Oluwatomisin O Obafemi, MD

Oluwatomisin “Tomi” Obafemi, M.D. is cardiothoracic surgeon specializing in the surgical treatment of valvular heart disease and complex aortic pathology at the MemorialCare Heart & Vascular Institute at Long Beach Medical Center.

His clinical interests include complex mitral & aortic valve repair and reconstruction, valve-sparing root surgery, aortic root and arch reconstruction, acute aortic dissection and mechanical circulatory support, including ECMO and Impella®.

Dr. Obafemi received his medical degree from the University of Texas Medical Branch, School of Medicine in Galveston, TX and completed an integrated cardiothoracic surgery residency program at Stanford University School of Medicine.

During his training at Stanford, Dr. Obafemi established the Stanford Cardiothoracic Surgery Diversifying Pipeline Award in 2022 to provide research and mentorship opportunities for students interested in cardiovascular medicine and surgery. Its intent is to strengthen the pipeline of future cardiothoracic surgeons and researchers. Dr. Obafemi is a member of The Society of Thoracic Surgeons (STS) and the prestigious Alpha Omega Alpha (AOA), National Medical Honor Society.

Born in Nigeria and raised in New Zealand, Dr. Obafemi developed an early interest in medicine through the example of his father, a physician. As a former track and field athlete, he became fascinated by the cardiovascular system and the remarkable capabilities of the human heart — a curiosity that ultimately led him to pursue a career in cardiac surgery.

Outside of medicine, Dr. Obafemi enjoys cycling, traveling, and exploring new cuisines. He is currently learning Spanish and Yoruba and also enjoys playing basketball and table tennis, watching movies, and spending time with family and friends.