Paul Yock, MD

Dr. Paul Yock is a Martha Meier Weiland Professor in the School of Medicine and Professor of Bioengineering, Emeritus, at Stanford University. He began his faculty career as an interventional cardiologist at the University of California, San Francisco, and then moved to Stanford in 1994. Paul is known for his work in inventing, developing and testing new devices, including the Rapid Exchange angioplasty and stenting system, which is the primary approach used worldwide.

Paul also authored the fundamental patents for intravascular ultrasound imaging, conducted the initial clinical trials and established the Stanford Center for Research in Cardiovascular Interventions as a core laboratory for analysis of intravascular ultrasound clinical studies. He also invented the Smart Needle and is a co-inventor of the strain-reduction patch for wound healing. He was founding Co-Chair of the Department of Bioengineering and continues research related to new device technologies. He was also the founding Director of the Stanford Byers Center for Biodesign, which is dedicated to advanced training in medical technology innovation.

Paul earned his bachelor’s degree from Amherst College, a master’s degree from Trinity College, Oxford, and his medical degree from Harvard University. He joined the Second Harvest Board in 2022 because he was looking for a way to better connect with the community after he retired. He had volunteered for the food bank with his sons and was impressed by Second Harvest’s effectiveness. He enjoys fostering German Shepard dogs with his wife, Cynthia, as well as sailing.