Yoshi Honkawa, a longtime former health care executive who was influential in health care policy and advocacy in California and across the country, died on September 22 at the age of 100.
Mr. Motokawa’s career began in 1964 at the University of Southern California, Los Angeles County Medical Center, where he served as an auditor and assistant administrator for five years, becoming assistant administrator in 1969. That same year, he also joined the Los Angeles County Hospital Authority and later worked for the Los Angeles County Health Department.
He joined Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in 1975, starting as director of finance and serving as vice president of government and industry relations from 1978 to 2001. Mr. Motokawa received the AHA Board of Directors Award in 1993 and was inducted into the Modern Healthcare Hall of Fame in 2014.
“Healthcare is and always will be a profound human experience,” said Rick Pollack, AHA President and CEO. “Few leaders in our field exemplify this more than Yoshi Motokawa. His 50 years of service and leadership have had a profound impact on Cedars-Sinai and our commitment to improving the health of our patients and communities. His dedication and commitment were an inspiration to countless others.”In our field, we will miss him as a mentor to many and a friend to all. Although he will be missed, his legacy lives on. ”
Among other notable accomplishments, Mr. Motokawa served on the California Advisory Health Council, which then-Governor Ronald Reagan appointed him as the commission’s first chairman. He was also appointed to, and later chaired, the National Health Planning and Development Council under President Jimmy Carter. Ms. Motokawa also has a passion for increasing diversity in healthcare leadership and management and was a founding member of the Institute for Diversity in Health Care in 1994.
Tom Prieselak, president and CEO of Cedars-Sinai, worked with Honkawa at the health system when his career began in 1979.
“Everyone who cares about patients and health care has lost a friend,” Priselac said. “Yoshi was an extraordinary person who gave of himself to others more than anyone I know. As an advocate for the hospital and as a leader, he set a standard that we all strive to follow. His wisdom, advice and support have made the association-related aspects of my career possible.”
