MEET LOCAL LEGENDS: By Medical Specialty

"My greatest reward is the people I've met and worked with. People are central to everything I do."

"When I started on this, there was nobody else available, so I volunteered myself. I came halfway across the world from where I was born, and I believe there must be a reason why I am here..."

"I like the practice of gastroenterology. I call it the "happy specialty." People don't usually die, and I often find myself interacting with three generations, grandmother, mother, and daughter, which I find rewarding."

"I was a history major who never thought of medical school. For five years after graduation, I worked as a paralegal, a patient advocate at a free health care clinic, on an assembly line in a jam, jelly and fruitcake factory and even tried to get into the carpenter's union before becoming a welfare case worker, which is what led me, at last, to health care. I decided I could make a difference, so I went back to school to become a physical therapist but a friend told me I'd have a hard time taking orders from a doctor. So I decided to go to medical school!"

"I'd liked to be thought of as the type of doctor who did the very best she could for her patients. I love what I am doing and hope to be remembered by the families I helped through difficult times."

"I'd like to be remembered for my work helping those with blood disorders. It's been a wonderful way to contribute, and I know I'm very fortunate to be doing this."

"I always wanted to be a doctor and make the decisions that can really help people. When I first started out, my father was a bit worried. He was afraid it was too much of a man's world, and I'd lose my femininity."