Class of 1970 Commemorative Biographical Book

R I C H A R D L . TAW, J R .

Address: 16798 Monte Hermoso Drive, Pacific Palisades, CA 90272 Email: rltaw@yahoo.com ● Phone: H: 310-922-4327

Alma mater: Occidental College

Postgraduate Training/Certification: Internship: Johns Hopkins, 1970-71 Residency: Johns Hopkins, 1971-72 Cardiology Fellowship: Johns Hopkins, 1972-1974 Chief Resident in Medicine: Johns Hopkins, 1974-1975

As I look back on what Hopkins gave me, I think most of the examples set by the mentoring and character of the faculty I was privileged to know: Victor McKusick, J. O’Neal Humphries, Mike Weisfeldt, Steve Achuff and so many more. The one who stands out most is Philip Tumulty whom Skip and I had the good fortune to meet with weekly during our chief residency tenure. His empathy and kindness toward patients and his respect for colleagues are qualities I have tried to emulate ever since. The most memorable events of my first four years were clearly the birth of my two oldest sons. The Blaze of Glory events would include post exam revelry as a local bar with some of our now most distinguished classmates and dancing the “Gator” at the Dean’s house during our graduation party. And remember the Turtle Derby? Remember a certain politically incorrect club and its rites of spring events? But the most vivid memory is my complicity in another politically incorrect event: the birthday celebration for our beloved pathology instructor held in our dissection room. I recall bringing a portable record player and playing an LP (remember those?) of “Sweet Georgia Brown” as a large wrapped birthday present box was wheeled into the room. In the tradition of Blaze Starr (remember the Two O’Clock Club?), one of our scantily clad classmates (who will remain nameless) emerged and danced a strip tease number as all of us ogled and cheered her on. We were a carefree and fun-loving bunch never to be replicated. I don’t think we appreciated how lucky we were to be such a close group, many of whom became lifelong friends. Nor did we know how extraordinary and unique the institution and faculty were. I know I didn’t, but I surely do now. I am grateful to all of my classmates who made my years in Baltimore some of the best of my life. As to the future, I am the luckiest of septuagenarians. Having lost two wives to cancer, I found a partner who had a similar experience. Our combined families of seven children and twelve grandchildren all live close by and all get along. Life is very busy and happy. I plan to soon pursue a new career of grandfathering, fly fishing, travel and less medical responsibility. I thank Johns Hopkins for launching the career that brought me to this.

Professional and Volunteer Awards and Recognition:

President, Echocardiography Foundation of Southern California Founding Board Member, Santa Monica Citizens CPR Committee President, Los Angeles Society of Echocardiography President, Los Angeles County Medical Association, Bay District President, American Private Physicians Association Editor, APPA Progress Breath of Life Award, Santa Monica Citizens CPR Committee Managing Partner, Pacific Heart Institute Current Employment: Preventive Cardiology Center, Santa Monica CA Spouse or Partner’s Name: Jill Henderson Taw, University of Southern California Name(s) of Children and Grandchildren: Dick: Dicky and MacGregor, Bryan: Marcus and Justin. Fritz: Christopher, Tim: Keely and Deegan, Kelly: Levi and Charlotte, Katie: Elise and Mia, Andrew: Liam Narrative: After our Blaze of Glory graduation, I chose to complete all my training at Hopkins, finding nothing in California that could compare. This was capped off by a great experience as chief resident in medicine along with Skip Trump. As it turned out we were the last two in the Osler lineage, replaced by four assistant chiefs of service. I hope they don’t still have that wall of photos of the chiefs in the Department of Medicine as Skip and I had embarrassingly shaggy manes typical of the 70s. I returned to California anticipating a career in academic cardiology. Alas, UCLA was no Hopkins. After three years of frustration, I left to help start a large private cardiology group of which I was managing partner for a number of years. I was able to help my local hospital grow its cardiology program, do a lot of teaching, write, serve my community and do some medical politicking. I am still in practice with a loyal staff that has been with me for decades.

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