When you sit down with Dr. Fernando Roth, you are immediately struck by his groundedness and unmistakable sense of calm, the kind that comes from a life well-lived and deeply felt. Over lunch at Perry’s Joint in Sierra Madre, it’s easy to see that he approaches life—and medicine—with equal parts curiosity, gratitude, and humility. A cardiologist by training and a cyclist by passion, Dr. Roth exudes the wholesome energy of someone who knows what truly matters: family, health, and the simple joy of doing what you love.
His connection to cancer is also deeply personal. Having lost both family members and dear friends to the disease, Dr. Roth feels a profound sense of purpose in supporting the cancer community. It’s this motivation that drives him to share his expertise, give back, and stay involved with organizations like Cancer Support Community Greater San Gabriel Valley, where his knowledge continues to make a meaningful impact.
A Journey in Medicine
Dr. Roth’s path to medicine began in California, where he earned his undergraduate degree from UC Berkeley before attending the University of California, Irvine School of Medicine. His journey continued across the country to The Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota, where he completed both his internship and residency in internal medicine.
It was during those years in Minnesota that he met his wife—a connection that would become the heart of his life. There, between long shifts at Mayo and snowy Midwestern winters, his family story began. He and his wife now share a full and joyful life together, raising two grown children whom he continues to nurture with the same steady care and devotion that define him.
Following his training at Mayo, Dr. Roth returned to California for a fellowship in cardiology at Harbor-UCLA Medical Center in Torrance, solidifying his expertise in heart health.
Joining the Professional Advisory Network
When Patricia Ostiller, CEO of Cancer Support Community Greater San Gabriel Valley, invited Dr. Roth to join the Red de asesoramiento profesional, he was eager—but also unsure how he might contribute. “Heart cancer is extremely rare,” he explains. “I’ve only seen about four cases in my entire career.”
So instead of focusing on that rare diagnosis, Dr. Roth found a meaningful way to connect his specialty to oncology: by teaching about the impact of chemotherapy on the heart. Certain types of chemotherapy, particularly anthracyclines and HER2-targeted therapies, can affect cardiac function. “For some patients, we perform monthly echocardiograms to monitor how the heart is responding,” he says. “If we see a decline in function, we have to stop or modify the treatment.”
For Dr. Roth, sharing this knowledge with CSC’s community of patients, caregivers, and professionals felt like a natural extension of his work. “I see the education and opportunities I’ve had as a gift,” he says. “Giving back is how I honor that.”
A Life Grounded in Balance
Outside the clinic, Dr. Roth finds balance through cycling—a lifelong passion that keeps him connected to both nature and himself. He rides both road and mountain bikes and takes time every weekend, without fail, to ride. “It’s my way to decompress,” he says–meditation on wheels.
He laughs as he describes how his small dog rides along in a backpack on some of his local rides. “She loves it,” he says. “She gets very upset if I try to leave without her.”
Cycling isn’t just a hobby for Dr. Roth—it’s a way of seeing the world. He and his wife have taken cycling trips across the globe, choosing to experience new places at the pace of a pedal. It’s how they travel best, often accompanied by CEO Patricia Ostiller. When you explore by bike, you really feel the world around you.
Lessons from the Heart
As a cardiologist, Dr. Roth has spent his career studying the organ that quite literally keeps life in motion. His message about heart health is both simple and profound: moderation, movement, and mindfulness matter.
When asked about alcohol and cancer risk, he is direct. “There’s really no amount of alcohol that’s safe for cancer,” he says. It’s a reminder that small, consistent choices can make a major difference in overall health.
Dr. Roth sees every patient, every presentation, and every ride as an opportunity to be of service. “I love what I do,” he says, with genuine warmth. “To be able to use what I’ve learned to help people—it’s a privilege.”
A Heart for Life
Whether he’s lecturing on the intersection of cardiology and oncology, biking along a mountain trail with his dog, or exploring a new country on two wheels, Dr. Roth approaches life with gratitude and grace.
He embodies the rare balance of intellect and humility—the kind of doctor who listens first, teaches gently, and treats every encounter as a chance to connect. Grounded, worldly, and wholeheartedly devoted to his family and patients alike, Dr. Roth reminds us that living well is as much about heart as it is about health.