In Memoriam: Jonathan M. Tobis, MD
Dear colleagues,
It is with profound sadness that we inform you of the passing of Jonathan M. Tobis, MD, a respected leader of the UCLA Division of Cardiology and a beloved mentor, colleague and friend to many in the department of medicine. Dr. Tobis died peacefully at home after a long illness on September 15, 2025, where he was surrounded by his wife, Nancy Greep, and his son Scott.
Dr. Tobis was born in Brooklyn, New York, and attended Amherst College, from which he graduated in 1969 with honors in chemistry. He graduated from Albert Einstein Medical College in 1973 and completed his residency and fellowship training at University of California, Irvine.
Dr. Tobis made significant contributions to the field of interventional cardiology. At UC Irvine, he performed the first digital left ventricular and coronary angiograms in the world. This work helped transform the cardiac catheterization laboratory from a film-based procedure to a completely digital environment. Later he helped to develop one of the first mechanically rotating intravascular ultrasound imaging devices, which aids our understanding of coronary pathophysiology and the mechanism of action of multiple devices used in interventional cardiology.
In addition to performing complex coronary angioplasty, Dr. Tobis was involved in the catheter-based treatment of structural heart disease, including closure of patent foramen ovale (PFO), atrial septal defect, and valvular heart disease. He also collaborated with Italian cardiologist, Antonio Colombo, MD, in using intravascular ultrasound technology to explain the high incidence of subacute thrombosis during the early experience with intracoronary stents. This led to the use of larger balloons and higher pressures with decreased subacute stent thrombosis and enabled a dramatic increase in the use of coronary stents for angioplasty.
In addition to authoring numerous peer-reviewed articles, Dr. Tobis co-authored two textbooks, one titled "Intravascular Ultrasound Imaging" with cardiologist Paul Yock, MD and a second titled "Techniques in Coronary Artery Stenting" with Dr. Colombo. His recent work was devoted to understanding the role of PFO in relation to cryptogenic stroke, migraine headache and orthodeoxia.
Dr. Tobis served as a member of the Board of Trustees of the Society of Cardiac Angiography and Interventions (SCAI). He was named a Master Fellow of SCAI (MSCAI), in recognition of his seminal work in the field of interventional cardiology.
In 2023, Anant Yardi, founder and CEO of Yardi Systems, Inc. and a longtime friend and supporter of Dr. Tobis, established the Jonathan M. Tobis, MD, Endowed Research Fund — a permanent tribute that will advance research and honor Dr. Tobis’s legacy at the David Geffen School of Medicine. Read more about Dr. Tobis’ impact.
In his free time, Dr. Tobis loved to ski with his family and friends; travel; play tennis; and backpack through the Sierras. The Tobis family is deeply appreciative to all those who shared in his wonderful life, and for the love and support that surrounded him as he courageously fought his illness over the past few years.
A memorial and a celebration of life will be held in the coming months. Details will be shared at a later date.
Sincerely,
E. Dale Abel, MD, PhD
William S. Adams Distinguished Professor of Medicine
Chair and Executive Medical Director
Department of Medicine
David Geffen School of Medicine and UCLA Health
Priscilla Hsue, MD
Chizuko and Nobuyaki Kawata Professor of Medicine
Chief, Division of Cardiology
Department of Medicine
David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA
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