Honoring PSR-LA Founder, Dr. Jimmy Hara
It is with a profound sense of loss that we share the news of the passing of PSR-LA founder, board member, and friend, Dr. Jimmy Hara, MD, FAAFP.
Medicine, and in particular Family Medicine, was Dr. Hara‘s calling. He was a physician’s physician, engaged in teaching, training, mentoring, and motivating doctors at all levels from medical school to practice. He was a trusted spokesperson and supporter of all our campaigns, from our foundational work to abolish nuclear weapons to the cleanup of the Santa Susana Field Lab and all of our work to protect our health, air, water, and soil.
Born into a history marked by injustice and exclusion, Dr. Hara embraced and shared lessons of compassion, peace, and health throughout his life. He spoke truth to power and committed himself to shaping a healthy, peaceful world free of nuclear weapons. His conviction led to the co-founding of our organization, where he became a guiding force--- a role he carried throughout as a physician, a family man, and an activist.
Dr. Hara was known as a man whose life reflected the power of purpose, love, and an enduring commitment to healing and justice. His legacy extends far and wide, from marching across the country on the Great Peace March to educating health professionals about the danger of nuclear weapons and the importance of speaking out for nuclear disarmament.
Dr. Hara believed deeply that healthcare and justice were inseparable. His commitment to the underserved was unwavering and reflected in a lifetime of service. He brought that same spirit of service and leadership everywhere he went—volunteering at Venice Family Clinic for more than fifty years, chairing California’s Healthcare Workforce Policy Commission, and becoming the first and only physician to serve as a commissioner for the Los Angeles Fire Department. Wherever he served, he brought compassion, integrity, and a profound sense of responsibility to others.
We will continue to honor Dr. Hara’s legacy and the impact he created. Our thoughts and deepest condolences are with his family and friends.
