Dr. James Malm, Renowned Cardiac Surgeon

Dr. James Royal Malm died peacefully at the Warner Center for Caring on Sept. 21. He was 94.

Dr. Malm was born in Cleveland, Ohio, and raised in Evanston, Ill., where he met his future wife of 69 years Constance Brooks in the second grade. He enlisted in the Navy at age 17 and entered the pre-med V12 program. He was a graduate of Princeton University and Columbia University’s College of Physicians and Surgeons. He remained at New York’s Columbia Presbyterian Medical Center where as the chief of cardiothoracic surgery he transformed the program of both adult and pediatric cardiac surgery into one of the foremost treatment and training programs in the world. His legacy of the thousands of children’s lives he touched through his career lives on in the Babies Heart Fund at Columbia Presbyterian Medical Center.

In 1991 Jim and Connie retired to Martha’s Vineyard where they had honeymooned in 1950 and returned for many happy summers with their family. In retirement he pursued his hobbies of trap and skeet shooting, decoy carving, tennis, and saltwater fly fishing from his boat the Tetrad with the same energy and enthusiasm he brought to his professional career and family life.

In 2003 the Malms made Amelia Island their home where they continued to enjoy life by the Atlantic Ocean. There he took up golf at the age of 80. He continued to enjoy playing twice week and finally made the goal of shooting his age.

His wit, wisdom and great love of life will be missed by many, but especially by his family.

He is survived by his beloved wife; and four daughters, Betsy M. Holdsworth, Melissa Malm, Karen Malm and Sarah Malm; six grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.

A celebration of life and memorial service will be held at The Amelia Plantation Chapel on Saturday, Sept. 28 at 1 p.m. followed by a reception at The Long Point Gold Club.

Donations can be made to The Babies Heart Fund, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, c/o Sarah Hansen, 516 W 168th St., NY, NY 10032.

Online condolences can be made at www.oxleyheard.com.

Joan Cohen, Raleigh North Carolina

I am profoundly grateful to Dr Malm for my life - I had surgery in 1965 in Columbia presbyterian Hospital and have been healthy since. I am sad to hear of his passing and I send condolences to his family. May you be comforted in your grief knowing the mark Dr Malm made on so many lives. he was a wonderful surgeon and wonderful person. I can never forget those days in the hospital and how grateful I was to be pink and normal. God Bless you Joan Cohen

October 1, 2019 - 4:09pm

Melissa Malm, Wilson, Wyoming

Thank you Joan and many others for your kind words. We miss our father deeply but are comforted not only by the condolences but the stories and gratitude for his inspiring life work. Melissa malm

June 24, 2020 - 9:29pm

Peter Sanford Clark, Cadrezzate, Italy

I also, have considered Dr. Malm, through my years as very integral to my life as it is. His hands actually touched my heart, correcting a defect when I was thirteen in 1967, which extended the course of my life to a longer and healthy one. I am still doing well and have lived a very rich life in which I married my beautiful wife, Christine, and together we have raised two boys, one who is now working for NASA and the other presently doing computer animation on the film CATS, do out next month. So if you see that film Dr. Malm has his hands in there in a round about way. In some fashion, I imagine, they have Dr. Malm to thank for their lives. We all must take a moment to honor the glory of our lives and, in that, respect a cause for living honorably. Thank you Dr. Malm, as your legacy has branched out in many directions to, I assume, many lives. I am glad to know you had a rich life. My condolences to those you leave behind, and into the stars all my love and respect. Thank you, Sanford Clak

November 20, 2019 - 11:13am

Ann NYSTROM Cottone, Long Island, Ny

So sorry to hear of Dr. Malm’s passing. Like so many others, he has touched my life. In 1968, when I was 13 years old, Dr. Malm performed open heart surgery on me for a congenital heart defect. Memories of Dr. Malm and my stay at Columbia Presbyterian Hospital are, even today, so vivid in my mind. I sent a letter to him a few years back...not sure if he ever received it. Just wanted to tell him I still have the gold heart pendent that he gave me with the inscription of my surgery date. I am forever grateful for a full and healthy life. So many lives he has touched and healed...what a legacy. RIP Dr. Malm <3

December 7, 2019 - 8:33pm

helene mcccarthy(wiese), florida

In 1961, just months before my eleventh birthday, Dr. Malm operated on me to correct my tetralogy o Fallot. Today I am nearing seventy years old. I have three sons and six grandchildren. My life would have never been possible without his expertise, knowledge, commitment and compassion. I will be eternally grateful

February 7, 2020 - 10:56pm

Eileen Sullivan Klar , Mt Kisco NY/Naples fl

I was an operating room nurse at Columbia Presbyterian in the late 1960s and I witnessed Dr Malm give the gift of healing to many old and young...it was an amazing time in Cardiovascular surgery thanks to Dr Malm!

March 12, 2020 - 11:00pm

Heather Morrison-Tapley, Maine

My deepest condolences are with Dr. Malm’s family. Like many others, Dr Malm is one of the reasons I am here today. In 1975 his hands touched and fixed my heart defect, which I am told would have ended my life by my late 20s if left uncorrected. He also gave me a “bikini” scar, u shaped and completely hidden so that I can wear a V-neck shirt or a bikini and you’d never know I had open heart surgery. I have thought of him often in my life and hope his loved ones find some solace in knowing how many lives he not only touched, but saved.

May 3, 2020 - 9:07pm

Darlene Maclay, Syracuse, NY

Your father was and always will be my hero. He spent 10 hours in 1972 reconstructing the chambers of my heart and although he severed my AV node during surgery he never gave up and because of his integrity, dedication and master skills I am alive today. I am 54 years old, have 4 healthy children and a life filled with great health and abundance. Your Dad was so special and impactful on my life that because of him my daughter chose to go to Medical school at NYP and pursue Cardilogy.

September 28, 2020 - 2:45pm

Rosemary Downey, Pennsylvania

Please accept my condolences on the death of your husband and father. Dr. Malm operated on me in 1972. I was able to have a normal life and have two children. He told me I was old for this surgery but would take good care of me. He did and will be forever thankful to this wonderful doctor. I still have the heart pin he gave me some 40+ years ago. Thank you Dr. Malm.

March 3, 2021 - 5:57pm

Phil L, Marlborough, MA

Yesterday was 40 years ago Dr. Malm operated on me when I was 9 years old in 1981 at Columbia Presbyterian to correct a congenital valve defect. It occurred to me to look him up after this big milestone and I saw he had passed fairly recently, but was happy to see he lived a long life after helping mine. I am forever thankful he let me live a normal life - I'll be 50 next month. Thank you Dr. Malm.

April 14, 2021 - 6:12pm

Marc F Cymes, Cleveland, Ohio

In 1965 when I was 15 Dr. Malm operated on my heart to close the defect of my Tetrology of Fallot. I am now 73 and living happily after practicing as a Physician’s Assistant for over 40 years. I could not have done this without the excellent intervention of Dr. Malm and his staff. May he Rest In Peace.

November 1, 2022 - 5:27pm

Heidi Riley, Hobe Sound, FL

Dr. Malm and Dr. Bloomenthal performing my first 2 heart surgeries in 1961 & 1968. Their forward thinking saved me and I am forever grateful to these two hero's. I remember such kindness and gentleness. I am sorry that I am just learning of Dr. Malm's passing. He was a great man. If only more people could be like him.

December 12, 2022 - 11:51am

Lynne Richner, New York

I will be forever grateful to Dr. Malm. He performed an experimental TOF at Columbia Presbyterian in 1961. He was a wonderful man and a pioneer in his chosen field. May he Rest In Peace.

July 23, 2023 - 12:12pm

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Dr. James Malm, Renowned Cardiac Surgeon

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