Raymond D. Goodman, M.P.H. '72

Raymond D. Goodman, M.D., M.P.H. '72, passed away on Feb. 19 at the age of 97. Helping to transform UCLA's engagement with a wider community throughout his life, Dr. Goodman leaves behind a long-standing legacy of achievement as a public health student, alumnus, faculty-member, and mentor to many people worldwide.

Dr. Goodman served both UCLA and the field of public health with persistent passion and immense dedication. He helped to improve California's health services, developing new systems for monitoring the quality of healthcare in adult medicine and pediatrics, and set standards for HMO outpatient care of Medi-Cal patients. He worked in private practice from 1953 to 1979, served on the faculty of both UCLA's School of Medicine and School of Public Health for several decades, and also worked extensively to improve standards for healthcare professionals and to address healthcare costs internationally.

Conversational in Spanish, French, German, Italian, Russian and Japanese, Dr. Goodman made lasting contributions not only to the individual patients he served, but also to entire communities and populations throughout Los Angeles and beyond. He worked locally in hospital quality care as a key member of Cedars-Sinai Medical Center's committee for patient care, and went on to receive the Presidential Volunteer Service Award from President George W. Bush in 2005 for his achievement in developing the Medical Reserve Corps in L.A. County. Today, the Medical Reserve Corps has more than 750 active members—helping to ensure medical professionals are readily available after natural or manmade disasters so that the community is prepared and resilient in times of great need.

Dr. Goodman and his wife and partner of more than 60 years, Betty Goodman, endowed and established the School of Public Health's Lester Breslow Distinguished Lecture, which will celebrate its 44th year on April 16 and continues to bring illustrious health leaders to campus. In 1976, he established the Raymond D. Goodman Scholarship Fund, becoming the first alumnus to endow and name a scholarship in support of public health students. The scholarship has benefitted nearly 100 students to date; students who have since graduated and gone on to positively impact the health of communities locally and globally thanks to his immense support, encouragement and leadership.

The founding president of UCLA's Public Health Alumni Association, Dr. Goodman was also the founding chairman of the external Dean's Council, a role he held for 13 years. He was inducted into the Fielding School of Public Health Alumni Hall of Fame and received the UCLA Alumni Association's Award of Excellence.

Dr. Goodman is survived by his five children and five grandchildren. The family asks that any gifts in honor and memory of Dr. Goodman be directed to the Raymond D. Goodman Scholarship Fund.