Born at Geelong, Victoria in 1896, Ivan Meyer Wartzki was educated at Geelong College and Scotch College before studying medicine at the University of Melbourne. On graduating in 1918 he held a resident post at Ballarat Hospital, afterwards launching into general practice at Ultima, near Swan Hill, Victoria from 1920 to 1922. When one of his patients extolled the climatic virtues of Babinda in north Queensland he moved there in 1923 but after twelve months in the tropics he was glad to return to Melbourne and set up a general practice in Caulfield where he remained till the end of 1934. During that time he was a clinical assistant to Dr WWS Johnston's outpatient clinic at the Melbourne Hospital.

He became interested in dermatology, left general practice and during 1935 went to London where he studied assiduously and attended various dermatological clinics, particularly those of HW Barber at Guy's Hospital. He also visited Vienna and participated in the 1935 International Congress of Dermatology at Budapest.

Returning to Melbourne at the end of the year he started a dermatology practice in Collins Street where he remained for the rest of his life. There was plenty of opportunity for reading in the earlier years, but his reputation grew. In 1937 he was appointed clinical assistant to Dr RR Wettenhall at the Royal Melbourne Hospital. From 1949 to 1950 he was acting honorary dermatologist. At about this time he became honorary dermatologist at Prince Henry's Hospital, a post he held until his retirement from the active staff in 1957 when he was made honorary consultant dermatologist. He became a Member of The Royal Australasian College of Physicians by examination in 1941 and was elected to Fellowship in 1953.

He brought to his clinical practice the dignity and courtesy that had distinguished his former chiefs, Sir William Johnston and Roland Wettenhall. He regularly participated in meetings and discussions and was president of the Victorian branch of the British Association of Dermatology in 1951 and 1954. He was a foundation member of the Dermatological Association of Australia and a member of its first council and of the editorial board of the Australian Journal of Dermatology. During the Second World War Wartzki served as dermatologist to the Military Outpatient Centre, Melbourne.

He enjoyed the opportunities these activities gave him for contact with his colleagues even in his later years when his health was failing. He was not a sportsman or lover of sports and had little time for the arts, but devoted himself entirely to his home life with his wife Alexandra, who survived him, and to his profession.