across Never knew what I had. I always asked "what is this in my chest and how can I fix this?" In response I was always told "it's a deformity, and you just gatta live with it". I finally decided to research for myself and I'm glad I did. A youtube video led me to find Dr. J. After visiting Mayo clinic in March of 2014, I had full confidence in Dr. Dawn; From Nuss procedure to bar removal. She is a true professional, a world class surgeon, and I'd argue she is the most knowledgeable Doctor regarding Pectus in the world. On top of that, Dr. J is warm, welcoming, and genuinely cares about her patients. If you're going to trust anyone to help you, I… recommend Dr. Jaroszwski and the Mayo Clinic. this is the only place to go. I will never forget Dr. Jaroszewski and everyone at Mayo. They have changed my life for the better - as they have for many others. Dr Jaroszewski and the whole staff are truly wonderful people. They are kind, informative, caring, and knowledgeable. Everyone makes you feel comfortable and welcome. They know everything there is to know about Pectus conditions. I'm grateful, blessed, and truly happy I had this experience. I wish Dr. Dawn the very best.

All of the staff at Mayo clinic is Awesome & goes out of their way for you. I felt like I was Dr.J's only patient while I was there & she put me 1st the entire time. Answered all my questions & eased my mind. Trusted her with my life from long distance & before even meeting her, that's why I picked her for my surgery.

Dr J has been my best discovery. She confidently excelled in the repair of my very severe and difficult pectus excavatum by key hole surgery. Back home in my (first world) country, there are no doctors as highly experienced and skilled as Dr J. nor do these doctors understand this condition as well as Dr J All Dr J's staff at Mayo clinic share her passion to treat this condition This doctor changed my life and I know she has extended my health and wellbeing to live a longer healthier life Thank you

Dr. Jaroszewski was pleasant, friendly, and to the point. She described what she was going to do and what she had done in an easy to understand manner. Her staff of assistants were outstanding. The care I got while in the hospital was excellent with the Doctor dropping by each day, even on weekends. She talked continuously with my other doctors so as to coordinate the services each gave. I would recommend her to anyone needing thoractic surgery

Dr Jaroszewski was amazing about getting my husband in for his tests previous to the surgery but after the procedure was NON-EXISTANT!! Her staff is rude and arrogant. They do major traumatic surgery and then send you home with 3 different pain medications and say good luck to you. We have lawyers begging for our case at this point but will not until a real surgeon does his follow up. It is so sad that there are medical professionals that call this care. If there was a way to avoid Dr Jaroszewski, which there isn't for her specialty, I'd rather live with it without the surgery. And her PAs need some lessons on respect. We finally got the care we deserve and it definitely wasn't from The Mayo Clinic.