Donald Fink

Donald L. Fink, M.D.

September 29, 1932 - January 16, 2017

Don Fink, a longtime San Francisco resident, died peacefully on January 16, 2017, surrounded by family.
Don was born September 29, 1932 in Chicago, IL to Philmour and Lillian Fink. He attended the University of Chicago for the laboratory high school, college and medical school and, at age 22, arrived in San Francisco for his medical internship. After completing his residency at the University of Chicago, he returned to San Francisco permanently in 1957.
In his long career, he was a major force in developing community oriented primary care in San Francisco serving the needs of low income and minority communities, and in establishing an academic department of Family and Community Medicine at UCSF. After serving in the Navy and a brief period of private practice as a pediatrician, Don was asked to serve as the director of the pediatric clinic at Moffitt Hospital. In 1971, he was recruited to be one of the founding fathers of what is now known as the University of California San Francisco ("UCSF") Department of Family Medicine and the UCSF-San Francisco General Hospital ("SFGH") Family and Community Medicine Residency Program, now nationally recognized as one of the best programs in the country. He served as Chief of Family and Community Medicine at SFGH for many years during the 1970s-1980s including a few years also serving as interim Department Chair. He also served on the San Francisco Medical Center Outpatient Improvement Programs, responsible for the development of a new Outpatient Department and the creation of a network of new satellite community clinics connected to SFGH. Don was instrumental in establishing the community health centers in Bayview and Potrero Hill that ultimately became part of the San Francisco Department of Public Health administered SF Health Network. Don was an influential mentor to countless medical students, family practice residents and junior colleagues. He was a friend and supporter of the many people with whom he worked.
Beyond his work, Don had a large circle of friends and was very socially active. He was always excited to talk about his travels, what he was reading, and his activities. He was enthusiastically interested in others, their lives, their work, their family, their travels, etc. and his friends truly appreciated his receptivity, warmth and genuine nature.
Don is survived by his loving extended family, his professional colleagues, and many, many dear friends. He will be dearly missed.
A reception in celebration of Don's life will be held at 1:00 pm on Sunday, February 19, 2017 at The City Club of San Francisco, 155 Sansome Street, 11th Floor in San Francisco.
In lieu of flowers or other memorium, please consider making a donation in Don's memory to the following charities: UCSF Foundation, University of Chicago and/or the Sierra Club.