Biographical summary
D. Dean Potter, Jr., M.D., is a dedicated pediatric surgeon who combines advanced surgical expertise with a deep commitment to improving the lives of children and adolescents. Known for his compassionate approach and technical precision, Dr. Potter specializes in minimally invasive procedures that help young patients recover faster. He provides care at multiple Mayo Clinic campuses including Rochester, MN, Eau Claire, WI, and Onalaska, WI.
Areas of Expertise
Dr. Potter focuses on comprehensive pediatric and adolescent surgical care, offering advanced techniques tailored to each child’s needs. His clinical focus includes:
- Chest wall anomalies: Expert in the Nuss procedure as treatment for pectus excavatum, restoring chest wall function and appearance. Utilizes cryotherapy and cutting-edge techniques to reduce postoperative pain and complications.
- Minimally invasive, laparoscopic, and roboticsurgery: Specialized approaches for faster recovery and reduced pain.
- Crohn's disease and inflammatory bowel disease (IBD): Offers comprehensive treatment for chronic gastrointestinal conditions, including surgical care for severe or refractory cases.
- Gallstones and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD): Provides tailored surgical management for digestive disorders.
- Umbilical hernia repair: Performs effective surgical correction of umbilical hernias in infants and young children, with a focus on comfort and recovery.
- Ulcerative colitis and familial adenomatous polyposis (FAP): Surgical management including total proctocolectomy with ileal pouch-anal anastomosis (J-pouch surgery).
Research and Education
Beyond his clinical practice, Dr. Potter is a recognized leader in pediatric surgery research and education. His work has advanced minimally invasive techniques for adolescent inflammatory bowel disease and improved outcomes for children with complex surgical needs. He has earned accolades such as Teacher of the Year from Mayo Clinic College of Medicine and Science and the Resident Excellency Award from the University of Colorado Health Sciences Center, reflecting his dedication to training future surgeons and sharing knowledge that benefits children and families worldwide.
Conditions treated
Procedures performed
Interests
- Minimally invasive surgery
- Single incision laparoscopic surgery
- Pediatric trauma
- Pediatric thoracic disease
- Pediatric inflammatory bowel disease
Mayo Clinic locations
Education
- 2009
FellowThe Children's Hospital Denver, University of Colorado Health Sciences Center
- 2007
ResidentSurgery, Programs in Rochester, Mayo School of Graduate Medical Education, Mayo Clinic College of Medicine
- 2007
Graduate Fellowship - Surgical Training - Department of Surgery, Mayo ClinicMayo School of Graduate Medical Education, Mayo Clinic College of Medicine
- 2004
Research Fellowship - Cardiovascular SurgeryMayo School of Graduate Medical Education, Mayo Clinic College of Medicine
- 2004
ResidentClinician Investigator, Programs in Rochester, Mayo School of Graduate Medical Education, Mayo Clinic College of Medicine
- 2000
MDCarver College of Medicine, University of Iowa
- 1996
Research FellowshipDepartment of Internal Medicine, University of Iowa Carver College of Medicine
- 1995
BSUniversity of Iowa
Activities and honors
Certifications
- 2010
Pediatric SurgeryAmerican Board of Surgery
- 2007
General SurgeryAmerican Board of Surgery
Awards and honors
- 2016
2016 Accelerated Regenerative Medicine Award, Clinical Application of Esophageal RegenerationMayo Clinic Center for Regenerative Medicine
- 2012
Subspecialty Teacher of the Year AwardDepartment of Surgery
- 2010
Teacher of the Year Award - Subspecialty ServiceDepartment of Surgery
- 2009
Resident Excellency AwardUniversity of Colorado Health Sciences Center
- 2005
Basic Science Research AwardMinnesota Surgical Society
- 2005
Dr. Kaare K. Nygaard Travel Award for Basic Science ResearchDepartment of Surgery, Mayo Clinic College of Medicine and Science, Department of Education Administration
- 2003
Hungry Dog AwardDepartment of Surgery, Mayo Clinic College of Medicine and Science, Department of Education Administration
- 2003
Resident Day Research AwardDepartment of Surgery, Mayo Clinic College of Medicine and Science, Department of Education Administration
- 2003
Young Investigator, Hartz FoundationClinician Investigator Program, Mayo Clinic College of Medicine and Science, Department of Education Administration
- 2003
Surgical Research AwardBalfour Research Symposium, Mayo Clinic College of Medicine and Science, Department of Education Administration
- 2000
State of Iowa Medical ScholarshipCarver College of Medicine, University of Iowa
- 1996
Trainee Investigator Award, Biomedicine '96American Society for Clinical Investigation
- 1995
BS with DistinctionUniversity of Iowa
- 1993
Beta Beta Beta National Honors SocietySimpson College
- 1991
Honors ScholarshipSimpson College
Professional memberships
- 2019 - present
DirectorAmerican College of Surgeons Children's Surgery Verification project
- 2019 - present
Surgical DirectorDepartment of Surgery, Neonatal Intensive Care Unit
- 2019 - present
MemberNICU Quality & Safety Committee, Department of Pediatric and Adolescent Medicine
- 2019 - present
Video Task Force Committee, MemberInternational Pediatric Endosurgery Group
- 2017 - present
DirectorChildren's Surgery Program
- 2016 - present
Active MemberPediatric Trauma Committee, Trauma Committee, Mayo Clinic Rochester Committees
- 2016 - present
Active MemberChildren's Surgical and Procedural Committee, Mayo Clinic Surgical and Procedural Committee
- 2016 - present
Active MemberClinical Practice Committee, Department of Surgery
- 2015 - present
Active MemberPediatric Trauma Performance Improvement Committee, Mayo Clinic Trauma Center
- 2015 - present
MemberQuality Committee, Department of Surgery
- 2015 - present
ChairDivision of Pediatric Surgery, Department of Surgery
- 2012 - present
MemberPediatric Trauma Society
- 2011 - present
FellowAmerican College of Surgeons
- 2011 - 2013
Medical DirectorPediatric Trauma Center
- 2011 - present
MemberEastern Association for the Surgery of Trauma
- 2011 - present
MemberNational Surgical Quality Improvement Program, Safety and Quality Committee, American College of Surgeons
- 2010 - 2016
Associate Program DirectorGeneral Surgery Residency Program, Programs in Rochester, Mayo School of Graduate Medical Education
- 2010 - 2011
CouncilorExecutive Committee, Minnesota Surgical Society
- 2010 - present
MemberAmerican Pediatric Surgical Association
- 2009 - present
MemberChildren's Oncology Group
- 2008 - 2013
Active MemberPediatric Trauma Performance Improvement Committee, Mayo Clinic Trauma Center
- 2007 - present
MemberPriestley Society
- 2006 - present
MemberInternational Pediatric Endosurgery Group
- 2004 - 2007
ChairVisiting Professor Committee, Department of Surgery
- 2004 - 2011
Resident MemberAmerican College of Surgeons
- 2003 - 2004
Web EditorAmerican Association for Thoracic Surgery
- 2002 - 2003
Resident MemberSurgical Electronic Environment Workgroup, Mayo Clinic Rochester Surgical Committee, Mayo Clinic Rochester Committees
- 2000 - present
MemberZumbro County Surgical Society
- 2000 - present
MemberMinnesota Medical Association
- 1998 - present
MemberAmerican Medical Association
-
Active MemberMass Casualty Committee
Publications
Research activities