MEET LOCAL LEGENDS: By State

"I think I decided to become a doctor when I was about four, under the direction of my father, who was a physician."

"In college, I was exposed to quite a few pre-medical students, and my older brother was in medical school. Also, an aunt died of stomach cancer and that had a profound influence on me. But it wasn't until November of my senior year that I decided to become a doctor."

"I still feel sadness from seeing so much unnecessary suffering… This country still needs to make a much more fundamental commitment to care for all its people."

"I wanted to be the kind of physician who paid attention to my patients, and didn't dismiss my patients' complaints."

"I keep telling myself that until there are enough doctors in places like my hometown of Quincy, than I need to recruit medical students and doctors to get out and practice medicine in rural communities where people are dying of illnesses that could be prevented."

"It's easy to wear out after a while, but I've been lucky. I'm 86 years old, but I'm still trying to make a difference. That's what counts in the end-that you keep on trying."

"I'm blessed that I can work everyday at something I love. My greatest rewards are from my patients. They come to me and they trust me and let me become almost part of their family."