Paul J. Fletcher, M.D.

Paul J. Fletcher, M.D., is a Senior Associate Consultant in the Department of Anesthesiology and Perioperative Medicine, Division of Intensive Care and Respiratory Care, at Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota, where he cares for patients at the St. Marys and Downtown Campuses. Dr. Fletcher specializes in anesthesiology and critical care medicine, providing comprehensive care for people facing life-threatening conditions and complex perioperative challenges. He works closely with multidisciplinary teams to offer advanced support in surgical and cardiothoracic intensive care settings.

"I strive to treat all patients wholly, including their family, with respect, humility, and compassion," says Dr. Fletcher.

Areas of expertise

Dr. Fletcher's clinical practice focuses on advanced critical care and perioperative management for surgical and trauma patients. His areas of expertise include:

• Cardiogenic shock: Advanced hemodynamic and circulatory support for severe cardiac dysfunction
• Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome (ARDS): Evidence-based ventilation and rescue therapies for severe lung injury
• Perioperative Critical Care: Comprehensive care for patients undergoing complex surgical procedures
• Mechanical Circulatory Support: ECMO and ventricular assist device management for advanced cardiac failure
• Surgical and Trauma Intensive Care: Crisis management for critically ill trauma and postoperative patients
• Cardiothoracic Intensive Care: Postoperative care for individuals after cardiac and thoracic surgery
• Ultrasonography: Diagnostic and procedural echocardiography, including transthoracic and transesophageal approaches

Research and professional highlights

Dr. Fletcher is board-certified in anesthesiology and holds advanced certifications in cardiovascular and neurological life support. He earned his medical degree from the University of Kansas School of Medicine. He then completed his residency in anesthesiology and served as Chief Resident at the University of Kansas Medical Center, where he was also voted to be President of KUMC's Graduate Medical Education Resident Council for his final two years there. Dr. Fletcher then completed fellowship training in Anesthesia Critical Care Medicine at The University of Chicago Medical Center.

His research and academic interests include optimizing ECMO utilization, improving outcomes for patients requiring mechanical circulatory support, and refining perioperative resuscitation strategies. Dr. Fletcher has trained under multidisciplinary world leaders in the field of critical care, authored peer-reviewed publications, and presented at national conferences, reflecting his commitment to advancing critical care practice and medical education.