MEET LOCAL LEGENDS: By Medical Specialty

"I'm a great believer in balance. Strive to be balanced in your life; to be passionate about your work but broad and open in your professional and personal life. That balance makes you a better physician."

"I always wanted to be a doctor and my parents took me to a female pediatrician, which was unusual back then. It was a very warm, safe place and she interacted well with my parents. She seemed to have it all..."

"I knew I wanted to be a physician ever since I was four years old. While every other child was dressing up their dolls, I was performing surgery on mine. I would take on any opportunity to nurture and heal; I had an innate desire to help. Naturally, this led to an interest in science and medicine at an older age."

"I leave you with a quote by George Eliot, 'It is never too late to be what you might have been.'"

"I love taking care of people, I love medicine and making medical decisions, and I want my life to make a difference."

"My uncle was a physician and my father a medic during World War II, plus he was chairman of the college biology department and a pre–med counselor. It was very powerful to watch my uncle treat his patients. They both encouraged my interest in medicine. And as an African–American, I was deeply moved by seeing our people not be able to get the level of specialty care that others got!"

"I've always been interested in the relationship of genetics to clinical care, and I've had the good fortune to have opportunities in both genetics and medicine. I am a great believer in learning to use science wisely and well."