Dr. Robert Takashi Naruse, MD

I had a rare reaction to anesthesia 15 years ago that resulted in liver failure after neck surgery. It was so rare that no one understood it and I was therefore (improperly) cleared by my internist to have another surgery. Dr Naruse was the anesthesiologist for this second surgery and before I was wheeled into the operating room he asked me very thorough questions about my surgical history and any reactions to anesthesia. When I told him about my prior liver issues, he stopped everything and got a copy of my chart. He immediately recognized it as a rare liver drug reaction called post-anesthesia hepatitis. I was already on the gurney and literally ready to be wheeled into the operating room and he canceled my surgery because he deemed it too dangerous to proceed. He was right-- I found out later that if they'd operated on that day, I would have died. Dr Naruse saved my life and I will never forget him. If you are having surgery at Cedars Sinai, he is the anesthesiologist you want on… your team. Dr Naruse if you ever read this, please know that I have never forgotten what you did for me on that day.