In fifth grade, Joseph Maleszewski, M.D. (CPTH ’10, MGP ’14), watched a Frank Capra film about the circulatory system titled “Hemo the Magnificent.” He sat in his classroom, awestruck, as a camera inside a beating heart allowed him to watch valves open and close.

He was hooked: He knew he wanted to study the heart for the rest of his life.

That enthusiasm hasn’t waned in the course of his career as a pathologist in the Departments of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology, Cardiovascular Medicine, and Clinical Genomics at Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota.

He is an internationally recognized expert in cardiovascular pathology and is the current president of the Society for Cardiovascular Pathology. His research and writing are prolific, with 256 peer-reviewed publications and 74 book chapters. He is also lead author of the book Disorders of the Heart and Blood Vessels, which colleagues call a “1,100-page masterpiece” for the cardiovascular community.

Cardiology or cardiac surgery may have been a more obvious choice for a medical student like Dr. Maleszewski who had his heart set on the heart. But Dr. Maleszewski realized he was most drawn to the detective work of diagnosis involved in pathology — uncovering underlying issues and root causes — more so than treatment. He leverages this detective mindset in his work, which aims to improve the diagnostic and prognostic approaches to cardiovascular and pulmonary disease.

“Medical students, residents, fellows and clinicians unanimously regard Dr. Maleszewski as one of the most dynamic and passionate educators in our profession.”

– Joaquin Garcia, M.D.

He shares his expertise and research prowess with colleagues and the next generation of medical professionals as a respected educator, mentor and lecturer. He is a professor of medicine and professor of laboratory medicine and pathology at Mayo Clinic College of Medicine and Science. He is senior associate dean for academic affairs at Mayo Clinic Alix School of Medicine.

His dedication to these roles was especially evident during the COVID-19 pandemic, says Fredric Meyer, M.D. (NS ’87), the Juanita Kious Waugh Executive Dean of Education and Alfred Uihlein Family Professor of Neurologic Surgery at Mayo Clinic College of Medicine and Science.

“He was instrumental in navigating the extremely complicated challenges presented by COVID to provide a superior education despite the absence of in-classroom learning,” says Dr. Meyer. “This was a challenging task in ensuring that our students received a superior education, and post-COVID, his dedication to curriculum innovation and our students continues. Mayo Clinic Alix School of Medicine’s annual very successful National Resident Matching Program match is testimony to his dedication to academic excellence and student achievement.”

“Medical students, residents, fellows and clinicians unanimously regard Dr. Maleszewski as one of the most dynamic and passionate educators in our profession,” says Joaquin Garcia, M.D. (APTH ’09), chair of the Division of Anatomic Pathology at Mayo Clinic in Minnesota. “His track record of scientific investigation is remarkable; his ability to mentor over 100 people along the way makes him extraordinary.”

Dr. Maleszewski has worked closely with the National Collegiate Athletic Association to understand the cause of sudden death in young athletes. He’s an advocate for improving access to postmortem genetic testing, which helps family members better understand their own cardiovascular risks and need for screening — and perhaps get more closure after a shocking loss, he says.

While pathology is not typically a patient-facing specialty, Dr. Maleszewski has worked hard to change that paradigm. He led the creation of a new clinic called On My Path, which provides thoracic transplant recipients the opportunity to meet with pathologists and learn about their disease. During these sessions, patients are gifted a 3-D printed replica of their native organ so that they may teach family members and friends about their condition, thus improving awareness.

“Situations like this, where pathologist and patient can meet, help me to be a better diagnostician,” says Dr. Maleszewski. “It’s a chance to learn the patient’s story and marry it up with the pathological findings, while simultaneously helping the patient understand his or her disease on a different level.”

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The Early and Mid-Career Alumni Awards recognize Mayo Clinic alumni who have made robust contributions to their areas of expertise in the realms of education, clinical practice, clinical and scientific research, and administration. Beyond their professional output, they demonstrate selfless community service and have consistently acted in a manner that is aligned with Mayo Clinic values. Read about the other 2024 recipients here.