Faculty

Stephanie F. Polites, M.D., M.P.H.

Location

Rochester, Minnesota

Contact

polites.stephanie@mayo.edu Clinical Profile

SUMMARY

Pediatric surgeon-scientist Stephanie F. Polites, M.D., M.P.H., focuses on surgical technology, clinical trials and health services research aimed at improving care and outcomes for children with extracranial solid tumors.

Focus areas

  • Digital biomarkers in patients undergoing cancer surgery. Dr. Polites studies digital biomarkers obtained from consumer wearables to detect, predict and improve surgical outcomes in children and young adults undergoing cancer surgery. She uses machine learning algorithms to analyze these biomarkers and enhance both quantitative and qualitative outcome measures.
  • Precision pediatric surgical oncology. Dr. Polites investigates approaches for more precise, less invasive tumor resection including fluorescence-guided surgery and robotic surgery. She is interested in digital enhancement of robotic surgery for pediatric cancer using integration of 3D imaging.
  • Health services. Dr. Polites works with large data sources — including the National Cancer Database and the National Surgical Quality Improvement Program Pediatric — as well as multi-institutional research consortia to inform best practices in surgical management and improve patient outcomes.

Significance to patient care

Dr. Polites' lab aims to improve cancer-specific and long-term outcomes of children with solid tumors. Dr. Polites and her team focus on innovative, less invasive surgical approaches and digital tools that support healing, improve treatment results and enhance quality of life.

Professional highlights

  • Mayo Clinic:
    • Master's faculty, Mayo Clinic Harper Family Foundation Artificial Intelligence Education in Medicine Program, Mayo Clinic College of Medicine and Science, 2025-present.
    • Assistant chair of Research, Mayo Clinic Children's, 2024-present.
    • Principal investigator, Mayo Clinic Pediatric Extracranial Solid Tumor Biorepository, 2024-present.
    • Pediatric surgeon champion, National Surgical Quality Improvement Program, 2023-present.
    • Career Development Award, Department of Surgery, 2023.
  • Member, North America Scientific Core Committee, International Society of Paediatric Oncology, 2024-present.
  • Member, Neuroblastoma Panel, National Comprehensive Cancer Network, 2023-present.

PROFESSIONAL DETAILS

Primary Appointment

  1. Consultant, Division of Pediatric Surgery, Department of Surgery

Joint Appointment

  1. Consultant, Division of Pediatric Hematology/Oncology, Department of Pediatric and Adolescent Medicine
  2. Consultant, Department of Pediatric and Adolescent Medicine
  3. Consultant, Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology

Administrative Appointment

  1. Chair, Division of Pediatric Surgery, Department of Surgery

Academic Rank

  1. Assistant Professor of Health Services Research
  2. Associate Professor of Surgery

EDUCATION

  1. Fellowship - Pediatric Surgery Oregon Health Sciences University
  2. Clinical Fellowship - Vascular Anomalies and Oncology Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center
  3. Resident Surgery, Programs in Rochester, Mayo School of Graduate Medical Education, Mayo Clinic College of Medicine
  4. Resident - General Surgery Mayo School of Graduate Medical Education, Mayo Clinic College of Medicine
  5. MPH - Executive Public Health Administration and Policy University of Minnesota
  6. Research Fellowship - Surgical Outcomes Mayo Clinic Robert D. and Patricia E. Kern Center for the Science of Health Care Delivery
  7. MD Case Western Reserve University
  8. MS - Applied Anatomy Case Western Reserve University
  9. BA - Major - Anthropology Minor - Mathematics Case Western Reserve University

Clinical Studies

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Publications

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