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Department Pediatric Surgery
Primary Location Cleveland Clinic Main Campus
Type of Doctor Children & Adolescents Only
Languages English
Surgeon Yes
Locations
Cleveland Clinic Main Campus
Primary Location

Cleveland Clinic Main Campus

Appointment:
216.445.7878
Desk:
216.444.5522
Fax:
216.445.1035

Additional Locations

Specialties & Treatments

Treatment & Services

  • Appendectomy
  • Children's Primary Care
  • Department of Pediatric Surgery
  • Evaluation/Treatment of Antenatally Diagnosed Congenital Anomalies
  • Evaluation/Treatment of Pulmonary Sequestration / CCAM
  • Fundoplication Procedure for Children
  • Laparoscopic Surgery
  • Minimally Invasive Surgery
  • Minimally Invasive Thoracic Surgeries
  • Neonatal Surgery
  • Nissen Fundoplication
  • Nuss Procedure / Minimally Invasive Repair of Pectus Excavatum
  • Pectus Carinatum Repair / Reconstruction
  • Pediatric Oncology Surgery
  • Pediatric Thoracic Surgery
  • Percutaneous Endoscopic Gastrostomy (PEG)
  • Splenectomy
  • Video-Assisted Thoracic Surgery (VATS)
View all 18 Treatment & Services +

Specialty in Diseases & Conditions

  • Abdominal Pain
  • Antenatally Diagnosed Anomalies
  • Appendicitis
  • Birth Defects
  • Congenital Anomalies
  • Congenital Cystic Adenomatoid Malformation of the Lung (CCAM)
  • Congenital Malformations
  • Duodenal Atresia
  • Gallbladder Disease
  • Gastroesophageal Reflux (GERD)
  • Gastroschisis
  • Hernias
  • Hirschsprung's Disease
  • Hydrocele Hernia
  • Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD)
  • Intestinal Atresias
  • Malrotation of Intestine
  • Necrotizing Enterocolitis
  • Omphalocele
  • Pectus Carinatum
  • Pectus Excavatum
  • Pediatric Cancer
  • Pediatric Hydrocele Hernia
  • Pediatric Neonatal Disorders
  • Pediatric Tumors
  • Pulmonary Sequestration
  • Solid Tumor Disorders
  • Spina Bifida
  • Tracheoesophageal Fistula
  • Undescended Testicles
  • Wilms' Tumor
View all 31 Specialties +
Insurance

Insurance

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Biography

About John DiFiore, MD

John W. DiFiore, MD, FACS, FAAP, is Director of the Center of Excellence for Minimally Invasive Repair of Pectus Excavatum (Nuss procedure) and Surgical Director of the Fetal Care Center at Cleveland Clinic.

After graduating cum laude from Dartmouth College, Dr. DiFiore attended medical school at the Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons in New York City. He performed a surgical residency at New England Deaconess Hospital/Harvard Medical School, followed by a pediatric surgery and research fellowship at Boston Children's Hospital/Harvard Medical School in Boston. 

Dr. DiFiore is certified in general and pediatric surgery by the American Board of Surgery.
Education & Professional Highlights

Education & Professional Highlights

Appointed
2016

Education & Fellowships

Fellowship - Children's Hospital of Boston
Pediatric Surgery
Boston, MA
1998

Residency - New England Deaconess Hospital
Surgery
Boston, MA
1996

Fellowship - Children's Hospital of Boston
Research (Surgery)
Boston, MA
1994

Residency - New England Deaconess Hospital
Surgery
Boston, MA
1991

Internship - New England Deaconess Hospital
Surgery
Boston, MA
1989

Medical Education - Columbia University College of Physicians & Surgeons at Harlem Hospital Center
MD
New York, NY
1988

Undergraduate - Dartmouth College
Chemistry
Hanover, NH
1984

Professional Highlights

  • Surgical Director, Fetal Care Center, Cleveland Clinic
  • Director, Center of Excellence for Minimally Invasive Repair of Pectus Excavatum (Nuss procedure), Cleveland Clinic

Certifications

  • Surgery - Pediatric Surgery
  • Surgery - General Surgery

Specialty Interests

congenital malformations, Director of Center of Excellence for Pectus excavatum, hernia, minimally invasive repair of pectus excavatum/Nuss procedure, Minimally Invasive Surgery, neonatal surgery, pediatric general surgery and thoracic surgery, pediatric solid tumors, pediatric surgical oncology, pediatric tumors, Surgical Director: Fetal Care Center

Awards & Honors

  • America's Top Surgeons, Pediatric Surgery
  • Jens G. Rosenkrantz Resident Research Award in Pediatric Surgery
  • Sidney Farber Award for Outstanding House Officer, Children’s Hospital, Boston

Memberships

  • American Pediatric Surgical Association
  • American College of Surgeons
  • American Academy of Pediatrics
  • Central Surgical Association
  • International Fetal Medicine and Surgery Society
Research & Publications

Research & Publications

See publications for John DiFiore, MD.

(Disclaimer: This search is powered by PubMed, a service of the U.S. National Library of Medicine. PubMed is a third-party website with no affiliation with Cleveland Clinic.)

Industry Relationships

Industry Relationships

Cleveland Clinic physicians and scientists may collaborate with the pharmaceutical or medical device industries to help develop medical breakthroughs or provide medical expertise or education. Cleveland Clinic strives to make scientific advances that will benefit patient care and support outside relationships that promise public benefit. In order for the discoveries of Cleveland Clinic physicians' and scientists' laboratories and investigations to benefit the public, these discoveries must be commercialized in partnership with industry. As experts in their fields, Cleveland Clinic physicians and scientists are often sought after by industry to consult, provide expertise and education.

To assure professional and commercial integrity in such matters, Cleveland Clinic maintains a program that reviews these collaborations and, when appropriate, puts measures in place to minimize bias that may result from ties to industry. Cleveland Clinic publicly discloses the names of companies when (i) its physicians/scientists receive $5,000 or more per year (or, in rare cases, equity or stock options) for speaking and consulting, (ii) its physicians/scientists serve as a fiduciary, (iii) its physicians/scientists receive or have the right to receive royalties or (iv) its physicians/ scientists hold any equity interest for the physician's/scientist's role as inventor, discoverer, developer, founder or consultant.* In publicly disclosing this information, Cleveland Clinic tries to provide information as accurately as possible about its physicians' and scientists' connections with industry.

As of 3/22/2024, Dr. DiFiore has reported the financial relationships with the companies listed below. In general, patients should feel free to contact their doctor about any of the relationships and how the relationships are overseen by Cleveland Clinic. To learn more about Cleveland Clinic's policies on collaborations with industry and innovation management, go to our Integrity in Innovation page.

Consulting and/or Speaking. Dr. DiFiore receives fees of $5,000 or more per year (or, in rare cases, equity or stock options) as a paid consultant, speaker or as a member of an advisory committee for the following companies:

  • AtriCure, Inc.

Public Health Service-Reportable Financial Conflicts of Interest. Cleveland Clinic scientists and physicians engage in basic, translational and clinical research activities, working to solve health problems, enhance patient care and improve quality of life for patients. Interactions with industry are essential to bringing the researchers' discoveries to the public, but can present the potential for conflicts of interest related to their research activities. Click here to view a listing of instances where Cleveland Clinic has identified a Public Health Service (PHS)-Reportable Financial Conflict of Interest and has put measures in place to ensure that, to the extent possible, the design, conduct and reporting of the research is free from bias.

* Cleveland Clinic physicians and scientists subscribe to the guidance presented in the PhRMA Code on Interactions with Healthcare Professionals and the AdvaMed Code of Ethics on Interactions with Health Care Professionals. As such, gifts of substantial value are generally prohibited.

Patient Satisfaction Reviews

77 Patient Satisfaction Reviews

The Patient Satisfaction Rating is an average of all responses to the care provider related questions shown below from our nationally-recognized Press Ganey Patient Satisfaction Survey. Patients that are treated in outpatient or hospital environments may receive different surveys, and the volume of responses will vary by question.

Responses are measured on a scale of 1 to 5 with 5 being the best score.

The comments are submitted by patients and reflect their views and opinions. The comments are not endorsed by and do not necessarily reflect the views of Cleveland Clinic.

Overall Star Ratings
4.9 out of 5
Explains 4.9
Listens 5
Courtesy, Respect & Concern 4.9
Time Spent with Patient 4.4
Patient Rating of Doctor 4.9

14 Patient Comments

Reviewed on Sep 3, 2024

The doctor is so good at addressing the patient (16yrs old) directly and kindly. Engages him and really seems interested in his progress.

Reviewed on Aug 26, 2024

Very pleased with Dr. Difore and his team's response to all of our concerns.

Reviewed on Jul 29, 2024

Only complaint is dr misread when the original surgery was - it was a year and 1 month ago when the dr thought it was only 1 month. Just looking at my son's surgery scars being healed should have clued him in the timing. Dr should review notes prior to appt.

Reviewed on Jun 24, 2024

We love Dr DiFiore! He is such an amazing doctor. He is also so kind and talks you through the poc. He is so good with my daughter and always makes sure he included her in the plan and gives her a chance to ask questions. We feel so blessed to have found him!

Reviewed on Apr 30, 2024

Dr. DiFiore is a wonderful doctor. Capable and caring. Nothing but good things to say about him.

Reviewed on Apr 29, 2024

Dr. DiFiore is excellent and once my daughter met him, she did not want to see anyone else.

Reviewed on Apr 24, 2024

I love how hands on and detail oriented Dr. Difiore is with his patients. His bedside manner is calming.

Reviewed on Mar 12, 2024

We've been thrilled with our experience with Dr Difiore as well as Cleveland Clinic. Dr Difiore is so talented at speaking directly to my son and being very kind and respectful as he inquires about his recovery with the surgery. He listens to questions, he specifically asks questions as well. He seems to genuinely care for my son's recovery and health. We are so grateful for Dr Difiore!

Reviewed on Feb 21, 2024

Dr DiFiore explained the procedure in detail prior to surgery in his office.

Reviewed on Feb 21, 2024

I would 100% recommend Dr DiFiore to anyone, he is an excellent surgeon.

Reviewed on Jan 23, 2024

Dr. DiFiore is always right in tune with the patient, what he is seeing them for, what point they are at with their follow up appointments and is very personable.

Reviewed on Dec 19, 2023

Dr DiFiore is an amazing doctor. His professionalism and thoroughness shines even in a video call.

Reviewed on Dec 8, 2023

Dr. DiFiore really connects with our son at each appointment. Cares for his physical wellbeing as well as his mental health.

Reviewed on Dec 5, 2023

Dr. Difiore is an excellent physician, caring and extremely capable and his staff (Jill in particular) is amazing.

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