Renowned Los Angeles cardiologist David Cannom passes away at 86

David S. Cannom, an influential cardiologist known for advancing heart-rhythm disorder treatment, died at his Palos Verdes residence on Aug. 9, aged 86, after battling Alzheimer’s complications. Born in Missouri and educated at DePauw University, Yale Divinity School and the University of Minnesota Medical School, he began his academic career at Yale before relocating to Los Angeles in 1976. At the Hospital of the Good Samaritan, he led the cardiology department for over thirty years and held a clinical professorship at UCLA, contributing more than 175 scholarly articles and shaping modern electrophysiology and implantable defibrillator use.

Following his 2022 retirement, Cannom dedicated his time to the John Wesley Clinic, providing cardiac care to underserved populations. He leaves behind his wife Phyllis, daughters Elizabeth, Rebecca and Hannah, sister Carol Ferrell, brother-in-law David Ross Monroe, six grandchildren and other relatives. The family requests donations to the David Cannom Scholarship Fund at Chadwick School, the John Wesley Clinic, the Heart Rhythm Society, or the Lundquist Institute.