The UCSF Fresno community recently learned of the passing of David Altman, MD, MBA. Altman served as Professor of Medicine and UCSF Fresno Associate Dean from 1989-1992. He passed away on Aug. 12, 2025. We mourn the loss and our hearts and deepest sympathies go out to his family and friends. He is survived by his wife Pamela Belluomini, his son Alessandro and wife Kristen, his brother Martin, and his lifelong friend Greg Pawlson, MD. He was predeceased by his brother Michael.
Altman was born in Washington D.C. and raised in Pittsburgh, PA. He graduated from the Carnegie Institute of Technology and earned a medical degree from the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine. He completed residency training in internal medicine at UCSF in 1974 and served two years in the U.S. Army at the William Beaumont Medical Center in El Paso, Texas. Altman, an internist and gastroenterologist, returned to UCSF to join the faculty where he was an associate clinical professor of medicine and associate dean for student and curricular affairs. During his time at UCSF, he conducted clinical research of gastrointestinal manifestations of HIV/AIDS and helped establish the liver transplant program.
During his distinguished career, Altman was involved in clinical medicine, health policy and administration, including a Robert Wood Johnson Health Policy Fellowship from 1992-1993. He worked with U.S. Sen. John “Jay” Rockefeller, and the Clinton Health Care Reform Task Force and was a senior leader at various health and medical organizations.
Altman was quoted in an article in The Fresno Bee, dated Jan. 23, 1989, “The San Joaquin Valley has traditionally been under-served. The need for physicians here is substantial, and we want to enhance the attractiveness of this area for medical practice. By encouraging an active medical education program in Fresno, we believe we will be able to encourage more physicians to practice in this area.”
His words still hold true today, and we are fulfilling the mission with 40% of our graduates staying in the Central Valley to practice. As we mark our 50th anniversary this year, we wish to honor Dr. Altman and all those who have contributed to our rich history and helped establish the foundation on which we build the future of UCSF Fresno.
