Practice Locations

map pin

About Mark W. Onaitis, MD

Mark Onaitis, MD, is a board-certified thoracic surgeon who specializes in malignant and benign conditions of the chest, including lung cancer, esophageal cancer, thymic malignancy, gastroesophageal reflux, achalasia, paraesophageal hernia, and myasthenia gravis. He uses minimally invasive approaches - thoracoscopy and robotics - to treat these conditions.

As a professor in the Department of Surgery, Dr. Onaitis trains medical students, residents and fellows at UC San Diego School of Medicine. His basic science research interests include stem and progenitor cells and lung cancer. His clinical research focuses on quality indicators in thoracic surgery.

Dr. Onaitis completed a fellowship in thoracic surgery and a residency in general surgery at Duke University School of Medicine, where he served as chief resident. He also earned his medical degree and obtained a master's degree in clinical research from Duke University School of Medicine. He is board certified in thoracic surgery.

Dr. Onaitis is a member of the American College of Surgeons, the Society of Thoracic Surgeons and the American Association of Thoracic Surgeons. He has published widely and serves as a reviewer for several professional journals.

He and his wife have two sons.

UC San Diego Health Links
For more information, see Heart Care and Moores Cancer Center.

Insurance Information
UC San Diego Health accepts most major health insurance plans, but you should verify that your plan covers this provider and all services and locations. The information in the link below does not apply to affiliate providers, who are not employed by UC San Diego Health.
Health Insurance Plans Accepted

Medical Degree

  • Duke University, School of Medicine, Durham, NC

Residency

  • Duke University, School of Medicine, Durham, NC

Fellowship

  • Duke University, School of Medicine, Durham, NC

Master's Degree

  • Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC

Gender

  • Male

Date Joined Staff

  • 2016-10-10

Board Certifications

  • American Board of Thoracic Surgery
  • Thoracic and Cardiac Surgery

Conditions and Treatments

  • Esophageal Cancer
  • Lung Cancer
  • Thymus Cancer
  • Paraesophageal Hernia
  • Esophageal Disorder (Achalasia)
  • Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD)
  • Myasthenia Gravis
  • Thoracoscopy
  • Thoracic Surgery
  • Heart Valve Program
  • Lung Cancer Surgery
Insurance Information
UC San Diego Health accepts most major health insurance plans, but you should verify that your plan covers this provider and all services and locations. The information in the link below does not apply to affiliate providers, who are not employed by UC San Diego Health.
Health Insurance Plans Accepted
  • Pulmonology (Lung)
  • Cardiothoracic (Heart and Lung) Surgery
  • Cancer

Videos

San Diego's only Comprehensive Cancer Center

As a NCI-designated Comprehensive Cancer Center, we hold the highest possible rating for a U.S. cancer center. This designation is reserved for centers with experts in every medical subspecialty, pushing boundaries to improve approaches for preventing, diagnosing and treating cancers. In simple terms, these federally recognized centers save lives. Studies repeatedly show that patients seen at NCI-designated Comprehensive Cancer Centers do better, on average.
More videos

News