PCOM President and CEO Jay S. Feldstein, DO ’81, shared the following statement regarding the passing of Leonard H. Finkelstein, DO ’59, MSc ’63, FACOS, chancellor, past president, and professor emeritus:
With a heavy heart, I share the news of the passing of Dr. Finkelstein, who died June 25, 2019.
Dr. Finkelstein retired from his position as professor of urologic surgery and chairman of the Division of Urology in 2014 (he was named professor emeritus in 2015). He remained the College’s chancellor, a post he held since 2006, until his death.
Dr. Finkelstein joined the PCOM faculty in 1963; in 1973, he was named chairman of the Division of Urology. In these capacities—as well as program director and course director—he advanced the College’s urology specialty and its American Osteopathic Association (AOA)–approved urology residency program.
Ever a visionary, Dr. Finkelstein served as the College’s sixth president and chief executive officer, from 1990 to 2000. His efforts enhanced the College’s curriculum, expanded the graduate medical education program, and fulfilled a master facilities plan for the institution and its campus. Dr. Finkelstein was responsible for the purchase of Parkview Hospital, and the ultimate sale of both Parkview and Barth Pavilion, while ensuring the efficacy of the College’s clinical teaching mission—acts that restored financial stability to the institution.
As a renowned researcher in urology in the osteopathic profession, Dr. Finkelstein lectured and published extensively. In 1984, he became the first osteopathic urologist to publish in Surgical Clinics of North America, and he was the first osteopathic physician not affiliated with an allopathic institution to publish in The American Journal of Surgery.
He held professional memberships in the American Association of Colleges of Osteopathic Medicine (past chairman), the American College of Osteopathic Surgeons, the AOA, the American Osteopathic Foundation Board of Directors (past president), the American Urologic Association, Inc., and the Pennsylvania Osteopathic Medical Association (past president and editor-in-chief of the POMA journal).
Dr. Finkelstein’s honors included the Christian R. and Mary F. Lindback Award for Distinguished Teaching (1970), the Student Osteopathic Medical Association George W. Northrup, DO Distinguished Service Award (1990), the Distinguished Osteopathic Surgeon Award (1992), and the Mentor Award from PCOM’s Student National Medical Association (1997). In 1999, Dr. Finkelstein received a Presidential Citation from the AOA for his commitment to unity within the osteopathic profession. He was also a 1999 recipient of the Dale Dodson, DO Award from the American Association of Colleges of Osteopathic Medicine. In 2000, he was awarded PCOM’s O.J. Snyder Memorial Medal.
Dr. Finkelstein held a bachelor’s degree in pharmacy from Philadelphia College of Pharmacy and Science, and a doctor of osteopathic medicine degree and a master of science degree in urologic surgery from PCOM. He completed his internship and general surgery residency at Zieger Osteopathic Hospital in Detroit, Michigan, followed by a residency in urologic surgery at PCOM. He was a diplomate of the American Osteopathic Board of Surgery and a fellow of the American Society for Lasers in Medicine and Surgery, Inc., and the College of Physicians of Philadelphia.
I ask you to join me in extending deepest condolences to Dr. Finkelstein’s wife, Marylyn; his three children and their spouses: Larry N. Finkelstein, DO ’87; Lisa J. Finkelstein, DO ’87; and Robert P. Finkelstein, DO ’90; and his grandchildren. We also extend our sympathies to Dr. Finkelstein’s associates and friends during this difficult time.
For the past 125 years, Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine (PCOM) has trained thousands of highly competent, caring physicians, health practitioners and behavioral scientists who practice a “whole person” approach to care—treating people, not just symptoms. PCOM, a private, not-for-profit accredited institution of higher education, operates three campuses (PCOM, PCOM Georgia and PCOM South Georgia) and offers doctoral degrees in clinical psychology, educational psychology, osteopathic medicine, pharmacy, physical therapy, and school psychology. The college also offers graduate degrees in applied behavior analysis, applied positive psychology, biomedical sciences, forensic medicine, medical laboratory science, mental health counseling, physician assistant studies, and school psychology. PCOM students learn the importance of health promotion, research, education and service to the community. Through its community-based Healthcare Centers, PCOM provides care to medically underserved populations. For more information, visit pcom.edu or call 215-871-6100.
Brandon Lausch
Executive Director, Strategic Communications
Email: brandonla@pcom.edu
Office: 215-871-6312 | Cell:
717-371-0609
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