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Samuel O. Sapin M.D.

1924 - 2021

Samuel Sapin Obituary

September 6, 1924 - January 10, 2021 Dr. Sapin died in Sherman Oaks, CA at age 96 years. Sam Sapin was born in New York City in 1924, the son of a Polish immigrant who became a garment business owner. He met Jean Goldfarb as a fellow summer camp counselor and they married in 1944, a happy marriage which lasted 75 years until Jean's death January 8, 2020. He was accepted into the US Navy's V12 program in 1942, completed pre-med education at Columbia University, and medical school at New York University. He obtained additional years of advanced training in pediatrics and pediatric cardiology at Bellvue and Mt. Sinai hospitals and joined a private practice in New York City.In 1955 he and Jean and their 2 young children moved to the San Fernando Valley where he began working with the then small Southern California Kaiser Permanente Medical Group. He spent 45 years with SCPMG and retired fully in 2000. He was instrumental in the growth of SCPMG into a huge and highly successful health care system. A sampling of his roles in the organization includes starting the Nurse Practitioner Program, Chief of Pediatrics, Regional Director of Education and Research, Associate Director of Clinical Services and 2 terms on the SCPMG Board of Directors. He joined the Clinical Faculty of the UCLA Medical Center in 1956 and retired from that position in 2000 as Clinical Professor of Pediatrics. He loved his role as a teacher of young physicians and was committed to medical research and education. He was primary author or coauthor on 40 peer-reviewed medical publications from 1949-2005. He was a member of numerous regional and national professional organizations, and served terms as President of the California Society of Pediatric Cardiology and the Los Angeles Pediatric Society. He was a passionate advocate for the Kaiser Permanente model of health care when invited to address regional and national meetings related to health care delivery models and health care quality. Throughout his career he continued to see patients and was recognized for his skilled and compassionate care. Some who were babies and children when under his care continued to call him for medical advice even as middle age adults. He was warm, generous, and gregarious with a fine sense of humor. He loved meeting new people; "everybody has a story to tell" was his mantra. With patients spanning infancy to young adulthood, he related easily to people of all ages and maintained friendships over decades. He and Jean were active in the American Art Council; Sam loved music of all genres, opera, international travel, and backpacking in the Sierra Nevada. He is survived by a younger sister, two children, four grandchildren and three great grandchildren.

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Published by Los Angeles Times from Jan. 20 to Jan. 24, 2021.

Memories and Condolences
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Andrea Lamberth

January 8, 2025

He discovered my son´s tetralogy of fallot when he was born 9/15/97. Oh I just loved him.

Stephen

December 15, 2023

Dr. Sapin performed surgery on me for "Coarctation of the Aorta" in July of 1961. I was 7 1/2 years old. Since, I have lived basically a normal life and will be celebrating my 70th Birthday in December of this year.I will always remember and be truly grateful for Dr. Sapin.

Bonnie and Peter Lipton

January 15, 2023

Thinking of our long time friend , Sam , with love and fondness. Sending the Sapin Family our love , Bonnie and Peter

Teri J, Bridgers

September 12, 2022

Dr. salon saved my life with a heart surgery in 1962 at Kaiser Sunset. In my twenties, I worked at Bullock´s Sherman Oaks and sometimes lunched in the park across the street (by Trader Joe). One day I was delighted to see Dr. Sapin jogging the perimeter of the park. It made me smile and still does whenever I think of it. Because of him I am a happy, healthy 64 year old. I´ve followed his career with great interest and he was a pioneer and a "rockstar" in pediatric cardiology. My belated condolences to his entire family. May the road rise to meet you Dr. Sapin.

Lorraine Gephart

July 8, 2021

Words cannot express my gratitude for all Doctor Sapin had done for my daughter Shelly Gephart. Truly a remarkable man who cared about others and Thank You for sharing your loss. He is yet in our memories of bygone days..a treasure for so many.

Shelly Gephart Adam

July 8, 2021

Sorry for your family's loss. Dr.Sapin saved my life. He was my cardiologist as a child. He and Dr. Stiner preformed open heart surgery when I was 8 in 1976. He was a very kind gentle man. I think of him often!

Yana Myers

May 3, 2021

Dr. Spain performed my open heart surgery when I was 18 months old. I was told I was the 8th to survive that type of surgery at that time. I’m thankful he was able to save my life. My heartfelt prayers and love go out to his family.

James g.Hart

February 28, 2021

In loving memory of a wonderful person. We will love you and miss you always.

Bonnie

January 23, 2021

Sam will be missed. Sam was a long time friend of the Kogut Family. I will remember his smiling eyes when he greeted us and his loving attention to each one who greeted him . He will be known for his sincerity, his keen medical knowledge his interest in the outdoors ,books, art , his love for each member of his family , and his good humor. May Sam’s memory be a blessing to all who knew him.
Love ,
Bonnie and Peter

Leslee Usher

January 23, 2021

Dr. Sapin performed open-heart surgery on me when I was about 9 & 1/2 in the summer of 1964. It was a complete success. I'm now 66 years old, happily married, and living in North Carolina. My condolences to your family.

Leslee Usher

January 23, 2021

Dr. Sapin performed open-heart surgery on me in the summer of 1964. I'm thankful for this operation. I'm now 66 years old, happily married, and living in North Carolina. My condolences to his family.

Donald Miller

January 22, 2021

Dr. Sapin (SAM) was a great friend of my father for more than 50 years through Kaiser and beyond that. He was part of a "Kaiser" family that were true pioneers and some of the best physicians that you could find anywhere. He was a mensch - and was part of about every family event (weddings / bar mitzvahs) we had.

Elvia Yanez

January 21, 2021

May God bless you and your family in this time of sorrow. I was Dr. Sapin’s secretary from 1987 to 1989 at SCPMG but I knew him since I started working there in 1980. I was actually thinking of him a few days ago. Please accept my deepest condolences on his passing as well as Mrs. Sapin’s last year (I just found out she passed last year).

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