Walter Dembitsky

Walter Dembitsky received his medical education at the University of Missouri and was a member of the Alpha Omega Honor Society. He interned at the University of Missouri Medical Center with residencies at Barnes Hospital and Washington University, Saint Luke’s Hospital, Ellis Fischel State Cancer Hospital and Peter Bent Brigham Hospital. In 1975, Walter received his board certification in surgery followed by his thoracic certification in 1977. Following a brief tour with the Navy in 1978, he went into private practice where he remains today.

Walter Dembitsky is the Medical Director of Mechanical Circulatory Support Program at Sharp Metropolitan Campus in San Diego. Additionally, he was the first surgeon on the West Coast to implant the left ventricular assist device (LVAD). In addition to being the past President of the American Society for Artificial Internal Organs, he is also a member of the American Association for Thoracic Surgery, International Society for Heart and Lung Transplantation, Western Thoracic Surgical Association and Society of Thoracic Surgeons.

Noteworthy projects include left ventricular assist device, MAZE procedure, total artificial heart, ECMO, automatic implantable defibrillator, pulmonary thromboendarterectomy and heart transplantation. Walter has published numerous scientific papers and is a very successful, highly sought after speaker, nationally and internationally.