But as with many medical practices there were patients that owed him money who were unable to pay.

At first, he called in a collection agency, but then had a change of heart.

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"Over time I realized that there are people who just are unable to pay," Dr. Atiq told ABC's Good Morning America.

"So, my wife and I, as a family, we thought about it and looked at forgiving all the debt. We saw that we could [afford to] do it and then just went ahead and did it."

Dr. Omar Atiq and his family photo: cnn.com

"We thought there was not a better time to do this than during a pandemic that has decimated homes, people's lives and businesses and all sorts of stuff," Dr. Atiq told the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette.

In his patient Christmas card, Dr. Atiq wrote in part something stunning, "The clinic has decided to forego all balances owed to the clinic by it's patients. Happy Holidays!"

Said Bea Cheesman of the debt collection agency to BBC News:

"It's just a wonderful thing that he and his family did in forgiving this debt because the people with oncology bills do have more challenges than the bulk of the population."

Added David Wroten of the Arkansas Medical Society to BBC News: "If you knew Dr. Atiq, you would better understand."

"First, he is one of the smartest doctors I have ever known, but he is also one of the most compassionate doctors I have ever known."

Editor's Note: To learn more, click here, here and here.

In the next KazanToday: A loving little dog who supported her human companion in his time of COVID.