by Terri Hunter-Davis
Matthew Finzen, DDS, MDMatthew Finzen, DDS, MD, a UCSF School of Dentistry alumnus, died unexpectedly May 12 in North Carolina. Dr. Finzen, the son of longtime faculty member Fritz Finzen, DDS, was in his third year of the University of North Carolina’s oral and maxillofacial surgery program and had just completed his MD. He was 29.
The younger Dr. Finzen was a popular member of the class of 2014. During his time here, he served as president of the Psi Omega dental fraternity.
"Matt was well known to everyone in the OMFS [Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery] department,” said Jennifer Perkins, DDS, MD. “He was an exceptional student, an incredibly likable person, and a leader among his peers. He was an incredibly bright light who will be profoundly missed."
Dr. Biana Roykh, DDS, UCSF Dental Center clinic director and associate professor, concurred. “I knew Matt to be a lively, upbeat and enthusiastic student,” she recalled. “He was adored by his classmates and embraced life at UCSF fully. He had a good sense of humor, like his dad.”
“I had considerable interactions with Matt, who was such an energetic, intelligent and accomplished person," said John Featherstone MSc, PhD, dean of the UCSF School of Dentistry. "He always reminded me so much of his father in looks and characteristics. It is so amazing that Matt is no longer with us. He will be remembered fondly by all who knew him in the UCSF School of Dentistry family.”
Funeral services were May 20 at St. Anselm Catholic Church in Ross.
Related Links
Obituary, Marin Independent Journal
