Jeffrey Donnell Cao

Jeffrey D. Cao, MD, a long-time faculty member and distinguished figure in the field of pathology, passed away on August 20, 2023.

Dr. Cao was born in San Francisco, California in 1944 and lived most of his childhood in the San Fernando Valley until 1960, when his family relocated to La Sierra.

After graduating from Loma Linda University School of Medicine in 1971, Dr. Cao completed a one-year internal medicine residency and a three-year pathology residency at Kettering Medical Center in Dayton, Ohio. In 1975, he returned to Loma Linda University Medical Center as chief resident to complete his final year of pathology and a subsequent hematopathology fellowship. He was certified in anatomic and clinical pathology and in the subspecialty of hematopathology.

In 1977, Dr. Cao was appointed director of the hematopathology service at Jerry L. Pettis Memorial Veterans Hospital where he played an integral role in preparing the clinical laboratory for the facility’s grand opening.

In 1987, he transferred to the Department of Pathology at Loma Linda University Medical Center and assumed responsibility for the hematopathology service, as well as for the School of Medicine's pathology teaching program. He served as full-time director of the pathology course in the School of Medicine; and as medical director of the laboratories for Loma Linda Heart & Surgical Hospital, East Campus Hospital and Highland Springs clinics.

At the national level, Dr. Cao was involved in educational associations for the teaching of pathology, including serving as chair for the Medical School Course Directors Section of the Association of Pathology Chairs; and as president of the Group for Research in Pathology Education. From 1997 to 2000, he was an item writer and editor for the pathology section of the National Board of Medical Examiners. He served on the continuing medical education committees for the American Society of Clinical Pathologists and the American Association of Medical Colleges.

He was recognized throughout his career with numerous awards by Loma Linda University and the Alumni Association including School Distinguished Service Award, Walter E. Macpherson Society Teacher of the Year Award, Presidential Award, Honored Alumnus, and multiple outstanding teaching awards.

He was a beloved pathology teacher to thousands of students for many years. He is best remembered for his kindness and generosity, as well as being famous for recognizing the “must-have students” for medical school admissions.

He is survived by his two sons, Kurt and Chris, and his wife, Donna Carlson, MD (’69).