Dr. Aaron Fink

Dr. Aaron Fink, 75, passed away June 19th, 2024, in Sarasota, FL, his retirement home. Aaron graduated from Johns Hopkins School of Medicine and trained as a general surgeon at University of Michigan. He also completed clinical fellowships at University of Western Ontario and Middlesex Hospital, London. In 1989 Dr. Fink became the director of the surgical endoscopy program of University of Cincinnati medical school. In 1993 he joined the Atlanta Emory University Department of Surgery as a professor and chief of the surgical service at the VA Medical Center. He served in that capacity until 2009. From 2009 2011 he was chief surgical consultant for the VA Southeast Network. He had 40 years of service with the VA and was given an award for distinguished service by the Association of VA Surgeons in 2015. He became Professor Emeritus of Surgery at Emory in 2011. In addition to his clinical work, he served as a governor of the American College of Surgeons and past president of the Association of VA Surgeons. He published more than 120 research papers, review articles and book chapters covering clinical studies as well as pioneering in the field of “informed consent” for medical procedures. For all the facets of his surgical career, his greatest joy was mentoring residents. He loved teaching and inspiring future surgeons. He left a positive and substantial imprint on their lives and careers perhaps his greatest legacy in life. Aaron was well known for his effervescent sense of humor and his unending stream of jokes. He made friends in nearly every situation he encountered, and was quick to offer his help, knowledge and support to colleagues, friends and family. Aaron was also an enthusiastic supporter of the Sarasota Music Festival and Sarasota Orchestra. He sponsored and encouraged a number of young musicians selected for the Festival and took great pride in them as they navigated their paths to professional musical careers. Aaron spent his free time perfecting his photography skills and became a semi-professional underwater photographer, as well as a volunteer photographer at the Selby Botanical Gardens in Sarasota. He had quite a number of publications and several gallery showings. He and his wife travelled the world diving. Aaron leaves behind his wife, Vicki, and his brother and sister-in-law, Norman and Frani Fink. He will be missed by a great number of friends, students and professional colleagues. Aaron was a faithful and empathetic friend. He was a friend for life. His memory is a blessing.

Tributes

Dr. Aaron Fink

June 19, 2024