“Tim, I’m feeling very short of breath. Can you get your stethoscope and listen to my lungs?”

This was the appeal from my father one evening while we were watching television after dinner. At the time, I was a first-year medical student and was just learning physical diagnosis. My father’s request led to an experience I will never forget.

When I was growing up, I remember my father being a very driven, extremely hard-working general surgeon. He would often tell my siblings and me stories of how he grew up in the Great Depression and worked 3 jobs to put himself through college and medical school. For his room, he was responsible for keeping coal burning in the furnace. For his books, he worked in the library. For his meals, he served food at a sorority house. Besides studying and working hard, dad would also tell us stories of how he kept himself in good shape, running track and playing football.