MEET LOCAL LEGENDS: By Medical Specialty

"I was curious. My father was a physician, my mother a nurse who didn't go to medical school because it was the 1940s—and told me never to be a nurse."

"I was nine years old-as surveys show, the 'normal' age for deciding when to be a doctor-when it hit me. Don't ask me why, but it did. With my grandmother's help, I saved my pennies until I could buy Dorland's Medical Dictionary and Gray's Anatomy from a chiropractor's widow. Then I trudged a mile-and-a-half home with them!"

"From the beginning, I had a strong desire to help people and a great interest in science. During a work-study program in college, I was able to accompany resident doctors on their rounds at the Leahy Clinic. And that's what did it!"

"I wanted to see more women in academic medicine and, as a geriatrician I was concerned that the health and health care needs of the older women were being neglected in the growing dialogue around women's health."

"With radiation oncology you can really help a lot of people. Cancer survivors need special care and special follow up. It's a great feeling to see people for follow up when things are going well."

"I chose to become a physician because I had always felt it was a way I could connect with people and assist them with their health care issues."

"I'll always be grateful that I've had the privilege of being a health provider for immigrants. I've worked in refugee camps and I've heard their stories. I've learned so much from my patients. To be able to help take care of a family of immigrants will always be special for me."