MarionMade!: Finney Family Denistry serves generations of Marion residents
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Finney Family Dentistry has a rich tradition of serving the Marion community since 1936.
“People still remember being treated by my grandfather. I always enjoy hearing patients’ stories about my grandfather and father over the years,” said Dr. Kate Finney. “This gives me my biggest sense of pride — knowing how many people throughout 86 years that my family has been able to help.”
Finney Family Dentistry was founded by Dr. Harold “Ray” Raymond Finney. He graduated from The Ohio State University College of Dentistry thanks to financial assistance from the Daughters of the American Revolution. Dr. Ray started his first practice in Marion with fellow dentist Dr. Fiscorn in a small office on Main Street.
World War II beckoned and Dr. Ray answered the call. His military service took him to Tinian Island in the South Pacific. After completing his service, Dr. Ray returned to Marion in 1946 and opened his own practice above the historic Palace Theatre.
Dr. Bob Finney followed his father’s footsteps and joined the U.S. Army. He served in Vietnam where he was an army dentist in An Khe. Dr. Bob returned home and joined his father’s side. The practice thrived thanks to the Marion community and more space was needed. Dr. Ray and Dr. Bob purchased an old Texaco station and remodeled it into a dental practice. Dr. Ray retired from dentistry in 1979 after 43 years of dedicated service to local residents.
Dr. Bob’s son, Miles, entered the practice after graduating from The Ohio State University College of Dentistry in 2004. They once again outgrew their space, so in 2006, they built a new facility located on Independence Avenue in Marion, where Finney Family Dentistry remains today. Dr. Miles now works as a dentist at the Marion Correctional Institute.
To complete the Finney family’s legacy, Dr. Bob’s daughter, Dr. Katherine E. Finney, joined the practice. She graduated from Harding High School in 2004 and Case Western School of Dental Medicine in Cleveland in 2012 before returning home.
“I’ve really enjoyed coming back to my hometown to continue in my family’s footsteps and serve the community where I was born and raised,” Dr. Kate said. “It’s wonderful seeing childhood friends, teachers and other patients in our practice that say, ‘I have been coming to your office since I was little!’”
Dr. Kate met Dr. Derek Van Dyke in dental school. In 2013, he graduated, married Dr. Kate and joined the practice. They now have two children.
“I come from a small town in Nebraska, so I’m very comfortable in this setting. The people in Marion have been so welcoming and receptive which has made my career here so enjoyable,” Dr. Derek said. “Kate and I are very proud of our practice and community. We look forward to providing Marion and the surrounding communities with high level dental care for decades to come.”
Dr. Bob retired in 2017, though longtime patients regularly ask after him. Dr. Kate and Dr. Derek Van Dyke run the practice together.
“We have several staff members that are related to one another. We have two mother-daughter duos, two sisters and,an aunt-niece duo” said Dr. Kate. “We are one big family which makes for great teamwork. We have patients who routinely compliment our staff on their customer service and compassion.”
That family feel makes patients feel at home.
“As a female owner and with a largely female staff, I feel that we try to bring a unique perspective to dental care. That translates to a more comfortable environment for our patients,” said Dr. Kate.
Finney Family Dentistry is proud of their “family” of patients and the relationships they have developed over the years. To maintain the quality of care for current patients, they plan to add another dentist in the coming year before they can take on any new patients.
“I am excited to see Marion and our practice growing,” Dr. Kate said.
This article originally appeared on Marion Star: Three generations of family dentistry in Marion
