Honoring the Legacy of Dr. Max Frederick Finkel
A lifetime of service. A lasting impact on future surgeons.
Dr. Max Frederick Finkel—beloved husband, father, surgeon, teacher, and mentor—devoted his life to caring for others. After earning his medical degree at the University of Illinois, Max served as a Flight Surgeon in the U.S. Air Force before beginning a distinguished surgical career in California. For 45 years, he led a thriving practice while volunteering as an attending surgeon at Los Angeles County General Hospital, providing emergency care to anyone in need.
Max also spent two decades teaching at the Keck School of Medicine of USC, shaping the next generation of clinicians with his compassion, expertise, and dedication.
In tribute to his lifelong commitment, Max and his wife Betty established the Max and Betty Finkel Prize for Excellence in General Surgery—a fund that recognizes outstanding residents at LA General Medical Center and supports their growth as future surgeons.
Max is remembered for his wisdom, humor, generosity, and rich love of family, art, travel, and storytelling. His legacy lives on in the countless lives he touched and in the residents who will carry his spirit forward.
