Michael Edward Mitchell

Dr. Michael Edward Mitchell is a Professor of Surgery and Section Chief of Cardiothoracic Surgery at the Medical College of Wisconsin, where he also serves as Director of Regional Surgical Services and Director of the Pediatric Cardiothoracic Surgery Fellowship Program. He is affiliated with Children's Hospital of Wisconsin and holds adjunct appointments at the Milwaukee School of Engineering. Dr. Mitchell is a member of both the Cardiovascular Research Center and the Mellowes Center for Genomic Sciences and Precision Medicine.

• Professor, Surgery, Cardiothoracic Surgery, Medical College of Wisconsin
• Section Chief, Pediatrics, Cardiothoracic Surgery, Children's Hospital of Wisconsin
• Adjunct Professor, Electrical Engineering & Computer Science, Milwaukee School of Engineering
• Director, Regional Surgical Services, Children's Hospital of Wisconsin
• Program Director, ACGME Fellowship in Pediatric Cardiothoracic Surgery

Dr. Mitchell received his A.B. in Chemistry from Princeton University (Cum Laude) in 1990 and his M.D. from Harvard Medical School (Magna Cum Laude) in 1995. He completed his surgical residency and cardiothoracic training at Brigham & Women's Hospital, followed by a fellowship in pediatric cardiac surgery at Children's Hospital of Philadelphia. In 2017, he enhanced his leadership skills through Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health's Leadership Development program.

• 1986-1990: A.B. (Chemistry), Princeton University (Cum Laude)
• 1990-1995: M.D., Harvard Medical School (Magna Cum Laude)
• 2017: Leadership Development for Physicians in Academic Health Centers, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health

Dr. Mitchell's research focuses on pediatric cardiothoracic surgery with particular emphasis on hypoplastic left heart syndrome (HLHS), cardiac transplantation, valve reconstruction, and the application of genomic sciences in congenital heart disease. His laboratory has made significant contributions to understanding the genetic basis of congenital heart defects, particularly through studies on MYH6 variants in HLHS. He has pioneered research on non-invasive monitoring of cardiac transplant rejection using cell-free DNA technology, with multiple recent publications validating this approach in both pediatric and adult patients. His work also includes innovative applications of 3D-bioprinting for creating patient-derived cardiac tissue models to study congenital heart disease. His research demonstrates a consistent trajectory toward integrating genomic medicine with traditional surgical approaches to improve outcomes for children with complex cardiac conditions.

Dr. Mitchell has published over 140 articles in peer-reviewed journals, with recent work focusing on surgical outcomes for congenital heart disease, genetic contributions to cardiac malformations, and novel diagnostic approaches for transplant monitoring. His publication record shows consistent productivity with 15-20 publications annually, demonstrating ongoing innovation in both clinical practice and research methodology.

• Top Rated Doctor in Congenital Cardiac Surgery, Milwaukee Magazine (2013-2023)
• Health Care Champion for Surgical Treatment of Tracheal Agenesis, Milwaukee Business Journal (2021-2023)
• Advancements in Health Care/Health Care Heros, BizTimes (2014)
• Eureka Award, Milwaukee Business Journal (2015)

As an educator and mentor, Dr. Mitchell directs the ACGME Fellowship in Pediatric Cardiothoracic Surgery and serves as course director for pediatric cardiothoracic surgical rotations for medical students and residents. He has supervised numerous trainees who have gone on to successful careers in congenital heart surgery. His laboratory maintains active collaborations with multiple institutions through participation in national research consortia and clinical trials, providing students with opportunities to engage in cutting-edge research with real-world clinical applications.

Dr. Mitchell leads the Cardiovascular Research Center, which focuses on translating basic science discoveries into clinical applications for children with congenital heart disease. The center maintains strong collaborations with the Mellowes Center for Genomic Sciences and Precision Medicine, facilitating interdisciplinary approaches to understanding and treating complex cardiac conditions. His work on tracheal reconstruction has been particularly groundbreaking, establishing new surgical approaches for previously untreatable conditions.