Alan S. Nakanishi (born March 21, 1940) is an American physician and politician who represented California's 10th State Assembly district in the California State Assembly from 2002 to 2008.[1][2][3] He has also been a member in the City Council of Lodi, California, since 1998, and served four separate two-year terms as the city's mayor.[4][5]
Alan S. Nakanishi | |
|---|---|
| Member of the California State Assembly from the 10th district | |
| In office December 2, 2002 – November 30, 2008 | |
| Preceded by | Anthony Pescetti |
| Succeeded by | Alyson Huber |
| Lodi City Council Member | |
| Assumed office November 2, 2010 | |
| Personal details | |
| Born | March 21, 1940 Sacramento, California, U.S. |
| Political party | Republican |
| Spouse | Susan Nakanishi |
| Children | 3 |
| Residence | Lodi, California |
| Alma mater | Pacific Union College Loma Linda University br />Virginia Commonwealth University |
| Profession | Ophthalmologist |
Early life
editAlan Nakanishi was born in Sacramento, California. At the age of two, he and his family were relocated to Tule Lake as part of the internment of Japanese Americans during World War II, where they spent three years.[1][6] After the war, they returned to Sacramento. To make money while in school, Nakanishi worked picking fruit and stacking cans at a cannery.[3] He left Sacramento after graduating high school, living in Napa County, Los Angeles, and Texas before settling in Lodi, California.[citation needed]
Education
editNakanishi received a B.A. in chemistry from Pacific Union College in 1961. He went on to receive a master's degree in health administration from Virginia Commonwealth University, and an M.D. from Loma Linda University. He completed his medical internship at USC Medical Center.[6][7]
Military service
editWhile living in Texas, Nakanishi served as a captain in the U.S. Army.[citation needed] He later became a major, leading a surgical department at McDonald Army Hospital. He also served as Chief of Ophthalmology from 1969 to 1971.[8]
Medical practice
editSince 1971, Nakanishi has practiced medicine in Stockton. He is the co-founder of the Delta Eye Medical Group, an ophthalmology practice with offices throughout the San Joaquin Valley.[1][8] He continued practicing in Lodi throughout his time in the State Assembly.[9]
Public service career
editNakanishi was first elected to the Lodi City Council in 1998 and was chosen as mayor in 2001, but left to represent the state's 10th Assembly district in the California State Assembly in 2002. As an Assemblymember, Nakanishi served as Vice Chair of the Health Committee. He was also a member of the Asian & Pacific Islander Legislative Caucus.[10]
Nakanishi returned to Lodi in 2010 after a brief stint at the California State Board of Equalization, being elected once more to the city's council. He served four more terms as mayor, and his current and fifth term began in December 2023.[7]
In 2000 and again in 2016 he also ran to represent California's 5th senatorial district in the California State Senate, but lost to Michael Machado and Cathleen Galgiani, respectively.[11][12]
References
edit- ^ a b c Bonnett, Jennifer (29 November 2002). "Alan Nakanishi ready for another challenge". Lodi News-Sentinel. Retrieved 12 September 2023.
- ^ Adams, Andrew (11 May 2008). "Hoping to succeed Nakanishi". Lodi News-Sentinel. Retrieved 11 September 2023.
- ^ a b "Alan Nakanishi". LinkedIn. Retrieved 11 September 2023.
- ^ "Lodi City Council History". Lodi City Council. 26 January 2023. Retrieved 11 September 2023.
- ^ "History of Lodi's Mayors". Lodi City Council. 26 January 2023. Retrieved 11 September 2023.
- ^ a b Lee, Julie Z. (9 November 2007). "Assemblyman Nakanishi Visits PUC". Pacific Union College News and Events Archive. Retrieved 15 May 2011.
- ^ a b Mann, Steve (1 December 2022). "Taking the fifth: Lodi's Nakanishi takes record term in stride". Lodi News-Sentinel. Retrieved 11 September 2023.
- ^ a b "Dr. Nakanishi". Delta Eye Medical Group. Retrieved 11 September 2023.
- ^ Bonnett, Jennifer (9 May 2003). "Dr. Nakanishi goes to Sacramento". Lodi News-Sentinel. Retrieved 11 September 2023.
- ^ "A History of Asian Americans in the California Legislature". California Asian & Pacific Islander (API) Legislative Caucus. Retrieved 11 September 2023.
- ^ "California State Senate elections, 2000". Ballotpedia. Retrieved 11 September 2023.
- ^ "California State Senate elections, 2016". Ballotpedia. Retrieved 11 September 2023.