A Life in Medicine In Memoriam: John Finley, DO, revered Detroit Red Wings physician Dr. Finley was the Detroit Red Wings team physician for over 40 years and was highly respected by the athletes he served and their coaches. April 28, 2017Friday The DO Staff Contact The DO Staff Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Topics In Memoriam John Finley, DO, 88, passed on April 27, 2017. Dr. Finley, who served as team physician for the Detroit Red Wings for more than 40 years, had a legendary reputation in the NHL, especially for his supreme suturing skills, according to an article published in the Detroit Free Press. Before the days of hockey masks and protective padding, Dr. Finley was responsible for setting broken bones, relieving players’ pain and stitching up their wounds, taking special care to avoid permanent nerve damage. When Dr. Finley retired in 2003, he wrote Hockeytown Doc: A Half-Century of Red Wings Stories from Howe to Yzerman. The DO last spoke with Dr. Finley at OMED 2012 where he was autographing copies of Hockeytown Doc. “Our goal was to have the patients appreciate what we were doing for them and come to us immediately when they had a problem,” said Dr. Finley. And appreciate him, they did. In the foreword to Dr. Finley’s book, prominent Detroit Red Wings player, Gordie ‘Mr. Hockey’ Howe, wrote that his physician was a hero. “He was our psychologist and confidante, helping us navigate the demands of being fathers, husbands and sports figures,” said Howe. Dr. Finley graduated from what is now Midwestern University/Chicago College of Osteopathic Medicine (MWU/CCOM) in Downers Grove, Illinois, in 1953, and completed his residency at the former Detroit Osteopathic Hospital. Dr. Finley was active in the osteopathic medical profession; he had served on MWU/CCOM’s Board of Trustees. He also served as the president of the American College of Osteopathic Surgeons and was on their Board of Governors. Dr. Finley is survived by his wife, Genevieve; his son, Michael Finley, DO (Michelle Miller), and his daughters Mary (Gary) Straffon, Maureen (Paul) Kaplan, Bridgit (Brian) Hermann, Molly Finley (Paul Riccio), and Colleen Finley; and eight grandchildren. Visitation will be held at Lynch and Sons Funeral Home, 1368 N. Crooks Road, Clawson, Michigan, on Sunday, April 30, from 3-8 p.m. A Scripture Service will be held on Sunday evening. The funeral Mass will be held at St. Hugo of the Hills Stone Chapel, 2215 Opdyke Road, Bloomfield Hills, Michigan, on Monday, May 1, at 11 a.m. Friends may visit at the Chapel beginning at 10:30 a.m. More in Profession Leading physician groups oppose infringements on medical care, patient-physician relationship Groups believe the trusted relationship between a physician and their patient should never be jeopardized by the actions of policymakers. The DO schools on U.S. News’ best medical schools list for 2025 The lists of the best medical schools for research and primary care each include 13 DO schools. Also, the lists of the medical schools producing the most graduates practicing in primary care, rural areas and underserved areas included many osteopathic medical schools. Previous articleDOCARE: Volunteer outreach opportunities at home and abroad Next articleJAOA article discusses the osteopathic approach to chronic pain
Leading physician groups oppose infringements on medical care, patient-physician relationship Groups believe the trusted relationship between a physician and their patient should never be jeopardized by the actions of policymakers.
The DO schools on U.S. News’ best medical schools list for 2025 The lists of the best medical schools for research and primary care each include 13 DO schools. Also, the lists of the medical schools producing the most graduates practicing in primary care, rural areas and underserved areas included many osteopathic medical schools.
I served on the Committee on Hospital Accreditation when Jack was Chairman. He was truly a leader and a gentleman. I think of him often and mourn his passing. May. 4, 2017, at 9:32 am Reply
Our thoughts and prayers go out to the entire family He was a beloved and admired colleague May. 4, 2017, at 10:01 am Reply