Dr. Fritz Baumgartner is a cardiothoracic surgeon, educator and medical ethicist based in Los Angeles. His career reflects a clear focus on patient care, technical excellence and the deeper purpose of medicine.
Dr. Baumgartner was raised by immigrant parents who valued faith, discipline and service, and developed an early interest in medicine after a serious illness in his family. He then graduated summa cum laude from Loyola Marymount University with a biology degree and received the Karl Kadner Biology Award. He later completed his MD degree at the UCLA School of Medicine, followed by surgical training at Harbor-UCLA and a cardiothoracic fellowship at the University of British Columbia.
In the mid-1990s, he was acting chief of the division of cardiothoracic surgery at Harbor-UCLA Medical Center. There he managed complex surgical cases, including advanced cardiac procedures and high-risk trauma surgeries. Through his work in a district hospital he was confronted with some of the most serious and advanced medical conditions.
In addition to his clinical work, Dr. Baumgartner has earned a good reputation in training. He has trained residents, fellows and physician assistants and received the 2022 Teacher of the Year award. He also founded the Surgery 101 Technical Skills Boot Camp, which provides students with a practical introduction to surgery.
The focus of his academic work is on the Hippocratic Oath and medical ethics. He continues to advocate for a patient-centered approach based on both science and moral responsibility.
Insight into the career of Dr. Fritz Baumgartner: Surgery, Ethics and Purpose
Q: What first drew you to medicine?
I was about nine years old. My mother became very ill during pregnancy. I remember thinking I wanted to help people like her. I promised myself that I would spend my life helping the sick. That decision stayed with me.
Q: How did your upbringing shape your approach to your career?
My parents were immigrants. My mother grew up in Germany during the war. She told us stories of fear and survival. Faith was very important in our home. We weren’t rich, but we had strong values. That shaped my view of medicine. It’s about service, not status.
Q: You coached at UCLA and Harbor-UCLA. What stood out during these years?
The intensity. At Harbor-UCLA we see advanced disease and severe trauma. Patients often arrive late. You have to act quickly and make difficult decisions. It forces you to focus on what’s important.
Q: You later became acting chief of cardiothoracic surgery. How was that experience?
It was demanding. We handle complex cardiac and thoracic cases every day. Aortic dissections, bypass operations, lung cancer resections. You are responsible for the results and lead the team. It teaches discipline and clarity.
Q: Can you share with us a case that stands out in your mind?
One was a patient with a gunshot wound to the pulmonary hilum. This injury is often fatal. We were able to save the patient with a trauma pneumonectomy. It required quick thinking and teamwork. These moments remain in your memory.
Q: You also worked in the VA system. What did that entail?
I directed the cardiac surgery program at the Wadsworth VA for a time. I also led a thoracoscopic surgery training program. It was a chance to help develop surgical techniques and teach others.
Q: Education seems to be an important part of your work. Why is this important to you?
Medicine is passed on. You learn from those before you and teach those after you. I have been working with residents, residents and residents for many years. Classes keep you sharp and grounded.
Q: What motivated you to create the Surgery 101 Technical Skills Boot Camp?
I wanted to make surgery more accessible to students. Many programs start with theory. I reversed it. The students first learn practical skills. That creates tension. Then they get more involved with the science behind it.
Q: You wrote about the Hippocratic Oath. Why is it important today?
It defines the purpose of medicine. It reminds us that the patient comes first. Modern systems can become complex. The oath brings clarity. It is a moral anchor.
Q: How do you see the relationship between faith and science?
They are not in conflict. The truth is consistent. Science explains how things work. Faith helps us determine why we do what we do. Both are important in medicine.
Q: What advice would you give to future surgeons?
Stay focused on the patient. Learn your craft well. Work hard. But don’t lose sight of why you chose medicine. This purpose will get you through difficult moments.
