Travis J. McKenzie, M.D.

Travis J. McKenzie, M.D., is a Professor of Surgery and endocrine surgeon at Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota, recognized for his minimally invasive surgical approach to complex endocrine disease. He helps people navigate treatment for adrenal, thyroid, and parathyroid conditions, with a focus on long-term health and well-being.

Areas of Expertise

Dr. McKenzie approach to endocrine surgery is individualized to meet the needs of the patient, selecting the least invasive technique that safely achieves the best long‑term result. His clinical focus includes:

• Adrenal surgery: Comprehensive surgical care for benign and malignant adrenal disease using transabdominal laparoscopic, retroperitoneoscopic, and open surgical techniques. His approach is tailored to tumor biology, anatomy, and the unique needs of each individual.
• Thyroid surgery: Surgical management of benign and malignant thyroid disease, including complex and reoperative cases, with a strong emphasis on safety and long-term health.
• Parathyroid surgery: Targeted parathyroidectomy for primary and complex hyperparathyroidism, using precise localization and minimally invasive strategies to support optimal recovery.
• Pediatric endocrine surgery: Specialized surgical care for children of all ages, including prophylactic and therapeutic thyroidectomy, parathyroidectomy, adrenalectomy, and pancreas surgery. His work in this area reflects a commitment to helping families navigate rare and complex diagnoses with clarity and confidence.
• Pancreas surgery: Minimally invasive enucleation or segmental pancreatic resection for insulinoma and other functional pancreatic tumors, with careful attention to preserving pancreatic function whenever possible.

Research and Academic Focus

Dr. McKenzie’s research focuses on improving outcomes for adrenal and endocrine disorders that are uncommon, aggressive, or technically challenging. His scholarly work has focused on adrenal cortical carcinoma, pancreatic insulinoma, and the surgical management of pediatric endocrine disease. This research is closely integrated with his clinical practice, allowing new insights to directly inform surgical decision‑making and technique.

Dr. McKenzie graduated with honors from Tufts University School of Medicine and completed residency in general surgery at Mayo Clinic. He then completed two consecutive fellowships in Endocrine Surgery and then Minimally Invasive Surgery at Harvard, experiences that continue to shape his precise, evidence‑driven approach to complex endocrine care.