Richard J. Hurvitz, MD

Richard J. Hurvitz, MD, Professor of Clinical Cardiothoracic Surgery, Emeritus, whose career and professional contributions spanned more than 40 years, died on August 25, 2021, in Marina Del Rey, California at age 81.

Richard is survived by his wife of 52 years, Carole G. Hurvitz, MD, UCLA Emeritus clinical Professor of Pediatrics, his four children, Capt Mark USN ret, Drs Graham, Keith, and Andrew, their spouses Drs Taryn, Sara, Munju, nine grandchildren, and two brothers (Alan and James).

Born in San Pedro, California, Richard grew up in Santa Monica, attending Santa Monica High School. He then matriculated at Reed College in Portland, Oregon but ultimately transferred to UCLA to live closer to home and assist his mother care for his father. Richard then moved to St. Louis, where he obtained his medical degree from St. Louis University School of Medicine in 1965. General Surgery internship and residency at Cedars of Lebanon Hospital on Sunset (now Cedars-Sinai Medical Center) brought Richard back to Los Angeles, a city he never subsequently left. During his residency, he met the love of his life Carole Hughes, who was a visiting medical student from England. Carole had returned to the University of Sheffield to complete her medical training and after a long-distance relationship, the two were married in January 1969.

After completing general surgery, Richard joined Drs. Meyer, Lindesmith, Stiles, Tucker, and Hughes at the Hospital of the Good Samaritan as a fellow in in Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery, completing training in 1972 and remaining in the group as a partner. While a member of that private practice group, Richard joined the attending staff of Los Angeles County + USC Medical Center as a cardiothoracic surgeon. During the early 1980s, the Good Samaritan group took over the role of providing cardiothoracic surgery services at LAC+USC Medical Center, with Richard eventually progressing to be their main surgeon, as well as the Director of the Thoracic Surgery Residency Training Program (which was still based at Good Samaritan Hospital).

In 1992, Richard joined the newly formed Division of Cardiothoracic Surgery at USC under the leadership of Vaughn A. Starnes and assumed the position of Chief of Cardiothoracic Surgery at LAC+USC Medical Center. During this time, the residency program in Cardiothoracic Surgery also transitioned from Good Samaritan Hospital to LAC+USC Medical Center. Promoted to Professor of Clinical Surgery in 1993, Dr. Hurvitz subsequently ran the county cardiac surgery program for over a decade.

Known among colleagues for his never-ending stories of life’s successes, challenges, and tribulations, Richard was a master surgical educator, mentor, and friend to countless colleagues, residents, and students of cardiothoracic surgery throughout his career. Perhaps his greatest quality was that he would always “look out for the resident”. To that end, he was known for his gentle manner, commitment to resident education, excellence in patient outcomes, and ability to guide the resident through an operation no matter the challenges encountered. Day or night, he was always available to the residents. In this spirit, upon his retirement from USC, the Department of Surgery created “The Richard J. Hurvitz, MD. Excellence in Teaching Award” given annually to the USC Cardiac or Thoracic Surgery faculty member who in the view of the graduating chief residents contributed the greatest to their education. Almost 20 years later, the award continues to be highly coveted by the faculty. For those fortunate enough to know and work with Dr. Hurvitz during his four decades career, his memory will forever be a blessing.

He will be greatly missed.