Local News in Brief : Pacoima Physician Harold M. Harvey Dies
Harold M. Harvey, one of the first black physicians to practice in the San Fernando Valley, died of cancer Wednesday night. He was 73.
In 1958, Harvey opened one of the first black-owned general medical practices in Pacoima. A board-certified surgeon, he was on the staff of Los Angeles County’s Olive View Medical Center in Sylmar. He was also affiliated with several private Valley hospitals. Harvey closed his practice in 1985.
Born in Washington, Harvey attended Howard University and was graduated from West Virginia State College in Institute, W. Va. He was also a graduate of Meharry Medical School in Nashville, Tenn.
During World War II, Harvey fought with Gen. George Patton’s 3rd Army and was discharged with the rank of major.
After further medical studies in Tennessee, Harvey returned to West Virginia and established his first practice. He came to California in 1947 and joined the staff of what is now the County-USC Medical Center. He left that hospital when he moved to Pacoima.
Harvey left no surviving family members.
Start your day right
Sign up for Essential California for news, features and recommendations from the L.A. Times and beyond in your inbox six days a week.
You may occasionally receive promotional content from the Los Angeles Times.
