Wise Regional Health System Jason S. Finkelstein has reinvented the term “country doctor.” Since joining Wise Regional Health System in 2007, the Fort Worth physician has dedicated himself to bringing cutting-edge cardiac care to rural residents. “To be able to put a smile on someone’s face and help relieve their suffering is the greatest reward,” says Finkelstein, an interventional cardiologist who helped Wise Regional’s cardiac program reach national prominence. At Wise Regional in Decatur, he has saved lives by performing numerous diagnostic catheterization and heart artery angiography procedures. He also plants health-care seeds nearby, regularly traveling to Bowie and Paris to establish life-saving protocols for treating cardiac patients in those communities. Finkelstein’s dedication transcends national borders, with yearly trips to Grenada seeing the physician donate his time to local cardiac patients. “My experience in Grenada, I believe, has made me a better physician overall,” Finkelstein says. “I graduated from medical school in 1999, but I continue to return to the island each year and conduct a cardiology clinic to help the citizens of Grenada.” Two of those citizens, brothers Albert and Arnold Collins, underwent defibrillator replacement and cardiac catheterization procedures at Wise Regional, thanks to Finkelstein donating time and securing donations to ensure the procedures. Finkelstein graduated from St. George’s University School of Medicine, Grenada, and completed an interventional cardiology fellowship at St. Vincent’s Hospital, Indianapolis, among earning several other academic degrees and certifications. He vows to continue helping others. “No matter what the socioeconomic status is of any patient, my first duty is to care for them as best as possible,” Finkelstein says. What drew you into the health care field? While growing up, I was always interested in science, and as I became older, the complexity of the human body fascinated me. Many people in my family had serious health problems and I was eager to learn more about ways to cure these illnesses and treat patients. What is your biggest inspiration? I would have to say my father is my greatest inspiration. From a very early age, he instilled in me and my sister to respect others and the less fortunate. What’s your best advice for people getting into health care? The health-care environment today is becoming ever more complex with government regulations and technology. I feel that the future is going to be more of telemedicine. My advice for new physicians would be to make sure they are able to adapt to new environments and be able to embrace it. Doctors should be able to work well with others from all different dynamics including office staff, nurses, hospital administrators and pharmaceutical companies. – A. Lee Graham