Mayo Clinic Clear Approach To Medical Certification

Our Team

Mayo Clinic Aviation Medical Examiners and support staff work as a team with other Mayo Clinic doctors and health professionals trained in many specialties to treat the whole person. Each member of our team dedicated to providing the highest level of service and expertise to pilots with health care needs.

Steven Altchuler, M.D., Ph.D.

Dr. Steven Altchuler joined Mayo Clinic in 1990. He is a HIMS Clinical Psychiatrist in Aerospace Medicine with vast experience working with pilots recovering from addiction, depression, or anxiety. He is also a Sleep Medicine consultant at Mayo Clinic and provides care and treatment options for pilots diagnosed with Sleep Apnea. Dr. Altchuler is an avid runner and also a Private Pilot.

Laura Breeher, M.D., M.P.H

Dr. Laura Breeher is the Section Chief of Occupational Medicine at Mayo Clinic in Rochester and co-directs Mayo Clinic’s Comprehensive Occupational Recovery and Care Clinic. She joined Mayo Clinic in 2013 and has been an Aviation Medical Examiner since 2016. She assists pilots, commercial drivers, and other employees with safety sensitive occupations. Dr. Breeher was a mechanical engineer prior to her medical career and enjoys visiting worksites of her patients when possible.

Clayton Cowl, M.D., M.S.

Clay Cowl is the Division Chair of Preventive, Occupational and Aerospace Medicine with a joint appointment in Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine. Dr. Cowl is a Senior Aviation Medical Examiner (AME) and a HIMS AME. He is the Immediate Past-President of the Civil Aviation Medical Association and a commercially-rated pilot. His experience in Pulmonary Medicine in addition to Preventive, Occupational and Aerospace Medicine lend to providing specialized care for the aviation community. His dedication to pilots and extensive collaboration with the FAA and other pilot organizations has complemented the services we offer our patients.

Dan Danczyk, M.D.

Dr. Dan Danczyk joined Mayo Clinic as a Fellow in Aerospace Medicine in 2016. He is a HIMS Clinical Psychiatrist and Senior Aviation Medical Examiner. Dr. Danczyk specializes in providing care to pilots recovering from addiction, managing depression, anxiety and other psychiatric medical conditions. He is a Federal Air Surgeon with the United States Air Force Reserve, member of the Civil Aviation Medical Association and a Commercial Pilot.

Robert Haddon, M.D., M.S.

Dr. Robert Haddon joined Mayo Clinic in 2013 after working with NASA on Space Shuttle and International Space Station missions as their Lead Crew Surgeon. He brings to Mayo Clinic a wealth of knowledge in extreme environment medicine and infectious disease treatment. He served in the United States Air Force Reserve as a Flight Surgeon and he is a Senior Aviation Medical Examiner and Hyperbaric/Hypobaric Altitude Medicine Practitioner.

Lawrence Steinkraus, M.D., M.P.H.

Dr. Lawrence Steinkraus is the Section Chief of Aerospace Medicine at Mayo Clinic. He leads our team of Aviation Medical Examiners and is a Senior Aviation Medical Examiner and HIMS AME. Dr. Steinkraus joined Mayo Clinic in 2009 after working with the United States Air Force School of Aerospace Medicine. He has specialized training in Hyperbaric/Hypobaric Altitude Medicine, Internal Medicine, and Geriatric Medicine. He served with the United States Air Force as an Aerospace Medicine Squadron Chief and has great interest in aviation safety has Private Pilot certification.

Gary Toups, M.D., M.P.H.

Dr. Toups joined Mayo Clinic Aerospace Medicine as a Fellow in 2016 before becoming the Medical Director of Mayo Clinic Hyperbaric/Hypobaric Medicine program. He is a Senior Aviation Medical Examiner at Mayo Clinic and also a HIMS AME. Dr. Toups served with the United States Air Force as a pilot flying many aircraft including the B-52 and F-111. He has Master SCUBA Diver Certification and dives throughout the world.

Max Trenerry, Ph.D., L.P.

Dr. Trenerry is a Clinical Psychologist that specializes in Neuropsychological assessments for pilots needing HIMS or fitness for flight evaluations. He is an expert in his field providing an efficient and complete analysis when requested by the FAA. His calming demeanor puts pilots at ease as they meet with him for consultation.