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Dawn Mussallem, DO

Assistant Professor of Medicine, Jacoby Center for Breast Health
Mayo Clinic
Jacksonville, Florida, United States

Dr. Dawn Mussallem is a distinguished consultant in the Division of Hematology Oncology at Mayo Clinic and an Assistant Professor of Medicine. As a board-certified lifestyle medicine breast specialist at The Robert and Monica Jacoby Center for Breast Health, she plays a pivotal role in advancing evidence-based holistic breast cancer care. Dr. Mussallem also serves as the Chair for Mayo Clinic Florida's Employee Well-being Committee, Medical Director for the Humanities in Medicine program, and is a councilor at large for the Officers & Councilors of Mayo Clinic staff. In 2015, Dr. Mussallem founded the Integrative Medicine and Breast Health Program at Mayo Clinic Florida. This patient-centered program assists breast cancer patients during and after their diagnosis, emphasizing the importance of lifestyle optimization alongside conventional cancer treatments. Her mission is to reframe cancer as a “teacher of life,” guiding patients to discover renewed vitality through healthier living. She is currently leading the regenerative farm project at Mayo Clinic, which aims to provide nutrient-rich plant food to patients, employees, learners, and food-insecure individuals in the community, highlighting the impact on both human and planetary health. With over 25 years of patient-centered clinical wellness experience, Dr. Mussallem is internationally recognized in cancer prevention, lifestyle medicine, integrative oncology, and cancer survivorship. Her personal journey with stage IV cancer, diagnosed three months into medical school, and later as a heart transplant recipient in 2021, have profoundly shaped her dedication to helping patients thrive during and after adversity. A sought-after international keynote and motivational speaker, Dr. Mussallem frequently appears on podcasts, webinars, radio, and television shows. She has authored numerous book chapters, journal articles, abstracts, and other publications and is an editor for the Journal of the National Comprehensive Cancer Network, Wiley, Mayo Clinic Proceedings. Dr. Mussallem’s research is dedicated to exploring the multifaceted role of lifestyle in cancer prevention and management. Her work delves into the influence of lifestyle choices on cancer risk, specifically examining how whole food, plant-based nutrition affects the tumor microenvironment and cancer progression. Additionally, her studies focus on enhancing the quality of life for cancer survivors, investigating the links between lifestyle modifications, longevity, and restorative well-being. Through her research, Dr. Mussallem aims to provide evidence-based strategies for improving patient outcomes and promoting healthier living. In addition to her clinical and research activities, Dr. Mussallem is deeply involved in medical education. She is the co-director of the International Medical Breast Training Program and director of the Lifestyle Medicine Residency Curriculum. She serves as the Chief Executive Editor for the National Consortium of Breast Centers and is a member of the medical advisory board for the Center for Nutrition Studies, Prenetics IM8, Jacksonville University Department Exercise Science, Biostarks. and MISTA nutrition node. Dr. Mussallem is also a physician leader and co-chair with the Blue Zones Project Jacksonville Steering Committee and Food Policy Council. Dr. Mussallem's dedication and achievements have been widely recognized, receiving the 2023 Mayo Clinic Patient Experience Award, the 2022 Volunteerism in Medicine Award from the American College of Physicians, Mayo Clinic's Patient Experience and Hospital Instructor of the Year award, and the 2021 Marquis Who’s Who in America Top Doctor, among others. Remarkably, she was the first person in the world to run a full marathon one year after a heart transplant, continuing to inspire many with her personal and professional journey.

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