Richard L. Treiman, MD

Dr. Richard L. Treiman was born in St. Louis, Missouri, on March 20, 1929. When he was 3 years old the family moved to Los Angeles where he attended grade schools, Los Angeles High School, and UCLA. In 1949 he was admitted to St. Louis University School of Medicine, receiving his MD degree in 1953.

Following a one-year rotating internship at the Los Angeles County Hospital, subsequently known as the USC Los Angeles County Medical Center, he began a surgical residency at the Los Angeles Harbor General Hospital. After one year he was drafted into the U.S. Navy, serving as a medical officer from 1955-1957. Following discharge from the Navy, he began a surgical residency at the Los Angeles County USC Medical Center under the chairmanship of Dr. Clarence J. Berne. After 4 years of residency he was selected to be Resident Supervisor at the hospital for one year, and then completed a fellowship in Cardiovascular Surgery in Houston with Drs. Michael DeBakey, Stanley Crawford, and Denton Cooley.

Dr. Treiman then returned to Los Angeles where he began a practice in vascular surgery with one other surgeon. Subsequently, the practice enlarged to include five vascular surgeons and became known as Vascular Surgery Associates. Dr. Treiman was part of the team that performed the first kidney transplant in Los Angeles. Dr. Treiman practiced primarily at the Cedars Sinai Medical Center where, in addition to practicing surgery, he served as Chief of Vascular Surgery, Chief of the Department of Surgery, and Chief of Staff.

Dr. Treiman organized conferences on vascular surgery with participation of visiting faculty. These conferences were held both in Los Angeles and across the country, and were well attended. He was a member of the organizing committee that founded the Southern California Vascular Surgery society and was that Society’s first president.

Dr. Treiman enjoyed teaching. In addition to a busy surgical practice, Dr. Treiman attended at the Los Angeles County USC Medical Center where he became Clinical Professor of Surgery and Co-chief of Vascular Surgery with Dr. Max Gaspar. Dr. Treiman met with the senior residents to help them with transitioning to private practice, and one year the residents voted Dr. Treiman the outstanding Teacher of the Year. After retirement from active practice, Dr. Treiman attended at the Veterans Administration Hospital, Salt Lake City where he was Adjunct Professor of Surgery. Dr. Treiman authored or co-authored over 50 scientific articles and chapters in 5 text books.

In 1959 Dr. Treiman married Bette Louise Robbins. They now have 4 children and 10 grandchildren. Their son, Gerald, is a member of the Western Vascular Society. Dr. Treiman enjoyed tennis and skiing, and continues to enjoy golf and playing chess and bridge.