Dr. Robert Simpson Wright, MD, FACP, FCCP, FRCP(C)

Critical Care Surgeon | Critical Care Medicine

2403 Castillo Street 206 Santa Barbara California, 93105 Show map

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About

Dr. Robert Wright is a pulmonary specialist practicing in Santa Barbara, California. Dr. Wright specializes in the needs of critically ill patients. Pulmonologists are experts in managing patients with respiratory failure, complex pneumonias, COPD, emphysema and pulmonary fibrosis. As a pulmonologist, Dr. Wright has a broad knowledge base and full understanding of the biology of the ill patients with complex lung problems.

Education and Training

Univ Southern California MD 1977

UCLA Center for the Health Sciences Internship and Residency 0

Board Certification

American Board of Internal Medicine

Critical Care Medicine (Internal Medicine)

Nephrology (Internal Medicine)

Pulmonary Disease (Internal Medicine)

Provider Details

MaleEnglish

Areas of expertise and specialization

Interstitial lung diseaseHypersensitivity pneumonitisCOPD and emphysemaUnusual pneumoniaspneumonia, chronic cough, bronchiectasis, COPD, asthma, interstitial lung disease, asbestos related lung disease and lung cancer

Faculty Titles & Positions

Chief of Staff Santa Barbara Cottage Hospital 2004 - 2005
Clinical Professor of Medicine UCLA 2006 - Present
President Santa Barbara County Medical Society 1999 - 1999

Awards

Alpha Omega Alpha Honor Medical Society 1977 Alpha Omega Alpha Honor Medical Society
Teacher of the Year Award, 1992-93, Internal Medicine Residency, Santa Barbara Cottage Hospital. 1993 Santa Barbara Cottage Hospital Internal Medicine Resident
Physician Award for Outstanding Collaborative Practice 1997 Santa Barbara Cottage Hospital
Excellence in Teaching Award, 1984-85, 1985-86, 1986-87, 1990-91, 1991-92, 1992-93, 1993-94, 1994-95, 1996-97, 1997-98, 1998-99, 1999-2000, 2000-01, 2002-03, 2003-04, 2004-05, 2008-09, 2017-2018, 2018-2019 Internal Medicine Residency, Santa Barbara Cott 2019 Santa Barbara Cottage Hospital Internal Medicine Resident

Professional Memberships

American College of Chest Physicians
American College of Physicians
Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada
Society of Critical Care Medicine
American Thoracic Society

Fellowships

UCLA Hospital 1989

Internships

UCLA Hospital

Fellowships

Division of Nephrology, Department of Medicine, UCLA Hospital and VA Wadsworth Hospital, Los Angeles, CA. July 1980-June 1981 & July 1982-June 1983.Division of Pulmonary & Critical Care Medicine, Department of Medicine, UCLA Hospital, Los Angeles, CA. July 1987-June 1989.

Professional Society Memberships

Fellow, American College of PhysiciansFellow, American College of Chest PhysiciansFellow, Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada

Articles and Publications

RESEARCH PAPERS (PEER REVIEWED):Winsor T, Wright R, Berger H. Isoproterenol Toxicity. Am Heart J 1975; 89:814-817.Wright RS, Feuerman T, Brown J. Neurogenic Pulmonary Edema After Trigeminal Nerve Blockade. Chest 1989; 96:436-438.Orr E, McKittick J, DAgostino R, Fisher G, Wright R, et al. Multiple Complications, Including Paraplegia of Intra-aortic Balloon Pump Support: Report of a Case. J Cardiovasc Surg 1989; 30:1013-1014,Wright RS, Levine MS, Bellamy PE, Simmons MS, Batra P, Stevenson LW, Walden JA, Laks H, Tashkin DP. Ventilatory and Diffusion Abnormalities in Potential Heart Transplant Recipients. Chest 1990; 98:816-820.Wright RS, Kupperman JL, Liebhaber MI. Bilateral Tension Pneumothoraces After Acupuncture. West J Med 1991; 154:102-103.Wu H-D, Wright RS, Sassoon CSH, Tashkin DP. Acute Effects of Smoked Marijuana of Varying Potency on Ventilatory Drive and Metabolic Rate in Habitual Marijuana Smokers. ARRD 1992; 146:716-721.Wright RS. Forum - Who Should Perform Thoracoscopy ? Letter to Editor. Chest 1992; 102:1555.Tashkin DP, Clements PJ, Wright RS, Gong H, Simmons MS, Lachenbruch PA, Furst DE. Interrelationships Between Pulmonary and Extrapulmonary Involvement in Systemic Sclerosis: A Longitudinal Analysis. Chest 1994; 105: 489-95.Wright RS, Quinones-Baldrich WJ, Anders AJ, Danovitch GM. Pleural effusion associated with ipsilateral breast and arm edema as a complication of subclavian vein catheterization and arteriovenous fistula formation for hemodialysis. Chest 1994; 106:950-52.Liebhaber MI, Wright RS, Gelberg HJ, Dyer Z, Kupperman JL. Polymyalgia, Hypersensitivity Pneumonitis and Other Reactions in Patients Receiving HMG-CoA Reductase Inhibitors: A Report of Ten Cases. Chest 1999; 115: 886-889.Wright RS, Dyer Z, Liebhaber MI, Kell DL, Harber P. Hypersensitivity Pneumonitis Secondary to Pezizia domiciliana: A Case of El Nio Lung. Amer J Respir Crit Care Med 1999;160:1758-1761.Wright RS, Abraham JL, Harber P, Burnett BR, Morris P, West P. Fatal asbestosis 50 years after brief high intensity exposure in a vermiculite plant. Amer J Respir Crit Care Med 2002; 165:1145-1149.Wright RS, Burdumy TJ. Acute Endotracheal tube occlusion due to use of an esophageal airway detector.Ann Emerg Med 2004; 43:626-629. Dyer ZA, Wright RS, Rong IH, Jacobs R. Back pain associated with endobronchial mucus impaction due to Bipolaris australiensis colonization representing atypical Allergic Bronchopulmonary Mycosis. Med Mycol 2008; 46: 589-594.Wright RS, Jean M, Rochelle K, Fisk D. Chylothorax caused by Paragonimus westermani in a Native Californian. Chest 2011; 140: 1064-1066.Achamallah, N., Wright, R.S., Fried,J.C. (2018). Chasing the wrong dragon: A new presentation of heroin-induced toxic leukoencephalopathy mimicking anoxic brain injury. J Intensive Care Soc. 20(1):80-85, 2019. CHAPTERS:Wright R, Hehls O, Ritz E, Coburn J. Musculoskeletal Manifestations of Chronic Renal Failure, Dialysis and Transplantation. In: Bacon P, Hadler N., eds. The Kidney and Rheumatic Disease. Butterworth, London, 1982.Coburn JW, Wright RS. Use of 1,25-Dihydroxy-cholecalciferol in Patients with Renal Failure: The Case for Its Prophylactic Use. In: Narins R, ed. Controversies in Nephrology and Hypertension. Churchill Livingston, New York, 1984.Gong H., Jr., Wright RS. Sputum Examination; Arterial Puncture; Thoracentesis; Oxygen Therapy; Mechanical Ventilation. In: UCLA School of Medicine Clinical Orientations Handbook, 9th Edition, 1990.ABSTRACTS:Levine MS, Wright RS, Bellamy PE, Stevenson LW, Laks H, Tashkin DP. Pulmonary Function tests in potential heart transplant recipients. Am Rev Respir Dis 1989; 139:A241.Wright RS, Sassoon C, Tashkin DP, Lee E. Acute effects of smoked marijuana of varying potency on ventilatory and mouth occlusion responses to hypercapnia and hypoxia in habitual marijuana smokers. Am Rev Respir Dis 1990; 141:A304.Wright RS, Tashkin DP, Clements P, Simmons MS, Gong H, Jr., Lachenbruch PA, Furst DE. Inter-relationship between the longitudinal rate of change of lung function and extra-pulmonary involvement by Progressive Systemic Sclerosis (PSS) and predictors of rate of change in lung function and survival in PSS. Am Rev Respir Dis 1990; 141: A58.Anders KH, Bergsneider M, Wright RS, Litman D, Vinters HV. Primary cerebral and cerebellar hemorrhage in patients with acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS). Review of four patients. J Neuropath Exp Neuro 1991; 50:325.Dyer ZA, Wright RS, Liebhaber MI. Hypersensitivity Pneumonitis from Pezizia Domiciliana: ACase of El Nino Lung. J Allergy Clin Immunol 2000; 105: S117.Wright RS, Harber P, Abraham JL, Burnett B. Fatal asbestosis 50 years after brief high intensity exposure in a vermiculite expansion plant. Am J Respir Crit Care Med 2001; 163: A167. Poster presentation at ATS, May 20, 2001, San Francisco.Belkin RA, Matusov Y, Rusello D, Sager JS, Wright RS. Clinical predictors of adult-diagnosed cystic fibrosis in a community hospital CF program. Pediatric Pulmonology 2018; 53:367.WEB-BASED:Monda L, Wright R. Case 29-Renal Insufficiency Following Refractory Pneumonia in a Youth. Practical Pathology of Chest Disease-Case Studies. Warnock ML, McCowin MJ, eds, UCSF. http://pathhsw5m54.ucsf.edu/case29/case29.htmlOTHER MEDIA: Stowaways. Monsters Inside Me. Animal Planet-Discovery Channel. Santa Barbara. 28 Jul. 2010. Television.I have worms in my chest. Diagnosis: Dead or Alive. Discovery Channel. Santa Barbara. 9 Jun. 2012 Television.

Dr. Robert Simpson Wright, MD, FACP, FCCP, FRCP(C)'s Practice location

Santa Barbara Pulmonary Associates

2403 Castillo Street 206 -
Santa Barbara, California 93105

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New patients: 805-898-8840

Fax: 805-898-8842

http://www.sblung.com

Mon:09:00 AM - 05:00 PM
Tue:09:00 AM - 05:00 PM
Wed:09:00 AM - 05:00 PM
Thu:09:00 AM - 05:00 PM
Fri:09:00 AM - 05:00 PM
Sat:Closed
Sun:Closed

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Get to know Pulmonologist Dr. Robert S. Wright, who serves patients in Santa Barbara, California.

A respected pulmonologist, Dr. Wright tends to patients at Santa Barbara Pulmonary Associates. He specializes in the care of patients with pneumonia, chronic cough, bronchiectasis, COPD, asthma, interstitial lung disease, asbestos related lung disease and lung cancer.

Originally from Montreal, Canada, and raised in upstate New York near Potsdam, his journey in medicine began to take shape when he moved to Ventura, California as a teenager. He attended Occidental College, where he graduated with honors. His pursuit of excellence continued as he obtained his medical degree from the University of Southern California, where his outstanding academic performance led to his election into the prestigious Alpha Omega Alpha (AOA) honor society during his junior year.

Dr. Wright completed his internship and residency in internal medicine at the UCLA Center for the Health Sciences, working alongside Dr. Ungerer, who would become a long-time friend and eventual practice partner. During his tenure at UCLA, he distinguished himself as Chief Resident in Medicine and pursued a three-year fellowship in nephrology, specializing in kidney diseases.

In 1983, he joined the Santa Barbara Medical Foundation Clinic, where he crossed paths with Dr. Kupperman. As fate would have it, Drs. Wright, Kupperman, and Ungerer shared call coverage for critically ill patients, leading him to change his field of specialization. He returned to UCLA for further training, completing a pulmonary and critical care fellowship, and subsequently became a full-time faculty member at UCLA’s Department of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine.

After a successful stint at UCLA, Dr. Wright was recruited back to Santa Barbara in 1990, rejoining the Santa Barbara Medical Foundation Clinic. During his tenure, he assumed several significant roles, including Chief of the Department of Specialty Medicine and member of the Board of Directors. Notably, he played a pivotal role in facilitating the merger between the Santa Barbara Medical Foundation Clinic and Sansum Clinic, showcasing his leadership and strategic acumen. In 2004, he transitioned into private practice after serving the newly formed clinic.

Passionate about his profession, the doctor is board-certified in pulmonary disease, critical care medicine, nephrology and internal medicine by the American Board of Internal Medicine (ABIM). The ABIM is a physician-led, non-profit, independent evaluation organization driven by doctors who want to achieve higher standards for better care in a rapidly changing world.

Maintaining fellowship status, he is a Fellow of the American College of Physicians (FACP), a Fellow of the American College of Chest Physicians (FCCP), and a Fellow of the Royal College of Physicians of Canada (FRCP(C)).

Throughout his career, Dr. Wright has remained actively involved in the medical community and made substantial contributions to Santa Barbara Cottage Hospital. He served as Chief of Staff of Cottage Hospital from 2004 to 2005 and held the position of President of the Santa Barbara County Medical Society in 1999. His expertise in his field was recognized as he chaired the Department of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, contributing his insights to various hospital committees, including the multidisciplinary peer review community and the Medical Advisory Panel (MAP). His dedication to teaching and mentoring future physicians earned him the distinction of being named Teacher of the Year by the housestaff of Santa Barbara Cottage Hospital multiple times.

Moreover, his research and knowledge have been shared through his co-authorship of at least twenty articles in esteemed medical journals, including Chest, the American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, Annals of Emergency Medicine, and Medical Mycology.

Despite his impressive achievements, Dr. Wright remains grounded and committed to his patients’ well-being. He maintains his affiliation with UCLA while holding the position of Clinical Professor of Medicine at UCLA’s David Geffen School of Medicine. Currently, he has served as the Medical Director of the Medical Intensive Care Unit at Santa Barbara Cottage Hospital, where his expertise and leadership continue to benefit the community.

Pulmonology is a medical specialty that deals with diseases involving the respiratory tract. A pulmonologist is an internal medicine physician who specializes in preventing, diagnosing, and treating conditions and diseases that affect the lungs, bronchial tubes, and the respiratory system, including the nose, pharynx, and throat.

On a more personal note, Dr. Wright is happily married and the proud father of four children. When he’s not providing exceptional care to his patients, he indulges in various activities, including alpine skiing, SCUBA diving, golf, and fly fishing.