Joseph E Tonna, MD, MS

Specialty 1: Critical Care Medicine

Specialty 2: Emergency Medicine

Specialty Focus: cardiac conditions, heart conditions, extracorporeal membrane oxygenation, ECMO, extracorporeal life support, ECLS, mechanical circulatory support, MCS, intra-aortic balloon pump, IABP, walking, therapy, ventricular assist device, pVAD, cardiothoracic surgery, emergency medicine, intensive care, ICU, ventilation

Medical School: University of California, San Francisco

License(s): UT

Years in Practice: 12

• 2 years performing IMEs
• 2 IMEs performed
• Deposed/Testified 4 times

Additional Information

Dr. Joseph E Tonna, MD, MS, FCCM, FACEP, FAAEM, is a clinically active attending physician with dual board certification in both Emergency Medicine and in Critical Care Medicine, and is a recognized international expert in the use and management of extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO), cardiogenic shock, cardiac arrest, and life support, with 80+ peer reviewed publications on PubMed. He has particular expertise in mechanical circulatory support devices (IABP/Impella/VAD), cardiogenic shock, heart failure, post-cardiothoracic surgery care. Dr. Tonna is an Associate Professor with Tenure at the University of Utah with appointments in the Divisions of Cardiothoracic Surgery and Emergency Medicine. He is the Section Head of Cardiothoracic Critical Care, the Medical Director of the Cardiovascular ICU/Cardiothoracic Critical Care, and the Associate Director of Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation (ECMO) Services. He works as an Attending Physician in the Cardiothoracic Intensive Care Units and in the Emergency Department. He has an active research practice in ECMO that is funded by the National Institutes of Health (NIH). He has published over 80 peer reviewed journal articles, multiple book chapters, and lectures internationally on ECMO. He is an active teacher of students, residents, trainees, and junior faculty. His clinical and research interests include extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO), extracorporeal cardiopulmonary resuscitation (ECPR), delirium prevention, and enhancing sleep and mobility. He is the Chair-Elect of the Registry Committee and is the immediate past chair of the Scientific Oversight Committee (SOC), both of the Extracorporeal Life Support Organization (ELSO), the largest international ECMO organization in the world. He has served as an expert witness and consultant on the appropriate use of ECMO and ECMO patient management, critical care, and patient therapy/mobility, with particular expertise in cases of acute cardiogenic shock