Growing up in the small town of Tyler, Texas, Dr. Dan Winston enjoyed the simple things in life such as hunting, fishing, and working on the family farm. Now a days, what gives him the greatest joy is getting his patient through a successful heart surgery and adding years to their life.
“Health is our greatest asset in life, and I feel blessed to be able to help people attain that,” he said.
Dr. Winston was influenced and inspired by the doctors in his family who were fulfilled on a day to day basis with their jobs. He completed his undergraduate degree at Texas A&M University, then obtained his medical degree at University of Texas. After completing his residency of cardiothoracic surgery at Emory University in Atlanta, he was honored to move to Gainesville to begin his career at the Ronnie Green Heart Center.
“I know I am blessed to wake up each day and be excited about going to work. I realize that I could never be successful without the team of people who surround me,” he said.
We are grateful that Dr. Winston recently took the time with us to answer some questions about his life, interests and love of Hall County.
Question: What inspired you or led you to your career?
Answer: “In high school I worked with an emergency team. I rode in the ambulance and assisted with various patients and scenarios. There was something different and exciting each day. It made me realize that I would enjoy a career in medicine.”
Q: What is your favorite restaurant in Hall County and what do you like to order there?
A: “Pueblos Mexican Restaurant; tacos a las brasas.”
Q: How long have you lived or worked in Hall County?
A: “Since 2002.”
Q: Who is the most interesting person you’ve met in Hall County?
A: “Phillip Wilheit.”
Q: If you could travel anywhere in the world right now, where would it be? And why?
A: “I would travel to Italy because it is beautiful, the food is outstanding and the people are kind-hearted.”
Q: What is your favorite movie OR what is the first movie you remember seeing in theatre?
A: “’The Gladiator.’”
Q: What advice would you give a crowd of people?
A: “Work hard and do something that you love and are passionate about. Give it 110%.”
Q: What is something on your bucket list?
A: “I would like to travel to Southeast Asia. I am intrigued by their culture.”
Q: What is your favorite music/ three bands you would like to see (dead or alive)?
A: “My favorite type of music is rock, and the three bands would have to be Led Zeppelin, The Smith’s and Jason Aldean.”
Q: What former local business makes you the most nostalgic about Hall County?
A: “Corner Drugs.” Dan used to take his kids there when they were younger for the 25 cent ice cream cones.
Q: Choosing anyone (alive and a non-relative): with whom would you love to have lunch? Why this person? Now, where in Hall County would you have this lunch?
A: “Steven Tyler. Because he is a very successful person with a unique personality. We would have lunch at 2 Dog Cafe.”
Q: What is your favorite thing about Hall County?
A: “It’s a wonderful environment to raise a family.”
Q: Where do you see yourself in 5 or 10 years?
A: “Doing exactly what I’m doing right now.”
Q: (Even for friends or family), what is something interesting that most people don’t know about you?
A: “I am an absolute neat freak. I love for everything to be in it’s place.”
Interview by Abernathy Cochran intern: Bessie Winston
The Faces of Hall County is a project to showcase the amazing people that live or work in our community. If you would like to nominate an interesting person to be featured please email babernathy@gonorton.com.
PROJECT PATRONS:
