Dr. Jimmy Hara

Taking a seat with a paper and pencil in hand, Teens4Disarmament greeted Dr. Jimmy Hara with a firm handshake and a warm smile. Dr. Hara is not only an extraordinary physician, but also a dedicated advocate devoted to fighting social injustices, providing quality medical care to underserved communities, and spreading peace throughout the nation.

Dr. Hara was aware of the growing social inequities in medicine since he was a young boy. Dr. Hara, who was born in a Japanese internment camp in Southern California during World War II, witnessed firsthand the inequities that underprivileged populations encountered in the medical system. Motivated by the need for change, Dr. Hara decided to practice medicine in an approach that respects equality and integrity. During his medical career, Dr. Hara volunteered at several clinics that offer free or affordable care, including Kedren Community Health Center, the Ashbury Free Clinic, and the Los Angeles Free Clinic. “It is my duty as a doctor to provide equitable and high-quality healthcare to all communities,” said Dr. Hara.

In addition to delivering quality patient treatment, Dr. Hara has served in leadership roles at Physicians for Social Responsibility, Charles R. Drew University of Medicine and Science, and UCLA's David Geffen School of Medicine. Dr. Hara has inspired generations of aspiring medical professionals to assume their roles as doctors with a feeling of social responsibility as well as the need to treat all with high-quality care. In both medical schools, Dr. Hara developed a variety of residency programs and always taught about critical global issues. Dr. Hara highlights the significance of educating doctors about nuclear weapons: “I make an effort to dedicate a class or two each year to educating the students about the effect of nuclear weapons. Historically, doctors have been the first to directly observe the effects of war and massively destructive weaponry on the human body. In my opinion, nuclear weapons pose a threat to public health in addition to security.”

In his capacity as chair and member of the board of directors of Physicians for Social Responsibility Los Angeles (PSR), Dr. Hara has consistently raised awareness of nuclear weapons in the Los Angeles community. Dr. Hara highlights the tremendous casualties that accompany the use of nuclear weapons as well as the false presumption around deterrence. He believes that it is our collective responsibility to consider and safeguard the health of the world. “Physicians are very important in changing society. During my time at Kaiser, I was most touched by the doctor community. In a single day, almost 400 doctors signed up to support my cause of social responsibility, nuclear disarmament, and peace. Can you imagine?”

Listening to Dr. Hara’s words, Teens4Disarmament felt utmost inspired by his wise insights and advocacy throughout his career. Carrying Dr. Hara’s fighting spirit, we hope to bring awareness to nuclear weapons and fight for peace for the citizens of our world.