Dr. Michael Cao M.D.Arcadia City Councilmember, Cardiologist, and U.S. Air Force VeteranMichael Cao M.D. was elected to the Arcadia City Council in 2022. Dr. Cao has a long standing commitment to public service where he has honorably served his country for 10 years as an active duty Major in the United States Air Force. While deployed in Iraq and Afghanistan, Dr. Cao was the team leader of the Critical Care Airlift Team, which was instrumental in treating and saving the lives of countless servicemen and servicewomen. As a proud member of the United States Air Force, he learned the value and importance of teamwork and coalition building.
Upon returning to civilian life, Dr. Cao paid it forward to future generations of physicians as a full-time Assistant Professor of Medicine at the Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California. Since then, he has also built a successful private medical practice, in which he maintains compassionate commitment to his patients. In Los Angeles County, Dr. Cao was appointed as a commissioner on the HIV commission by the Los Angeles County Supervisor.
Appointed by the Speaker of the Assembly, Dr. Cao has been selected as a public member of the State Bar of California Committee of Bar Examiners. From 2023-2024, the Supreme Court of California appointed Dr. Cao as the Chairman of the Committee of Bar Examiners. Currently, Dr. Cao serves as the President of the League of California Cities, Los Angeles County Division, and on the Cal Cities Board of Directors. By serving in this capacity, Dr. Cao has formed valuable partnerships with other elected leaders, resulting in greater advocacy for Arcadia’s priorities.
In 2024-2025, Dr. Cao served as the Mayor of the City of Arcadia. During his tenure, Dr. Cao made public safety his top priority and provided strong leadership during the unprecedented wildfires across LA County. He actively supported Proposition 36 to protect residents, small businesses, and the community.
As a US Air Force veteran, Dr. Cao initiated Arcadia’s inaugural Veterans Banner Program to honor service members in November of each year and is working to make America’s 250th Birthday an important celebration, locally. As the co-chair of the committee, Dr. Cao is joining forces with community partners to provide a grand celebration worthy of this momentous occasion.
As a local physician, Dr. Cao has championed community health through the creation of a Health Committee. Leveraging his relationships in the medical field, Dr. Cao has fostered collaboration between local health care entities and the community, helping provide monthly health education and the first Citywide Health Fair. Working with LA County Supervisor Kathryn Barger, Dr. Cao successfully obtained grant dollars to expand Arcadia’s park space for pickleball.
Previously, Dr. Cao was appointed on the Arcadia Senior Citizen’s Commission where he served as the chairman. Currently, Dr. Cao serves on the Board of Directors for the Arcadia Police Foundation. The themes of service and sense of duty are reflected through his diverse professional and life experiences, which he is proud to have given to his country and now, to Arcadia.