From the moment Tristan Lerner was born, his heart told a different story. Doctors quickly realized his heart was on the right side of his chest instead of the left—a rare condition known as dextrocardia. It was the first sign of a complex journey ahead, as he was soon diagnosed with multiple congenital heart defects that required surgeries and implantable devices to treat.
That journey led him through countless hospital stays, a childhood filled with cautious glances from concerned parents, and, ultimately, a career in which he now helps others facing similar challenges.
For Tristan, medical devices weren’t merely life-enhancing—they were lifesaving. He attributes his Abbott Assurity™ DR Pacemaker and Masters™ mechanical heart valve to his ability to live an active, fulfilling life. “I would have died without these devices,” he states. “They not only gave me a second chance at life, but they enabled me to be active and live more fully.”
Adapting to the devices wasn’t always easy. He remembers struggling to sleep at first due to the clicking sound of his mechanical heart valve. “I thought I’d never sleep again,” he recalls. “But you get used to it. It gets better.”
Now, as someone who helps guide patients through similar experiences, he reassures them that while the adjustment can be daunting, the benefits far outweigh the challenges.
Growing up, Tristan gravitated toward non-contact sports like swimming, tennis, and snowboarding—activities that allowed him to stay active while managing his condition. One of the most meaningful parts of his childhood was Camp Del Corazon, a nonprofit that provides summer camps for kids with heart disease. First attending as a camper, he later returned as a counselor, giving back to a community that helped shape him.
“It’s incredible to know that I was once one of those kids, showing off my pacemaker to my friends,” he says. “Now I have the privilege to be on the other side, helping with implants and supporting patients through their journey.”
Tristan’s lifelong fight against heart disease led him to pursue a degree in biomedical engineering and a career in cardiovascular medical devices. When it came time to choose a company, Abbott was an easy decision.
“I wanted to work for a company that makes products I believe in,” he says. “And what better way to acknowledge the quality than to have tested it personally for 24 years?”
Now, as a Clinical Specialist in Abbott’s Cardiac Rhythm Management (CRM) business, based in San Francisco, California, Tristan interacts with patients and provides technical support to surgeons during CRM procedures. He finds deep meaning in witnessing patients regain their energy and quality of life after receiving Abbott’s devices.
“It’s very cool that I get to work for the company that made my own devices,” he says. “As someone living with heart disease, I can easily relate to patients and personally attest to the high quality of our products.”
Tristan is constantly looking to expand his expertise—he’s currently preparing for his IBHRE Certified Cardiac Device Specialist (CCDS) exam and aspires to join the Leadless Clinical Specialist team or step into a territory manager role.
He’s eager to see more of the world. After Abbott’s Professional Development Program allowed him to live in places like Massachusetts, Maine, Michigan, and South Korea, he’s now setting his sights on traveling to Asia and Europe.
And if he could send a message to the engineers and researchers behind the devices that changed his life? “Your work does matter,” he says. “You may never see the impact, but every device you build touches someone’s life. I wouldn’t be here without it.”
For Tristan, resilience isn’t just about overcoming obstacles—it’s about turning hardships into motivation. “You can’t focus only on what you can’t do,” he says. “Enjoy everything and build on what you can do.”
Today, he’s doing exactly that—helping others navigate their own heart journeys while proving, every day, that a diagnosis doesn’t define a life.
Want to learn more about the cardiac rhythm technology that changed Tristan’s life?
Explore how Abbott pacemaker devices are helping patients live more fully.
From patient to partner—Tristan’s journey is just one example.
Learn more about another Abbott representative, Matthew Nader, who also has an Abbott device.
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