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Dennis Wigle, M.D., Ph.D.

  1. Surgical Oncologist
  2. Thoracic Surgeon
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Departments

Specialty Groups

Location

  1. Rochester, Minnesota

Languages

English

Existing patients

Appointments

Dennis Wigle, M.D., Ph.D., is a thoracic surgeon and surgical oncologist at Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota, where he cares for people facing complex chest diseases. His work reflects a career spent not only treating thoracic cancers, advanced airway conditions and complex esophageal problems but also searching for better answers through research and close teamwork.

Areas of expertise

Dr. Wigle approaches thoracic surgery with precision, compassion, and a belief that each person’s needs and goals should shape the care plan. His clinical focus includes:

  • Thoracic surgical oncology: Advanced surgical approaches for people with cancer of the chest, including lung, esophageal, and other thoracic malignancies.
  • Regenerative therapeutics: Integrating regenerative principles and translational research to support healing and develop new treatment pathways for aerodigestive conditions.
  • Complex esophageal reconstruction: Nationally and internationally recognized expertise in managing challenging esophageal conditions requiring advanced reconstruction.
  • Pectus excavatum surgery: Surgical treatment for individuals with chest wall deformities requiring specialized thoracic surgical care.
  • Advanced robotic surgery: Minimally invasive surgical techniques including multi-port and single-port robotic surgery, designed to enhance precision and support recovery.

Research and education

Dr. Wigle's research centers on the cell and molecular biology of thoracic malignancies and aerodigestive regenerative medicine. He focuses on bringing laboratory discoveries into clinical trials, helping to expand therapeutic possibilities for people who may not have found effective treatments elsewhere.

Dr. Wigle received his undergraduate degree in Biology from the University of Waterloo, followed by MSc and PhD degrees in Cell Biology from Queen's University in Kingston, Canada. He completed his MD degree, General Surgery, and Thoracic Surgery training, at the University of Toronto. Dr. Wigle joined Mayo Clinic as a consulting thoracic surgeon in 2006. He is a full Professor in the Department of Surgery and recently served as Division Chair for Thoracic Surgery from 2014-2023 where he helped build programs that strengthen outcomes, support multidisciplinary collaboration, and expand options for patients seeking answers.

  1. Achalasia
  2. Acinic cell carcinoma
  3. Bronchial stenosis
  4. Bronchogenic cyst
  5. Carcinoid tumor
  6. Chest wall deformity
  7. Chest wall tumor
  8. Chondrosarcoma
  9. Chylothorax
  10. Congenital diaphragmatic hernia
  11. Diaphragm paralysis
  12. Diaphragmatic eventration
  13. Diaphragmatic hernia
  14. Esophageal cancer
  15. Esophageal cyst
  16. Esophageal foreign body
  17. Gastroesophageal reflux disease
  18. Hiatal hernia
  19. Hyperhidrosis
  20. Indeterminate pleural effusion
  21. Indeterminate pulmonary nodule
  22. Large cell lung cancer
  23. Liposarcoma
  24. Lung cancer
  25. Lung disorder
  26. Lung mass
  27. Lung metastasis
  28. Lung nodule
  29. Lung tumor
  30. Malignant pleural effusion
  31. Mediastinal lymph node enlargement
  32. Mediastinal tumor
  33. Mesothelioma
  34. Multifocal lung cancer
  35. Myasthenia gravis
  36. Mycobacterium avium complex lung disease
  37. Non-small cell lung cancer
  38. Nontuberculous mycobacteria lung disease
  39. Pancoast tumor
  40. Paraesophageal hernia
  41. Pectus carinatum
  42. Pectus excavatum
  43. Pleural disease
  44. Pleural effusion
  45. Pneumothorax
  46. Sarcoma
  47. Sarcomatoid lung cancer
  48. Sliding hiatal hernia
  49. Small cell lung cancer
  50. Soft tissue sarcoma
  51. Solitary fibrous tumor
  52. Squamous cell lung cancer
  53. Stage 4 lung cancer
  54. Tension pneumothorax
  55. Thymic tumor
  56. Tracheal stenosis
  57. Young-onset esophageal cancer
  1. Bleb resection
  2. Bronchoscopy
  3. Carinal resection
  4. Chest reconstruction
  5. Chest surgery
  6. Chest wall biopsy
  7. Chest wall reconstruction
  8. Chest wall resection
  9. Costochondral rib graft
  10. Decortication
  11. Esophageal dilation
  12. Esophageal reconstruction
  13. Esophagectomy
  14. Esophagoscopy
  15. Esophagostomy
  16. Extrapleural pneumonectomy
  17. Heller myotomy
  18. Hiatal hernia repair
  19. Hyperhidrosis surgery
  20. Lobectomy
  21. Lung biopsy
  22. Lung resection
  23. Lung surgery
  24. Lung volume reduction surgery
  25. Median sternotomy
  26. Mediastinoscopy
  27. Mediastinotomy
  28. Minimally invasive anti-reflux surgery
  29. Minimally invasive esophagectomy
  30. Minimally invasive lung resection
  31. Minimally invasive surgery
  32. Minimally invasive thymectomy
  33. Nuss procedure
  34. Pectus correction surgery
  35. Pectus excavatum surgery
  36. Peroral endoscopic myotomy
  37. Pleurectomy
  38. Pleurodesis
  39. Pneumonectomy
  40. Ravitch procedure
  41. Robotic esophagectomy
  42. Robotic lobectomy
  43. Robotic segmentectomy
  44. Robotic surgery
  45. Robotic thymectomy
  46. Segmentectomy
  47. Supercharged jejunal interposition
  48. Thoracoplasty
  49. Thoracoscopy
  50. Thoracotomy
  51. Thymectomy
  52. VATS
  53. VATS lobectomy
  54. Video mediastinoscopy
  55. Wedge resection of lung
  • Thoracic oncology
  • Chest wall deformities (adult pectus)
  1. 2002
    Postdoctoral Research Fellowship - Molecular and Medical GeneticsSamuel Lunenfeld Research Institute, Mount Sinai Hospital
  2. 1997
    MD - Faculty of MedicineUniversity of Toronto
  3. 1994
    PhDDepartment of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Queen's University
  4. 1991
    MScDepartment of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Queen's University
  5. 1989
    BSc - Faculty of ScienceUniversity of Waterloo

Certifications

  1. 2006
    Thoracic SurgeryRoyal College of Physicians & Surgeons of Canada
  2. 2005
    General SurgeryRoyal College of Physicians & Surgeons of Canada

Awards and honors

  1. 2010
    CHEST Foundation/LUNGevity Foundation Clinical Research Award in Lung CancerAmerican College of Chest Physicians
  2. 2009
    NIH K12 Career Development AwardMayo Clinic Cancer Center
  3. 2008
    Surgery Subspecialty Teaching AwardDepartment of Surgery
  4. 2008
    Mayo Clinic Early Career Development Award for Clinician ScientistsMayo Clinic Research Committee, Mayo Clinic Rochester Committees
  5. 2006
    Faculty Scholarship AwardAmerican College of Surgeons
  6. 2006
    New Investigator AwardDepartment of Surgery
  7. 2006
    Surgical Scientist AwardDepartment of Surgery
  8. 2006
    Career Development AwardInternational Society for Heart and Lung Transplantation
  9. 2006
    Clinical Investigator AwardDepartment of Surgery
  10. 2005
    F. Griffith Pearson Award for Best Resident/Fellow TeacherDivision of Thoracic Surgery, University of Toronto
  11. 1999
    Chisholm FellowshipDepartment of Surgery, University of Toronto
  12. 1999
    Postdoctoral Research FellowshipMolecular and Medical Genetics, Samuel Lunenfeld Research Institute, Mt. Sinai Hospital, Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR), Toronto, Canada
  13. 1999
    Starr Medal-Outstanding Scholarship in Postgraduate MedicineDepartment of Surgery, University of Toronto
  14. 1994
    Professor's Prize-Outstanding Graduate Work in Anatomy & Cell BiologyQueen's University
  15. 1993
    C. S. Wainwright Prize-High Academic Standing in the First & Second Medical YearsFaculty of Medicine, University of Toronto
  16. 1993
    Heart & Stroke Foundation Program Training Award-Medical-Scientist TraineeshipDivision of Cardiovascular Research, Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Canada

Professional memberships

  1. 2019 - present
    Group ChairGeneral Thoracic Surgery Club
  2. 2016 - 2018
    Executive Board MemberMesothelioma Foundation
  3. 2014 - present
    MemberDivision of Thoracic Surgery, Department of Surgery
  4. 2014 - 2016
    Scientific Advisory BoardMesothelioma Foundation
  5. 2013 - 2022
    Vice ChairRespiratory Committee, Alliance for Clinical Trials in Oncology
  6. 2013 - present
    MemberInternational Association for the Study of Lung Cancer (IASLC)
  7. 2012 - 2015
    MemberPrevention Committee, Alliance for Clinical Trials in Oncology
  8. 2012 - 2014
    MemberAlliance for Clinical Trials in Oncology, Scientific Review Committee
  9. 2012 - present
    ChairMayo Clinic Stem Cell Oversight Committee
  10. 2012 - present
    ChairRegenerative Medicine Biotrust, Mayo Clinic Center for Regenerative Medicine
  11. 2012 - present
    Executive Committee MemberGeneral Thoracic Surgery Club
  12. 2010 - present
    FellowAmerican College of Surgeons
  13. 2010 - present
    MemberPriestley Society
  14. 2010 - 2014
    Advisory Board MemberLung Cancer Foundation of America
  15. 2010 - present
    Organizer and ModeratorGeneral Thoracic Surgery Club
  16. 2009
    Program Committee Representative17th Annual Intelligent Systems for Molecular Biology & 8th Annual European Conference on Computational Biology
  17. 2009 - present
    MemberAmerican Society of Clinical Oncology
  18. 2009 - 2011
    ChairAmerican College of Surgeons Oncology Group, Translational Science Review Committee
  19. 2009 - 2011
    Executive Committee MemberAmerican College of Surgeons Oncology Group
  20. 2009
    Question WriterSelf-Education Self-Assessment in Thoracic Surgery
  21. 2009 - present
    MemberMinnesota Medical Association
  22. 2009 - present
    MemberSociety of Thoracic Surgeons
  23. 2008 - 2011
    Vice ChairNorth Central Cancer Treatment Group, Surgery Committee
  24. 2008 - 2011
    Vice ChairNorth Central Cancer Treatment Group, Lung Committee
  25. 2008 - present
    MemberMedical Oncology Lung Cancer Search Committee, Mayo Clinic
  26. 2008 - present
    Associate MemberMayo Clinic Center for Translational Science Activities
  27. 2008 - present
    Program Committee LiaisonGeneral Thoracic Surgery Club
  28. 2008 - present
    Program CommitteeRobert J. Ginsberg Clinical Trials Day General Thoracic Surgery Club
  29. 2007 - 2011
    MemberAmerican College of Surgeons Oncology Group
  30. 2007 - 2008
    RepresentativeDepartment of Surgery
  31. 2007 - 2008
    Department of Surgery RepresentativeOncology Review Committee (Previously, Protocol Review Committee), Mayo Clinic Cancer Center Committees, Mayo Clinic Cancer Center
  32. 2007 - present
    MemberAmerican Association for Cancer Research
  33. 2007 - present
    MemberAmerican College of Chest Physicians
  34. 2006 - present
    MemberAmerican Thoracic Society
  35. 2006 - 2012
    Associate MemberInternational Society for Heart and Lung Transplantation
  36. 2006 - present
    MemberResearch Committee, Department of Surgery
  37. 2005 - present
    FellowRoyal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada
  38. 2002
    Organizer and ModeratorToronto Mouse Bioinformatics Workshop, Toronto, Canada

Publications

Research activities

See a description of research activities.