MEET LOCAL LEGENDS: By State

"I have followed some of my patients for as long as 25 years and been able to observe the results of my scientific work firsthand. More importantly, I have developed a real love and affection for them."

"I wanted to be a doctor from a very young age - even before I went to high school. I'm not sure exactly what motivated me. I had a father who was a chemist. I had a mother who was extremely ill through most of my childhood, and spent a long time in the hospital. It may have been that, that motivated me partly as well."

"If you are interested in science and medicine, then do it. It's not going to be easy. But there is a lot of exciting research out there to be done, with many opportunities in all areas of science and medicine. You just have to get out there and learn about it."

"When I decided to give up law and go to medical school I had to justify it to myself. If I was going to be taking a place in a medical school class, I wanted to link my new career to my former career. I felt that helping children was the best way to do this."

"The two biggest challenges in working for the uninsured and indigent in our clinic are trying to locate services for patients who need special care or follow-up–such as diabetics; and understanding the needs of our patients. We have a tremendous diversity in culture and language, and we always have to remember how hard it is for some patients to make their needs known."

"I love to get people engaged in their own health. The great challenge for me is to motivate people to take charge of their health and destiny"

"My grandparents and parents inspired me to help other people. They lived lives of service, my grandparents helping many Polish immigrants to survive the Depression and my parents carrying on in their tradition."