MEET LOCAL LEGENDS: By State

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

"When I was little, I wanted to be an engineer or a pilot. But when I was 15 or 16, I visited my mother's hometown, a small southern town, and saw that not everyone had the same opportunity for health care...My family has a tradition of community involvement, of caring for people; my aunt was a nurse. I joined my interest in science with caring for people. I feel everyone should have access to quality medical care."

"We give little when we give only our material possessions. It is when we give of ourselves that we truly give. We have the comfort of knowing that our work is not to make a living, but to make a life, not just for ourselves or a select few, but life with its fullness for all, and especially providing the access to health care, which is our special charge. "

"Connecting with children and their families and showing them that you care is the first step in developing a trusting relationship and the most important part of being a doctor. It is that special relationship that is so vital in practicing the art of medicine."

"I get satisfaction from so many different aspects of my career including running a laboratory, studying science, teaching and taking care of patients. But, if I were forced to say what I enjoy most, it's the process of telling a scientific story."

"Teaching medicine has undergone huge changes. You can't just read a chapter from a book. As teachers we need to bring the students closer to patients so they learn about dealing with people. Medical students need to see real patients and conduct real medical interviews."

"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!"