Taro Yokoyama M.D. Ph.D

Funeral services for the late Taro Yokoyama, M.D., Ph.D
who passed away on January 26, 2023, will be held on Sunday, February 19, 1:30P.M. at Hompa Hongwanji Buddhist Temple, 815 E. 1st St, Los Angeles, California.
Taro Yokoyama, beloved husband, father, son, brother and grandfather was born June 12,1934 in Okayama Japan to Kuraji & Sumie Yokoyama.
Dr. Yokoyama attended Okayama Sozan High School in Okayama, Japan in 1953 where he accelerated academically at the top of all his classes and after graduation, he continued on to attending Okayama University in 1956 where he graduated with a Bachelor of Science.
Upon graduation he attended Okayama University Medical School where he obtained his MD in 1960 and did his residency training for general, cardiovascular and thoracic surgery; and in 1965 obtained a Ph.D. physiology.
From 1965 to 1966 Dr. Yokoyama continued on to Georgetown University Medical Center to complete his fellowship for cardiovascular research in Washington, D.C. only to follow with his Clinical Research fellowship in Cardiovascular Surgery at University of Southern California School of Medicine at St. Vincent Medical Center in Los Angeles from 1966-1968.
In 1969, Dr. Yokoyama continued on to Hahnemann Medical College and Hospital in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania to continue his residency training for general surgery. And from 1974 to 1975 Dr. Yokoyama became a Resident Supervisor at LAC/USC Medical center in Los Angeles, CA.
Dr. Yokoyama continued to practice in Los Angeles for many decades where his compassion had no bounds. His contributions continued onto not only St. Vincent Medical Center; but Los Angeles Children's Hospital, St. Joseph Medical Center in Burbank, Valley Presbyterian Medical Center, St. John Medical Center in Oxnard, Centinela Hospital Medical Center, Good Samaritan Hospital and Hollywood Presbyterian Medical Center. Dr. Yokoyama continued to save lives from newborns to many in their advanced stages of life up until his retirement in 2021; and for his dedication, Dr. Yokoyama has been awarded multiple Honors and Awards which include:
Order of Restituta
Polish Government (In Exile) 1989
Visiting Professor of the Year Award, Department of Cardiovascular Surgery Okayama University, Medical Center 1995
Visiting Professor, Japanese Association for Thoracic Surgery, Western Division 1998
Hiroshima University Hospital; Hiroshima, Japan; Emperor's Metal awarded by the Government of Japan 2009
Japanese Order
Order of Secret, Treasure, Golden Rays with Rosette 2009
Physician of the Year Award at St. Vincent's Medical Center 2009
Dr. Yokoyama's board certifications includes:
American Board of Surgery
American Board of Thoracic Surgery
Committees:
Member of the Medical Executive Committee at St. Vincent's Medical Center, Los Angeles, California
Member of the Surgery Committee at St. Vincent's Medical Center, Los Angeles, California
Member of the Review Committee of Artificial Organs Society for Artificial Organs
Dr. Yokoyama's major areas of interest were pediatric cardiovascular surgery, endovascular thoracic and abdominal surgery, off pump coronary artery bypass, minimally invasive cardiac surgery, adult congenital cardiac surgery, multi-valve combined with coronary artery bypass surgery and robotic surgery.
Professional Societies
Local:
Los Angeles County Medical Association
National:
American College of Cardiology
American College of Surgeons
American Society of Artificial Internal Organs
Japanese American Medical Association
Society of Clinical Vascular Surgery
Society of Thoracic Surgeons
Western Thoracic Surgical Association
International:
International Society for Artificial Organs
International Society for Endovascular Surgery
Dr. Yokoyama strived to be the best in and out of the operating room, and by doing so became the best at his craft and has been well respected by his colleagues in the medical field by many since the start of his career.
He had been sought after for his talent and compassion and has performed surgery throughout the world.
Dr. Yokoyama is survived by his wife Rita; his three sons Steven, David, Eric; and his three granddaughters. But his love and compassion is survived by his many patients, colleagues, family and friends that have graced his presence.
He will be truly missed by his family, friends and colleagues.